School fundraiser and Art

I am the art docent (volunteer teacher) for Orrin's 3rd grade class this year. Last year I did it for Joseph's 5th grade class. We always get roped into creating a fund-raising project involving the kids' art. This year I devised a plan to make a teepee and have the kids help paint it. It turned out pretty cute. A disclaimer: See the yellow moon on the left? Well, my toddler, Aleya, decided to help paint that. It took a half hour of scrubbing to get most of the yellow paint out. Thankfully, the fabric is khaki, so it is not noticeable from a distance. I think the teepee sold for around $150, which is pretty, good, I think . . . considering it cost $50 to make. Now I want to make a huge teepee for our whole family to camp out in. We'll see if I ever get around to that project.

Aleya's dance classes

Aleya has also been enjoying her tap/ballet classes with Miss Tracey. She is the line leader in the train dance. Miss Tracey makes up imaginative scenerios to teach the children to dance, including having the kids be like bunnies and birds during ballet time.

The classes are always attention holding and Aleya loves it every time we go. She will be dancing to A Tisket A Tasket, for the recital in April. Her recital costume is SO CUTE!

The most fun part for me is dressing her up in cute dance clothes. She also loves her adorable ballet bear dance bag.

Amara's dance classes

This year, Amara has been taking two dance classes. A tap/ballet combo class and a jazz class. She loves dance, and her teacher, Miss Tracey. Of course, you always dance better if you wear super cute dance outifts!


She will be in three dances for the recital: Fly to your Heart (ballet), Jump in the Line (jazz), and Once Upon a Dream (father/daughter dance).

Rainbows and Puddles

We had the most beautiful storm pass over our little valley. A full broad rainbow stretched across our neighborhood with vivid colors.


Then the sun came out making the soaked streets glisten and reflect the houses and trees like a reflection pond. Aleya could not contain her excitement at seeing all the puddles and the full gutters. She ran and jumped and splashed and played and found sheer joy in the moment.

This is her third outfit she soaked while splashing in all the water. What a magical moment.

Orrin's Birthday

Happy 9th Birthday! We had a small family party to celebrate.

He received a GIANT bakugan from Mom and Dad.

He also received 3 books he couldn't wait to devour . . . Diary of a Wimpy Kid--One, Two, and Three.