It's My Party...Finally

Since Emma's birthday falls on Memorial weekend, we decided to hold off on a birthday with kids from school until more families were in town. Although Emma was a bit confused about when her party would be, and constantly asked when she was going to have cake, the day finally arrived.  This year we visited the Tamarack Nature Center and played in the outdoor play area.  Each child received their own digging tools for playing in the sand and water.  Of course the highlight for Emma was the pizza and cake as well as the gifts she received from friends.  Emma was very excited that our new neighbor, Prince was able to attend the party as well.  He had his first experience eating pizza while at Emma's celebration.

Of all the gifts Emma received, the one she has used most is Liam's spirograph.  Mommy is fascinated by the geometrical patterns and math that can be found in the activity.  Although the package says it is for children eight and older, Emma is a pro at handling the pens and circular tools with care.  A big thank you to grandma Kathy for baking the pizza and keeping the cake refrigerated until we needed it.  Although the day was really hot, all the kids were real troopers.

 Attack of the noise makers

 Liam, Autumn, Ani, Miles, Lula, Sylvia, Emma and Katie

 

 Prince trying out pizza for the first time

 Ani proudly singing "Happy Birthday" to Emma

 Hope your wish comes true...

Grandma Kathy and Emma

 Enjoying cake

 Time to strengthen the unwrapping skills

End of Year Celebration

Emma and Ani both did wonderfully at their end of the year performances.  Ani and her group showed more confidence when getting up in front of the entire community.  They sang "Happy Birthday" to the school and "If You are Happy and You Know It."  Emma enjoyed the song "Inch by Inch" that her group sang.  After the performance, we enjoyed treats, a magic show about confidence and spending time with friends.  Miles and Sylvia will be attending new schools next year.

 The toddler train

 Trying to figure out what is going on

 Building up confidence

 The Children's House sings proud and strong

 Front Row Lillian, Mia, Lena, Emma, Autumn, Lula, Miles

Second Row Alex, Catherine, Ojal, Marcus, Kayla

 Paula (another one of Emma's good friends) was squeezed in next to Lena

Good Friends: Katie, Emma and Lula

Take Aim at Summer Fun

This past weekend we got together with our friends Yeng and Sofie to learn about wildlife and experience some outdoor fun with the Minnesota DNR.  The girls learned about eagles, fish and had  a chance to canoe.  Sofie even tried climbing the rock wall.  Emma was afraid but then after she saw Sofie do it, she wanted to try.  Unfortunately they closed the sign up just as Emma was building up her confidence.  Maybe next time the climbing wall is available Emma will be excited to give it a try.

 They even had paddles Emma and Sofie size

Bring Out the Artist

This weekend we spent some time making art and seeing a variety of art performed.  On Saturday we attended the Eco Arts Fest at Harriet Island.  Although it was chilly, we saw a variety of cultural dances, watched kids as young as two climb trees, met a variety of birds from the Raptor Center, and participated in some art projects.  Some costumed individuals were there to entertain as well including a butterfly on stilts and an individual dressed as a tree.  Ani was very afraid of the tree that walked and talked.  She thought that he would bite her for some reason. 

In addition to the art festival, the girls participated in their own painting projects at home on Sunday.  We tried putting paint on balls and rolling them across cardboard boxes to make cool designs.  This was quite messy but a lot of fun.  We didn't take pictures of this activity because all of our hands were covered in paint.  Emma also tried painting from the swing.  She laid on her belly and held a brush in her hand.  Lots of giggling could be heard as the creation was being made.

 Emma wanted to join the Mexican dancing group.

 Mommy joked with Emma that she would get to see an eagle.  However they really did have an eagle for up close observation.

A bit of tire swing art on a beautiful sunny day

Mother's Day Weekend

This weekend Mommy and Daddy went on a bike ride on Red Wing, Minnesota while the girls spent time with Grandpa Bruce and Grandma Jan.  Mommy and Daddy left Friday afternoon and returned Saturday afternoon from the trip.  While Mommy and Daddy were hiking up Bluffs and biking near farm fields, Emma and Ani were spending quality time in their outdoor pool.  Emma and Ani even got to visit the Como Town and go on lots of the carnival rides.  This was one of the first times Analise had been on rides before so it was definitely a thrilling experience.  Emma loved riding on the bumper cars with Grandpa.  The train ride was also a favorite for the girls.  Once Mommy and Daddy arrived home, we spent time working on the yard, playing on swings, riding bikes to the park, picking lilacs and catching up.  The weekend was a great one to be outdoors.  A big thank you to grandma and grandpa for taking the girls overnight! 

Bring on the rides!  We love Como Town!

Easter Celebration

Emma and Ani were off from school for the last ten days as part of a spring break and Easter vacation combined.  During this time we visited the library, met friends at the Monkey House, spent time playing at grandmas, went for many trips to the park and even made it to the zoo.  Easter was spent over at the Walczynski house.  This year the girls baked Easter bunny cookies and were very excited about finding the eggs scattered around the yard.  Teresa and Kevin did a great job hiding the eggs so that some were even hard for the adults to spot.  Mommy was pleased that we got a few decent photos this year with all four of us looking at the camera.  It was also great to meet Tiffany's new baby Aliyah and her older son Tino at church.

 Emma and Ani working together in the kitchen

 Four bunny cookies successfully made

 Trying out the creations

 Tiffany, Aliyah, Uncle Mike, Tino, Aunt Mara

 Sister Hugs

 Grandma Kathy and the girls

 Meeting Aliyah

 The hunt begins

 Ani in full concentration mode as she searches for the final egg

 Emma's basket is so full so has to resort to storing a few eggs in her hood

The proud egg seekers at the end of the hunt

Bedtime Snuggles

Ever since daylight savings time, we have been up late into the evening.  Ani thinks her bedtime is 9:30 instead of 8:30 and we can't seem to convince her otherwise.  It probably didn't help that the girls had Easter bunny cookies so late last night.  All the sugar sent them on a chaotic laughing spree.  Even though our sleep has been in need of some repair, our fort building skills have skyrocketed.  Our ability to beg for just one more story or one more ride as a "sack of potatoes" on Daddy's back has also increased.  Not sure when the whole concept of we just need to go to bed earlier will kick in, but hopefully for Mommy and Daddy's sake it will be soon.  For now, Mommy gets to say "No more monkeys jumping on the bed!"

 Our Two Little Monkeys

The Fort Palace