Microbiology for Kindergarteners

I've missed posting about so many significant events I thought I would start with where we are currently and fill in the rest, later.  Emmy enjoyed having her Dad come to Kindergarten and teach her class about microbiology and the importance of hand washing.  Each child divided a petri dish into equal halves.  They touched the side labeled "A" with their fingers then washed their hands.  Then they touched the side labeled "B" with clean fingers.  Gib incubated the plates at work for a few days and brought them back to kindergarten so the kids could see the results of their experiment.  It was a great example of the importance of hand washing.  The results were sensory, both sight and smell.  The kids were disgusted by the smell of the organisms.  Can't say I blame them, Pseudomonas and E. coli are super stinky!

Gingerbread house

We have been trying to stay busy while waiting for the arrival of Baby Gib.  My parents got a cute gingerbread house for us to decorate.  Gabby loved holding my hands to help me pipe the frosting.  We were happy with the results!  Thanks Mom and Dad!

Halloween

We had such a fun Halloween I just had to share the pictures.  Emmy was a Snow Princess and Gabby was a Fairy Princess.

We started our day with a parade and treat party at Emmy's Kindergarten.  It was neat to see her interact with her friends and teachers.

Below is a photo of Emmy and her cute friend, Sara, from Daybreak Academy.

 Below is a photo of Audrey, Emmy and Ava, all from Daybreak Academy.

 Below is a photo of a few of the PINK neighborhood girls at our Halloween, Chili and Cornbread party.

A BIG day

We left the house right on time, that's how you know it's a special day!  Emmy packed her backpack with her art smock, white crocheted blanket, and lunch box containing a tuna fish sandwich with the "skins" (crust) removed, grapes, BBQ potato chips and Cinderella fruit snacks.  I was prepared with the "Food Allergy Action Plan" from the allergist, her Epi pen and Benadryl.  I was worrying about what necessary items had been forgotten when Emmy spotted a PERFECT flower she had to pick to give to her new teacher, Miss Sarah, on her first day of Kindergarten.

Courageous Emmy showed no apprehension when she hopped out of the mini-van and walked down the sidewalk to her new school all by herself.  It appears we were too slow for such an exciting moment!  She said her favorite thing about Kindergarten is playing with so many new friends.  And she is pretty excited about recess.

Gabby was disappointed when she realized she didn't get to stay at Kindergarten with Emmy.  She tried to be brave.  Normally, everyone knows it when she cries.  This time she started to quietly sniffle with a few tears rolling down her cheeks.

We are so excited that Emmy gets to attend Daybreak Academy!  She gets to attend a full-day of Kindergarten in a small class.  They have specialists who teach visual arts, martial arts, Mandarin Chinese, gymnastics, science, music and public speaking/theatre arts.  I am really pleased that she will get a private 30 minute piano lesson every week.  What a wonderful opportunity for her to learn many new and exciting things!

Expecting...

These two cuties are expecting a little brother or sister in December!  Emmy thinks it's a girl and wants to name her Alice, after "Alice the Camel".  Gabby thinks exactly what Emmy thinks... how she admires her big sissy!  We are all so happy and couldn't be more pleased.

Easter

We had a wonderful Easter.  Saturday morning started the celebration with a neighborhood egg hunt.  The girls love to see their friends.

 Sunday morning we met, bright and early, for breakfast with my family.  Good food, good company.  It doesn't get better :)

 Then we went to Grandma and Grandpa Sommers house for an Easter Egg hunt.  They especially loved the bubbles and princess jewelry.  My Grandma always knows how to please my girls!

Classic pictue on the blue couch. 

 Easter dinner at Dave and Cheryl's.  Emmy and Gabby adore Emma, Spencer's girlfriend.  Emmy's imaginary friend is named Emma, as well as a toy horse and a baby doll.  What a compliment, right?

Disneyland!

I can't even express how much we loved Disneyland.  Emmy is still talking about it.  Here are the highlights of our trip:

1. The princesses!

Aren't these the most beautiful princesses you've ever seen!  They were adorable dancing and twirling in front of the castle.  We had lunch at Ariel's Grotto.  As we were eating lunch, a trumpet would sound every 15 minutes and a guy dressed as a page boy would merrily introduce the arrival of a princess.

2. The Tower of Terror!  Our fearless four-year old, Emmy, went on the Tower of Terror, twice.  She loved it and was so excited to be just tall enough to ride.

3. Breakfast at the Story Tellers Cafe!  Such good food and fun; the best way to start a Disneyland day.  Rafiki loved my Mom.  He used his finger to draw a heart on his chest and pointed to her.  The kids loved it!

4. The rides!

5. The Hotel! 

6. Family bonding!  I hope these memories always stand as a reminder of how loved my kiddos are by their entire family.