Show Week for Caroline

Thursday was Caroline's show week at Little Gym. She behaved very well for the most part and the whole family had fun together. The theme was patriotic, so I made her a twirly skirt out of some leftover 4th of July themed fabric. I wanted to applique a matching shirt, but evidently plain white toddler t-shirts (not boys' undershirts) are scarcer than hen's teeth in Colorado Springs. I struck out at 4 different stores, so ended up with a plain white ruffly t-shirt, because by then it was too late to order anything.

I thought she looked awfully cute anyway.

She was thrilled about this parachute ride!
What are you looking at?

Caroline's name was the last to be called to go up to the podium to receive her medal. She did not wait patiently.

Finally, Caroline's moment to shine.

Is this real gold? Caroline wanted to sleep with her medal on Thursday night. I told her she could sleep with the medal in her bed, but not around her neck because she might choke. After I had given those rules, she grabbed the ribbon, pulled it tight around her neck, stuck out her tongue with gagging noise, and said, "See, mom, I 'toke (choke)." I felt like she was taunting me. So sassy.

Class picture #1. Pretty amazing to have all 8 kids looking at the camera. And yes, my daughter is the one who decided to chew on her ribbon.

Class picture #2. The better one of Caroline.

Show week was also fun for Rylan, who enjoyed getting to play on some of the equipment and show off the skills he remembered from his class. I can't remember when I was this flexible.

So sassy

Caroline was playing outside the other night when it started to rain. It was just a sprinkle, but I could see the drops forming on her clothes.
"Caroline," I called to her, "It's raining. Come in so you don't get wet."
She just gave me an exasperated look and replied, "Mom, I am already wet!"
Can't argue with the logic of a 2-year old. I am in for so much trouble when she is a teenager. That girl is always a couple steps ahead of me!

Caroline at Little Gym

Next week is Caroline's last class at Little Gym. They have a "show" to demonstrate some things they have learned this semester and each child gets to climb the podium and receives a medal like in the Olympics. Since Rylan's Little Gym show in January was a complete disaster, I decided to get some pictures of Caroline before the "pressure" of the big day. She is usually less anxious than Rylan in new situations, so I am not super worried about a meltdown, but I am glad to have these cute pictures just in case.

The inflatable air mat is super fun for bouncing.

We usually just practice bouncing and catching the balls, but Caroline decided to carry hers on the obstacle course.

Helping to deflate the air trak. The kids roll around and help to push the air out.

The "hanging bars." Caroline usually would sneak out of circle time to grab a quick swing from the bars.

The bubbles are another favorite.

Caroline always flops down on the mat at bubble time and tries to "catch" bubbles with her toes.

We sing a song and shake these bells at the beginning of each class.

Tired girl waiting for her stamps at the end of class.

License to drive...

...a tricycle, that is! Rylan has had this tricycle since he was 1 year old and he has just figured out how to ride it. I guess the whole combination of pedaling and steering finally clicked. We go on walks now and he rides his trike the entire time. I am so proud of him and glad he can now experience another one of the great joys of childhood. I was hoping to teach him how to ride a bike this summer, so we will still keep our eyes open at garage sales, but this is a great confidence builder for him.

Caroline tries ice cream again

This video so perfectly captures Caroline's sweet, crazy, "boomerang emotions" personality.

Caroline spied my giant Elmer's craft glue stick the other day. "Oh mom, I want some for my wips, pease?" (I gave her some real chapstick instead.)

Both kids have loved finding ladybugs in our front yard. Caroline gets especially excited and we have to remind her to be gentle with the little bugs.
Rylan gave Caroline some wise advice: "If you squeeze the ladybug, weird juice will come out."
And mama could add, they make a gross crunching sound.

Mother's Days in Colorado

Mother's Day 2008, our first weekend in Colorado.



Mother's Day 2009

I think Rylan refused to take a picture by the tulips, so I just got one of me and Caroline.

Mother's Day 2010. The tulips weren't blooming yet, so we just got a picture with the buds. Again, we were all blinded by the sun during the picture taking! It is fun to see how the kids have grown over the years.