June 2011 - Dance and Baseball

On Sunday, June 26, Rylan and Sofia had their end of the year concert for dance. Rylan was super excited and more than a little nervous. He enjoyed getting ready for the concert, but was horrified to be expected to wear makeup. (Powder and Mascara Only!) Sofie and I had a true Toddlers and Tiara's moment. She screamed at me that I was burning her for the entire 20 minutes it took to curl her unruly hair. I repeatedly showed her that my hand was between her skin and the curling iron, but she was having none of it. At one point Wade came upstairs to check on Sofie's welfare. I had to deliver the same speech to him in regards to my hand placement and her skin. After that, Sofie acted like it was just another day at dance.

The dress rehearsal went pretty smooth. Rylan did really well. And he looked to really enjoy himself. Sofie yawned her way through the entire rehearsal. Granted, it was nappy time. Fast forward to the day of the recital, Rylan had complete stage fright. But, overall it went well for him. Sofie on the day of the recital, was the best I have ever seen her perform the dance. It was a nice surprise.

Rylan is undecided about another round of dance. He told me upon leaving the theatre that he just wanted to be a normal boy on Monday nights. And not go to dance. But then later that night in bed, he told me that he missed dance already...

I was able to take a ton of photos at dress rehearsal. Here are a few of the better pics.

Rylan Far Left

Rylan on the left

Sofie is the teeny tiny little girl all the way to the right!

We had another big finish this week as well. Rylan's last ball game!! Their team had a very rough season. 75% of our games were rain outs, and only a few were rescheduled. He was hoping to see more of his school friends over the summer, so he was really disappointed by this. Highlights of his last game were numerous. Two great hits, and a couple of really cute moments with his friends. But my favorite was in the last inning of the game. Rylan threw a ball from third to first. His friend from school, Connor ran for the ball and it hit him in the head. Rylan ran over to him and extended his arm to help him up. Then he hugged him, patted him on the back and apologized. So sweet...


Noah's last baseball game, after a fabulous season is scheduled for July 5. I will post pictures of his last game then.

Branson - Silver Dollar City

Another relaxing weekend camping, this time with Wade's sister and her family. We spent Friday poolside, and then ventured to Silver Dollar City on Saturday. We had such a wonderful day, that when we left, we left with season passes.

Noah and Rylan's Kharma finally caught up with them...

Rylan loved the ball house.

Zoe and Sofie enjoyed the ice cream break!

Aunt Heather set the kiddos up with the materials to pan for gems.

Rides, Rides and More Rides

May - Part Two The Madness Ends?

Rylan's Kindergarten Field Trip:
Rylan's class spent the day on the move. Our first stop was Rainbow Ranch in Nashville, IL. The second the kids were off the bus Rylan started asking me when we would be able to see the zebras. Zebras? I kept telling him. It's a farm! Zebras are not farm animals, they are zoo animals. Guess who was wrong? I'll give you a hint. It wasn't Rylan. As it turns out, Rainbow Ranch is an exotic petting zoo. The animals ran the gamut from the normal farm creatures to full fledged zoo animals. And everything appeared to have laid/birthed a baby in the previous weeks. Baby lambs, baby piglets, baby llamas, baby African deer, baby African cows... And everything was friendly. Even the camels and donkeys. Great place. Rylan and I loved it!

Here's the website if you're interested in checking it out!

http://www.rainbowranchzoo.com/

Rylan and friend pet the camels while Farmer Al keeps watch!

Rylan and his friends feeding the lambs and goats.

Baby Vietnamese Pigs Anyone?

I grew up with horses. Rylan not so much. Farmer Al had to get after him and several of the kids for holding out their fingers to the horses. They quickly flattened out their hands and were allowed to pet the horses!
After Rainbow Ranch, we ate a quick lunch and took a short hike at the Washington County Forest. And then we were off to the Swansea Fire Station. Rylan loved the Fire Station. And his face when he saw the firetruck was pure amazement!
At the end of the field trip all of the kindergarteners posed for a picture in front of the firetruck!
On Thursday, May 19, Sofie graduated from pre-school. She loved performing all of the songs and dances for the graduation. And I have to say, I think it was obvious that she takes dance, she was the only child that danced through every song. She even got back up on stage after it was over, and kept dancing.

Sofie and a couple of her friends from school
Makaya, Rylan & Bradin watch their younger siblings graduate

Sofie's graduation present from Wade, Noah, Rylan and I. I don't think she's supposed to ride it!

And our last big event for the end of May, CAMPING!!!! We met my older sister and her family, and the Humes family in Marble Hill, Missouri. It was a beautiful weekend. We swam, fished and relaxed around the campfire.

Noah caught this huge bass while at Daddy's friend's property, before the rest of us arrived!

Rylan taking a break from swimming

Rylan and Sydney going for a swim

Noah relaxing around the campfire with peanut