Hot Air Balloon Festival 2011

The girls have been counting down the days until the Hot Air Balloon Festival.  They have painted hot air balloons, talked about how they work and asked to take a ride.  The answer has been a firm no until tonight.

We pulled into the festival about an hour before take off.  While waiting for the balloons to inflate, we visited booths.  The twins had their faces painted and enjoyed a ride on the bungee swings.  At first, both were very apprehensive and wanted to get out of the harness.  Once in the air, they changed their mind.  Because they were so light they need some additional yanking from the workers so that they could really get going.  Of course, Adeline was the one who wanted to go the highest.

This was an interesting evening for Savannah.  She experienced her first punishment for some not so gracious behavior early in the week.  Alex and I decided that we wouldn't spend any money on her at the festival.  I don't who it was harder for, her or us.  She was sad but held it together.  Fortunately, there was a balloon artist making balloons for free which gave Savannah the opportunity to take something home. 

We were joined by our very good friends right before the balloons took off.  After watching the balloons take flight, we settled into our spot and let the girls snack and run around.  As the sun was setting and the anticipation of fireworks was growing, Mr. Marc surprised the girls with a hot air balloon ride.  Since he did this on his own accord, we allowed Savannah to go.  She was beyond excited.  Miss Adeline didn't consider it for even one second which was a good thing after hearing how noisy the balloons are - something you don't think about when you watch them gracefully float through the sky above.  Lila, Savannah and their friends thought it was pretty cool to float up into the sky.  I am sure they will remember for the rest of their lives.

After the ride, the fireworks started.  One year ago, this same firework show put Adeline over the edge and made her deathly afraid of fireworks ever since.  After brainstorming with her teacher, we decided to watch some fireworks on the computer with the sound low with the hope that Adeline wouldn't lose it during this year's show.  I was pretty sure Alex was going to have to walk her to the car.  She appeared to be excited to see the rainbow of colors light up the sky until the sun started to set.  For a good half hour, she was buried in Alex's chest, waiting for the inevitable.  With hands over her ears (both her and Daddy's) and a coat wedged against them as well, Adeline powered through the fireworks.  She really put on her brave face and claims to have enjoyed them - there were moments where I question this.  I am pretty proud of her regardless.  I never dreamed she would make it through the show without tears.

A great night!

Japanese Festival

For the last month of school, Savannah has been in Japan.  Her class boarded an airplane, complete with security check points and passport requirements, and took a long trip over the blue carpet of her classroom.  They landed in Japan and didn't come back until the end of May.

T. Connie has a gift of immersing children in the Japanese culture and we were fortunate to see it seep into our lives here at home.  Savannah learned about the topography, history, modern culture, arts and, of course, how to eat with chopsticks.  In fact, she didn't use a fork for the entire month and is very competent with the little sticks.  Japan infiltrated all areas of the classroom and specialist's classrooms.  It was, by far, the favorite area of study in First Grade.

The children brought back many artifacts from their visit in Japan and put on an elaborate festival.  Savannah was one of the fotunate students who got to wear an authentic kimono and geta (wooden clogs).  Her role in the festival was acting the part of the kamishibia man.  She offered candy to those who entered the festival and eventually called all the adults and children together for a story.  It was a true leadership role.  Each child had an opportunity to read a portion of the story.  After it was complete, there was a fantastic performance of bells which I wasn't expecting.  I only got the tail end of the bell solo but was able to record the portion that included the other instruments in conjunction with the bells.  Savannah's music teacher commented on how well Savannah did taking the responsibility of two bells and noted her ability to read music.  Piano lessons make a difference!





Here are some pictures of the different stations we visited.

Just Because They Make Me Smile. . .

Miss Lila's Move Up Day

After a very long and agonizing decision process, we have decided to return Lila to her current preschool for the 5's program this coming fall. Therefore, she "moved up" this year, instead of graduated from preschool. It feels good to leave her in a warm and familiar place. Each year, the teachers chip away at the shell and Lila becomes more confident. We loved her teachers this year and felt that they moved her into an academic setting with reasonably high expectations. Lila met those expectations and even overcame her dislike of performance. At the beginning of the school year, Lila wouldn't participate in music, finger plays or yoga. By the end of the year, she was participating in everything.

Here are some pictures of her last day of the 4's program and a clip of her singing a song during her program. She reminds me so much of Savannah. Neither girl is an over the top performer. They are quieter, and lead with their gentle spirits. We would rather it stay this way too. It seems to just fit better in our family.

Dancing Queens

Both Lila and Savannah took dance class this year.  I have never let them participate in the recital in years past but decided this year, was the year for Savannah.  Savannah was really excited and a little nervous for the recital once the costume came in.  Neither one of us knew what to expect.  I don't know who had more anxiety.  I had to apply makeup to my child for the first time and Savannah was nervous about being on a big stage with bright lights.

The rehearsal was run just like the program and was the only opportunity we had for video.  The curtains and decorations weren't in place but the girls danced very seriously.  Savannah was a few steps behind as she was cuing off of her neighbor instead of trusting herself.  Surprisingly, she danced better than ever with perfect timing for the show.  I wish I had the real deal on video. . .



Here is my big girl with way too much make.  The instructions were to apply lots of makeup and then apply even more.  Turns out bright, red, clown, lipstick doesn't stand out on stage like it does at home. Just for the record, I never dreamed I would have girls in tutus and makeup at age 7. Thank goodness it was only for one day. It is NOT my style and all I could tolerate.

I can't forget to included pictures of Lila.  She loved dancing in her Creative Movement class.  It challenged her motor planning and highlighted her strengths and weaknesses.  Each week in her class, Lila practiced a recital dance too.  However, I feel like it is frivolous to spend $50 plus dollars on a costume that she will wear one time at the age of four.  Savannah seems old enough to value the hard work that goes into a recital and is very proud of herself.  After she Lila watched the recital, I am fairly confident she was thrilled to be sitting on my lap and not performing.  She isn't a performer.

Attached Forever

Savannah asked me if there is something that hangs off of belly buttons when a baby is born.  I proceeded to explain the umbilical cord.  She took it all in and then asked why it has to be cut when the baby is born.  I explained that if the doctor didn't cut her umbilical cord, she would be attached to me via a hose (yes, I realize that this isn't medically accurate but she is seven!).  My next statement collided with hers in a surprising way.  I said, "I don't think that would be a lot of fun for you." at the same time she said, "Awesome!"  Yes, she was giddy about the thought of always being attached to me.  Savannah explained that she would never miss me, would be able to get my loves whenever she wanted, and would love having me attend school with her.

Oh, I love this girl!

Goodbye Messiah Preschool

I could be at this keyboard all day, and still not find the words to adequately express how much Messiah Preschool means to me.  Adeline has attended this preschool since she was just two.  Lila attended for the two's class with Adeline but then moved over to her own preschool.  Adeline has stayed with Messiah ever since.

Then. . . (first day of school)

Now. . . (Last day at Messiah)

People always think I am crazy when I say the twins attend two different preschools but, when you see Adeline at Messiah, it is impossible to imagine her anywhere else.  I remember calling Messiah's director almost three years ago and asking her if she would allow my developmentally delayed twins to attend the two's program.  This involved changing their diapers, allowing their therapists to accompany them and, most burdensome, deal with Adeline's lack of speech and sensory issues.  The teachers and I were just recollecting about how they couldn't paint Adeline's hand without holding her down (which of course, they did not do) when she was two.  They patiently stuck with her, reached deep into their bag of tricks and have sent countless crafts with hand prints home ever since.

Mrs. Feinstein was one of Adeline's first teachers at Messiah and helped us come full circle by teaching her again this year.  Mrs. Feinstein has treated my girl like one of the bunch since day one.  She is a constant source of encouragement and tells me that Adeline is holding her own quite often.  While I know Adeline hasn't closed the gap entirely, I love hearing Mrs. Feinstein tell me, "You need to stop worrying.  She is doing great."  What warms my heart even more is that this teacher has stock in Adeline's success.  She has INVESTED in my girl.

Just when I didn't think Messiah could give more to Adeline, I met Mrs. Eaton.  Mrs. Eaton was Adeline's assistant teacher this year.  Mrs. Eaton served as an extension of me.  My little girl let would go of my hand to run into her classroom and hop on Mrs. Eaton's lap for her daily dose of loves.  Whenever I saw the class move through the hallways, Mrs. Eaton was always holding Adeline's hand.  She loved my girl and always gave her a lap to sit on when the kids got to noisy or rough - Miss Adeline can be pretty tender.  Mrs. Eaton wore her patience hat each day and took the time to walk slower so that Adeline could keep up, wait longer so that Adeline could attempt to write her name, and gave in all the other ways that meet Adeline's needs which can feel pretty demanding at time.

It is with a sad heart that we close this chapter of our lives.  Thank you Messiah for taking the risk and letting my girls through your doors when they didn't make the age cutoff or developmental requirements.  It has been instrumental in Adeline's development.  Thank you for making me feel that it was risk worth taking!



Here are some clips of Adeline singing at Step Up Day.  She really belted it out which allowed me to HEAR her voice.  She stuck with the song while most of the other kids sang ahead of the words. (Front row paid off!)


Here she is receiving her certificate.  She takes it. . .  She shows everyone. . .  She gives it one big hug. . .  She shows her Mommy and Daddy.