Date with Daddy

Leah recently went on a date with Daddy.

Does it seem like these posts are getting to be all about Leah? I promise I'm planning to do some on Brady and Christian in the coming weeks!

When the children were very young, Scot and I decided that it was important for us to take them on "dates". We wanted to spend time with them individually, but we also want them to learn manners and social etiquette. I want Leah to learn how a man should treat her when she's older. I want Christian and Brady to learn how to treat a lady. So, we plan dates. We don't do them as regularly as we want to or even as often as we should. But we do them.

This was Leah's first "date" with Daddy. She has watched me take Brady and Christian out and has been asking to go with Daddy. So, when Brady, Christian, and I were out of town, Scot took that opportunity to take her out. We had her at my parent's house and he came to the front door to pick her up. My mother put (a little) bit of blush and perfume on her. Scot rang the doorbell and then gave her flowers and some new pink earrings




(um, hello? Scot? Honey? I haven't been on a date that good since 1998...hint, hint..)

Anyway, I digress... Leah chose to go to Ryan's for dinner.



Hmm... Maybe we'll work on the manners a bit before the next date...

I got picture updates of the date on my phone throughout the night. So cute! After dinner, they went to the movies and saw Monsters -vs- Aliens.

Leah had such fun and talked about her date with Daddy for days. She asked me things like, "Does Daddy open the car door for you?" and "Did Daddy ever bring you flowers?" and "What was your first date with Daddy like?". It was fun to walk down memory lane and share with her what it was like when I dated her father. He really put some effort into it when we met. Dating Scot was so different than dating other people. He will definitely set her expectations high.

I love that she had such fun. I love that she is so in love with her Daddy. I love that Scot wants to spend that time with her. I love that Scot is as good to her as he is to me.

Now, if I could just get him to take me out like that....

The End of an Era!

The teacher said: "Come to the edge".
The children said: "But it's too high".
The teacher said: "Come to the edge".
The children said: "But we're scared".
The teacher said: "Come to the edge".
So the children came to the edge.
And the teacher pushed them.
And they flew.



The above quote comes from Kindergarten. It is an amazing summary of the Kindergarten year. This year has been no exception. If possible, this year has been the best of all three years. Maybe it's because I appreciated it more. Maybe it's because I knew what to expect. Maybe it's because Leah delighted in simply everything ...from field trips to math. I don't know, but I'm so sad and sentimental about the end of Kindergarten. I can't even really think of the words I want to use to sum it up. How can you express your appreciation to someone who has loved all three of your children so completely for years? How can you thank that person for making every single day a joyful experience? I don't know how to do that so I will have to let the pictures speak for themselves.








Here is a photo of Christian in Kindergarten...



Mrs. Niedrach dancing with Christian this year at the Kindergarten Wedding...



Brady in Kindergarten (*sob*)!






Dear Mrs. Niedrach:

Words cannot express our gratitude for the love you have shown to our children throughout the years. You have truly taken the time to get to know them and have seen strengths in them that even we did not see. I know that they will remember their Kindergarten years for the rest of their lives and that no other year will ever compare to it. Thank you so much. Kindergarten is the bomb!

Love always,

Scot and DeAnn

More Pictures!

Because just two blog entries are not enough to do justice to the Spring Program.

Leah before the show...



Christian posing in front of the background for the show. How impressive is it that the art teacher Mrs. Howard just makes these backgrounds herself? I wish I had 1/20th of her talent!



The girls dancing in their song...



Christian and his cane...



Our family. I love that my family is close enough that they get to share in these programs with us.

"You're Never Fully Dressed... Without a Smile..."

Whoa! Christian was amazing in his performance! Christian continues to astound me. He is a child that burns so bright. When he is on... he's really on. I had heard this week that he was really getting into the performance. But, nothing compares to actually seeing it in person. Christian can really dance and sing. He has a gift for remembering words and he is completely dedicated to entertaining. He loves to sing and dance and make people laugh. Normally, when a child does something and people laugh, they get embarrassed. Not my child. It only spurs him on. He loves it.

Christian was "Dapper Dan". He was dressed in a top hat and sparkly tie and carried a cane. He knew every word, he sang out, and he danced well. Wow! He continues to surprise us. Here are some pictures from his performance...








I know this picture is blurry, but it's just too cute not to post...



We loved every minute of his performance. We are so proud. Christian really steps up and pulls it together. He loves it and it's just plain fun to watch. He danced and shook his booty and made everyone laugh. It was a great night!

DeAnn

I Feel Pretty... oh so pretty...

Spring Program 2009! Woo hoo! It was awesome; as always. I love this program. I know it's a lot of work for the teachers and the children, but it really gives the children a chance to develop self confidence and realize their potential. It's their chance to shine. I have to seperate it into 2 different posts because each child was so amazing.

The theme of this year was Berry on Broadway. Leah performed a number from Westside Story. Personally, I've not seen this show, but I really enjoyed this song. The girls in the class sang and danced to "I Feel Pretty". Leah actually had a solo! I was a little nervous as to how this would go. She's pretty outgoing, but has never intentially gotten up in front of people and performed. I shouldn't have worried. She was amazing. We talked about it and she just stepped forward and sang. She knew her words and her dance moves and there was just no stopping her! Amazing! Are these really my children? Here are some pictures from her number...

The picture below is in the beginning when Leah stepped forward and sang her solo. She had no fear. I'm amazed by her. I sang solos when I was her age, but I had to be standing by the piano with my dad and even then, I was really nauseous. She delighted in this experience.



Here she is dancing with the other girls...



The end of the song...



The entire class...



We also had fun getting ready. I've come to realize that I'm a pretty high maintenance mother. I mean well, but I'm pretty Type A. I'm glad Mrs. Niedrach tolerates me... but in my defense, this is my baby and my final year to be in Mrs. Niedrach's class so I think I'm entitled to a little obsessive compulsive behavior.

Leah actually let me really curl her hair for this performance. She always gets impatient (and let's face it, she has a lot of hair). I had such fun playing with it and curling it!



Spraying glitter on her skirt...



Mrs. Niedrach putting the headband in...



Leah's favorite dance move is the twirling. When everyone twirled once, she twirled about 3 times. She loves to practice...



Here is her bouquet of flowers. It was actually taped to her hand! She thought that was hilarious!



We are so proud of her this year. Her personality continues to grow and she is just such a bright light in our world. I'm so glad she is in a place that nurtures her spirit and encourages her to try new things!

DeAnn

Next up: Christian's performance!

It's a Dog's Life

I'm in such a rut lately. Everything is getting on my nerves. Everything. Even the dog. I'm home more than the rest of the family and the dog is very attached to me. Everytime I turn around, or sit down, or even just stand there... there she is. I was in the kitchen and I turned around, and this is what I saw...




Remember that dog Eddie on Frasier? The one who stares at him all the time? I think my dog is turning into Eddie....



And when she's not staring at me, she's following me...



Everywhere...I'm sorry, Piper, am I boring you?



And when I sit down, she's there. I mean, she's right there. Right up against me. All the time!




Sometimes, I use her as a footrest. She doesn't care...




She also has this habit of licking herself. It makes me wonder.. is she anxious? Does she need prozac? Is she an unhappy dog?



And then, because she feels like I'm analyzing her... she gets up and moves across the room to the recliner. Notice how she has it reclined. Because a girl needs to be comfortable. But, never fear... she may be across the room, but she's still staring at me!