Dual Language End of Year Program

I got a big ol' lump in my throat at this years end of the year program, as the Kindergarten and First grade classes sang "America the Beautiful". There is just something special about hearing those little voices sing out patriotic songs, and watching them waving American flags. Amanda Lily had a small speaking part inviting everyone to sing along. Then, she and a few friends came out into the audience and chose family members to come up front and do a silly dance. They also sang "You are my sunshine" and a few other songs in Spanish. It was a fun night.

Happy Birthday Young Man!

Steven is NINE years old today. That means that in the same amount of time we've had him in our lives, he'll be eighteen and off to college! Am I the only Mom who thinks of stuff like that? He is such a kind, warm, tender hearted guy. We are so proud of the young man he has become. He had a lazer tag party with a few friends, then we took him to check out the new Star Wars Star Tours ride that just opened this weekend at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

We made a family weekend of it and took him out to the Springs on Sunday for a day of boating. It has been a super busy weekend celebrating our guy, and we are wishing him an extra special day today!

Bountiful Harvest

Here's our Spring garden update:

We have been busy trying to keep up with that garden we planted during the Spring. Our tomato plants are extremely productive. We can hardly eat them quick enough! We've shared with neighbors and Yia Yia. They are sweet and full of flavor. Steven's favorite thing to do is pick the cherry tomato's right off the vine and pop them into his mouth. Amanda Lily has even decided that she now likes raw onion. This was the first time we've ever planted onion, but they grew. Yum. The cucumbers didn't do so well. We got two, but neither of them ripened.

It's getting hot out now, so I'm not sure how long our garden will last. For now we are enjoying reaping what we sowed.(;

Mary and her lamb cookies

I had a friend on etsy make these adorable cookies for Amanda Lily to share with her dance friends. Being that it was her birthday weekend, and frosting and costumes do not mix, I figured cookies would be a great substitute for cupcakes. They turned out PRECIOUS, and I just had to share them on my blog. If you have a special occasion, or just an appreciation for talent, check out "Lori's Place" on etsy.com. She is a Central Florida girl, who has the most creative cookies I've ever seen. Not to mention...no preservatives, high quality ingredients, and DELICIOUS! (a gal after my own heart)

Mary Had a Little Lamb

Amanda Lily had the great honor of being cast as the lead dancer in her classes part in Mt Dora School of Ballet's, Mother Goose Suite. She danced the part of "Mary", in Mary Had a Little Lamb. We are so very proud of the job she did. She smiled and danced her part with grace and confidence. My heart pounded in my chest with pride, and a little worry. (Lord, please don't let her fall!) The performance was held at Lake Sumter Community Colleges auditorium, and it was sold out 2 weeks prior! Lots of parents, grandparents, friends, and well wishers came out to watch the girls dance. We didn't get any action shots because flash photography was not allowed. Her Papou Stavros, enjoyed watching so much, it brought tears to his eyes. He told me he had no idea she could dance like that. It was a lovely weekend, and we are so very proud of our hard working tiny dancer!

Happy Birthday Sweetheart!

SEVEN YEARS OLD TODAY

Party People

Create Create Create

Artists At Work

I broke the party up into stations.

#1 Paint a canvas

#2 Beading necklaces

#3 Fingernail painting

#4 Make a picture frame

#5 Mother's Day craft

#6 Face paint

The girls had lots of fun rotating through, and their artwork turned out to be exceptional!

Here are the artists working on their canvas

Candy Buffet

I believe this was every kids favorite part of the party, and every Dentist's worst nightmare! I sure had fun putting it together, and now there is enough candy left over for Steven's party in a couple of weeks!