Spring Happenings!

Only one more month of school and then it's summer break.  I should probably figure out plans to keep Esther occupied.

After a rocky start to the school year, the rest has been pretty much smooth sailing.  I've even got some nice texts from E's teacher saying how much she really enjoys having Esther in class.  As a parent, that is really nice to hear.

Esther had her annual exam with her doctor and she may need glasses.  We have a referral to a pediatric eye doctor.  I could have sworn her hearing was bad, too, the way she just doesn't seem to hear me when I'm talking.  Maybe I was hoping that was the case, but alas my little girl has excellent hearing.  So I guess she chooses not to hear me; I am the teacher in Charlie Brown.  I refuse to believe it's because I mumble, which is Gene's theory.

So spring has sprung, and we have finally had some nice weather to enjoy our grill.

Here is my sweet hubby making dinner like a boss:

"What?  That braut isn't for me?"

"Smells nummy!"

"Dad's behind me, being weird, isn't he?"

"I knew it!"

Kenmore Elementary had a Spring Carnival this past weekend.  And Esther had a blast!  We met up with Brookelynn and the girls played and played.  Each game was one ticket and each game they won something.

Waiting for the wagon ride.

The tractor finally arrived.

Now off to the bouncy slide.

Tattoo time.

Eating her candy bracelet. Joy!

Helping Mommy quilt.

Here is my latest quilt and it is for Gene and I!!  

Out and About

Life keeps moving along and I guess I should post about it.  We ventured to the "beach" on a rather cold day.  Esther found that the dog's Chuckit (for throwing balls) worked well for digging in the sand.  Easter has come and gone.  We had a nice day with my mom, brunch and then watched some ducks.

And then last week, we got to visit with a childhood friend of mine from when we both lived in Alaska.  Coincidentally, she and her husband adopted their daughter from China, too.  We met up at the Space Needle and had lunch.  Carly was a little reserved at first but Esther was determined to be friends.  Soon they were busy trying to stop the restaurant from spinning, but to no avail.  It was so good to see Angela and get to meet her husband, Dale, and daughter, Carly.

Beautiful grey day.

No, she didn't create this huge hole, it was there already.

Esther on Easter, checking out the ducks.

Carly and Esther moving along with the outer wall of the Space Needle restaurant.

Beautiful girl!

Angela and I.  Loving my crazy wind blown hair.

Esther wearing a pheasant feather in her hair.  She said it made her look like a knight.  I thought she looked like more of an Native American princess.

Sock Hop!

So I've been meaning to post about Esther's first school dance that happened a few weeks ago.  Pretty darn cute!  Of course, Esther didn't "dress" up but there were a lot of poodle skirts in attendance.  Esther wasn't too sure what to think at first.  Although Esther is not shy, she is reserved when there is lots of noise and an abundance of people.  Luckily we met up with two of E's classmates and she was soon dancing her heart out.  And this girl can dance...although she definitely has her own style.  It's a cross between Elaine on Seinfeld and a tribal dancer.  So funny to watch!

Brookelynn in the tutu, Esther, and Grace in the magenta skirt

Don't know these girls but loved their outfits!

Busting a move

I think everyone was doing the "Electric Slide"

Am I doing this right?

Slow dance

E liked the faster music best

Trying to perfect trio dancing.  Might take some more practice.

Going to the Dentist

After what seems like hundreds of visits, Esther has finally gotten used to going to the dentist.  She will  finally allow the dental assistant and dentist to lay her back in the "robot chair" and check out her teeth.  She used to cry and stall and carry on to avoid  it all. To even look in her mouth, I had to have her lay back on my lap and hold her hands.  Luckily, the dental office is very patient, I guess they'd better be since all they deal with is kids.  This time they were even able to take x rays of E's teeth. Big girl!

As I snapped photos of her, Esther told me I needed to put these on facebook. 

Getting x rays taken like a pro. This former dental assistant mama practiced with her at home, using  a slip of paper as film.

I didn't get a picture of him, but the office has a one-year old dog.  While I was chatting with the dentist, E and the dog were running around together.  He would pull on the back of her shirt and she would squeal with delight. Super cute.

And here's our handsome fellow, Ollie, waiting for me to throw his ball.

And of course our so ugly she's cute pup, Frank.

Esther's Jumping Birthday Party

We've all got the crud here...mainly just a yucky cough now.  Esther had a fever a few days before her birthday party and we weren't sure if she would be able to enjoy her party. But luckily she was feeling better with only slightly lower energy on the big day.

Having your kid's party at the jumpy place is a bit pricey, but well worth it.  The kids run around like mad, jumping and playing until they are tuckered out (the parents appreciate this)! Then on to the birthday cake and presents part, which is handled by a young person with lots of energy.  And they clean up after the whole shindig is over.  Again well worth it!

Waiting for the party to begin with Nana Carolyn.

Following each other around like ducklings

Esther needed a break now and then.

Waiting for her second wind to hit.

Theo- friend from preschool

Zachary-from preschool, and Cheyenne-from kindergarten

Lea-dog park friend

Claire-dog park friend
(Love the expression!)

Claire and Esther cuddling

Sisters!

Trying out the seat of honor

Plotting from his throne

Brookelynn (Esther's girl crush) in front; Cheyenne, Lea and E in back

Blowing out the candles!  Man, she has no problem being the center of attention.  When we all sang to her she took it all in, no embarrassment at all.  Love it.

Kelsey-from kindergarten

Bring on the presents!! Esther did very well being thankful for all her presents.  She got her first Barbie...and since it came with a bathroom set which included a toilet, E thought it was pretty cool. (I even found some old soda pop inside it a few days later, which did a good job mimicking dirty toilet water.)

This photo had to be included because it makes me laugh!

It was a monkey bean bag chair.

OK, this has nothing to do with the birthday party, but I wanted to show off the quilt I finished for a friend.  It is made out of her daughter's special baby clothes.