Tiny Dancer

Sloane started her first dance class this summer. It is a ballet/tap dance combo class for two and three year olds. She gets to wear leotards, tutus, ballet, and tap shoes. I love getting her dressed up in those cute outfits. The first class didn't go so well. The moms can't go in with their children. We just let their teacher pick them up in the waiting room and then watch them through a window. It might be better if the kids couldn't also see us through that window, at least in Sloane's class anyway. Sloane cried for me most of the first class and there was very little dancing done. But, at the end of class, the kids get a stamp on their hand and a lollipop. Sold! The next class there were no tears and Sloane was arabesque-ing with the rest of the class. She is so cute dancing out there. What she lacks in gracefulness (not sure if it's her age, or something inherited from me) she makes up for in eagerness. She really stomps out her foot when it is time for tap. I might want to get her in an Irish step dancing class.

The Ides of Kindergarten

Finn finished out his Kindergarten year with a bang. There were so many fun events at the end of the year. One thing the Kindergartners do is host a "Mall" where they make gifts or provide services for others to buy with pennies. Finn decided to provide a service- giving neck scratches with a plastic back scratch-er and giving hand massages. Finn practiced both before the big day. He gave Rick a practice hand massage and Rick confirmed that it was definitely a hand massage worth a penny. I got to frequent Finn's booth at the school and he was so cute. He is totally a future businessman. The kids are allowed to take breaks and shop around, but Finn stayed open the whole time and earned the most money in the class. Atta boy! All of the Kindergarten classes got to put on an end of year performance for the parents and teachers. They perform some of the songs and dances that they learned this year in kindergarten. It was super cute. The last week of school the Kinder group gets to spend the day enjoying a Splash Day. The local fire department comes and hooks up water to spray all of the kids in their swimsuits. Their are bubbles stations and plastic pools set up for the kids to enjoy. It's a really fun end of year ritual. It all ended with Finn's Kinder graduation ceremony. The Kindergartners are recognized with a diploma for their achievement of completing the year. Finn was really excited about it. The end of the day was spent watching a video of pictures taken of his class throughout the year. It was a very bittersweet day. I can't believe my baby is about to be a first grader. I'm so proud of what a successful year he has had. He made lots of friends, learned to read and write, made great marks on his report card, and had all kinds of cool experiences. I couldn't have asked for a better Kindergarten year.

Finn scratching the counselor's back

Hand massages-in and out in under 5 seconds!

The parachute routine for the end of year celebration

Finn and his buddies at splash day

Last day as a Kindergartener!

Early Retirement

Yes, it's true. Finn has opted to retire from the sport of soccer at the tender age of 6. Finn just finished his season on the Purple Ninjas team. Cool name, not so cool uniforms. Bright purple and baby blue- say what? Finn is just not feeling the love for soccer, and it's really disappointing because he just got good! He not only scored goals but he was one of the ones right in the middle making contact with the ball a lot. He even once busted a backwards kick ball turn around. Oh well, better to leave on a high note. Take note, Brett Favre.

Girly Girl

Sloane is definitely entering a girlie girl phase. All of a sudden she loves things that are all girl. Her new favorite things are Dora the Explorer (ok, not that girly) Barbies, and Disney princesses- especially Tiana from the Princess in the Frog. Sloane got her first real Barbie and it's a Tiana that she has to sleep with every night. Tiana also happens to sleep in the nude- scandalous! Sloane loves dressing up in her princess clothes or any girly items- bows, jewelry, and unfortunately makeup. Sloane is always getting into my makeup and rubbing something all over her face. she is especially obsessed with chap stick. She has one special one that she has to sleep with every night, rubbing all over her lips until she falls asleep. I don't know what I got myself into pushing girly things on her. She still has some tomboy tendencies though- beating her brother on a regular basis.

Sloane's fancy little braid

Sloane's UT cheerleading outfit from Aunt Erin

Celebrating Cinco de Mayo

Karaoke Princess

Tie Dye Day at school

Crazy Hair Day at school

Although it may not seem like it, Sloane loves her tutu swimsuit

Sloane had to have a ninja mask like all of the boys

Big bows are a must

Crazy hat day at VBS