Thursday, May 31, 2012

School's Out for Summer

I thought it would be neat to do a comparison shot of Michael's first day of school with the last day.  I wanted him to wear the same outfit but couldn't find the shirt.  I think he may have outgrown it since he looks so much older now, at least to me.  Looking forward to first grade!



Monday, May 28, 2012

Happy Memorial Day

We spent a nice, relaxing weekend at home, which was nice after the events of the past few weeks.  I did take the kids to the pool on Sunday afternoon but that was the extent of our outings away from the house.  It was nice to be able to get back in the water after already being hot for quite a while.  The kids had fun, even after Michael fell down walking to the pool and got a nasty scrape on his side.  The weekend ended with Todd grilling burgers, hot dogs and ribs`for an afternoon cookout with his parents.  They brought over some food to grill as well as a delicious basket of fresh peaches, which the kids have been devouring!




Sunday, May 27, 2012

Final Game

Friday night was Michael's last baseball game of the season.  This was his first year doing coaches' pitch.  He enjoyed it for the most part but I am not sure if baseball has enough action for Michael.  There is quite a bit of standing out on the field waiting for the ball to come out.  Here he is waiting for his turn to bat.


His batting definitely got better at the season went on.  Early in the season, most of his at bats ended up with the coach having to bring out the tee for him to bat on.  By the last game, he was only hitting on the tee for one at bat, at most.  We could also see his confidence increase as he hit more pitches that the coach threw to him.


Todd was an assistant coach this year.  Michael really liked having him out on the field with him, as you can see the two of them here waiting for a ball to come their way.  This shot was taken right before a ball was hit in Michael's direction and he was able to field it.  It's been fun watching the progress that he has made this season in the field as well.


After the final game, the team went to Wendy's for a dinner to celebrate the end of the season.  The coach gave out trophies shaped like a baseball glove and he gave each player a game ball to put in the trophy.  Michael thought that was pretty neat and he had some of his teammates sign his ball too.
I don't know if he will play again next year but we enjoyed watching Michael play baseball this season.  Go Express!!

Friday, May 25, 2012

End of Kindergarten Celebration

Today was the end of kindergarten celebration at Michael's school.  All of the kindergarten classes came into the auditorium for a short program.  The classes sang 4 songs and then they all sat down to watch a slide show of pictures throughout the year.  I loved seeing Michael up there performing.  I can't believe that this school year is already over.  At times, it seemed like it was moving so slowly but looking back, it just flew by. 

Michael really enjoyed his first year of school.  He was asked what his favorite thing about kindergarten was.  I was a little surprised at his answer because I figured it would be PE, recess or lunch.  This is what he wrote:

He has made new friends and become better friends with others.  I know he is going to miss some of his friends next year when they are in a different class.  Hopefully they can stay in touch and have some play dates this summer. 
Salvatore and Michael
Bryson, Mallorie, Michael and Mark



















One of his teachers is retiring after this year and we will be sad to see her go.  She has really been great with Michael.

The program was a great end to his first year of elementary school!

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Katie's Dance Recital

Sunday afternoon was the recital for Katie's dance class.  She has been attending class every week since September and it was now time to show us what she had learned.  At the beginning of the year, she was moved up to the 3 year old tap/ballet class because there was no one else registered for the pre-ballet for 2 year olds.  She really enjoyed learning both tap and ballet and love going to dance class once she got the hang of it.

The theme for the show was Under the Big Top.  All of the numbers had to do with the circus.  Katie looked absolutely adorable in her pink sequined leotard, fluffy tutu and matching sequin headband.  She even let her hair be put up in a bun for the performance.  Each dancer came out one at a time and walked across the front of the stage as their name was called out.  Katie was not shy at all.


The dancing started and Katie did the dance quite well.  It was so cute as she watched the girl who was dancing next to her for some of the moves.  She smiled a lot and did most of the steps that were in the dance.  At the end of the recital, each dancer was called to come to the front of the stage to do a jump and then a curtsy in front of the instructor.  Katie got a flower and a certificate for her participation in the class. 



My parents got Katie a small bunch of flowers and lollipops, which Michael gave to her after the performance.  He was so happy to give it to her and told her what a great job she did.  During the performance, he turned around a couple of times and told me how well Katie was dancing.  I never get tired of hearing him say things like that!



Monday, May 21, 2012

6 Year Checkup

As if the past few days weren't already busy enough, Michael's 6 year checkup was scheduled for Friday afternoon.  Todd and I were both able to go to the appointment since my parents were here to watch Katie and the other kids.  We picked Michael up from school early and headed to the doctor.

Michael now weighs 43 lbs, which in the 32nd percentile, and is 46 inches tall, which is in the 60th percentile.  So he gained 4 lbs and grew 3 inches since his 5 year appointment.  There was also a hearing test, which he passed.

The worst part of the appointment was the finger stick for Michael.  The nurse told him it would just feel like a bug bite and that's when he started freaking out.  I don't blame him as he is definitely my kid when it comes to pain.  After a few minutes of pleading with him, he finally sat back down and let the nurse do it.  This caused about 10 minutes of crying because she hurt him so bad.  Luckily there were no shots at this appointment because that may have caused him to have a complete meltdown.

Everything else looked good and we got the handout about what to expect from 6 year olds.  A lot of it was what we are already experiencing, especially dawdling and getting emotional.  Overall, it was a good visit and we won't go back until next May.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

6th Birthday Party

We had Michael's party yesterday at home.  This year we decided to invite family and let Michael choose which of his friends he wanted to invite.  He chose a few friends and a couple of his classmates.  It was actually really nice to have a smaller, low-key party.  He got quality time with the friends that he is close with and all the kids seemed to have a good time.

The party had an Avengers theme but Michael asked for a Spiderman cake.  This was the best of both worlds to him.  A friend of ours made him a custom t-shirt for the party, which he happily wore and modeled for me.

The kids played in the backyard and Todd set up the bounce house for them.  He also put up the Avengers pinata, which we did after lunch.  All of the kids had several chances to hit the pinata before it finally busted open.  They all filled their bags with candy, which they loved, especially Michael.
 
We sang Happy Birthday to Michael after that and everyone had cake or cupcakes.  Most of the guests left and then Michael opened his presents.  He got quite a few Lego sets that were DC Super Heroes.  I think a good time was had by all!












Thursday, May 17, 2012

So Sweet

Katie has been visiting my parents this week.  It was her first time away from home without Todd, Michael or me.  We headed home on Sunday and she is coming home tomorrow.  Tonight, my parents called to wish Michael a Happy Birthday.  Then Katie got on the phone.  The excitement in Michael's voice when he realized it was Katie was so sweet.  He was super excited to be talking to her on the phone.  She wished him a Happy Birthday and then they talked for a minute.  The call ended with Michael telling Katie that he missed her and she said that she missed him too.  He told her he loved her and she said she loved him too.  I guess absence does make the heart grow fonder.  Sibling love is so special!

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Happy Birthday Michael

It's been 6 years since you entered our lives, changing them forever for the better.  I try not to think about the fact that you are 1/3 of the way to 18 because it makes me sad when I realize how fast time is flying by.  I want to freeze so many moments with you so I can replay them over and over in my head.

This year has been a big one for you.  You started kindergarten in the fall and rode the school bus by yourself for the first time.  You are now quite a pro at riding the bus and happily come down the steps each afternoon.  You learned to read and can now write some words by sounding them out.  I love to sit and listen to you read to me, Dad or Katie.

Last summer you learned to swim by yourself.  When we went to the pool for the first time this season, you showed that you haven't forgotten anything and have even made progress, like jumping into the deep end without someone being there to catch you.

Your love for building Legos has grown and you can now put most of them together alone if you put your mind to it.  I can just stand there watching you play with them and rebuild them to make new creations.  Your imagination is an amazing thing.



 
You and Katie spend most of your time wanting what the other one has but once in a while, you play nicely together.  When you do, this warms my heart.  I can see that you truly love your sister and will be her protector in years to come.  She looks up to you, which is why she follows you around and wants to do what you do.  Enjoy it now while it lasts.



Michael, you are growing into a wonderful little boy but you still have lots of hugs and kisses for Dad, Katie and I.  Your sweet nature is one of my favorite things about you.  I love when you hug me and tell me I'll always be your best mommy.  We all love you very much and so happy you are a part of our family.  Happy Birthday!!


Sunday, May 13, 2012

Happy Mother's Day

The weekend started with Todd and Katie going to have lunch on Friday with his mom.  They picked up some amazing flowers for her, which she loved.  I also made a red velvet cake with homemade cream cheese frosting, her favorite.  Since they brought the cake to her office, it was finished off by the end of the workday by her co-workers.  However, she did manage to get one piece.



We went to my parents' house in NC to spend the weekend with them.  Michelle, Alex and Lila also joined us there.  It was a nice weekend spending time with family.  Todd and I even got to head out to the outlets for a few hours on Saturday afternoon without kids.  We don't often get time to ourselves together away from home so it was a real treat.  Saturday night Michelle and Alex went out to dinner to celebrate their anniversary and Lila stayed with all of us.  I loved smelling her sweet baby smell.  We headed home this afternoon.

I got a gift certificate for a manicure and pedicure from Todd and a covered cake pan from the kids, as well as a sweet card and silhouette tracing from Michael.  I look forward to my mani/pedi but will probably wait until we are going on our trip to Johns Hopkins to get it as it would get messed up due to occupational hazards :)

This is not the best picture of me and Katie but it's the only one with either of my kids today.  Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there!

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Eye Doctor Update

Last Tuesday Michael and Katie had their semi-annual visit with the ophthalmologist.  The appointments were rescheduled , which was good and bad.  The good was that they were a month earlier than originally scheduled, the bad was that it was right in the middle of Michael's school day at the office further away from our house.

Both kids had their eyes tested to get their vision with their glasses on.  Michael is seeing 20/40 in both of his eyes with glasses on.  Katie is seeing 20/40 in her right eye but 20/100 in her left eye.  At her last appointment, she had a greater change in the vision in her left eye as well.

Michael's vision was relatively unchanged from the last appointment.  He did not get a new prescription and he does not have any further lens dislocation.  This was great news.  The only bad part of the appointment for him was when he had to get the drops to dilate his eyes.  I felt so bad for him because I know that is not pleasant.  I think he would have run out of the room if he could have.

The vision in Katie's right eye only had a slight change from the last visit.  However, her left eye had a significant change.  Her last prescription was -6.5 and the new one is -11.  The lens in her eye has also become more dislocated. 

For now, we will patch her right eye for 3 hours a day.  So far, it's going OK.  When putting the patch on, she gives me a bit of a hard time but once it's on, she seems to tolerate it pretty well.  I can't imagine it feels great but she has been a real trooper.

We already have an appointment scheduled for both of them with an ophthalmologist at John Hopkins when we go up for our visit in July.  It doesn't hurt to get a second opinion and I think it will definitely give us some peace of mind.

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Coffee date

Michael and I headed out to run a few errands before church last night.  We went to pick out his birthday cake pan, which is going to be Spiderman, as he is having a super heroes theme for his party.  Then we headed over to Starbucks to get some 1/2 price Frappucinos.  Michael really wanted to go to Sonic, which is right in front of AC Moore, but I talked him into Starbucks.  He was happy once he got his drink, a Vanilla Bean Frappucino.  It was nice to have some time to catch up with him and enjoy our time together.  I love afternoons like this!



Wednesday, May 2, 2012