Kung-Fu Fighting Acro Performance

Oh the pride a parent can feel watching their child accomplish something you know they have worked so hard for. I don't think I can watch this video without becoming emotional... could be the pregnancy hormones, who knows! Last night Melissa's Acro dance class performed at their year end recital. Now forgive me as the video quality isn't the best, it does get clearer after the first few seconds, but honestly videoing was forbidden so to even have this video means a lot to me. A few pointers to locate which one is Melissa through the performance:

- first from right in front row at the beginning

- first leading right side group running in circle

- 2nd from right for stunt pose to roll

- 2nd on right to be carried across stage

- top of right side pyramid

(you may want to click on the video to view in YouTube so that it is full size & centered)

First time trying on the costume for photo day...

Doing some Kung-fu poses!

Yesterday after the performance when we picked her up :)

Professional individual photo...

Class photo...

Father's Day Gift

As mentioned in the previous blog post where Melissa's class went to Magnum Concrete for a field trip, Melissa had the opportunity to make a special Father's Day present. Here are the pics from the making of a custom stepping stone.

Each child put their name under a ring which was then filled with concrete...

They then specially chose rocks to decorate the concrete...

The stepping stones were later delivered to her school, and we brought it home and she gave it to her Daddy on Father's Day :)

Spring Gymnastics

This spring Melissa tried out a session of a gymnastics classes. She thoroughly enjoyed it, and it is something we will continue again in the coming fall months. Here are some photos that were taken of her class.

Sports Day

This past Friday was Sports Day at Melissa's school. Melissa not being big on competitive things, felt a little hesitation before the day began. But once it was over she said "it was like a whole day a gym", and gym days are her favorite days in a school week :)

There were 16 stations the kids went between...

The station I was working was always hit, it was the rice-krispies & water station! (pregnant woman perks, getting the easy station!)

Baseball bat spin...

Going backwards, ball on spoon relay...

Cheering her teammates on...

Caterpillar crawl relay...

Close-pin between knees...

Hopping to pick up pennies...

Melissa and carpool buddy Luke hanging out with me at my station, showing off their 'participant' ribbons...

The first sports day of many to come!

Pepper Farm Field Trip

Melissa's class went on a second field trip, this time to one of her classmate's family pepper farm - Merom Farms / Greenhouse Delight.

The three kindergarten classes were split into their groups and went between stations. First station for Melissa's class was a ladybug craft...

Next station - completely pepper farm unrelated - was one of the owner's race car...

After learning about the car and the gear needed to drive in one, the kids were given the opportunity to inspect the car...

Next station the kids were brought into the greenhouse where the pepper plants all were. They learned about how they fed the plants...

And how they protect the plants from bad insects... here they are being shown a box filled with ladybugs...

After all the learning, everyone was treated to a hotdog lunch!

It was a surprisingly interesting & fun field trip, and we were pleased the weather cooperated and didn't rain on us :)

Lemonade & Cookie Stand

This past weekend we had a garage sale, and Melissa and friend Kiera set up a little stand to sell cookies & juice to the people who came to shop. Their attention spans weren't long enough to be highly successful but they had was fun while it lasted :)

Baby Spencer

Last week we visited a friend's new baby boy Spencer. It has been a long time since Melissa held a baby, and this was specifically applicable to her now as she soon will be holding her own little brother. How sweet! 64 more days to go :)

Magnum Concrete Field Trip

Last week all of the Kindergarten classes at Melissa's school went on a field trip to Magnum Concrete.

When we got there, all the kids were given hard-hats and vests...

Soon the field was swarming with little workers...

A quick debriefing before heading to the Magnum property...

The kids got to explore some of their large equipment...

And sit in the driver's seat (pull the air horns if the child desired... what a racket!) Baby Thomas was certainly able to hear the noise in utero!

Melissa's morning class posing in a loader bucket, Melissa got blocked at the last minute...

Next the children moved onto a large sand hill which they raced up. Melissa didn't make it too far up before she turned around to tell me she was getting dirty! LOL... this was completely unavoidable, and I told her to go for it!

Didn't take long and she was into it...

Dirty hands...

Lastly the kids made a craft for Father's Day... which I'm going to hold off posting pics of until she gets to give the gift to her Dad. Everyone was treated to a hotdog bbq and the trip was done. Turned out to be a fun morning... wasn't sure what to expect at first, but the kids did have a great time! I was so thankful the rain held out for our entire time there. Melissa got the dirtiest she ever has.... it would have been fun to have measured how much sand she brought home on her person/clothing!