Our New Beach Club

We joined a new beach club on the lake this year. This club is a little closer to our house and we figured Claire could potentially meet some new friends at this beach who would be attending kindergarten with her in the fall.

The beach club is a little different than the club we joined last year, but Claire is a year older and her swimming skills are so good that she's able to take full advantage of all the club has to offer. On the first day we were there she was swimming out to the dock/slide in the deep end and jumping off the dock into the deep end all by herself. She just loves to swim!!! She's also already met a few new friends. So far, we just love this beach club!!!

My sister in law and nephews joined us for some beach fun this week! Both boys loved the water and had so much fun with us. I'm not sure how much fun my sister in law had because she was busy running after an almost-fifteen-month-old who kept walking to the water (An injured foot keep me mostly confined to my beach chair, so I wasn't much help at keeping an eye (or a hand!) on the little guy.).

NJ State Fair - Meadowlands

We love a good fair and the NJ State Fair at the Meadowlands fits our definition of a good fair - high caloric, yummy food that you only eat once or twice a year (Think: zeppoles, funnel cakes, fried Oreos and candy bars, etc.), rides and attractions. The last time we went to this fair was two years ago and it seemed to be bigger and better this year.

Buying a wristband for Claire was a good investment that paid for itself since she takes after her mommy in the thrill-seeking department and loves to ride rides.

We tried to see a magic show, but got there too late to get a seat. There was some crying, but the tears stopped shortly after we got good seats under the big top where we saw a circus featuring acrobats, a clown and a fancy lady with a cute collection of performing dogs.

We all had a great time!

Last Day of School

Today was Claire's last day of school. I put it off for as long as possible, but it's a little weird when your mom still makes you go to school even after you've graduated. Claire was so excited. I wasn't. As I wrote in a previous post, I have grown to love Claire's school and the staff. I have been dreading this day for a while now. But, my girl is ready to move on. She studied hard, played hard and now she's ready to have a fun summer before heading off to kindergarten.

Preschool Graduation

We attended a charming graduation ceremony tonight: Claire's preschool graduation! Claire spent three years growing, learning and playing with her friends at preschool. For the first year and a half, Claire went to preschool for two full days while I was working full time (My fabulous sister in law watched her the other three days.). After I stopped working, she went to preschool two half days a week, then in September 2010, she started going three half days a week. Suffice it to say, we have had a long relationship with Claire's school -- the caring, wonderful staff, Claire's friends and some of the mommies and daddies who we have gotten to know.

Tonight's festivities included some short speeches by the teachers, enthusiastic singing and dancing by the graduates and each child shared how they would make the world a better place (Claire said she wanted to read books to little children.). Of course, the graduates marched in to Pomp and Circumstance and received their diplomas while wearing their caps and gowns, which was completely adorable. Everyone also enjoyed watching a slideshow of the kids through the years at school.

It was a wonderful evening celebrating all of the graduates. We were especially proud of Claire and what a wonderful job she's done in school. She has grown from a little peanut who was shy and barely talked at school to a beautiful, smart, articulate young lady who eagerly participates and is a kind friend to the other students. I know in my heart that we have done a good job parenting Claire, but I also have to give some credit to the excellent preschool she attended. The smart, experienced, amazing director has been a constant in Claire's educational experience, but she has also had the good fortune to have been taught by some super women (the director included) who were not only effective teachers, but they were also patient and nurturing. We feel so fortunate to have found this school and hope that we are just as happy with the elementary school she will be attending in the fall.

Soccer

Claire finally had her last soccer practice today. Due to several rainy Mondays and the Memorial Day holiday, the soccer practices kept getting postponed well into June.

Posing with her medal (Note little cousin exploring in the background.).

The kids played soccer games with two new coaches today. These two male coaches happened to be really great with the kids. Claire had so much fun and got lots of exercise running around. At the end of the hour, each child received a soccer medal for their participation. Claire was absolutely thrilled to receive an award! It was her first! Hopefully the first of many!

Proud cousins showing off their soccer medals. Love, love, love!

Father's Day

Today was Father's Day. We had a really nice time at my brother and sister in law's house with our inner circle. Just the 10 of us. Good food. Good times. Great family.

It was a relaxing day. The weather was nice, but most of us stayed inside relaxing in the family room. We enjoyed a delicious meal together followed by dessert. Mmmmmmm

Believe it or not, I didn't take any pictures today. So, dear readers, you'll have to settle for a picture I took last week of my dad giving my nephew a bottle for the first time. My dad is awesome!!! He is not only a great dad, but a wonderful grandpa too!!

End of the Year Pirate Party

Aaarrrrrrrghhhh, maties!!

Today was Claire's End of the Year party at school. The kids voted on the theme and the pirate theme won (Claire's vote was for a jungle party and she insisted that her party was going to be a jungle party because that's what she voted for. She doesn't get the idea of democracy yet.).

As soon as I heard the theme, I knew I had to make this pirate skirt I saw on a blog. It looked so cute and easy enough for me to whip up. The result was nothing short of completely adorable if I do say so myself! And it only cost $3 (for 3 bandanas)!

Oliver and Claire rockin' their pirate outfits

The kids had cookies, munchkins, chips and an awesome pirate ship fruit salad. We signed up to bring juice. To keep with the theme, we magically turned it into pirate juice.

 

Claire's graduation is next week. I signed her up for school until next Friday to kind of finish out the month before we have some other activities planned. I am very sad about ending our three-day-a-week relationship with Claire's school. She has been there since she was almost 2 1/2. The director has seen me through being a guilt-ridden working mom to a stay-at-home mom who is super-involved (and much more relaxed!). She, and all of the teachers Claire has had over the years, have all been fabulous. Fab.u.lous!! Claire has learned so much from them. I really couldn't have chosen a better school for her.

Claire with one of her teachers, Mrs. Parul

My Blogoversary

Today is my blog's blogoversary! It was one year ago, today, that I started my blog. Since that time I've posted 95 blog entries on everything from our OBX vacation to holidays and other fun or noteworthy things we've done. I have 5 official followers and several unofficial followers (I know you're out there reading!). It's been a fun journey and I'm so glad I started blogging.

Thanks for reading!

Claire's First Dance Recital

Claire's dance class

Claire has been practicing her mad dancing skills (ballet and tap) all year in preparation for her recital. This week we had a dress rehearsal on Wednesday and the recital on Saturday night.

On stage at the dress rehearsal, third from left

 At the dress rehearsal, Claire said, "That was my first time on a stage." She loved it!!!  She did a great job with the tap routine to a song called "Dancing School Kids." We were able to get a great video of her during the dress rehearsal and lots of pictures of her and her friends from dance class (Three of the girls in her class will be going to kindergarten with her next year!).

On Saturday night, it was Claire's big debut. She waited in the "playroom" with all of the other dancers while my husband, my parents and I sat in the audience and watched all of the other acts. Finally, during Act 2, Claire's class came out on stage and danced. They did an amazing job! Everyone smiled, tapped and did all of the dance moves they had practiced with Miss Sandy. Claire stomped her feet and kicked her legs very enthusiastically! You could see the excitement and enthusiasm on her face. She truly loved every minute of it!

At the end of the recital, all of the dancers came back out on stage wearing matching t-shirts and bowed or curtsied. It was very cute!

We presented Claire with her flowers* when we picked her up after the show and she was so excited about receiving them. She also loved the flowers my parents gave her. Both bouquets are in a vase in Claire's room where she insisted they be displayed.

In the car on the way home, Claire said, "This is the best night I ever had!" which made us all smile.

I think we have a dancer in the family.

*Earlier in the day, we went out to the florist to get flowers for the recital. My husband was working, so Claire had to come with me. I told the florist that I wanted to get a small bouquet for her for her first dance recital. She asked Claire what she liked and motioned to the cooler containing a few different types of flowers. Claire replied, "Roses." The florist asked, "What color?" to which Claire answered, "Red." My daughter has good taste! We got a little bouquet of 5 roses because Claire is 5 years old.