May Madness

It seems like May is always a crazy month This year was no exception, with performances, parties, games, lessons, recitals, and (Lou's most anticipated) the receiving of trophies. 

Curly and Lou took a tumbling class this year.  They both learned a lot and Curly is always impressing people with her amazing handstand ability.  Lou loved getting a trophy and is still working on the handstand.

Town-person Costume

 Lou's preschool performed a musical of "Stone Soup" which was very cute.  I still have the songs they sang going through my head - probably because she is still singing them.

 I was invited to a "Morning with Mom" in Curly's classroom.  We had all sorts of fun activities including breakfast, a slide show, gifts, a hand massage, and a personalized book.  I enjoyed being with my cute Curly.

Curly's clay sculpture of herself - my mother's day gift.

 Lou's preschool took a field trip to the "Stuffington Bear Factory" which is like "Build a Bear", except that there is also an actual bear manufacturing factory.  I thought the factory was interesting, but of course the highlight was building her own teddy bear.

Combing the newly "born" bear

Lou could hardly wait to get her second trophy and was counting down the days until the last soccer game of the season.  When coach handed her the trophy he said she was his "dancing queen."  It has been very entertaining to watch Lou play soccer :)  and I chuckle just picturing her looking anywhere  but at the ball and skipping, galloping, and twirling across the field when she is trying to follow it.

 Tonight we were invited to a "Solar Eclipse Party" at the Simpsons.  Katie studied and enjoys astronomy and even had eclipse glasses so that we could look at the partial sun sliver.  It was very cool to see.  Apparently this was an annular eclipse and they don't happen very often.  The partial sun created some very cool shadows and eery light.

Wow!

Speechless AND toothless

Alien hand shadows from Eclipse

Poor Berry has been a good sport through all of the May craziness.  I feel so blessed to have such a sweet, happy toddler.  One day during a long presidency meeting, she was being particularly quiet, so I went to check on her and this is what I found -

Berry read herself to sleep

Her adoring sisters are so good to help her get things and have a hard time saying "no" to her (we all have a hard time saying no).  They included her in their Mother's Day preparations and she loves to be a part of their camaraderie.  In fact, if they are fighting or even mimicking being mean to each other, she gets very upset!

 Mother's Day breakfast planned by my girls   - Oreo pancakes, muffins and pink lemonade.  Very sweet! - literally

 The May madness has also come with some serious "nesting" on my part.  Our baby boy will be here in less than a month (hopefully) and I have started in on the projects.  I spent a day buying ingredients and preparing freezer meals.  When I sat down to rest, Lou asked what I was doing and I told her my feet were tired.  She said, "I know what you need - you need a foot massage!"  (She learned this from my sister K-Rae).  So she made the necessary preparations and gave me a massage.  Curly and Berry wanted in on the action too - it was great.  Curly even painted my toenails - which was nice since I can't reach them at the moment.

 After my massage/pedicure, they decided to continue the party for each other.

 And finally - I just thought this picture was cute and so typical of what Berry loves!  She loves books, shoes, soft toys and her family.