pomp and circumstance

On Friday, May 27, Olivia and Violet participated in their daycare's graduation program. Although only the 5-year-olds officially graduated to kindergarten, all of the preschoolers wore a graduation cap that they made. Each student was presented with a special award from their teacher. Olivia's award was for being the best at making everyone smile. Violet's award was for being the best table worker (she is apparently very studious)! All of the kids sang several songs. Violet and Olivia had a blast with their friends and were quite wild during the performances! Afterward, we went into the preschool room for some refreshments. The kids were able to show off the work they did during the school year, which included the first scrapbooks that they made (yippee - scrapbooking!). Their teacher also had some pictures posted around the room of special things that the kids did during the year. Olivia and Violet's favorite was the picture of the green footprints that the leprechaun left in the preschool room when he visited them on St. Patty's Day!

Now the kids change over to their summer daycare schedule, which involves Wacky Wednesdays, park walks and field trips. Olivia and Violet are very excited, especially for the weekly park walks!

Violet after receiving her award from Mrs. Bare:

Olivia after receiving her award from Mrs. Bare:

zero cavities club

Olivia and Violet are now part of an elite club: Plymouth Dental Care's Zero Cavities Club. WOW! :) They visited the dentist for the first time last week. They did a great job and were very brave!! They were a little hesitant at first, but after they took a fun ride up and down on the dentist's chair they relaxed a bit. Olivia volunteered to go first. She did a good job of sitting still and opening wide like an alligator for the hygenist and the dentist, but she kept asking if she was done yet. Violet was a model patient. They both had their teeth counted and cleaned. They are up to 20 teeth, all with no cavities. The hygenist took their pictures and put them up on the wall as part of the Zero Cavities Club. They each got a toothbrush, tube of toothpaste, princess floss, and a prize toy that they picked out of a treasure chest. The next day, Olivia said, "My teeth are dirty. I have to go back to the dentist." They both had a great experience and can't wait to go back.

Olivia getting ready for her checkup:Olivia getting her teeth counted:

Olivia getting her teeth cleaned:
Violet ready for her checkup:
Violet getting her teeth counted:

Violet getting her teeth cleaned:

party time

We had the enjoyment of attending special events for two of our nieces last weekend. On Saturday, we went to Claire’s second birthday party. The weather was beautiful so we spent a lot of time outside. Olivia and Violet loved running around the yard with their cousins! Claire had a lot of fun opening presents and playing outside with Olivia, Violet, Nicholas and Chelsey. After the party, we went out to my parent’s farm. Olivia and Violet missed their nap but they stayed in pretty good spirits. On the farm we saw baby kittens that were only a few weeks old. Olivia and Violet wanted to pet them but refused to hold them. They thought the kittens were “so cute!” The girls also enjoyed spending time with Granny & Grandpa.

On Sunday morning, we went to our niece Maya’s church for her First Communion. She looked so beautiful and grown-up in her white dress, tiara and veil. She did a great job! We went to her reception afterward. Olivia and Violet thought Maya looked so pretty; Olivia cried until she got a turn to take a picture with Cousin Maya. :)

A few days prior, I went on a Garage Sale Extravaganza with my mom, sister Rhonda and sister Nikki. We got up at 5 a.m. on Thursday and garage saled around St. Cloud and Avon until about 8:00 that night. Then we did it again on Friday! We had a blast despite the rainy weather and found some great garage sales. I have fun just hanging out with my family for a few days, even though we are all pretty tired by the time we are done.

One of my garage sale purchases was a wiffle bat, ball and tee. I didn’t think the girls would be quite coordinated enough to be able to hit the ball off the tee but they really don’t have any trouble with it so I guess I underestimated them. Violet especially can whack the ball pretty far! When she is getting ready to hit the ball, she will put her hands on the bat and then ask, “Are my hands right?” It is cute because she does it every time! They have really been enjoying playing “baseball” in the yard, so it was one of the best purchases I made. It should be a fun summer!

Cousins Violet, Chelsey, Claire & Olivia:Olivia & Violet:


Olivia, Maya & Violet after Maya's First Communion: