The Cherry Festival

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THE WASHINGTON CHERRY FESTIVAL

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One of the reasons we were excited about moving to a smaller town is to enjoy events like these. It was a perfect day: temperature in the 70's, a slight breeze (which is good, because it's extraordinarily windy in Illinois.) We started our adventure at home finding the perfect costumes for Sarah and Kate to wear to the costume contest. Then we headed off to the fairgrounds.

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First we hammed it up for the camera.

Then we visited the petting zoo. These goats were

so friendly they reminded us of Laurel.

They'd even jump up on you . . .

Here are the girls in their costumes.

Sarah was a mermaid

(Granie, this costume is getting too small -

and she insisted on wearing it.)

Kate was Dahlia a fairy.

They both won awards for their costumes.

Here are the little diva's

waiting patiently for the balloon man.

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THE DRAGON COASTER (Part 1)

Our little 'Wild Child' aptly named by her granie,

loves roller coasters. The Dragon Coaster is a kiddie

coaster and little Kate couldn't wait to ride it.

Big sister however, wanted nothing

to do with the Dragon Coaster.

She even broke out into tears

at the thought of Kate riding it.

There's no stopping little Kat. She loved it!!

That was so much fun!!

Can I do it again??

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MORE RIDES

We've known for a while that Sarah is not a fan of amusement park rides. We found out when her class took a trip to Schnepff Farms in AZ and EVERYONE rode the swings. Poor little thing, she was traumatized - and I, supermom, can sympathize. You see, when I was a bit younger than Sarah my daredevil parents MADE me go on The Florida Hurricane - a really, really scary coaster. So, understanding the fear, I encourage Sarah to enjoy the more tame attractions.

Like the cars.

C'mon Kate come sit by me in case I get scared.

Hey, this is fun!

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And then there's the Jet Skis . . .

Sarah: Mom . . . I'm gonna be sick!

Kate: Woo Hoo!!!

Get me off this thing!!!

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After these rides we took a break for some hot dogs, lemonade and funnel cakes. Yum!! Afterwards, Miss Sarah was feeling adventurous and told Kate she would ride the dragon coaster.

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THE DRAGON COASTER (Part 2)

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Don't worry big sister. I'll look out for you!

I'm ready. I can do it!

Here we go!!

Sarah: Get me off this thing!!

Kate: I'll hold your hand.

Mommy!!!!

How could you let me ride this

awful, horrible roller coaster?

Let's go again!!!

THE END OF THE DAY

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After the second trip to the Dragon Coaster we all rode the big Ferris Wheel. The whole family loved it. We had a great view of our neighborhood and the town.

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At the end of the day the girls

wanted to do one more ride.

They chose the big slide.

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There they are running up the stairs.

Kate went first. Cheering the whole way.

Poor Sarah, didn't appear to be having fun.

But when she landed she was pumped to go again!!

What a great day we had.

Daddy will you carry me to the car?

Last Week of Kindergarten

Little Sarah's kindergarten year went so fast. It seems like just yesterday that I was writing posts about Sarah's first day of school or first time buying lunch . . .

St. Patrick School celebrated the end of the year with a fun-filled field day. The kids even got shirts.

I had a big surprise when I arrived to pick-up my little diva. Take a good look at the above photo. This is the last time we'll see little Sarah with all her baby teeth.

Sarah lost her first tooth at lunch on field day. Sarah's bottom left tooth had been loose and wobbly for weeks. At lunch she bit into a lunchable pizza and out it popped. Sarah searched all over the ground and eventually found the tooth stuck on her sleeve. One of the wonderful volunteer moms helped Sarah protect her precious treasure in a sandwich bag. Sarah was so excited.

Check out Sarah's new toothless smile!!

That night, Sarah gently placed her tooth in her tooth fairy box and left the fairy a snack of pink tic-tacs and a cheese stick.

The she got in bed and went to sleep

anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Tooth Fairy.

The next morning Sarah awoke to find fairy dust all over her room. The tooth fairy had eaten most of the tic-tacs and half of the cheese stick. Inside her tooth fairy box The Fairy had left a beautiful crisp dollar bill.

Sarah promptly put the dollar in her bunny bank.

The next day was the last day of school.

Sarah proudly sported her St. Pat's t-shirt

and one less tooth.

First and last day of kindergarten shots.

What a great year it's been.

Kate's 4th Birthday Party

Sweet little Kate couldn't decide what theme she wanted for her 4th birthday. She loves the disney princesses, but she also loves Hannah and puppies and Kim Possible. So rather than have just one . . . she chose to have a Disney Day.

You're invited to Katy Grace's DISNEY PARTY! Here's a shot of the invitation that went out. Each one was laminated and attached to lanyard like a real backstage pass. ( Note the RSVP date . . . yeah, supermom is a ding-dong sometimes.)

We managed to find a bouncy

castle and a suitable pinata.

This pinata seemed indestructible. Each kid had more than three turns. Finally a wing came off and then slowly pieces came down. Geez the pinata game lasted 30 minutes - the kids really earned their goodies.

Everyone sang happy birthday to Kate.

Check out the video:

Click Play Nana!!

Here's Kat and her friends with the big 'Disney' cake.

She opened gifts.

And here is Kate inside her very own playhouse.

We will paint it in a few weeks.

Kate is still picking out colors.

What a great day!!

Happy 4th Kate!!

Kate's Birthday Week

In Schultzville one day is just not enough time to properly celebrate a birthday; we prefer to spread the fun out for a whole week or more.

8 Days Before Kate's Birthday

7 Days

Big sister wrapped this one.

6 Days

4 Days

3 Days

2 Days

One Day

The night before Kate's big 4th birthday Granie and Grandpa, who were visiting from Arizona, took us out to a Japanese Steakhouse. Kate loved the show.

Happy Birthday week little Kat.

Someone in Schultzville is Having a Birthday

I bought these really cool leaning shelves for our new house . . . they match the 'craftsman' decor and look really cool on either side of the fire place. Every chance I get I'm trying-out different things on the shelves. Of course, had I fully read the description in the catalog I would have known that normal items like, books, plants, candelabras and picture frames will not fit on them - and if they do fit they'll look really dorky.

Happily, I've found that birthday presents fit just fine and while it might look really tacky - coming downstairs days before your birthday and seeing shelves full of gifts has made two little girls very happy.

Someone in Schultzville must be having a birthday.

There are presents all over the shelves.

Kate is turning 4.

Follow up . . . my mom (a real supermom) came to town a few days ago. She took one look at my pitiful shelf decor and promptly corrected it. Whew, thank goodness for moms!

Wait a second . . . how will everyone know when there's a birthday in Schultzville???