Because it's June - June, June, June

The 1st month of vacation just flew by. Father's Day was wonderful. Jimmy worked a double shift the night before, so he got home at 7 am that morning. The girls let him sleep, made him breakfast in bed and could barely wait for him to open his present- an outdoor George Foreman Grill with an iPod hookup and built in speakers. Keeping with the grillin' theme we took him out to brunch for an all-you-can-eat BBQ buffet. It was a blast!

Peyton is taking swimming lessons every day and she is doing great. Kali had an awesome time at the Creative Challenge Camp. Her favorite activity was frog dissection!!!! Maybe medical school is in her future. Peyton went to Kinderealm to learn about moths - hence the "bug eyes." Then she spent her mornings last week at Leo's Ark Summer Camp. She made her very 1st tie dyed t-shirt and she learned all about animals. Her favorite? You guessed it - the king snake.

We dropped Kali off at Camp Christopher last Sunday in the middle of a tornado warning. It stormed the entire week she was at camp, we were so worried about her. But, of course when we picked her up yesterday she was all smiles!! It took us two days to clean all the mud off of everything. Her 1st overnight camp was a huge success! She is already talking about going for multiple weeks next summer!?!?

Summertime

Summer is off to a hot and sticky start! We aren't complaining, mind you. Peyton started her swim lessons and is doing a stellar job. She jumps off the diving board all by herself!!! She also learned how to tie her shoe this week. Yeah, Peyton!!! That means that she is officially a "big girl." Kali is busy getting ready for her Tae Kwon Do color belt test - purple, I think. Add that to ballet and tap classes and her 1st week of vacation was full of fun. Next week she will be doing the Creative Challenge camp at Miller South (her new school) every day from 8:30 - 2:30. She's really excited. The following week she will be at her 1st ever CYO overnight camp. She's already packed and ready to go. I went to Camp Christopher overnight when I was little and have very fond memories of it. I hope Kali has the same positive experiences that I did. We will miss her, though.

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We spent a glorious Saturday afternoon in Cleveland. University Circle had the "Parade the Circle" festival and both kids thought it was awesome. They watched the parade, made some rain sticks and played in the Art Museum fountain. We capped the adventure off in Coventry at bd's Mongolian Barbeque. Yummy! What a great summer afternoon!

May Flowers

To me, there's nothing better than Lilac scented Spring air. Jimmy and the girls have been busy planting tons of May flowers and our front yard looks stunning. It was my birthday present and it is perfect.

Dancing Fools

Our Little Ballerinas after the Klinger Show





Well, the 72 hour dance blitz is over. The girls were fabulous - of course they were, they're mine!!!! The costumes are hung in the cedar closet, the flowers are wilting in vases and my 2 little dancers are dreaming sweet dancing dreams! Now it's time for me to sleep, I am wiped out from being "Mom"!!!!

Our Sweet Broadway Baby

Princess Peyton in her dress rehearsal for Miss Trixie!!!! Doesn't she look great? That's my little cheeseball!! One dress rehearsal down, one more to go. Add 2 performances to the mix and this is one crazy weekend.

Kali's End of Year Field Trip

Jimmy and Kali spent the day retracing the steps of early Akronites. Who would of guessed just how exciting a trip through historic Akron could be? Kali's favorite part was Perkins mansion - it is haunted!!!! She enjoyed the Old Stone School house, too. She thought the dunce hat was the best. We have spent so much time in the last decade learning about the history of Europe by visiting museums and ruins while we were there, it was kind of nice for her to explore the history outside her own front door. Plus a day with Daddy is always a treat, especially since he's working now.

4 Generations on Mother's Day

Even though Sunday was quite dreary, Mother's Day was as bright as could be. Factor in that it was my birthday and I had an exceptional day.  My Grandmother reminded me that I was born on Mother's Day. I realize that, although I wasn't much of a gift to my mother - my Grandmother and my Aunt were over the moon on the day I was born. They still seem pleased to watch me go through life. I know they love my kids, for their presence in those girls lives  I will forever be grateful. I might not of known what it was like to have unconditional from my mom, but God graced me with a Grandma and an Aunt who still believe that the sun rises and falls on my shoulders. Life always seems to even out in the end. We had a great brunch at Lake Pundersen, Peyton was mesmerized by the player piano & Kali ate her weight in prime rib. That was the perfect way to spend the afternoon - eating, drinking and laughing with my family.

P.S. doesn't my Grandma look great for 90 1/2 ?!?!?

Peyton Gets Creative

Today was Peyton's last creative movement dance class at school. She learned alot from Miss Fran - Jimmy and I were amazed. Of course, she really, really enjoyed herself. Now we have a bit of a breather until Memorial Day weekend. 3 days, 2 dress rehearsals, 2 different shows! Kali and Peyton will perform with their ballet classes on Saturday night and Peyton has her Broadway Babies performance on Sunday. Let's hope her hair looks better during her next 2 stops in the spotlight!!!!!

Spring is in the air!

Peyton is having a great time this April. She was truly suffering from cabin fever. The weather is improving and so is her mood. We have been spending alot of time at the park, obviously Jimmy is enjoying that, too. Her preschool class had their field at the Akron zoo and we all had a blast.

Tae Kwon Do has just taken the final turn toward the coveted Black Belt. Kali earned her navy blue belt last week and her training is serious now. Only 4 more color belt tests before the "big one." She can't wait. Her Korean vocabulary is really expanding, not sure what she'll do with that knowledge - she's happy just to learn.

Our sweet cat, Jasmine, is 15 now.