Saturday, June 9, 2012

Summer Surprise

I heard the best sound on this first morning of summer vacation. I could hear the kids talking as I lie in bed. I started to get up when I heard Guillermo say: "I can make you breakfast myself." After some muffled discussion, I heard "I can make cereal and sausage and sausage patties in the microwave." When I finally did get up, I discovered Guillermo had made Maya cheese toast in the microwave for breakfast. Love this! I'll have to teach them a few more morning recipes.

Friday, June 8, 2012

Barbie Birthday

Maya's Barbie birthday party was a success. Doesn't the picture below say it all?

Best picture!

Maya decided awhile ago that she wanted a Barbie Birthday party. She also decided she wanted her birthday cake from Target. I tried to talk her out of it, at least a little bit since we have so much fun making her birthday cake each year but she was adamant. "I want to take a break from baking this year," she said. She wanted to go to Target and pick out the cake from the book at the bakery. This is what she chose:

This cake made my girl so happy!

We invited eight girls over to paint finger nails, jump in the bouncy house,  hula hoop, make headbands (we ran out of time), eat pizza and cake and watch a Barbie movie. 

Making a wish

Maya was thrilled. And so were we!




Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Lego Maniac

Tonight was a special night, not just because it was Maya's birthday. Guillermo's teachers hosted an end-of-the-year beach party outside the classroom. The kids played volleyball and basketball, hula hooped, ran through a mist tent and then played in the resulting stream through the playground before munching on pizza.

After the outdoor play, we headed inside for an awards ceremony. Guillermo's teacher presented each student with an award that noted something special about each one of them. It was so touching. For Guillermo, she noted that every Friday when the students can play with the Legos, Guillermo not only comes up with great designs, but also gives advice and helps other students. For this, he was given the Lego Maniac award. He was so proud!

 The mist tent on a cool summer afternoon
Guillermo, the Mellor Marvels Lego Maniac

Happy birthday, Maya!

Happy birthday, Maya! I hope your next year is filled with dancing, singing, dresses, giggles, friends, books, jump ropes and tennis rackets, flour and sugar and chocolate chips, head bands, and everything else that you love (except pets, sorry no pets!). We love you. You make us laugh and smile every day. You make us glow!

Blowing out the candles on her birthday donut

Listening to her brother sing Happy birthday to her

Cupcakes for her school party

I'm 6!

Friday, June 1, 2012

The Principal's Challenge was tonight. Phew! Both kids finished!

Guillermo's project was Myths from Around the World. He made three books, researched Zeus' family tree, baked and decorated a cake like the flag of Greece and read lots of myths.

Maya's project was princesses. She wrote a report about meeting princesses at Disney, made a crown, made a princess cake and read lots of stories about princesses around the world.

For two years, Maya watched Guillermo get a trophy at the Principal's Challenge Award ceremony and this year, she was very clear that she, too, wanted to participate so she could get one. She was so proud to pick it up tonight. They both were.

Guillermo, showing off his Principal's Challenge

Maya, posing with her Principal's Challenge trophy


Jump Rope

It took a little persuading, but Maya decided early this month she wanted to take jump rope classes. There is a team that meets at her school a few days a week and lots of kids from her school participate. She was slightly nervous since she isn't a strong jumper, but by the end of the first class, she was jumping double dutch!

Look at her go!