"Promoted"

Madeleine

Emily

Emily on the left and Madeleine on the right checking the twirling ability of their dresses (from Opa and Oma).

The three-year-olds at the girls' preschool are referred to as "Little Monkeys". As of last Friday the girls are no longer monkeys. They have been promoted to "Frogs". I took pictures of Emily and Madeleine on their first day of preschool and wanted to do the same on their last. On the first we took the pictures in front of the house, but it was too sunny to do so on their last, so we went to the parking lot Till uses at work and took pictures there (Must share this locale with local photographers!).

The "Promotion Ceremony" was nice, but the adults in our party were a bit thrown by the "Pledge of Allegiance to the Bible" (not kidding!).....We are doing some work on opening little minds to the concept that different people worship different gods and that is not only okay, but actually a good thing.

The Wednesday before "Promotion Day" was an end of the year party in the girls' classroom. The kids had fun and there was even a limbo contest - watching preschoolers "limbo" is rather amusing as no one had the proper form and eventually contestants resort to belly crawling.

Madeleine listening to directions before the beginning of the "limbo".

Emily getting under the bar in her own fashion.

Emily in orange and Madeleine in stripes

Leading up to the end of the year, we have been trying to partake in some spring time activities. I recently took the girls to College Run Farms to pick strawberries. This destination was very popular last fall, pumpkin picking, as it involves a 10 minute ferry ride to Surrey. We had a good time and, after much effort, found a row with lots of nice berries. The farm also sells homemade strawberry ice cream which was a hit. I asked if they sold green beans in the summer and on the way home Madeleine suggested they might have green bean ice cream (ugh) in the summer since they have strawberry ice cream in the spring.

Till survived another commencement weekend in which he attends three ceremonies, of some sort, over the course of two days. This year Madeleine and Emily decided they needed to partake on some level and tried on his "hat". We didn't let them near his robes, or in our house "big purple coat", as it would most certainly guarantee a trip the dry cleaners.

Emily, Ph.D.

Madeleine, Ph.D. - This particular professor was not too interested in holding still for a picture...

The day following commencement, Oma and Opa flew in for a two week visit. We went strawberry picking again, played on the playground, went to the folk art museum and played in the water at Yorktown.

Emily, Madeleine behind her, Till on sand and Oma and Opa in chairs.

Madeleine on the left (a little startled by the depth and temperature of the water) and Emily "swimming".

Emily
Madeleine

The day Oma and Opa left, Till took them to the airport and the girls and I headed to Emerson's house. Emerson is a friend of Emily and Madeleine's from school. Her family was taking care of the ducklings from Emerson's brother's kindergarten class and her mom graciously invited us over to see the ducklings.

I have to admit my favorite part was when the ducklings were put in the bathtub and literally zoomed around the water "chasing" each other. Apparently, they wear themselves out and then take a long nap - much like a couple of young ladies I know after they swim for a bit.

Madeleine

Emily

Today was the start of "Tuesday Turtles" through the park and rec department. It is a four week program wear kids learn about nature, go on a hike and make a craft each Tuesday morning. We will only attend three weeks as we have a conflict on the last Tuesday. The park where the program is located is 30 minutes from the house, so I didn't go home, but the girls had fun and I went to a nearby library branch and read in peace and quiet!