D turned 8

My sweet little baby girl is growing up quickly. She is now a very precocious, creative, loving 8 year old girl going into 3rd grade. When did that happen? She had visual art camp the morning of her birthday. We always let the kids choose an activity and a place to eat at for their special day and this not so little girl picked going to the mall and Applebee's. I think she thinks she is a teen. It worked out well because one of her gifts was to go to Build-a-Bear. A few years back she got to make a Rainbow Dash for her gift. Ever since then she has hounded me to go back and get Twilight Sparkle. So we take her back to get it finally and what does she do....picks a different pony!

 After having pretzels, getting her pony, and getting their free loot birthday loot from both the mall and Barnes and Noble we headed home to relax and finish the cake. We were able to head out for an early dinner, where the waitress brought her this giant sundae, which she didn't want to share. Once eating half of it, she passed it over to brother to finish.

 Once home it was time for cake! This year she picked out a white cake, with vanilla buttercream, fresh strawberry filling and strawberries on top. The berries were fresh organic ones we had picked ourselves the day before.

 And then on to the rest of the gifts. We gave her a little sewing project, a potholder loom with extra bands, and L gave her a new color yourself messenger bag. I think she had a great day, I know the rest of us did.

A fun filled Saturday

We started out a fun Saturday with The History Museum and Kidsfirst Digs! They put on a great family friendly program. Crafts, info, and a real dig site across the street!

 Then our next stop was Comic Con at the Mishawaka Public Library! There were tons of fun events all day long, and people were encouraged to come in costume. My kids picked Ash and Misty from Pokemon. During the week I was able to make their costumes, hand stitch their own Pokemon, and paint pokeballs before the big day.

While at the library they were able to make masks,

 take pictures with others in costume,

 meet a dalek and K-9,

 pose for pictures,

 and compete in the costume contest. D won 2nd place in the kid's division. She happily got the Pokemon basket!

Last day of 2nd and 3rd grade

The last week of school this year was a bit different. Adam was away on a work trip the whole week in Rome, so I had to do it all by myself. Luckily for us, maybe not for him, the time changed allowed us to Facetime with him every night at dinner time for us (midnight for him).

L had his awards on a Friday this year. As always each student was called up by their teacher and given an award. This year's theme was unforgettable. L was unforgettable because of" his insatiable curiosity and being the resident expert on all things Harry Potter or Cub Scouts." After all the awards were handed out, the kids sang a song about good bye friends we will see each other again. For me tears were flowing because my kids are transferring to a different school next year but they will join this group of kids in middle school a few years from now.

D's awards were on the following Monday morning. Just like brother, all the kids were called up and given awards. D was given the Life Skill of problem solving and perfect attendance. After it was all done, the kids sang "This little light of mine", and again a few tears were shed by me.

The final day of school had come, and these two were ready for Fun in the Sun which is like a giant field day!

My friend took this one of D during her class' dance and song they performed.

As I have done each year on the last day, I put together a kick off to summer bucket that they find in their seat at the end of the day. These were packed with new books, bubbles, silly string, coloring books, little activities, new sand shovels and more.

I also had balloons hanging out the windows and blasting Kids Bop music. There were kids dancing in front of my car again.

And as always, the silly string came out as soon as we were home.

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