Sunday, May 30, 2010

Friday at Brookfield

We headed to Brookfield on Friday to enjoy a wonderfully warm and sunny day with the animals. We started on our "normal route" with the camels, zebras, and giraffes, but then ventured to the new Bear Grotto, which is AWESOME!!! We loved it. It was super warm out, so we enjoyed a lot of pink lemonade, ice cream treats, and the mist sprays. Delaney had an "incident" at the penguin house--where a bird pooped on her head. She was a great sport about it, though. On our way out we decided to head to the Sting Ray exhibit--my fave spot in the summer. And we were lucky enough to catch a feeding time, so both Delaney and Kate were able to feed the rays with Poppy and Uncle Brian. Rowena just enjoyed splashing in the pool. It was getting late, we were all tired, and knowing there'd be a lot of traffic (Friday at 4:30 on Memorial Day weekend), we decided to leave. Delaney and Katie were a little upset about not stopping at two usual spots: the carousel and a park. We also didn't have time to do the petting zoo. All in all, it was a fun, but exhausting day.
Girls all enjoying the mist
In awe of the fish
She loved the big splash in the penguin house
The girls shared SO well with Rowena all day!
Enjoying some freedom
Having fun and being silly with Uncle Brian
Enjoying a Lemon Chill (mmmmm...my fave)
Feeding the sting rays

Kids' Connection Graduation

On Thursday, May 27th, Katie graduated from Kids Connection Preschool. The program was very cute; each kid participated in a song performance. Katie sang and danced in 10 Little Fish. Delaney danced through the entire thing, and Rowena wouldn't sit still. I was so proud of Katie...she did such a great job. She was a little shy/weird/stand-off'ish when saying "goodbye" to Mrs. Lewis--her teacher for two years. I think she really had a hard time knowing that she would be in a new school next year, with a new teacher, and new classmates.
Getting ready to go on stage for her performance
The end of her performance--Katie is on the far left.
The entire graduating class of 2010 at Kids' Connection
Getting her diploma and hug from Mrs. Lewis
Katie just opened her new Ken doll from Uncle Teddy Bear...which she named "Brian" and he is a dancer.
Thank You Hug Katie and Claire...a friend from her class from the past two years.
One last "goodbye" with Mrs. Lewis.
This past year, Katie has really come into her own. Her first year in preschool, Katie was very shy and quiet; rarely playing with others, never speaking up, but always the first to a friend's aid when sad or hurt. She had difficulty asking for help, advocating for herself, and being assertive. This past year, Katie has become more social with her peers, but continues to be easy going and laid back. She doesn't engage in arguments or fights with others, but does attend to her peers' feelings. She is testing about 3 months beyond her age with some of the Intelligence tests that Kids' Connection does with their 2nd year students (4-5 year old classes). Although quiet and often shy, Katie is so smart, a clown--always making others laugh, kind and considerate. I think she's going to do so well in Kindergarten next year.
We are so very, very proud. CONGRATULATIONS, KATIE!!! We love you!

Planting Our Garden

Katie helped Daddy plant in the garden this year. She was very excited because Daddy picked up seeds for watermelon and carrots--two fave things of hers. Delaney is a bit disappointed because: 1) her gardening gloves no longer fit, and 2) everything to be planted she doesn't care for.
We planted tomatoes, green onions, carrots, assorted hot peppers (great for some summer salsa), watermelon, cantelope, and pumpkins. We also still have our berry patch, consisting of raspberries, black berries, and bosenberries. Yum!

Kindergarten Open House

On Tuesday (after playing on the slip-n-slide), Uncle Brian and I took Katie over to her new school...Grand Prairie. She was quiet most of the time, probably a little overwhelmed (it's kind of a big school), and a little shy. But, she took it all in and seemed to enjoy the bus and the kindergarten classrooms. She also liked the media center as they had cookies and lemonade.

Slip-N-Slide Fun

On Tuesday, the girls enjoyed some time on the slip-n-slide before Katie had to head to her Kindergarten Open House at Grand Prairie. It's been a pretty hot week in Illinois. We broke into the 90's the day of Uncle Wesley's wedding, and it's been up there since. I think we skipped spring and went right to summer.