Ward Basketball

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What's More American Than a Second Grade Program?

Home Sweet Home

Last week we hosted a barbecue for our fellow Heart Challenge participants.  We were at the park and it was FREEZING.  When we got home, David walked inside and said,

"Phew!  Home Sweet Home."

Indeed.

Very Amazing Vineyard Viking Vocalists

That was the name of Olivia's school choir this year.  The choir director let the kids come up with names and they left it to a vote.  I think it's got a ring to it! 

Here they are at the end of the year program:

 Olivia with Mrs. Hoops

 ...and with Brooklyn and Lily (Olivia is still not sure how she's going to make it through her first year of Jr. High without Brooklyn next year.  School boundaries will put them in different Jr. High Schools.  It is a sad, sad thing.  We heart Brooklyn)

I can't believe her elementary school career is coming to an end!  When did she grow up? (Sunrise, sunset)

The Birthday Celebration

It's official.  David is 5. 

His two favorite outfits were in the dirty clothes on the night before his birthday, so he said, "Mom, maybe you could surprise me and wash these before tomorrow."  So I did.  He woke up to both outfits laid nicely out on his bed. It wasn't really a tough choice for him.  His Itty-Bitty Bruin shirt is by far his favorite shirt ever.  He wears it often (but thankfully doesn't put up a fuss when it gets washed.)  The paws are fading and it is comfortably worn in.  We had a little panic a month or so ago when he decided to take it with him to the Elementary School's walk-a-thon (he wasn't wearing it, but it was freshly washed and folded and he just wanted to take it with him.) that was held at the park across from the school.  He was supposed to wear it to a field trip a couple of days later, and that's when we discovered it was missing.  I checked the school's lost and found several times with no luck.  I also checked the lost and found at the park with no luck.  I admit that I was as sad as he was.  That shirt is like part of the family!  Then two weeks later, I checked the park lost and found again and it was there!  Great relief. 

After he was dresseed it was time for breakfast: A blue pancake shaped in a #5 on the "Celebrate" plate with a side of sausage on the tea set plates (and many declarations of "It's my birthday!!!")

 He went to preschool (where they sang to him and he gave them dum-dums), then we met Dad at McDonald's for a birthday lunch.   I think he could have played there all day.  He was having so much fun on all of the musical equipment.  It was a perfect day for an indoor play place (it was very rainy).

After lunch, we headed home so Briggy could have a nap.  David played MarioKart, then played outside with friends after the weather cleared up a little bit. 

When Dad got home from work he took Olivia and David to the pet store so David could choose his beloved fish.  Two weeks later, we're still not sure what the fish's name is.  It started as "Everything" (his original plan), then went to "Birthday Boy", then "Yoshi" and just this morning he said his name was "Diamond".  Maybe that's the beauty of a name like "Everything".  Anything goes. 

While they were gone I wrapped his presents and baked the cake.  Then we went to dinner at Great China.  Grandma and Grandpa had called earlier in the day to see when they could bring David his birthday money.  They met us at the restaurant.

Sean tried on Grandpa's trifocals. 

While we were waiting for the check, the kids entertained themselves by climbing on the table in a booth nearby and making faces at themselves in the mirror.  (We are amazing parents.  Feel free to judge all you'd like.  I even took a picture for your viewing pleasure.)

When we got home, it was time to decorate the cake and open presents.  David chose a treasure chest cake, which I found fitting for him.  The boy loves treasures (and by treasures I mean collections of little knick knacks found around the house then stuffed into whatever bag or box he can find.  One time Olivia's ipod was missing and we found it a couple of weeks later at the bottom of one of David's treasure bags).  I was at a crucial part of putting the cake together when I had to drop the cake and help the birthday boy dislodge a sixlet from his nostril.  Thankfully the damage to the cake was minimal and the sixlet came out without too much of a fight. 

Here is David with his fish, his un-opened presents and his cake:

I never did get a photo of his presents once they were opened, but he got a card game, an IronMan glove that makes sounds and shoots plastic bullets (they were out of Spiderman gloves with real powers), a ball and velcro mitt game, some treats and gumballs and his big present that was hidden at the end of a treasure hunt.  The boys were anxious to help him find his treasure:

I should have been more clear about the fact that there was an actual treasure at the end of the treasure hunt.  When he got to his new bigger bike, he kept moving it around looking for the blue piece of paper.  When he finally understood that the treasure hunt was over and that this was his present, he was thrilled!  He said, "It's just my age!"  He has had so much fun riding his new bike. 

Happy Birthday, my sweet boy!