Family Day

June 13 is our Family Day – our celebration of when the three of us became a family. This year it feel on a week day – Ally had gymnastics and a chorus “audition” and Becky had a retirement party to attend. So we all agreed to celebrate it on Sunday June 16.

Ally requested smiley face pancakes for breakfast, then we went strawberry picking, had ice cream, and enjoyed being together as a family.

Becky as you can see is a master chef at smiley face pancakes.

After breakfast we opened a joint gift. Mama and Mommy got matching heart cut-out pendants and Ally got a necklace with the heart that fits inside. We thought this was a fitting Family Day gift.

Ally was more of a gatherer than a forager strawberry picker. She would take the ones I picked and add them to the tray Becky had.

It was a lot of fun and a beautiful day.

 

After ice cream it was time for a hay ride.

Then to Ally’s delight there was a small petting zoo and she could feed lots of animals.

 

When we got home we watched a movie and took a break for a bit. Then Ally and I headed out to the park for a short trip.

Then we got home and made strawberry jam with about half of the strawberries. Ally helped on every step. Cutting, adding sugar (and tasting the sugared strawberries.)

Mashing them up, stirring them up.

Ladling the jam into the jars, tasting the jam and finally sealing them up.

We made 7 jars of jam. It was “freezer jam” so there was no cooking or boiling involved.

It was a great day.

Nail Art

I have been exercising my inner artist on Ally’s toes!


My first attempt was the green toes with white and silver designs. Ally chose the polish color and asked for a flower. Its more like a sun or starburst – but they were a huge hit! Ally is posing with new sandals we purchased at my friend’s shop and she took the picture and posted it to Facebook to advertise the shop and the sandals – and she got a bunch of comments on Ally’s pedicure.
The pink pedicure was done this past weekend. My flower skills are getting better!
Its so much fun to have a daughter!

Fun

Ally started swim lessons again – its her and 4 boys she does not know in the class, and Becky reports Ally is doing great.

 

Ally’s school hosted a math night recently. It was late – way past bedtime 630-830pm, Ally goes to bed at 7pm. But Ally pleaded with us to go, and frankly we felt like it was wrong not to support her love and excitement for math. Especially since Becky is a math teacher! So Becky took her and Ally really enjoyed herself.

Play Date

Ally’s friend Erik came home with us on Friday for a play date after school. The two of them love to play Su.m Dog math games on the computer, so I set up two laptops and there were able to play against each other like they do at school.

It was also pajama day at school! So they were both in their pajamas. After the computer games they played monopoly and ate a ton of watermelon and animal crackers!

Another Birthday Party

Saturday afternoon we attended another birthday party. Ally’s classmate Camilla turned 6. There were lots of friends from school there.


Of course there was a pinata, but in a fun twist, this one had strings for each child to hold and pull, so there was no stick and hitting involved.

Ally of course had fun on the playground equipment – the party had lots of bubble fun, balloons, and was at a local playground.

It was a fun time.

Helping Mommy Bake

Also known as “eating cake batter”

We made cupcakes for Stella’s mom Shannon’s birthday. Shannon always makes cakes for people and I wanted to do something nice for her. Ally “helped”.

She loves to taste the yellow cake batter!

Gymnastics Show 2013

Today was the annual gymnastics show at Ally’s gym.

Pictures before we left home – Ally was super excited. She said she was a little bit nervous, but she sure did not look it or act it the whole time. She had a big smile and really enjoyed herself. While the show was going on I would look over at her sitting with her class and she was always grinning and looking so happy. Many of the girls were understandably nervous and she told me after the show that one kept “hiding behind her”.  Ally’s hair is long enough to be pulled back into the requisite pony tail. And she loved it!

I took a few pictures of her in her show leotard before the show started.

The girls all marched out together. Ally’s class did cartwheels right in front of the parents as they paraded out.

The show is only about 30 minutes long – there are about 10 classes that perform a routine about 1 minute long. Ally was next to last to perform. Above she is front and center. I took a video of it, and if you want to see it comment and I’ll send you a link. Becky took the pictures. Its hard to get good action shots with no flash inside the gym.

Getting ready to run into her round off! Then the round off landing!

 

Back bend to kick over! SHE DID IT!!!

The finish pose at the end.

This year they had every student stand on the mat with her medal and take a bow for pictures. Most of Ally’s class was timid but Ally walked right up, arms up and took her bow. She has done this before – and I think this year she was very confident in the whole experience.

2 friends from school, Sofia and Alexia were there for the show as well, so we took a group picture afterwards. Then – Ally solo with her medal.

Ally’s coach Jenn came up to us afterwards – she complimented Ally and congratulated her on a job well done. And in a moment of total mom bragging I must say it was a job exceptionally well done. Ally nailed every skill! She stayed in her lane/line and did not run into anyone else, even when they crowded her space (it is hard to tumble in a straight line). She was confident and excited and extremely composed. The show is not a competition, its just an exhibition of skills, and most of all Becky and I are happy for Ally that she did so well, after working so hard at gymnastics. She is only 6 and the youngest in her class, the other girls are 8-10 years of age.

After the show Ally chose a pink lollipop from the bake sale table – and she did not want to take off her leotard – she wore it in the car!

We had decided to go out for lunch “to celebrate” Ally said – at her favorite restaurant, CA Pizza Kitchen. Ally of course had the fruit bowl, cheese pizza and a scoop of ice cream for dessert.

 

And she had a blast.

All of this with a fever. Yes – Ally has had a low grade fever for the past 36 hours – we missed swimming lessons yesterday and canceled a play date today because of it. So now we’re home watching The Great M.uppet C.aper and relaxing.

It has been a great day!