New Skirt

I've had this skirt in my head for a while and I finally sewed it up.

I love it! It hides imperfections and looks good doing it.

P.S. Those fabulous shoes were $4 at The House of D.I.

Pre-K Graduation

I have to say that this pre-school is exactly what Addi needed this year.

Moving to a new state and leaving old friends was hard, but her pre-school was a place that she could come 3 times a week and belong.

(She could 'belong' at church as well but for a while she was the only girl in her class and that was hard for her)
Her teacher was/is genuinely concerned for and excited about the growth and development of the children and families in this class.

It is a co-op, meaning I am there at least once a week and am involved in many things, including parenting classes where I have learned so much!

My favorite class was given by a neurologist who explained (among many other amazing things) that the research shows that the greatest indicator of success in children is a stable, loving home. This was his quote and I love it. He said:

"You want your kid to go to Harvard? then go home and love them."

Anyway, I love this pre-school and would recommend it to anyone but I'll get off my soap box and get on with the pictures.

On tap at the Graduation Party was homemade ice cream.

There were lots of fun, messy and crazy activities for the party.

Here is Addi receiving her commemorative book and baby snail.
(The class raised and observed an ever growing number of snails this year. They also took turns taking home the class pet snail "Bob" pictured behind and to the left of Addi)


Addi with her beloved Teacher Kathy.

Pre-School Beach Day

I'm going to write more about our trip to Utah later but for now I just wanted to document the ending activites for Addi's Pre-School.

Early this week we went to the beach...actually the shore of Puget Sound...is that the same thing? I'm sure I don't know.

Randall makes fun of me for taking picutres of the driftwood. I just think it looks so cool...sue me.

Addi began the day sifting sand for treasures. By the end my pockets were full of little rocks, shells and even a crab claw (no longer in use by the owner)...lucky me.

Thanks to Great Grandmother Gourley Addi was able to produce bubbles for the whole class to enjoy.


The soda/mentos rockets were definitely a hit.
I myself could set those things off all day.

Then there were the stomp rockets.

...which totally rocked!

We had a great day at the beach hanging out with all our friends and Mom's from the Pre-school.

Anything is Better than Nasty Fingernails

My sister was grossed out about the fingernails on that hitch hiker.

So I'm posting our fancy painted faces from Gabi's birthday party.

Addi is a swan butterfly.

P.S. For the few concerned for our safety we really didn't hitch hike, we just hitched a ride with our good friends. It was an adventure! With numerous pit stops, 1 speeding ticket and driving down the road with the back of the car open, to name a few high points.

Hitchin'

This is how Addi and I are getting to Utah this week.
I'm not even kidding! It's going to be fun.

She Grew Up Today

Do you ever look at your kid(s) and think, "Did you just grow up overnight?"

I don't mean that I feel like she was just an infant last night, but that her 5 year plus 125-day self looks alarmingly more grown up than her 5 year plus-124 day self.

I don't know it might be just me.

Here we are on the way to the library.
I could swear she just grew up today.

All Dressed Up

This is a little late but here is Addi in her Easter dress.

I was going to post it sooner but there were many forces at work against me.

-Non-rainy Sunday's (days) are hard to come by in Seattle this time of year

-If you do get one, chances are she's chosen another dress

-If by chance it is NOT raining and she HAS chosen this dress, then we certainly haven't allotted ourselves "photo shoot" time before 9:00am church

So this Sunday may have been a miracle...probably not... but I got the pictures!

She does love to bow in a gown.

I even made the headband...I know...I've outdone myself.


Then a week or so ago I made a couple of dresses for the 11 Stake Church Formal.
They wanted 50's...I did my best.

I only got a picture of Miss J...
I have to say, the awesome belt we got at the D.I. totally makes it.