Saturday, May 21, 2011

Can't sit still...

This year we had our shortest visit to the Fun Fair ever. It was too cold, started to sprinkle, and since Dave's back wasn't doing well, we left after Abby's dance performance. But not before the yearly ride on the ponys. It will be a sad day for Caleb and Abby when they are too big to ride the ponys.
Abby's dance class performed at the Fun Fair. She was thrilled beyond belief to be able to wear her costume.
Here is a video of her performance. It is to a Sandra Boynton song - Personal Penguin. She is the little cutie second from the left.


The most hilarious part of the event was watching Abby watch the other dancers. That girl has rhythm in her blood. She was trying to mimic the moves of the other dances as she was watching them. I wish I was tech-y enough to have a split screen - where you could see the performance on one side and Abby's interpretation on the other. For your enjoyment: (It gets really good around :34)



We love our tiny dancer. - April

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Wet paint

"Hey look! They're painting that dog thing-y!"

"Why is it called a dog thingy?"
"Because dogs pee on it."

Another lesson from Abby.

Friday, May 13, 2011

Two B's

Caleb has been busy the past week. It started last Thursday. He took the reading part of the MSP - standardized state-wide testing. He was so nervous he didn't get to sleep until almost 11pm. So much for a good night's rest! After the test in school, he got to take his next belt test for Taekwondo. This time he tested for, and received, his green belt.
Maybe next belt test I'll remember to take a video of his form. They are starting to get very complicated, and the moves are almost dance-like. I really enjoy watching them.
Next, on Tuesday Caleb received his Bear badge in Cub Scouts. Here he is taking his badge off of Akela's collar. And here he is pining me with the Bear pin. That night, as I was tucking him into bed, he told me that he was really proud of himself for getting his Bear. Both Dave and I are grateful that he really loves scouts.

Finally, yesterday he took the math portion of the MSP. He fell asleep much easier Wednesday night. I think it helped that we were able to help Caleb see that he had prepared his best for both the belt test and the MSP tests, and that since he did his best, he could be proud of his effort and the outcome. - April



Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Misunderstanding

While driving through town a few months back, Abby says to me, "Mom. Will we get to see the exploding cow today?"
"Exploding cow? Abby, I have no idea what your talking about."
"Yes you do. We saw it before. It's right by where I have dance."
"Abby, we have never seen an exploding cow. I do not know what you're talking about."
Here is where she turns to Caleb for support. She explains to him the exploding cow and asks him to tell me that he has seen it too. Caleb is just as clueless as I am. I can tell that Abby is getting quite frustrated. She is saying it over and over again, is very near tears and I'm just about to let loose with my own tears, when we drive by this:

And then I get it. Thinking I was helping Abby, the first time we saw this, instead of calling it by its' proper name - an inflatable cow - I called it a blow-up cow. Her little mind confused blow-up and exploding. This is now forever the exploding cow. - April