It Wasssssss a Party!

Abby turns 8 on Wednesday. Today was her party with friends. She wanted to have a snake-themed party, so we had the party at a local nature center.

Abby and I spent a lot of time planning and working on this party. We made a lot of things for the goody boxes.

 We made boa bath bubbles, recycled cobra crayons, field notesss books, and ssssewing kits. We felted snakes, but didn't manage to make enough for everyone, so we purchased wood snakes at the nature center for each box.

Personally, I think the sssewing kits were pretty darn cool! I made the bags and embroidered "My SSSewing Kit" labels. I made snake needle holders and ironed on a snake outline for the kids to stitch. We found snake scissors and included a needle threader and embroidery thread.

Abby made recycled cobra crayons.

And we packaged it all together for the goody box for each child.

A naturalist at the center gave a 30-minute presentation and the children had the opportunity to touch snakes and have a "snake necklace." Abby was delighted to sport a Fox Snake Necklace.

(And I was too!)

The girls enjoyed making snake faces!

And I somehow managed to get a group shot!

Abby and I decided on a cupcake snake "cake." I think it turned out pretty cool!

The children SSSSipped milk or water.

Abby decided to ask her guests not to bring gifts, but rather to make a donation to the nature center or  the World Wildlife Fund.

Yeah Snakes!!!!!

Swimmer of the Month

Abby was named swimmer of the month on her swim team, so got a coupon for free ice cream.











And lucky Daniel got to celebrate too!

Location:Cold Stone Creamery

Saki, Saki, Saki

Tonight we met Will's cousin Dave (from Georgia) for dinner. We ate at a Japanese restaurant where the chef provided quite a show at our very own hibachi table (like Benihana, but not Benihana). Abby was fascinated by the knife tossing, but Daniel was completely captivated by the Saki song that the chefs sang around the restaurant as they poured Saki into diner's mouths.

It didn't take long before Daniel was singing the Saki, Saki song at the top of his lungs. He received quite a bit of attention and admiration for his love of song. Unfortunately, our three-year-old now knows a drinking game! Great!

Damn vs. Dam

So, I'm not much for swearing, and I definitely do not swear in front of my children. But this morning Daniel was driving me CRAZY and Abby was not helping matters. He wanted a shark book and Abby didn't seem to want him to have it. I ignored them for awhile, but then couldn't take it any longer. I slipped and said, "Abby, give him the damn book!"

Daniel immediately said, "Yeah, give me the damn book!"

Abby and I burst out laughing. I explained to both Abby and Daniel that I'd used a bad word and that they should not use that word. Abby being Abby, she immediately launched into an explanation of why "dam" is not a bad word and that she uses it all the time and should be allowed to continue to use it. I agreed that when referencing a structure built to hold water back, it was fine to say it.

She then wanted to know why it was a bad word, and I was stumped. I could not come up with a plausible explanation of why damn is a bad word.

Any help would be appreciated.

Look Who Woke Up THREE!!!!

Jedi Knights

Abby's friend Sam is moving to Boston for a year. Abby and Sam wanted to have one last play date before Sam leaves. They are both fierce Jedi knights. Unfortunately, my geraniums lost the battle!

Last Day of Second Grade

Abby has been very excited about the last day of school. I had my camera ready and caught her "whoot" as she came charging out of school today!

She decided that she is no longer a second grader, but not officially a third grader. I asked her what that meant and she said, "I guess, I'm just somewhere in between."


Abby and her friend and second grade classmate Jade

Classmates and friends -- Abby, Ani, and Aja

Abby and her second-grade teacher, Mrs. Mueller

Let the summer begin...

Lasts

These are days of lasts.


Last days of two-ness.

Last day of second-grade homework.

And last, but not least, is the silly dance Abby performed this morning as she celebrated completing the last homework of second-grade.

A Chance Meeting

Last Saturday, as we were walking to our seats at Miller Park (Milwaukee Brewers' home ball park), we were surprised to see our friends Sapna and Stephen and their children Tara and Nikhil. Abby and Tara attended Montessori together for three years until Tara's family moved to Illinois. It was such a fun chance meeting!

(This photo was taken after the game and Daniel was asleep in his stroller and didn't make it into the picture.)

We again ran into our friends the next day at the zoo and enjoyed the day together. Abby, Tara, and Nikhil were acting like flamingoes in this shot below.

Then and Now

In May 2004, I took 10-month-old Abby along on a work trip to Milwaukee. We spent an afternoon at the wonderful Milwaukee Art Museum. I've told Will for years that I'd love for him to see this museum, and we finally made it there today. It is a rather photogenic building (and the children are cute too)!

Training a California Sea Lion

On Saturday Abby was chosen from the crowd to help train a California sea lion at the Milwaukee County Zoo. Abby got to work with Geneva -- a 12-year-old, 170 pound female.

Abby told Geneva to wave,

to jump,

and then rewarded Geneva by tossing her a fish.

Abby did such a great job!

The fish was smelly, so the trainer told her that all good trainers get rid of the fish stink by wiping their hands on their jeans.

And as if training Geneva wasn't enough fun for a girl who continues to say she is going to be a marine biologist, Abby also got to pose at the end of the show with Slick -- a 25-year old, 650 pound male sea lion!

We teased Abby that with the Star Wars shirt, it was as if she was using Jedi mind tricks on the sea lions!

Winding Down the Roadtrip

All good roadtrips must eventually end.







- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:I-90 W

Art History by Daniel

I received a fascinating lesson in art history from Daniel today.

Viewing this armor, Daniel explained, "It is Darth Vader."





I asked Daniel what he thought of this statue and he said, "Somebody ate it. It is dead."




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Milwaukee Art Museum

The Girl is a Fish

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Hotel Pool

An Eye Mask for the Weary Traveler

Abby was delighted with the eye mask and relaxing linen spray provided by our hotel.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Daniel's First Baseball Game

Abby's first baseball game was a SF Giants game. And as of today, Daniel's first MLB baseball game was also a SF Giants game!


















- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Miller Park, Milwaukee, WI

Roadtripping Stotts

Will's shirt provides a clue to our destination!



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Between Madison and Milwaukee

Another Pink Ribbon (This one without camo)

Abby just competed in her final race (racing is NOT a concept Abby embraces, by the way) the 100 individual medley. She got another best time achievement ribbon! And unfortanately for Abby, it is pink!



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:199th St W,Lakeville,United States

Early Morning Swim Meet

Abby and I woke up at 5 AM this morning to drive to her swim meet. She's competed in her first event (50 free) and received a best time achievement ribbon.



She insisted I use black and white photos because she wanted to "camoflauge" the pink ribbon!!



Abby's coach wrote her events on her arm. Abby is very pleased that the coach used permanent marker.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:199th St W,Lakeville,United States