Abby's Grande Finale Birthday Celebration

We didn't really have a birthday party for Abby... But she was not at all slighted. If I counted correctly, she celebrated at the Guebert farm, the Superbowl Party, her group birthday party at Pump It Up, school, home, again at home with Webster Street girls, Binkowski cousins, the Nielsens, the Hugunins, and finally at the American Girl Place. Not bad for not having a "party"!

Today Abby and Sophie met up with Auntie KK and had fun shopping at the American Girl doll store. After much decision making, Abby chose the new doll Lea, her rainforest house, pajamas, pajamas for Abby, snorkel set, pet turtle, pet Margay cat, beach set, and travel accessories. What a really special day for a five year old!

Webster Street Friends

Abby was all smiles to have her girlfriends on Webster Street sing her happy birthday!

February birthday girls

Happy Birthday to the Feb birthday buddies: Kayla, Peyton, and Abby.

Abby VanGogh

Abby has been learning about art this month. Last week, she used oil pastels to recreate "The Scream". This week she learned about Van Gogh and how he is known for cutting his ear off. Here is the famous artwork with her interpretation of "The Sunflowers".

Happy Hearts Day

Happy Valentines Day from Abby

Thanks to an idea from a friend, we celebrated Valentines Day for two weeks.  Each day, the girls received a heart with a note on it telling each of them one reason that we love them.  They hung these hearts up proudly and read them each day.  Sometimes, there was a special treat or gift with the heart; which is why both Sophie and Abby were really motivated to come downstairs each morning to see what their heart said each day.  In the end, I think the girls learned a lot more about the meaning of love than just celebrating it on one day. 

Our Valentine's treat was dinner at Catch 35.  This was the site of our first date and Sophie was quite articulate to tell us what people do on dates.  "... a boy and a girl go out to dinner or to do something and they talk and ask questions to get to know each other.  Then, they fall in love..."  Pretty good for a six year old!  Rodger and I got a kick out of the fact that neither girl wanted the typical "kids menu" items.  They ordered scallops, shrimp, and corn pudding... and proceeded to eat much of Daddy's crab legs, lobster bisque,  and filet mignon.  I love that they love seafood, though the bill was much higher than expected!  It was a special treat.

On another note... most women get chocolate for Valentine's Day.  Instead, I got a treadmill.  I guess it's because I ate all of the chocolate!  Looking forward to logging many miles on it...

Abby's Birthday Party

The birthday kids:  Dylan, Kendell, Abby, and Adam

Abby shares a birthday week with three other friends from her school:  Adam, Kendall, and Dylan.  So, it was decided that we would celebrate all of these big kids turning 5 at Pump It Up for a combined birthday extravaganza!  As always, the kids enjoyed jumping on the bouncy houses.  Sophie and her friend Olivia mastered the climbing wall, and Abby made Mommy go on lots of slides with her!  Abby had a great time celebrating her birthday for the second time so far.... she is beginning to be like her mom who used to celebrate for the entire month!  We are so proud of our happy girl Abby.  She is such a smart, witty, caring, and strong little soon to be five year old.

Valentine's Day party at Naper School

I love being the photographer for the kindergarten class.  My job is to attend the school parties and field trips and take pictures of the kiddos having fun.  I was lucky to capture these pics from their party where the kids learned to give and not just receive.  All of the classes worked on a service project to provide needed supplies stuffed in socks to a homeless shelter.  I am so proud of Sophie and what she wrote on the cards to these people.  She has learned the difference between needs and wants....

One of the messages Sophie wrote to the homeless

This is Charlie, Sophie's heart throb

Olivia Munaco, one of Sophie's good friends in class

"I hope you get a home"...

Love this picture of Lincoln

Short and Sweet

Sophie made her first school poster for the Russian School of Math. Her poster was a contest to demonstrate any math topic the student have been learning this year. Sophie's project was a study in measurement and comparing. She measured candy bars and found the longest and shortest one. We only ate two candy bars in the process! Sophie's poster won first place on her class and will go on to compete against other projects in the school.

Daddy Daughter pre-party

Sophie and Rodger prepping for their first dance together. Sophie insisted that Daddy wear his tux and red tie to match her dress. They are adorable together!

Sophie and her Daddy

I'm saving this picture for her wedding.... this is definitely my favorite picture of Rodger and Sophie from the Sweetheart Dance. 

Kindergarten Daddy Daughter Dance Pre-party

The Gueberts hosted a party for all of the kindergarten girls and their Dads prior to their first Naper School dance.  It was so fun to see all of the girls in their pretty dresses and the dads in their matching suits.  We fed the girls dinner but they were so excited to see each other that most of them barely ate!  (except for the desserts, of course)  The do-it-yourself photo booth was a big hit.  Look at these girls and how cute they are....

No front tooth

Well it was about time that snuggle tooth made its way outside of her mouth. Thanks to Abby for knocking it out!!

PreK artwork

Abby's family portrait-- age 4 and a half!

More PreK artwork

Love Abby's cruise boat pic but we need to talk about polygons and the difference between a hexagon and an octagon!!

Hot air balloon

After watching the Wiz, Abby was inspired to make a painting of a hot air balloon!