My "American Girl" Goes to Paris!

 Today we wrapped up the end of the first week of summer break.  Simone had an excellent camp experience this week with hiking, swimming, games, and a new friend Kaitlyn.  But the highlight of the week was an adventure to the new American Girl movie premiere event -- Grace Stirs Up Success.  The theme of the day was pastries in Paris, and it was lots of fun!

American Girl did a nice job with the event.  In addition to the movie-- complete with lemonade and popcorn-- they did crafts and got adorable treat boxes with tiny chocolate candies and an Eiffel Tower cookie cutters!

Waiting for the movie to begin.

We met up with daddy after the movie and visited a real patisserie for the girls to taste macaroons -- a feature in the movie.

 They were more than a little excited to pick out their flavor.  And in the end we got a sample box of all the flavors!  Delicious!

So fun to watch their reaction to a case full of beautiful sweets!

A perfect end to a great day -- now for some much needed ...sleep!

Not Quite a Pet

We spent the better part of today outside trying to catch up on spring-turned-summer yard work.  Once the sun got too hot, however, we showered up and took a ride over to pick up our weekly farm share, where we found a new surprise.

Ms. Beverly got a delivery of baby turkeys this week, and Simone fell in love!

Only three days old.

It didn't take Simone long to ask the million dollar question... when these turkeys get big, will you eat them at your restaurant?  Simone then pronounced that she was no longer going to eat any food that was "a killed animal" --LOL!  Given her already strong preference for seafood and vegetables, it probably wouldn't be hard for her to do it too.  However, after a long discussion on the way home about the food chain, she reconsidered and decided that ruling out animals as well as all the other things she doesn't like wouldn't leave her with much to eat.  And this kid LOVES to eat!!!!

I'm sure we'll be watching these little chicks grow over the coming weeks.  Simone is already eager to see how big they get by next week!  we'll keep you posted!

Spring Piano Recital

Simone had her annual spring piano recital today.  She played two songs -- a solo and duet with her teacher.  She did a great job -- so proud!!  

The program.

 Most of the students played piano, but we were also treated to violin, cello and even ukelele!!  It was a really nice recital -- just right!

Simone was the eighth performer.

Playing her duet with her teacher.  They played "Lemonade Stand". 

Simone with her teacher, who is just the sweetest most patient instructor -- we love her!

And finally, Simone at her pre-recital brunch.  Had to make sure she wasn't performing on an empty stomach LOL!

And now we're looking forward to Memorial Day weekend -- the unofficial start of summer and near-midpoint of 2015.  Just can't believe how fast it's going!  We have so much summer fun planned this year, so we'll keep everyone posted on all of our adventures.

Weekly Recap

This week turned out to be just about one of the most ordinary and truly pleasant weeks we've had in a very long time.  The weather finally turned nice and warm, we didn't have a million demands on our time, pulling us in every direction, and we were able to spend a rare bit of peaceful family time doing regular family things.

First up, Simone was a winner of a this month's Citizenship Award at her school.  Mommy and daddy went to the little ceremony at her school early on Wednesday morning.  She was very proud.

On Saturday morning, we participated in the neighborhood yard sale along with a good friend of ours.  We spent about three hours standing in the driveway on a glorious Saturday morning chatting, selling, and drinking our coffee with my best little helper in the world-- Simone.  Together we passed the time quickly, cleared out some stuff from our basement and garage, and made a little money -- who could ask for more?

THEN... we took a nice drive to Lovettesville to pick up the first delivery of our community farm share.  Simone got to see the chickens and roosters, as well as help the farm manager feed the ducks.  Our basket this week was full of lettuces, spinach, kale, fresh eggs, and some blueberry bread.  So fresh and delicious!!  We're already looking forward to next Saturday!

On Sunday morning--another gorgeous sunny day-- we woke up early and made spinach and cheese omelets with our fresh eggs and then got ready for church.  Simone got another chance to dress up in her Communion attire because they requested that all First Communicants participate in the May Crowning ceremony at the end of Mass.  I was super excited for her to get another wear out of her dress, AND I was able to get a few more pictures with alot fewer people around.  Take a look...

Each child presented flowers at the Mass.

Simone wore two of her Communion gifts for this special occasion -- a gold bracelet from her Aunt and a medal from a good friend-- both looked so precious with her outfit. Thank you both!! 

Simone posing with some of the girls.

 And a few shots after Mass inside of the church...

We took the rest of Sunday afternoon to have a mommy-daughter day.  While daddy did yard work and went to see the new Avengers movie, we went to lunch, did some shoe and grocery shopping, and then went over to the pool for a little swimming together.  It was such a nice and relaxing day--hope we're able to have this kind of weekend so much more often!!  

First Holy Communion

Yesterday was a tremendously special and memorable day.  Simone received her First Holy Communion at St. Theresa's Church.  We felt especially blessed to share it with so many good friends and family members, but for those who weren't able to join us, here is the review. 

First, getting dressed on the big day.  Knowing it would be a hectic day, we made sure everything was completely ready and staged in her room.  Mommy dutifully steamed both Simone's AND her American girl doll's white communion dresses the night before.


 

Simone's dress and veil.  We looked long and hard for a beautiful dress that wasn't "too itchy".  As much as Simone loves to dress up, texture and comfort aren't negotiable to her. 

The perfect shoe with delicate kitten heel.  Again, comfort was key and these were a winner in that department. 

Simone also decided she wanted to wear gloves, and of course, the requisite cross necklace.  

All dressed and ready to go!

St. Theresa's Church.  Unfortunately, we didn't have the warmest and sunniest of days, but given the forecast we were very grateful that we didn't get any rain!

Inside the church waiting to begin.  Simone needed to arrive an hour early for her class pictures, so we waited quite a while.  By the time it started, the church was standing room only.  There were over 70 children receiving communion with her.

The Communion program.

Simone's name in the program.

The offertory gifts.

Processing into church-- all of the children walked in two by two.

Processing out of church at the end.

An extra yummy cake -- two layers -- at Simone's insistence.  We used the same bakery that made Simone's birthday cake last year.  She makes the most delicious strawberry shortcake.

 After mass, we had dinner and party at our house. Simone was so happy to be able to play with her cousins and friends while the adults ate, drank, and made merry.

God bless our precious little lady on her First Holy Communion and ever after!

Second Grade School Project

We've had an extra busy week with all the routine activities, getting everything prepared for First Communion, and last but not least -- Simone's second grade project on famous Americans.  When she first got the assignment to select a famous American, Simone consulted her iPad and chose Katharine Hepburn completely out of the blue.  Needless to say, the entire family has learned an awful lot about Ms. Hepburn in the last few weeks.  Her project was to make a report, a timeline of her life, and a speech -- which Simone will present to the class in an "American Wax Museum" exercise next week.

After lots of research, practice pages, cutting, printing, pasting, and organizing, Simone finished her project today.  MISSION COMPLETE!

One fun fact we learned about Katharine Hepburn is that even though she has won more Oscars for acting than any other actor -- four best actor awards-- she never accepted any of them.  She believed that she didn't need prizes for doing what she loved to do.  After thinking about it for a minute, Simone thought that philosophy made a lot of sense.

Now just to figure out how to get this big, inky poster to school tomorrow morning -- of course it's calling for pouring rain nearly all day.  It's just never easy, is it!?