Crash in the sprinkler

You have seen how much Crash enjoys the baths in the hose that Dave has given him. Now see Crash uncensored in the backyard sprinkler!!

One of the songs that they sang last night at the Jazzy Bears night. 'Baba dabba dabba dabba do' Molly is on the very far right side.

Molly stars in 'The Lock Sisters and the Three Jazzy Bears'

Molly's preschool raised funds from their art show earlier this year, and in conjunction with a grant from Arts Partners, the school was able to put on an evening of Four Jazzy Fairy Tales. Three professional jazz artists came to the school weekly to help each suite modify a fairy tale to work for the number of children in their class, but also to help them develop an appreciation of music (namely jazz) and performing in front of an audience. Molly's suite adapted 'Goldilocks and the Three Bears' into the most hilarious story! The children were in charge of coming up with the ideas and figuring out a role for everyone to play. Molly was the Mother of Goldi and Brownie Locks, the Lock sisters. She also played a smaller role of a cousin.

Molly dressed in her motherly costume: a dress and an apron

In the classroom before the show: Mrs. Talley, Molly and some of her bear friends, and also Officer Eggleston (her friend is sooooo cute dressed up as a policewoman)
Joe, the Irish boy!
When we dropped Molly off and went into the sanctuary of the church, we were truly blown away by how packed the place was. There was standing room only in the back and on the sides. Yet another reason we love that school, such great involvement with all the families.

Mrs. Wheeler (the narrator for all the fairy tales) introducing the evening and getting things started with 'The Three Billy Goats and a very Hungry Troll Family'.

Molly's class went second. Here she is on stage with her two daughters, Goldi and Brownie
Molly's line admonishing them 'You can go for a walk, but don't go into anyone's house!!'

At the end of the story, the Lock sisters come back after their crazy adventures, to a loving Mom!!
Molly's class takes a bow at the end of the story.

Potter's 4th grade choral conert

Wednesday night last week were the 4th and 5th grade chorus, band, and orchestra performances at Potter's school. The only video that I got was a recording of the 4th grade singing 'Danny Boy', which 1) I am sure you don't want to see and 2) it is like 3 minutes long and I am sure I can't upload that. They did an excellent job singing that tune as well as 'Oh! Susanna', 'Love the Summer', and 'I am a Small Part of the World'. Super job!!

Late morning hike in the nature preserve

This morning after a quick stop at Panera for some bagels, we headed over to campus to eat our carbs and hike in the preserve. It was a gorgeous day out, alternating sun and a few clouds, but so much wildlife to see!

Here we are starting on the loop around the lake.

Crash takes a water break. This was his first time with us on a hike here. We let him off the leash (although dogs are supposed to be leashed, we put him on when people approached) and he came every time he was called. This bodes well for him getting to go with us again :)

Summer Dave

Molly held up the tree until all of us made it pastThree super cute kids
They found the hidden grotto
Click on this picture to enlarge. We are *pretty sure* that it is a Baltimore Oriole. It was wicked cool!!!!
Lovely view of the hills around the pond and bridge. Lots of Canada geese out teaching their babies how to swim. Flying is next week!!!

Washing the Thunderchicken

The kids were already dirty, the car needed to be washed, so child labor was instituted after dinner last night. The kids had a blast (literally, a blast) with the hose, loved the big sponges and the scrubbing. I think the driver's side door got washed AT LEAST 25 times. That is right at Caleb height!! It was a beautiful evening outside, a fun way for the kids to wind up their day.

All hands on deck!

Caleb has the hose, using it for good so far....

Caleb still has the hose, using it for evil (squirting Molly and Potter in the garage, Dave's shorts are already soaked!)

Look at all that shine!!!

Dave and Molly have a giggle

T-Ball - week 2

Yes, there are five (5) more t-ball games, so get set to endure 5 more weeks of Molly basically doing the same thing ;)

Molly warming up with one of her coaches

Molly finds her spot in the outfield.

Getting lower to the ground, waiting to snag the ball when it comes her way.
Molly's first at bat of the night.
Waiting patiently on 3rd base to get batted home!
Congratulating the opposing team (I think they were the Polar Bears this week)

What is an amoeba?

This past Thursday was the Science Fair at Potter's school. Fourth and fifth graders are required to participate, but anyone else in the school can as well, including some very cute projects by the kindergarten kids. Potter decided to learn all about amoebas! We even went down to the Susquehanna and got a jar full of river water and muck, put it on a slide under our microscope, but unfortunately, we determined that it was a) too cold and b) the water was to fast moving for us to get amoebas. (Later this summer, we're going to find a pond and go there on a really warm day to ensure picking up some of these suckers!!) I went to school as a judge and interviewed a bunch of 4th, 5th and 2nd graders on their projects; you can just see the pride that they all have in their work! Was so proud of Potter for coming up with his idea, then spending a lot of time researching, typing, printing and putting the board together. He even made a clay amoeba down in the art room at school.

Jesscherry visit

Jesscherry is no longer a 1L! She finished her finals and then came to town on Tuesday night to hang out with us. As it turned out, Greg and Lila came over as well for some dinner and guitar playing. I managed a picture of Jess with Lila, but not with Jess, Crash, or any of our kids. Isn't that odd??

Mother's Day Brunch

My husband and children closed all the pocket doors leading to the kitchen and family room while they prepared my Mother's Day Brunch. Caleb set the silverware on the table, Molly and Potter worked on the tablecloth and cloth napkins, then all the kids got to help with various stages of food preparation. Such a beautiful table, with a nice candle and the marigold that Molly made at school. They always make me feel so special. I love them all!!!

Gymnastics demo

Molly participated in a gymnastics demonstration on Saturday that included each girl doing a beam routine, a floor routine, a vault, and a bar routine. While Blogger has been very nice about uploading video today, now it has decided that it won't let me upload any of these. Here are a few shots of them coming in with flags to the national anthem and then getting their awards at the end. The videos are WAY better, so I'll keep trying.

Still of Molly doing her Level 1 vault

Molly and Annie posing (sort of) for a picture

The proud biker

Molly sporting her 'new' bike :)

Molly rides on only two wheels

Molly decided that this was the weekend that she wanted to ditch those training wheels, and as you'll see, she did an amazing job!! That's my girl!

More doggy bath

It starts out fun for Dave and Crash, both enjoying their roll as squirter and squirtee...

Then slightly less fun for Crash when the shampoo comes out, now he must sit still. Dave looks a little less than thrilled.

More fun, getting rinsed off.....

His biggest dislike part, getting his face washed. I imagine that during the whole bath, Crash ingested over 50 gallons of water!!!!

Crash's first bath outside

Dave gave Crash his first bath outside yesterday. This was the pre-bath frivolity.

Mother's Day Tea at Molly's UPK

Molly's class held their annual Mother's Day Tea this morning. It was such a lovely time, many thanks to the teachers and kids who put in a lot of effort and love! Each mother was introduced and let into the room separately, whereupon their child would come and greet them, have a couple's photo taken, then be seated at the appropriate table. Each child had made a placemat for their mom, decorated a flower pot and planted a marigold, made a card, and helped with the preparation of all the food and drinks. Enough to make a momma tear up!!! The children all sang a song, in Spanish, about loving Mom, we ate a feast, listened to what our children think about each of us Moms, then read a story. Loved it all!!!

Waiting in the hall to be announced, I read why Molly loves me......

A bigger picture of why her friends love their moms.........

The table where we sat with some of Molly's friends. We had Dante, Joseph, DeAna, and Stephen at our table with their moms.

The food!!! Spinach and strawberry salad with raspberry vinagrette (must try this soon at home), chicken salad sandwiches, cream cheese and jelly sandwiches, and lots of cookies!! Also, not just water, but iced tea, pink lemonade and water.

Molly and Dante. He has already asked her to marry him a couple months ago.

Mommy and Molly!!!

Stephen, Joseph, Molly and Dante

Molly, Natalie and Sophia. These are probably Molly's best girl friends at school.
Mrs. Talley read 'My Mom is so Great'.