Change in Plans...

For the last several Memorial Days we have joined our small group for a cookout loaded with all kinds of food and water fun. This year that was the plan until the water fun kept falling from the sky, all day. We were then in search of plan B.

We headed to the Children's Museum.

It is always funny to see which area the girls will explore most each visit. This time it was amusing to me how much fun the grocery area was. Sophie decorated a cake for a long time. Haleigh filled her buggy about a hundred times, visited the cake decorating area and then camped out in the meat market area?! Mackenzie would fill her buggy and then lay the food out in lines on the floor. (She did this so many times Mark asked me if there was something going on at when we went to the real store that he didn't know about.) It was a very odd, yet entertaining behavior. When we go to the store for real it is never this fun I can promise you that!

A consistent favorite for Haleigh is the race car station. She really worked hard designing her car for the big race. It always has a little style mixed in, like the purple tires.

Sophie is usually the one that floats into the wind tunnel with many frilly things to float in the "breeze."

My favorite of the day...working the little tubes to make neat mazes to direct the water. (That is until one of the tubes disconnected and directed the water right into my shoe:)

The "traveling exhibit" was the Blue Men Band.

(I didn't get too many pics in this section because I was playing a lot. It was really fun!!)

Mackenzie's favorite of the day... the slide which is the digestive track, seriously!? She spent at least 20 minutes here, I think she was doing some research.

Lots of fun was had by all.

And tomorrow we get to go to the small group Memorial Day cookout- yeah!!

The Treasure of a New Park!

Tea Party Anyone!

Today was all about the tea party!

While I worked on some things on the "to do" list the girls had some tea party fun. It thrills me that they still love to invite baby dolls, stuffed animals, and even robots to their tea parties. Many were dressed in tea party attire and some imagination was used to come up enough chairs to host a two table tea party.

After dinner there was a request for some special guests to attend an evening tea party.

It was a sweet time girls! I love coming to a tea party hosted by best friends!

(And the evening ended with a "sleep over.")

Zoo Day - The Beginning of Summer Adventures

Late last night, I decided if weather permitted this morning we would head to the zoo for some fun. This decision was prompted by reading a friend's blog and being energized by her excitement to make some summertime memories with her girls. (Thanks MB!)

After the destination was announced we were all about getting out the door!

We finally were gathered enough to head out, but we had to drop some "lab work" at the hospital first. As we entered the parking garage I called Mark just on the chance he was between patients and he was. We made our drop and then went up to his office just to say hi. We greeted the office staff with our zoo ready excitement. Apparently this impromptu attitude had spread. Next thing we knew we were being whisked off to lunch with Daddy!

One the way back to the hospital we spotted one of the last open Liquid Highways in our area. This may not seem too exciting to many, BUT these tiny treasures by our house are closed and they make my special summer treat...
The One Way!!
Coffee, toffee, cream, and ice blended and topped with whip cream and toffee bits - does it get any better!! (And of coarse the spoils were car wide. The girls were treated with smoothies of their choice.)



We dropped Mark off at work (I almost posted a pic of tearful Mackenzie as Daddy got out of the van but it was way too sad!)
Then, we were off to the zoo.
Since the zoo is not a new experience for the girls we decided to add a school element. We took some world maps and mapped out where the animals were from. I couldn't believe how excited the girls were. They all really got into it..
... even Mackenzie.

For about the last two year whenever we pass this sign that gives the "special diet, please don't feed" info about the birds, Haleigh does this exact same thing. She MUST conduct an orchestra standing on this rock every time! It is a hoot, she does it even if no one is paying a bit of attention. I wonder what they will think of that every day of zoo camp?!

Sophie insisted she was the endangered ocelot in this picture. (This is right before Haleigh fell out of the tree. She got right back up in it after just a short injury check and a few kisses. She decided she shouldn't try to swing like the monkeys.)

Hang around the zoo enough and you learn all kinds of secrets. One zoo keeper told us these chickens much prefer the clovers over the rye crackers you can purchase to feed the animals.

(Another zoo secret is that Joy the elephant will raise her trunk when commanded "trunk up Joy!")

So, today was an inspired impromptu day of fun! We are looking forward to many more summer adventures!!

Summer School!?!

This is our version of summer school as we finish up some of our text books...

Sophie's Violin Recital

Last evening Sophie celebrated many hours of lessons and practice as she preformed with a group of Mrs. Martin's Suzuki violin students. It was so fun to listen to the great accomplishments of these young musicians.

An added bonus of Sophie's lesson is that she adores her teacher Mrs. Martin!About a month ago Sophie played her solo from this evening, Chorus from Judas Maccabaeus by Handel, at a Solo and Ensemble Festival and received a "surperior" for her performance. She could hardly wait for her recital, knowing that is when she would be awarded her medal. (That really showed when Sophie had the medal pinned to her dress before the rest of the medals had even been given.)
Sophie, I am so proud of all of your hard work and hours of practice! I can't wait to see how God will use this beautiful gift He is growing in you for His glory!! (No doubt He already is using it, that is evident when we see that sweet smile on Granny's face when you play "Granny's favorite!")

(By the way, what musician would be fully dressed without her musical hair clip to match her favorite dress ;)

Closing Ceremonies

Last week we celebrated a year of hard work! The entire co-op group (about 62 kids) sang a fun round in orchestra style about musical instruments.

(Sophie is on the right end.)

(Haleigh is, where else, front and center)

Mrs. Stacy was the fearless tutor of Haleigh's class of 4-5 year olds. She did a great job of leading this sweet pack of 5 boys and 2 energetic girls all year. They presented the song of Presidents from Washington to Obama in fine style!! Haleigh was very proud of her certificate of completion!!
Mrs. Bonnie will always hold a sweet place in our hearts as she led Sophie's class each week in such a calm manner, and heaven knows she was not leading a calm class ;)

Sophie's class presented a great song of prepositions.

My sweet girls,

One of the greatest privileges I have is to be able to teach you daily. To watch your faces light up as you discover your strengths or work through your weaknesses is one of my great joys. I am so thankful to have the support and encouragement from Daddy who also takes joy in knowing we get to learn about Jesus and His great love daily as we study. Thanks for being a blast to teach and for having grace as we all learn how to do this together.