Summer is for Mermaids!

Dear Maya and Emi,

This may end up being a couple posts in one as mommy has lots to share about what we've been up to, plus a little something about someone turning FIVE! Hold on to your hats because I've got a lot to share tonight!

Now that it's summer vacation, Maya, your summer recreation program has started! You've been spending your days climbing trees, creating pulley systems to suspend your treasures from the trees, and swimming in the creek. Plus there are weekly field trips. Plus there guest teachers and planned activities. You come home every day dirty and tired OUT from playing hard with your friends. It's such a great program!

We've also had a few play dates with your friends, been swimming in the school pool several times, had a yard sale, packed to move to a new house nearby(!), celebrated mommy's birthday, and had a visit from Grandpa and Lori and their new doggy Dozer! Whew, just typing that tired me out!

And then, most importantly, we celebrated your FIFTH BIRTHDAY, Emi! You chose a mermaid theme but it was the most slapdash birthday party we've had so far since the move-in date for our new home was the very next day. We ordered a plain cake to decorate together, mommy dug out some old tulle and seashells to throw a 'wave' up on the wall, and we ordered pizza and wings. You opened some awesome gifts and had so much fun basking in the love of family!

 

Okay, mommy just decided that I'm going to do a second post for your year recap, Emi, as I can't fit more in here. Look for that post tomorrow, my sweet! Love you both!

Another school year ends...

Dear Maya and Emi,

Ahhh, it's been about 6 weeks since the last post, but mommy's been waiting specifically for today to write this. Today is the last day of school!! There have been so many activities lately in your classes that I felt like I really just needed to wait for the end to write about them. Here we go...

• Spring into Learning event: Maya, you did a research project (on animals, no surprise) and both of you enjoyed all the activities from the book fair to the birds of prey show to the ice cream

• Emi photo shoot: Since Maya was at a friend's for a sleepover, mommy got to do a little photo shoot just of you, Emi. You were as sweet and silly as always. 

 

 

• Sleepover: Maya, your friend came to our house for a sleepover, too. We went to the stream, to do some dogsitting, and to the Memorial Day Parade together. 

• Debut performances: You two both performed at the Rhinebeck Farmer's Market! Maya, you sang "Rainbow Connection" and Emi, you sang and played "Three Little Birds" on the ukulele. You both sounded so good and we were all super proud of you!

• Beach party: Our whole family went to the beach to celebrate Aunt Kelsie and Aunt Bobbie's birthday. You had so much fun with your cousins. 

• Field Trip: Maya, mommy got to be a chaperone at your field trip to the Children's Museum of Science and Technology! You got to do some engineering, chemistry experiments, and all kinds of other cool things there with your classmates. 

• Other fun school days: You both had field days. Maya, you had some theme days like rock star day. Also, mommy volunteered in your classroom a few times including one time where I taught about Japanese festivals such as Girls' Day and Boys' Day. Emi, you even got to come into your sister's class that day to enjoy ice cream with her classmates!

• And finally, you both had Moving Up ceremonies! You're going to be in 3rd grade and Kindergarten soon!!

Here's to a beautiful summer with you two. Hopefully you can tone down all the bickering you've been doing lately and find lots of fun things to do with each other and individually. We have lots of music and reading and adventures planned so fingers crossed!! Love you both!