Gymnastics

Hailey and McKayla did gymnastics for a few months. Hailey did a class by herself, and McKayla did a Mom and Me class. Emily stayed with a babysitter most of the time, but tagged along when McKayla got comfortable doing class unassisted.

McKayla swinging on rope swing.

"Making pizza" during stretching

During stretching time, everyone sits in a circle and do butterfly flaps with their legs. The teacher asks each child what color he/she wants the butterfly. Then they stretch and "make a pizza" and the teacher asks each child what they want on their pizza. McKayla loved both stretches.

Hailey getting ready to mount the trampoline.

First Day of Kindergarten

Hailey went to her first day of school at Goblow Elementary on August 24, 2015. Mother and daughter were both excited and the day went well. 

She caught pink eye and missed school Friday of the first week, and a two days the next week for a fever, but is feeling well now.

Favorite Subject: Art

Least Favorite Subject: Music

Bike Accident

Hailey started her first day of school and we've biked to school a few times this week.

One day after we dropped Hailey off, McKayla and I were coming back over the bridge. While on the bridge McKayla yanked her handlebars and ran into a little 2 yr old Asian girl, by accident. The girl was pushed off the sidewalk into the road. She was safe (no cars), but startled. The Asian mom was quiet upset. I apologized and apologized but it didn't really help. At the same time I'm trying to calm Asian mom down, McKayla is losing it. It was as scary for her and she emotionally lost it so I had to carry McKayla's bike and push mine over the bridge as I tearfully apologize to Asian mom one final time. Hope I never see her again.... too bad the likelihood of that is slim. In the end McKayla and I both recovered and we just walk our bikes over the bridge now.

Swim Team

Hailey swam on the Williamsburg Settlement Swim Team. She could swim one length at the beginning of the season and was awarded "Most Improved Swimmer" at the end of the season. She earned several ribbons and enjoyed swimming every day!

WSST Team 2015

Hailey at swim practice

Our first Word Games

This one's for you, Dad, because we used to play word games.

Tonight was the very first time my girls and I played games with words. Not a board game or card game, but the kind of game where you say something clever, or try to stump the other person with big words, or rearrange word parts to make something new.
Whereas Hailey's only 5 years old, it was a rudimentary game, but in their voices and their eyes I heard and saw the undeniable joy that comes with the manipulation of words. We we eating dinner when I used a word with the suffix -less. Hailey questioned it, so I explained that -less means without and gave a few examples including homeless. She then said, "What if you were homemore." :) So I explained that it's a different sort of "less" and about compound words. Then she made some jokes by adding -less to other words. McKayla joing in, of course. And Emily laughed like she had joined in. :)

Good times.

Clogging Class and Recital

Aunt Jen graciously offered to teach the girls how to clog while she was here visiting from January to March.  The girls LOVED it. It was often the highlight of their week. Here's the video of the concert, complete with matching outfits, bows, props, and trophies.

Cookie Bizzy

Hailey wanted to earn some money, so we talked about business ideas with her and she settled on "Cookie Bizzy." A cookie business where she sells Valentine Day cookies. She and McKayla knocked on several neighbor's door and committed several neighbors, made the cookies and delivered them near Valentines Day.