Teddy Bear Picnic

Last Sunday, Bradyn and I went to the annual Teddy Bear Parade and Picnic with our friends Diane and Jack. What a difference two years makes. Although the excitement and enthusiasm levels were the same (very high), it was neat to be able to participate in the craft tables and activities this time. We decorated cookies (yummy!), made paper bag bear puppets, went in the bouncy castle and slide, and had a hot-dog picnic.

Thanks to Diane, we spotted a much better face-painter than the one we were in line for, and Bradyn's wish to be a beautiful blue butterfly was granted.

Best buddies. I just can't believe these two have literally known each other since Bradyn was 2 weeks old. Despite her bossiness ("Jack, do you want to go in the bouncy castle, yes or no? Yes or no?"), Jack tolerates her, and they have fun together. I really hope Jack will always be her surrogate brother.

"Oh, do I have to leave?"

"Bye bye teddy bears. See you next year."

Bradyn's First School Concert

I don't know what to say. Believe it or not, I am at a loss for words. I cannot even begin to express all of the emotions I felt Thursday morning during Bradyn's first school concert. The kids and their teachers have been practicing for months, and all their hard word absolutely paid off. They were adorable!!! I still can't get over how good they were! Between the tears and the laughing at how cute they were, I had a fabulous time. (Unfortunately, Daddy had to work.) At the end of the concert, they had a graduation ceremony where all the children who are going to kindergarten in September, walked across the stage in their caps and gowns, to receive their diplomas. I am definitely going to lose it when Bradyn's turn comes.

Ready to go, in her pretty dress.


No idea what this song was called, but they all had musical 'clappers' and it was a pretty catchy tune.

Concentrating, making sure she got her 'instrument' working right.

For the performance of "World of Wonders", who else would be the centre of the solar system?

Miss B, of course!

(I love the green mat they had her sit on. I can't help but wonder if it's a throw-back to when they were having 'issues' in circle time, and they had to use a mat to get Bradyn to stay in one place.)

"Are you my mother?"

Here you have it folks... the fish costume that Kevin and I made for Bradyn. It's amazing what you can do with some foam, an old t-shirt and some black and white tape from the dollar store. Oh yeah - and a whole lot of stolen ideas from the internet and Disney.

Bradyn and Zachary, the little boy she is completely doe-eyed about. Say his name, and she gets a big smile on her face. She doesn't follow him around like a little puppy so much anymore, but she still likes him lots. The sad thing is, he apparently told her last week that no, he won't marry her.

Wearing her cool, new Cinderella shades - her present for a job well done.

Can't wait until next year!

It's A Beautiful Day

Of all the (terrible) video I took, Bradyn 'participated' the most in this performance.

Our little starlet seemed to be a bit distracted by all the people and the lights, so although she doesn't sing, she still has a wonderful time dancing. When we were showing the video to Kevin Thursday night, Bradyn sang nearly every word to every song.

Next year...

(PS - just ignore the commentary between Stella's mom and me. Stella's the absolutely adorable, petite little thing on the far right in the front row. One of 2 kids in Bradyn's class younger than her.)

Swimming

At long last, the much anticipated video is now available for your viewing pleasure. (Slightly shortened so I could upload it, thanks to Kevin, my in-house techno genius.)

Enjoy.