My Little Bookworm

This is how Michael fell asleep last night.  I love that he already LOVES books!

Recital Time!

Last weekend was Abigail's dance recital.  This year they did a dance to "Dancin' in the Street."  The girls all looked like they had a blast on stage!  They performed especially well during the Friday night rehearsal.  On Saturday, one of the girls was unable to dance because she was home with a high fever.  At such a young age, the rest of the class was thrown off a bit by a change in their line, etc., but they still did great!  They also had fun being together while preparing to go on stage.

  

 Abigail just looks happy to be on stage!  I love it!

 Dancing away!

 Abigail (far right) stands with her cute dance class right before going on stage.

Abigail smiles for the camera in her pretty costume.

After the recital, we invited some friends over to have a barbeque.  It was a very busy, but very good day.

A Day at the Zoo (the REAL zoo with Animals)

Yesterday, we met one of Abby's friends (and her family) at the zoo.  It was the PERFECT day to go to the zoo.  It was partly cloudy and only about 63 degrees.  It made it very comfortable for this pregnant mama to spend the day outside!

Abigail and Michael had a GREAT time.  They both love animals and had a great time wandering from exhibit to exhibit. 

Michael and Abigail are both entertained by the tortoise. 

Usually the wolf is hiding, but yesterday (maybe with the cooler weather), he was wandering all over the place.  Michael kept saying, "Dog!  Dog!" 

Abigail, Cecelia, Sarah, and Lilly smile for the camera. 

Abigail and Cecelia 

Abigail and Cecelia actually sit still long enough for me to take a picture.  I had to hurry though!  Those two silly girls are two peas in a pod!

Some of the other favorite animals of the day were the baboons, the tiger, and the sleepy lions.  Our zoo isn't huge, but it really is a nice place and the little ones always have a great time!  I'm sure Abby and Michael will soon be asking to return.  The only problem for me would be ordering such perfect weather conditions again! 

Abby's Preschool Graduation

Yesterday, May 30, was Abigail's preschool graduation.  She looked so pretty and so grown up!  There was a fun program for the families; the children sang many of the songs they have been learning all year.  It was fun to see all of the children standing perfectly in their little line.

Abby stands next to her painting before the program. 

Abby was chosen to hold the flag during the Pledge of Allegiance. 

The class sings "This Land is Your Land." 

And now for the performance with the lummi sticks.  (As the teachers were handing out the sticks, most of the children were tapping them together.  Abigail held hers to her side and quietly announced that everyone was supposed to hold their sticks still at their side and that she was being obedient.  She never turned and said anything to her friends standing next to her.  She just made her quiet announcement while looking straight ahead at the audience.  We heard it since we were sitting in the front row.  It was hilarious!) 

 Abby "walks" across the stage.

The whole class freezes long enough to take a group photo. 

  Tara, Michael, Abby, and Coley smile for the camera after the program.  Abby was so excited that Daddy was able to attend, especially since this is the crazy week he is working night shifts!

Preschool has been a GREAT experience for Abigail.  She has learned so much while having lots of fun.  Her teachers were absolutely wonderful!

The next adventure.... KINDERGARTEN! 

Happy 37th Birthday, Tara!

Last Thursday, May 10, was my birthday.  Coley took the day off and Abby didn't have preschool, so we had the entire day to ourselves.  Abby and Coley made me a cake and had a great time in the kitchen.  (I baked some pumpkin cookies for Michael so he would have a treat while we all ate cake.)

In the evening, we went out to dinner.  I was so happy that food actually tasted good at this point in my pregnancy!  I went all out and ate a bacon cheeseburger! :)  Yum!

 Abby and Michael just hanging out and having fun.

 It's time to open presents.  I think Abby was at least as excited as I was.  She knew the presents didn't belong to her, but she wanted to help open them!

 Abby wanted me to wear her birthday crown from preschool.  Doesn't it look lovely?

The evening ended with birthday cake and ice cream.  I'm glad Michael didn't seem too distressed that his treat was different (due to his allergies)!

Another year older and life just keeps getting better!

A Visit with the Principal

The week before Mother's Day, we all piled in the car and drove to Buffalo for a few hours to visit with Conny.  Conny was the principal during my first two years of teaching in Southern California.  She now does consulting work all over the place and recently spent four weeks in Buffalo.  I learned so much from her about being a good teacher.  It was great to see her again and introduce her to my family.  Coley was taking the picture, so you don't see him. 

We visited with Conny for a little while at the hotel and then took her to dinner.  Abigail quickly made friends with Conny and didn't stop telling her stories all evening.

It was WAY past bedtime when we put Abby and Michael in bed, but we had a great night!

Observation Day in Dance

Things are winding up with the end of the school year.  Abigail's dance recital will be in a few weeks.  Two weeks ago, Coley and I were able to attend "Observation Day" for her dance class.  It was pretty entertaining.  The girls are practicing so very hard for their recital.  Some of the little girls looked pretty stressed (there was even one girl in tears), but most of them were having a great time.  I LOVE the smiles you get when you remind little children to smile really big on stage.