Evie's First Day of Preschool

Evie started preschool the week after Nora started first grade, so after Nora started school Evie asked  everyday, "Mama, do I go to school yet?" Tuesday was a little preschool open house, so Evie got to meet the teachers for the 4-year-old class. Wednesday was her first day, and she was very excited that the day had finally come!

A few pictures of her with her bag

The activity that they had the kids do when they first arrived was to practice tracing straight lines

Here she is back at home with a self-portrait she drew at school. I forgot to take it right when we got home, so I took it when she came in from running around and playing outside, so she was pretty flushed! I thought her picture was really cute.

This is the Place Park

Last Saturday, we went up to This is the Place Park for an activity that Mike's work was doing.

They provided lunch for everyone

The kids went on a pony ride

Nora was very excited to learn that the pony she had ridden was named Dora, which rhymes with Nora!

The kids enjoyed the farm animal petting area

There were several little piglets that were so cute

In the barn there was a fake cow that the kids could practice milking, and when they did a little water would spray out into the bucket.

Evie in the old school house

There was also a place you could try spraying a fire house. That was kind of random, but fun. Mike tried it too.

Before heading home, we went on a train ride. Nora took this picture of us.

Lagoon

The Friday after Nora's first week of school, the girls and Mike met up with Kate, Beth, Reece and friend Angie to have a fun evening at Lagoon! I wasn't feeling well, so I stayed home with Sam, but Mike took the camera and got some fun pictures of their outing.

Beth and Evie on the carousel

The girls and Reece taking a spin

I'm glad they got to try out my favorite ride - Tidal Wave, the large swinging ship

Evie and Kate - Evie got soaked on the water ride!

Last, they took a ride on the ferris wheel

The girls had a blast and have been asking "When can we go to that fun place again?"

Mike Turns 30!

Nora's first day of school happened to land on Mike's birthday this year, so it was a big day! Marolynn took us out to a fun pizza place to celebrate. It was a pizza, salad and pasta buffet, so you could try a bit of a lot of things!

A sampling of some of the dessert pizzas

Evie got her very own gluten-free pizza

Sam had a little pizza, but his favorite foods there were olives and peas from the salad bar. He kept asking for more.

Funny Nora

When we got home, we gave Mike one of his presents - a new gel wrist rest for his computer (since the kids have been picking apart his old one!)

At Sunday dinner, we sang and had cake.

 He had lots of little helpers when he was opening presents.

Evie holding the bag of treats he got - all of the kids were very excited about this one!

Then Nora wanted us to watch her dance

Happy birthday, Mike!