Pizza and Popsicles

Yesterday, KK and friends had their end of year/teacher survived party.

Please look at her hair.  I could take pictures of them all day long.

Group picture.  I've never seen the kid on the bottom left before.  Definitely not in our class.

Saint Deardorff.  Seriously.  This woman is awesome.  Smart, PATIENT, firm yet friendly and caring.  A gem.  And it's highly likely we'll miss her much more than she'll miss us.

First Grade Class Play: Rainbow Fish

Kayla had two lines.

"But if you go beyond the coral reef to a deep cave you will find a wise octopus."

AND

"When the water around him filled with glimmering scales, he felt at home around the other fish."

A star is born.  Truly.

Last Day of First Grade

You'll have to excuse the blur.  Lots of excitement around here.  And not a lot of standing still to capture precious, once-in-a-lifetime moments.

Ashlyn's Progress Report

made me laugh.  Especially some of the progress summaries.

• "Ashlyn is able to answer several who and what questions.  She is able to answer "What will you do when you get home?"  Her answer: "Swiss, Little Burrito."

OK, so...  Ashlyn, like her big sister, is quite fond of Swiss Family Robinson.  She is equally fond of El Monterey frozen, microwavable bean and cheese burritos.  Ashlyn gets out of school @ 1:45.  Kayla does not finish until 2:35 which on certain days, leaves a hellacious pre-nap time gap.  Swiss and burritos help.  And now it's officially documented.

• "Ashlyn has not yet reported that her hearing aids are not working.  However, she was able to report in great detail about putting her aids in the microwave and what happened to them."

Also, documented.  Fabulous.

• "Ashlyn has learned all the names of her classmates and the adults that work with her.  She uses the following sentences in class: I want more paper towel, please.  I want one more frog.  Ashlyn need pee (funny how she never says that one at home), I want pour more water, Me swim. Dad, Papa, Ashlyn swim.  Mommy is here.  Sharbel is in Israel."

Sharbel, her little classmate and friend, has been visiting family in Israel for well over a month now.  Every morning during attendance they remind her that Sharbel is in Israel.  She now thinks that every plane she sees is going to Israel.  And every person that is away on vacation is in Israel.  Including Nan and Pops who are in North Carolina.

iToddler

Fun on the Farm

Last weekend we, along with my parents, their friends Tom and Galynn and their granddaughters took a trip out to the coast.  Ashlyn is very close to perfecting "Old McDonald Had a Farm" (well, sort of...) so this trip was especially meaningful for her.   And they had lollipops.  Also, meaningful.

First Stop.  Pony ride.  Nan did not like the ponies very much because they pooped a lot.  Kayla thought this was hilarious.  Nan was not laughing.

Ashlyn wasn't quite sure about the whole expedition.  And definitely NOT a fan of the pony helper man because he wouldn't allow the lollipop along for the ride.

This is Galynn and Tom.  Such wonderful people and dear friends of my parents.  And they have gorgeous grandchildren.  Their son, Tom Jr. is the quarterback for the New England Patriots.  You may have heard of him?  And yes, I am a shameless, name dropper.  Really, I tried hard to stop myself.  It's just too amazing to omit.

Next stop.  Petting Zoo.  For the record, Ashlyn never officially touched any of the animals.  Or the animal feed.  She did touch the cup the food was IN so we're making strides. 

You will notice there are far fewer candids of Kayla than Ash.  It is not because we love her less.  It's just that when you put her on a plot of land with a plethora of animals, you don't see her for weeks.  Ashlyn, however, sticks very close to home.

Final stop.  Hay ride.  And quite possibly the most boring hay ride ever.  Although, in general I suspect that most hay rides are boring.  The girls had their lollipops though so all was right with the world.

One of my favorite shots of the day.  Daddy helping Ash with her little shoe.  So sweet.  And not at all farm related.  Well, except for the hay.  But still sweet.

We made a quick stop by the beach before heading home.  And I mean quick.  Like 5 minutes, quick.  It was FREEZING.  Of course, KK could care less.  Put that girl near water of ANY temperature in ANY climate, she will stay until she is navy blue, shivering  uncontrollably and the frostbite begins to set.

Ashlyn,  on the other hand, spent all 5 minutes like this...

Those Who Lose at a Slower Pace...

have a greater chance of keeping it off.

Good news for me and my .8 lb weight loss this week.  Down 1 lb total.  Still eating carrots and speed walking like Forest.  Although he was more of a runner though, right?  Maybe that's my problem.

I did take full advantage of  my 35 bonus points (and then some, probably) on the most amazing bruschetta (gorgonzola and honey,  salami and feta, mushroom, pepper and some sort of heavenly cheese... all life changing, really)  at B St. & Vine with the girls Friday night so I was expecting worse.  And it would have been worth it.

AND it was Memorial Day weekend.  Is it sad when excuses outnumber pounds lost?  Teacher Jan would not be happy.

At this rate, I will be at my goal weight in 32 weeks.  8 months.  Good thing the wedding is a year from Thursday.

WAKE UP!  You're asleep, aren't you?  Definitely switching to monthly updates.  These are even killing me.