Love to my Sweetie!

One more thing...I wanted to say Happy Anniversary to my sweet husband (technically it was yesterday). This was the first anniversary we've had that didn't have a dance recital or other commitment scheduled, and although we didn't get to do anything too special, we did go out to eat at Doe's, our favorite place. I can't believe it's been 8 years since that beautiful spring day in Kansas when we said "I do". I didn't think it was possible, but I love you more today than that day and promise to continue loving you forever! Love ya babe!

Water Bug and Dancin' Queen

Last Saturday we met the Symons' out at Beaver Lake for an afternoon with jet skis and friends. It was a beautiful, sunny day, not a cloud in the sky, and although the lake water was still pretty chilly, it was warm. Landon jumped right in and was ready for a ride. As the afternoon wore on, it was Landon who pursued the riding and driving of the skis the most. Daddy actually let him push the gas and steer on his own...Landon was in heaven and had a look of sheer delight on his sweet bronzed face. He was a quite a little water bug, skirting across the water in his "fast boat". Claire had fun too, but she'd had a big day Friday (see post below) and was pretty mellow. After swimming, riding and basking in the sun, we headed home to eat dinner and get Claire to bed.

Claire went to tryout of the "company" dance troupe Sunday afternoon at the dance school she attends. Earlier in the year, her dance teacher, who is also the company director, told me that she wanted to Claire to tryout. Since then, Claire had been anxiously awaiting that day. Nerves got the best of her at first...she spotted me when they came out of the room for a break and she burst into tears. But with the help of the teachers, she was back in the audition room in no time and as her teacher told me afterwards..."she hammed it up like the Claire we know". Claire made the company; she was so proud of herself! Her family was too! She'll learn a special dance with the other kiddos in her specific company group which they will compete at three different competitions during the year. They also dance at charity events and functions. One last note...Claire was also chosen to do a duet (with one of her best friends from dance). Only a few couples were chosen for this honor, so now we are super proud of our dancin' queen!

Field and Fun Day

Claire's school has done some of the most wonderful and extensive events this year that I've ever seen at an elementary school. From the Tailgator in the fall to Gator Gallery this winter, the PTO is very involved in making the school years full of memories. Last Friday was Field and Fun Day for the school. Claire was so excited, she was up early and had her specially made Tshirt on before breakfast. After I dropped Landon off at Parent's Day Out and helped Claire's teacher shuffle the kids from one event to the next. They had several air-filled bounce houses, slides and obstacle courses, plus tug-of-war (into a pool full of water), peddle cars races, sno-cones and a DJ! And that was only outside! Everyone stopped for lunch at the same time (the volunteers were fed Subway...see we're spoiled!) and then the inside events began. They did a craft, watched a short movie with popcorn, played Bingo and learned a hustle from the Bentonville High cheerleaders. Claire had so much fun, and I'm sure will remember that day for years to come!

Landon's Last Day as a Baby

Landon's last day of Parent's Day Out was last week. They did face painting, blew bubbles outside, got to play in water and made an ABC book. Landon had a rough start to this school year...he was bitten by a classmate the first day he went, and was often crying when I left him. He was much better by Christmas, but this spring started having some anxiety again. I would not have made it through without the help of his teachers. Miss Yuzra is from India and Miss Linda has been helping since time started (is a true Arkansan) and are both the most wonderful people you'd ever meet. Almost every time I would pick Landon up I'd hear things like "He's the best little boy" and "I wish all our boys would act like him". It's those things that made me keep taking him back, knowing that he was having fun and learning and obeying, even when my heart was broken by him crying. Landon's face was painted like a cat. Miss Yuzra said "I painted him like a cat because he can be so cuddly, yet so intelligent it's scary!". I think that describes my little boy fairly well!

Busy Week

Okay, so last week was hectic. I am hoping to get pics and full stories blogged this week, but I can make no promises because we are leaving for our drive to VA Thursday, which is also Claire's last day of school. Here are a few highlights:
* Landon had his last day of Parent's Day Out. I will miss that program, as he will be a preschooler next year! (sob)
* Claire had "Fun and Field Day" at her school. This was a total blast and nothing like the field days back in my elementary years!
* We spent the day at the lake Saturday under the sun and warm temps...and with our BFF's: the Symons'.
* Claire had tryouts for the dance company where she takes lessons...and made the competitive company! Huge deal, and we are super proud!

My Beautiful Butterfly

My butterfly, the lightening bug song and the girls sing about "being ladylike but tough".

The emotional moments for a Mommy are continuous...one minute you are sharing laughs while the next you're giving a lecture. Watching them grow is the hardest part, and yesterday I had to watch my baby girl grow into an almost-first-grader, right before my eyes! I think technically they called this KG graduation, although there were no caps or gowns. But there was plenty of pomp and circumstance during their "Bugz" program. The premise was learning to be kind to others and sharing your wealth, whatever that may be. My daughter led the butterflies out on the stage when it was their part. While the children sung of "changes come like the wind" I sat teary-eyed watching my beautiful butterfly flap her wings...just like she was flying into "big kid land". After the program we went to the classroom for sight word awards. Claire received a medal for learning all 300 of the sight words, which she thought was very cool. The teacher made a little speech about how all of her class had spread their wings to embrace one another, to help each other out when things were bad and to just be sweet and kind to everyone they saw. I think she was sincere when she told the parents she was truly going to miss this class; she was a little teary-eyed too!

In other news: Claire's school had a pet parade this morning...over 200 dogs, cats, rabbits, sheep, snakes and even a mouse appeared to be paraded around in front of the children. Chaos doesn't even hardly describe!!! Maddie was paraded around with the others; Mommy even bought cute pink bows that she actually kept in the whole time! It was too crazy to get a picture!

Landon and I have been working in the yard the last few days. The sun finally decided to show it's face and we've been seeing alot of it! Landon was busy hauling sand to the "Maddie holes" and watering the plants. He also found it highly amusing to get Mommy wet..."Mommy, (hehehe) I'm watering your bum!!!"

Fun In The Sun Recital

Gram and Poppy brought Landon a present...it was a "hit"!

Claire's recital was Saturday. The culmination of a year of dance lessons and practice...and it went terrific! Gram and Poppy came Friday afternoon and we played outside, relaxed and rolled hair in sponge rollers for the big event. Saturday morning we were up early, not only because we were excited, but because rehearsal started at 9AM sharp! Yes, I was concerned that this very LONG day was going to end in disaster, but thankfully, everything went smoothly. Claire did great at rehearsal and we were home by 12:30. Landon spent the morning with Gram and Poppy at Chuck E Cheese and came home to spend the afternoon playing Wii. Claire rested and then awoke to put on make up and eat before heading out again. Fun In The Sun Recital started a 6 and Claire was beside herself waiting for it to begin! Luckily, her first dance was third in the show, so she didn't have to wait long. She did three dances total this year: a tap, ballet and pom. She smiled and did the dances near perfect! I was a "backstage mom" and stayed in the back and changed the girls and kept them occupied during the recital. I missed being out front to watch, but secretly enjoyed being back in the midst of it all...without responsibility for the show! The Symons' came over afterward for a "party"...they had come to watch too! Claire got bunches of flowers and a sweet charm bracelet from Gram and Poppy. Sunday we played and ate out, told Gram and Poppy good bye, enjoyed a birthday party and then went to bed early!