November 7 , 2016
Happy 5 1/2 birthday! Gay and Ed took Lizzy to the park to play while I worked late.
Happy 5 1/2 birthday! Gay and Ed took Lizzy to the park to play while I worked late.
November 8, 2016
Dinner and face painting.
Dinner and face painting.
November 11, 2016
A girl and her dog.
A girl and her dog.
November 18, 2016
Our super fun weekend began with breakfast together at the school. We had doughnuts, bananas, and juice together before the bell rang.
Our super fun weekend began with breakfast together at the school. We had doughnuts, bananas, and juice together before the bell rang.
After getting home from work and school, we loaded up and headed downtown. We had dinner at the Varsity Club at Banker's Life Fieldhouse before the game. It was a really yummy buffet, and featured a wonderful dessert bar with a fun s'mores bar which she enjoyed.
During the game, Lizzy was dancing in the suite right against the glass, and the camera caught her and she was dancing on the jumbotron.
After Pacers games when we're in the suites, Lizzy loves to run ahead of us down the long hallway and wait for us at the end, by the elevators. This is how we found her silly self when we arrived.
After Pacers games when we're in the suites, Lizzy loves to run ahead of us down the long hallway and wait for us at the end, by the elevators. This is how we found her silly self when we arrived.
November 19, 2016
Nice backstroke!
Nice backstroke!
Swimming Saturday continued with a swimming birthday party.
November 20, 2016
Colts game day!
Colts game day!
We took this photo before the game started, and it got put up on the big screen more than a dozen times over the course of the day.
She FINALLY made it onto the Simba cam! She was absolutely thrilled.
We had LOTS of streamers land on our seats, since there were lots of touchdowns. What a fun day!
November 22, 2016
November 25, 2016
We had so much fun listening to Christmas music and putting our tree up.
We had so much fun listening to Christmas music and putting our tree up.
December 8, 2016
She looks so grown up in her school photo.
She looks so grown up in her school photo.
December 11, 2016
A yummy brunch (and you know she's never one to pass up face painting!) followed by Naveen's 6th birthday party, spent bowling!
A yummy brunch (and you know she's never one to pass up face painting!) followed by Naveen's 6th birthday party, spent bowling!
December 14, 2016
Since our Christmas Cards, featuring these photos, finally went out, I can share them. She is so beautiful!
Since our Christmas Cards, featuring these photos, finally went out, I can share them. She is so beautiful!
December 16, 2016
For the Kindergarten Christmas community service project, the children donated stuffed animals, and decorated bags to give to children in need in conjunction with a local police program. Lizzy decorated hers with a Vulpix.
For the Kindergarten Christmas community service project, the children donated stuffed animals, and decorated bags to give to children in need in conjunction with a local police program. Lizzy decorated hers with a Vulpix.
December 19, 2016
Our super fun day began when my Dad arrived to take LIzzy and me downtown.
Our super fun day began when my Dad arrived to take LIzzy and me downtown.
We headed to have lunch at P.F. Chang's, where Anju, Naveen, and Anju's parents joined us. It was very yummy!
While we were eating, Lizzy noticed a homeless man sitting just outside the restaurant window. She and Naveen boxed up their (untouched) kids' meals, grabbed some chopsticks, and took their gifts outside to him so he'd have some warm food and some money. Such a selfless, thoughtful girl.
After lunch, we walked over to the Circle Theater for Yuletide Celebration. It was great this year!
After lunch, we walked over to the Circle Theater for Yuletide Celebration. It was great this year!
Next, Lizzy wanted to show Ed the great candy store on Monument Circle, and show him she did!
Next up was our dinner reservation at Hard Rock. They greeted Lizzy by name when we arrived, and she enjoyed a beautiful hot chocolate with her meal (and ice cream.)
Our final stop of the day was the Pacers game, where it was her school's special night. She collected several prizes for selling a certain amount of tickets, and her name was displayed at half time. Also, it was free hat night, so we all got nice Pacers hats!
December 20, 2016
We went to visit Santa, but we happened to have Winston with us, so he got to visit with Santa too.
We went to visit Santa, but we happened to have Winston with us, so he got to visit with Santa too.
December 23, 2016
Pottery painting!
Pottery painting!
December 24, 2016
After our family meal out, we came home for Lizzy to open presents from Gay and Ed. Her favorites were Pikachu slippers and a Nintendo 3DS with lots of games!
After our family meal out, we came home for Lizzy to open presents from Gay and Ed. Her favorites were Pikachu slippers and a Nintendo 3DS with lots of games!
December 25, 2016
Christmas morning began with an intense scavenger hunt all around the house, with Lizzy finding Santa's gift to her in her Dad's shower of all places! Santa got her the Chrono Bomb game, and a Fur Real Friends Torch Dragon, which are the two things she asked for. We had a great day lounging around the house, watching new movies and playing with new toys.
December 26, 2016
Pretending to go on a journey!
Christmas morning began with an intense scavenger hunt all around the house, with Lizzy finding Santa's gift to her in her Dad's shower of all places! Santa got her the Chrono Bomb game, and a Fur Real Friends Torch Dragon, which are the two things she asked for. We had a great day lounging around the house, watching new movies and playing with new toys.
December 26, 2016
Pretending to go on a journey!
December 28, 2016
Her plate she painted before Christmas turned out beautifully.
Her plate she painted before Christmas turned out beautifully.
December 31, 2016
We had a great New Year's Eve! We arrived at our hotel downtown a little after 2:00 pm. We played around, checked out the balcony, and then walked across the street to have sushi for lunch. She ate an entire roll by herself, and then made a beautiful (and very zen) arrangement on the table.
We had a great New Year's Eve! We arrived at our hotel downtown a little after 2:00 pm. We played around, checked out the balcony, and then walked across the street to have sushi for lunch. She ate an entire roll by herself, and then made a beautiful (and very zen) arrangement on the table.
After lunch, we came back and enjoyed the room a bit more, especially watching planes taking off and landing from IND in the distance.
Her sitter arrive around 5:30, and they had a wonderful night while Daddy and I went across the street to celebrate. They got to see the downtown fireworks from the balcony!
January 1, 2017
Happy new year! We enjoyed a wonderful breakfast downstairs in the hotel restaurant, and then played around in the room until we had to check out at noon.
January 1, 2017
Happy new year! We enjoyed a wonderful breakfast downstairs in the hotel restaurant, and then played around in the room until we had to check out at noon.
January 4, 2017
She loves to help prepare dinner.
She loves to help prepare dinner.
January 9, 2016
Green tea ice cream is delicious.
Green tea ice cream is delicious.
January 16, 2017
School was closed for MLK Day, so I took the day off to spend with her. We had lunch at Bento Cafe, where she ordered a California Roll, Cucumber Roll, Miso Soup, and green tea. Such a little foodie!
School was closed for MLK Day, so I took the day off to spend with her. We had lunch at Bento Cafe, where she ordered a California Roll, Cucumber Roll, Miso Soup, and green tea. Such a little foodie!
We were going to go see a movie, but the rest of the Fishers had the same idea, and film was sold out, So, plan B was ice cream!
We spent the rest of the day playing and taking a bath with the Pokeball bath bombs I'd made for Christmas. What a fun day!
January 20, 2017
We had a lot of fun at a birthday party for one of Lizzy's friends, Britt. Look at these two pretty girls! Such sweethearts.
January 20, 2017
We had a lot of fun at a birthday party for one of Lizzy's friends, Britt. Look at these two pretty girls! Such sweethearts.
January 22, 2017
We spent the day downtown at the Canal on a Pokewalk, then had a baby shower for a co-worker of mine. What a fun way to spend an unseasonably warm January Sunday.
We spent the day downtown at the Canal on a Pokewalk, then had a baby shower for a co-worker of mine. What a fun way to spend an unseasonably warm January Sunday.
January 23, 2017
Lizzy's classroom uses LLI reading level books. Her teacher has been sending home more and more challenging books for her every few weeks. I cross-referenced the books she's reading with the LLI grade level chart, and she is officially reading at a second grade level (very nearly third grade level.) At the rate she's improving, who knows at what level she'll end the year. It is so amazing and gratifying to see her explore the world through books. I could not be prouder, and she continues to amaze us. Not only with her abilities, memory/recall for tiny details, and intelligence, but her imagination, creativity, compassion, kindness, incredible intuition, and maturity way beyond her 5 3/4 years. I'm so excited to see what the future brings this girl.
Lizzy's classroom uses LLI reading level books. Her teacher has been sending home more and more challenging books for her every few weeks. I cross-referenced the books she's reading with the LLI grade level chart, and she is officially reading at a second grade level (very nearly third grade level.) At the rate she's improving, who knows at what level she'll end the year. It is so amazing and gratifying to see her explore the world through books. I could not be prouder, and she continues to amaze us. Not only with her abilities, memory/recall for tiny details, and intelligence, but her imagination, creativity, compassion, kindness, incredible intuition, and maturity way beyond her 5 3/4 years. I'm so excited to see what the future brings this girl.
January 28, 2017
Happy new year! This was her first year getting lucky money. She was very pleased.
Happy new year! This was her first year getting lucky money. She was very pleased.
February 4, 2017
Saturday morning crafts with the dog.
Saturday morning crafts with the dog.
February 10, 2017
Lizzy knew there was a special surprise this evening, but she didn't know details. She was delighted to learn it was a dance with Daddy! They had a great time, and she even led a conga line.
Lizzy knew there was a special surprise this evening, but she didn't know details. She was delighted to learn it was a dance with Daddy! They had a great time, and she even led a conga line.
February 13, 2017
How she was sleeping Monday night.
How she was sleeping Monday night.
February 16, 2017
Last week, I had received this email from the school.
Last week, I had received this email from the school.
I was delighted to visit the school tonight to see her beautiful face, on a large canvas, right by the office door!
Tonight was so much fun. We arrived for Science Night right a few minutes before they opened at 5:30. In fact, we were the first family there. We were also the last to leave. For three solid hours we did so much. We saw stars, held bugs, played music (three times we visited that room!), made concrete, washed our hands for the AU nursing staff (they said Lizzy was the most thorough hand washer of the entire night!), held bugs again, played with electricity, bounced eggs, played with Ooblek, played with robots, held bugs again, had fingerprints done and looked at them with a magnifying glass to identify our loops, looked at cells under a microscope, held bugs again, and SO MUCH MORE. It was a terrific night, and she had had such intense fun and stimulation, that it took her 90 minutes to fall asleep. Whew!
February 19, 2017
Lizzy's first passport is going to expire soon, so it was passport photo day. In her first passport, she has stamps from Italy, England, Germany (no Austria since that was a land crossing), and Jamaica, not to mention plenty of return stamps from the USA. In her next passport, she'll have Australia, England, France, Japan, and who knows what else. I love giving her the gift of the world.
Lizzy's first passport is going to expire soon, so it was passport photo day. In her first passport, she has stamps from Italy, England, Germany (no Austria since that was a land crossing), and Jamaica, not to mention plenty of return stamps from the USA. In her next passport, she'll have Australia, England, France, Japan, and who knows what else. I love giving her the gift of the world.
It was unseasonably warm all weekend, so we spent Sunday afternoon bike riding around the neighborhood.
February 23, 2017
Being silly before school.
Being silly before school.
February 25, 2017
Daddy had to leave on Saturday for a business trip, so to cheer ourselves up, we decided to go out to lunch. I let her choose, which of course meant The Journey! She chose steak, sushi, fried rice, dumplings, and clam chowder.
Daddy had to leave on Saturday for a business trip, so to cheer ourselves up, we decided to go out to lunch. I let her choose, which of course meant The Journey! She chose steak, sushi, fried rice, dumplings, and clam chowder.
Afterwards, we went home to have some fun drawing time. This is her ice skating ballerina poop, Tada:
February 26, 2017
We went to visit Gay and Ed to play with their new puppy Hallelujah, and to meet their other new puppy Rose, who is only 13 days old. She'll be coming home to them in a few weeks. We'd never met a less than 2 week old pup before!
We went to visit Gay and Ed to play with their new puppy Hallelujah, and to meet their other new puppy Rose, who is only 13 days old. She'll be coming home to them in a few weeks. We'd never met a less than 2 week old pup before!
March 9, 2017
Today was Cat in the Hat day at school, so I picked up a little Cat in the Hat! In the evening, I shared her cute picture on Instagram, and it was then picked up and shared on PBS Kids' Instagram feed.
She's kind of a big deal. :o)
Today was Cat in the Hat day at school, so I picked up a little Cat in the Hat! In the evening, I shared her cute picture on Instagram, and it was then picked up and shared on PBS Kids' Instagram feed.
She's kind of a big deal. :o)
March 4, 2017
She hasn't played with her train set in a long time, so we put the train pieces away and she has re-purposed her train table as a Pokemon Sanctuary!
She hasn't played with her train set in a long time, so we put the train pieces away and she has re-purposed her train table as a Pokemon Sanctuary!
March 6, 2017
Each student in Lizzy's class had a project, in which they were to make a poster telling about themselves using math. All I did was help cut out the photos and draw the lines - everything else she did on her own.
Each student in Lizzy's class had a project, in which they were to make a poster telling about themselves using math. All I did was help cut out the photos and draw the lines - everything else she did on her own.
My favorite is "Infinity people love me." 100% her.
March 8, 2017
A perfect day for kite flying!
March 8, 2017
A perfect day for kite flying!
March 9, 2017
Lizzy loves to draw, so I took a roll of paper and taped down a sheet the length of the table to make a mural. Great fun!
Lizzy loves to draw, so I took a roll of paper and taped down a sheet the length of the table to make a mural. Great fun!
March 11, 2017
March 12, 2017
In the Beatles room, I have a plaque that has the last words of the song The End: "And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make." She asked me about this plaque the day prior. "Mama, is that true" I asked her if she thought it was. She thought about it, and responded "yes," and nothing else was said about it.
She spent this day at Gay and Ed's. She asked if she could type on their computer. This is what she wrote.
In the Beatles room, I have a plaque that has the last words of the song The End: "And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make." She asked me about this plaque the day prior. "Mama, is that true" I asked her if she thought it was. She thought about it, and responded "yes," and nothing else was said about it.
She spent this day at Gay and Ed's. She asked if she could type on their computer. This is what she wrote.
March 14, 2017
At school, on her own, she wrote this book. It's called "The Love I Felt"
At school, on her own, she wrote this book. It's called "The Love I Felt"
1: The day I was born, I knew that my Mama was going to love me more than anything
2: When I opened my eyes, I knew that she and Dad was going to love me more than anything
More mural drawing. Some scary Plants Vs Zombies this time .
2: When I opened my eyes, I knew that she and Dad was going to love me more than anything
More mural drawing. Some scary Plants Vs Zombies this time .
March 16, 2017
St. Patrick's Day eve, Lizzy informed me that she wanted to make a leprechaun trap. If you catch the leprechaun, your reward will be a messy house. However, if the leprechaun got in and then escaped, he would reward you with a gold coin under your pillow.
St. Patrick's Day eve, Lizzy informed me that she wanted to make a leprechaun trap. If you catch the leprechaun, your reward will be a messy house. However, if the leprechaun got in and then escaped, he would reward you with a gold coin under your pillow.
March 17, 2017
Lizzy woke up to discover the her trap had worked, and she had indeed caught a leprechaun. However (fortunately!) he got away, so rather than a messy house, he left her a real gold coin under her pillow. So lucky that he just happened to have one in his leprechaun bag!
Lizzy woke up to discover the her trap had worked, and she had indeed caught a leprechaun. However (fortunately!) he got away, so rather than a messy house, he left her a real gold coin under her pillow. So lucky that he just happened to have one in his leprechaun bag!
I got to spend the entire afternoon as a classroom helper in Lizzy's class. I was pleased to see that her animal project, on cobras, had been chosen to hang on display in the hallway. She did a great job!
March 18, 2017
We finally had gotten around to watching Moana, so Lizzy was inspired to draw Te Fiti.
We finally had gotten around to watching Moana, so Lizzy was inspired to draw Te Fiti.
I had a ton of work to do, so Daddy jumped at the chance to take her to lunch, and then to her friend's 7th birthday party. The party was help at a cupcakery, so they each got to decorate their aprons and cupcakes!
March 22, 2017
Lizzy has been writing notes to her dad while he's away. Here's today's sweet message.
"Hi Dad. I hope you have a great trip. Take all my love on your trip. My sweet soul will be with your heart. My heart will be with your soul. I love you. Bye Daddy."
Lizzy has been writing notes to her dad while he's away. Here's today's sweet message.
"Hi Dad. I hope you have a great trip. Take all my love on your trip. My sweet soul will be with your heart. My heart will be with your soul. I love you. Bye Daddy."
March 29, 2017
April 1, 2017
This little foodie loves trying new restaurants, so we went to a newly opened small plates restaurant in town. She tried nearly everything we ordered, and her favorites were the Parmesan truffle fries, steak, and she fell in love with Manchego cheese, necessitating a visit to the grocery store on the way home to get her a wedge of her own.
This little foodie loves trying new restaurants, so we went to a newly opened small plates restaurant in town. She tried nearly everything we ordered, and her favorites were the Parmesan truffle fries, steak, and she fell in love with Manchego cheese, necessitating a visit to the grocery store on the way home to get her a wedge of her own.
April 2, 2017
Lizzy and I (and Winston) have become volunteers with Indiana Bulldog Rescue. I wanted to teach Lizzy about volunteer work, and let her choose what we would do, so Bulldogs it was! Today was our first event. We went to a local pet store for a few hours, and talked to people about the breed. Lizzy loved seeing all the other bulldogs. Afterwards, she thought we should take Winston to Dairy Queen for a pup cup since he'd been such a good boy all day.
Lizzy and I (and Winston) have become volunteers with Indiana Bulldog Rescue. I wanted to teach Lizzy about volunteer work, and let her choose what we would do, so Bulldogs it was! Today was our first event. We went to a local pet store for a few hours, and talked to people about the breed. Lizzy loved seeing all the other bulldogs. Afterwards, she thought we should take Winston to Dairy Queen for a pup cup since he'd been such a good boy all day.
April 3, 2017
Great Wolf Lodge day! Lizzy had been so excited to help pack the night before, and could hardly wait to hit the road this morning. We got to Mason, OH right at lunch time, so had lunch at Frisch's before arriving at the lodge around 12:30. We were delighted that our room was already ready for us! She immediately wanted to start playing Magiquest, so she donned her wolf ears, grabbed her want, and off we went.
Great Wolf Lodge day! Lizzy had been so excited to help pack the night before, and could hardly wait to hit the road this morning. We got to Mason, OH right at lunch time, so had lunch at Frisch's before arriving at the lodge around 12:30. We were delighted that our room was already ready for us! She immediately wanted to start playing Magiquest, so she donned her wolf ears, grabbed her want, and off we went.
After completing several quests, we happened across a lobby bubble dance party, which we did for a little bit before hitting the pool for lots and lots of water fun. She also used her spending money to buy a new stuffed wolf.
After the pool, we got dressed for dinner. We ordered calamari appetizer, and she devoured about half of it!
After dinner, she wanted to go back into the water park, which we did until they closed. We brought back some treats to the room, and she made it until 10:00 pm before she fell asleep.
April 4, 2017
She slept HARD and didn't wake up until after 9:00 am.
April 4, 2017
She slept HARD and didn't wake up until after 9:00 am.
After she woke, we got dressed and went to the breakfast buffet. We ran into Oliver, so she had to have a photo taken.
After breakfast was over, we Magiquested for a good 2 hours. She became a Master Magi, and defeated Charlock the Dragon! We returned home, collected Doofus, and had a lovely night at home.
April 5, 2017
We needed to get Lizzy's cake ordered for her upcoming birthday party, so we went to Classic Cakes to do cake tasting. She chose her two favorite flavors, so we're excited for a very yummy cake in a few weeks.
April 5, 2017
We needed to get Lizzy's cake ordered for her upcoming birthday party, so we went to Classic Cakes to do cake tasting. She chose her two favorite flavors, so we're excited for a very yummy cake in a few weeks.
After cake tasting, we went to see Boss Baby (really funny) and did some shopping, then home for some fun yardwork. What a fun day together!
April 6, 2017
Today we got to bring home Gay and Ed's newest puppy, Rose. First, we had some pictures with big Gus and sweet Hallelujah:
April 6, 2017
Today we got to bring home Gay and Ed's newest puppy, Rose. First, we had some pictures with big Gus and sweet Hallelujah:
Then, Lizzy, Ed and I went to get Rose. She's just 7 weeks old, but has grown so much in the 5 weeks since we last met her!
April 7, 2017
Lizzy got to spend the day at Gay and Ed's, playing with the puppies. Pretty much any 5 year old's perfect day!
April 9, 2017
The final day of Spring Break, and at long last it warmed up enough to wear shorts! We spent a long time at Flat Fork Park, playing and walking. It was a great Spring Break!
Lizzy got to spend the day at Gay and Ed's, playing with the puppies. Pretty much any 5 year old's perfect day!
April 9, 2017
The final day of Spring Break, and at long last it warmed up enough to wear shorts! We spent a long time at Flat Fork Park, playing and walking. It was a great Spring Break!
April 10, 2017
In the mornings, she likes to cuddle on the couch with Winston before having to have breakfast and get dressed. This morning they both fell back asleep.
In the mornings, she likes to cuddle on the couch with Winston before having to have breakfast and get dressed. This morning they both fell back asleep.
April 13, 2017
Sweet girl got sick at school, so she spent the afternoon on the couch taking it easy.
Sweet girl got sick at school, so she spent the afternoon on the couch taking it easy.
She was feeling a bit better in the evening, so we decorated Easter eggs. We did a Pokemon theme, with a few Teen Titans thrown in.
April 15, 2017
We started the morning with an egg hunt at a local church. She was so eager to get started!
We started the morning with an egg hunt at a local church. She was so eager to get started!
After, we dyed some more eggs. Rainbows, this time!
Next up was the annual neighborhood egg hunt.
TherApril 16, 2017
Easter morning began with Lizzy finding an Easter egg on her pillow, along with a note to find 12 eggs to solve a puzzle. She found the eggs, and decoded the puzzle to find her Easter basket prize. After hours of setting up her new Rube Goldberg machines, we headed to Gay and Ed's for Easter there.
We arrived and she had 2 separate hunts, one in the front to yield a golden egg, and the one in the backyard to solve another puzzle to find a treasure trove of presents left by the Easter bunny. Inside were lots of Pokemon items, activity books for her upcoming Trans-Pacific flights, and two Moana playsets. She spent the rest of the day in Gay and Ed's new pool for the summer playing with those playsets in the water!
Easter morning began with Lizzy finding an Easter egg on her pillow, along with a note to find 12 eggs to solve a puzzle. She found the eggs, and decoded the puzzle to find her Easter basket prize. After hours of setting up her new Rube Goldberg machines, we headed to Gay and Ed's for Easter there.
We arrived and she had 2 separate hunts, one in the front to yield a golden egg, and the one in the backyard to solve another puzzle to find a treasure trove of presents left by the Easter bunny. Inside were lots of Pokemon items, activity books for her upcoming Trans-Pacific flights, and two Moana playsets. She spent the rest of the day in Gay and Ed's new pool for the summer playing with those playsets in the water!
April 19, 2017
Some silliness with filters before school.
Some silliness with filters before school.
Today at school, Lizzy was chosen to lead the Pledge of Allegiance over the loudspeaker to the entire school!
After getting off the bus, we went to the park to take advantage of the fabulous weather.
After getting off the bus, we went to the park to take advantage of the fabulous weather.
April 21, 2017
For weeks the kiddos have been practicing for their class play. Lizzy was the narrator for The Gingerbread Man and, no surprise, she did a fantastic job! She read so perfectly, and acted as a de facto stage director helping the other children with their lines.
For weeks the kiddos have been practicing for their class play. Lizzy was the narrator for The Gingerbread Man and, no surprise, she did a fantastic job! She read so perfectly, and acted as a de facto stage director helping the other children with their lines.
Every day, Lizzy writes some sort of note to bring home to one of us. Today's was to me, and read "Hi Mom. This is the play. I'm the narrator. It will be wonderful. See you soon. Bye. P.S. Don't forget it is in the library."
She also brought home a menu she created.
Sushi
Sandwich
Pasta
Garlic Bread
Watermelon Salad
Appetizer:
Watermelon
Dessert:
Ice cream
Drinks:
Lemonade
Coke Zero
Arnold Palmer
Orange Juice
April 22, 2017
Lizzy has been taking swim lessons for years, and has become quite the competent swimmer. I got help from the YMCA to allow her to go ahead and get enrolled in the lessons for the 6 - 12 year olds, since she's going to be 6 in two weeks anyhow. I wasn't sure which level to put her in, since there isn't really an equivalency guide from the early childhood lessons to the "big kid" lessons. I knew she was beyond level 1, but wasn't sure how far, so I enrolled her for level 2.
Sandwich
Pasta
Garlic Bread
Watermelon Salad
Appetizer:
Watermelon
Dessert:
Ice cream
Drinks:
Lemonade
Coke Zero
Arnold Palmer
Orange Juice
April 22, 2017
Lizzy has been taking swim lessons for years, and has become quite the competent swimmer. I got help from the YMCA to allow her to go ahead and get enrolled in the lessons for the 6 - 12 year olds, since she's going to be 6 in two weeks anyhow. I wasn't sure which level to put her in, since there isn't really an equivalency guide from the early childhood lessons to the "big kid" lessons. I knew she was beyond level 1, but wasn't sure how far, so I enrolled her for level 2.
After about 5 minutes in level 2, the instructor told the program director "She's really good", and the program director had Lizzy show her freestyle and back stroke, and said "come with me." She got put into Level 3 right then and there. Straight into the deep end for her!
She's in a group with 8 and 9 year olds. Level 3 consists of treading water for several minutes, swimming lengths of the pool with freestyle and backstroke, jumping into the 9 foot deep end and swimming back out, etc. It is a challenge for her to go from early childhood lessons straight into this, but she's competent and hopped out after the lesson with the first words out of her mouth being "I LOVED IT!"
With some of the trips coming up that we have coming up that involve swimming in the ocean, her swimming abilities are more important than ever. I'm so proud of her skills, and am trhilled to instill in her a lifetime love of swimming.
April 25, 2017
Lizzy had a class field trip today, and I got to go along as a chaperone. After we returned, I took her down to the library, as I had made a donation in honor of her upcoming birthday. She got to choose any book in the library to have marked in honor of her birthday. Here is her choice:
With some of the trips coming up that we have coming up that involve swimming in the ocean, her swimming abilities are more important than ever. I'm so proud of her skills, and am trhilled to instill in her a lifetime love of swimming.
April 25, 2017
Lizzy had a class field trip today, and I got to go along as a chaperone. After we returned, I took her down to the library, as I had made a donation in honor of her upcoming birthday. She got to choose any book in the library to have marked in honor of her birthday. Here is her choice:
The rest of the afternoon was spent playing in the backyard with Winston.
April 27, 2017
The class has been learning about recycling, so an assignment was to make a Litter Critter out of recycled goods. Immediately upon learning about this project, Lizzy had decided she wanted to make a Minotaur.
The class has been learning about recycling, so an assignment was to make a Litter Critter out of recycled goods. Immediately upon learning about this project, Lizzy had decided she wanted to make a Minotaur.
April 28, 2017
Because Lizzy's Minotaur was so unique, her teacher took her (and only her) down to the office to show the Principal, the front office team, and then to the library to show the Librarian. She was quite proud!
The night before, Lizzy had been excited to tell me "good news" that her classroom had received a new chemistry set. Her teacher tweeted a few pictures that day, both featuring Lizzy. Here she is intensely doing chemistry, and in the second, making the most of library time.
Because Lizzy's Minotaur was so unique, her teacher took her (and only her) down to the office to show the Principal, the front office team, and then to the library to show the Librarian. She was quite proud!
The night before, Lizzy had been excited to tell me "good news" that her classroom had received a new chemistry set. Her teacher tweeted a few pictures that day, both featuring Lizzy. Here she is intensely doing chemistry, and in the second, making the most of library time.
Yes, that's her book selection on Ancient India.
April 29, 2017
Swim class this morning involved flippers for the first time.
April 29, 2017
Swim class this morning involved flippers for the first time.
Tonight she spent the night at Gay and Ed's, but before she left, she wanted a photo with the three of them together.
While at Gay and Ed's, she and Ed took her annual birthday photo by the willow tree planted when she was born.
She was going around collecting sticks, reached down to grab what looked like a stick, and was delighted to see she had captured a frog! He became her play mate for the next several hours, finally earning his freedom after he had successfully scaled a ladder in a play barn she has.
Next up was creating illustrations of herself doing the hula in Hawaii. She informed me a few days after these were drawn that she wishes to have hula lessons on the beach.
May 5, 2017
Lizzy's birthday weekend started with roses from Gay and Ed, and Daddy bringing home Lizzy's amazing birthday cake! We couldn't wait to dig in.
Lizzy's birthday weekend started with roses from Gay and Ed, and Daddy bringing home Lizzy's amazing birthday cake! We couldn't wait to dig in.
May 6, 2017
Celebration day! Lizzy had chosen this year's party venue to be uPaint pottery studio. We arrived 15 minutes before and hurriedly got everything set up. She was so excited!
Celebration day! Lizzy had chosen this year's party venue to be uPaint pottery studio. We arrived 15 minutes before and hurriedly got everything set up. She was so excited!
Right on time, Lizzy's guests started to arrive. Lizzy's "boyfriend" of several months, Richard. She was so excited when Richard arrived, and they sat right next to each other. Once most of the guests were settled, the pottery painting began!
Once everyone had finished painting their masterpieces, it was time for cake.
As everyone was enjoying cake, Pikachu arrived! Obviously Lizzy knew that it was Daddy, and Naveen saw him getting into the costume, but the other kids had no idea.
After Pikachu was finished getting mobbed from guests from not only Lizzy's party, but the other one happening in the next room, it was time for presents. Lizzy was delighted, and said "I'm overflowing with Pokemon!"
Eventually, the party had to wind down, so we said goodbye to our friends and headed home. Lizzy immediately wanted to get her new Pokemon toys out, so we spent a long time outside playing Pokemon meets Moana.
Next up was Lizzy's birthday dinner at Izakaya, where we were delighted to be joined by our extended family. It was, as always, a great meal! She even did the hula on a chair while they sang Happy Birthday to her.
What a fun day to celebrate Lizzy!