Claire's song and dance

Someone around here thinks she's all grown up.

She stopped sucking her thumb after 7+ years of it just this month. The dentist is thrilled. Me? I'm a little sad.

She's now in a 2nd grade reading group.

She has her life all planned out. Her goal is to be either a teacher, a scientist, or an artist. (go scientist, go scientist!)

Where's my baby? Waaaaaaah!

Last night we had the privilege of seeing her perform in her school choral concert.

Here are a few clips for you to enjoy:

Here are my thoughts on the evening (in case you cared one little bit):

1. Thank you Lord that it was only 1 class performing this year. Memories of last year's 2-grade-performance still give me the vapours.


2. The singing and speaking abilities improve with age. The song choices, however, do not.
   
3. Parents who don't bring their children to a school recital when their children have solos or speaking parts should receive some sort of punishment.


4. I never want to be a grade school music teacher (see #3)
   
5. My daughter is a Glockenspiel extraordinaire (a real-world skill, no doubt).


6. My daughter likes to make sure all the other kids do it right.


7. Second grade dances look an awful lot like the "hokey pokey."


8. Yes, I know that Claire isn't in the last movie clip. That little boy was SO DARN CUTE. I had to include it.

On the way home last night, Claire informed us that she "loved doing that and wished it (the recital) weren't over."

If she could figure out a way to be a teacher/scientist/artist/stage performer, we'd be set.

Spring has Sprung

It's the first day of spring, and it's surely evident around here.

The only thing missing is a rainbow.

Wait . . .

Now, we're all good.

Benjamin

It's hard to believe that Ben's first year of preschool is nearly over, just a few more months, and summer vacation will be here. Crazy.

And while all that time keeps flying by, Ben keeps growing up.

In fact, he has his whole life already planned out. He informed me the other day that his chosen profession is to be a "karate train conductor who also owns children."

What do you mean that you want to own children?

Well, mommy, you know those children who don't have mommies and daddies? Those kids can just come live with me.

Adoption/own children. Of course. Why didn't I realize that's what he meant?

While the phrasing of his heart's desire wasn't exactly stated in a politically, socially or morally correct way, it's still pretty sweet.


He loves preschool though, and loves when I come to help out.

This was the menu for his Valentine's/pajama party. Yummo!

He was only slightly excited. Can you tell?

But then again, the rest of the kids were a little excited too.

He's come a long way this year, learning so much, both academically and socially and we owe a lot of that to his sweet teachers.

Ms. Judy LOVES those kids, and they adore her right back.

They enjoyed a little Valentine heart candy bingo.

A much better use of those candies than actually eating those nasty things!

He has made some great friends, but one of his biggest achievements this year thus far is finally learning to write his name.

I understand that most 4 year olds have been writing their names for a while now, but Ben had absolutely NO interest in even attempting to learn.

But now he can. This letter came in the mail for me this week.

See?

It makes my heart explode with love too.