Mani-Pedi & Montana

Grace had her first visit to Happy Nails with me today and enjoyed getting her nails and toes painted light pink for our upcoming vacation to Montana. It's a very momentous occasion for a girl, right? I tried to make it clear this was a special occasion because I don't want her getting in the habit of wanting to get her nails painted professionally, on a regular basis, at only 2 1/2 years old. Let's at least try to make it to 5, sheesh :) **just kidding mike**

We're leaving on Friday and are looking forward to a real American celebration because they "go big" in Montana for the 4th. We plan to visit Yellowstone, do LOTS of fireworks, boat, hike, fish, golf, picnic, BBQ, pick wildflowers & see lots of animals. Grace is gonna love it!! Happy 4th of July to all!

More Dance

Lining up for the performance
Kate, Gracie and Grace walking from the dressing room to the stage
Semi-posing for me; she insisted we take a picture by the tree but wouldn't look at me

Grace and Grandma before the show

A few more more pics from the dance recital....which was held at my old high school UNI. They combined all the preschool classes "princess playtime" for the actual performance. There were about 6 girls in Grace's class and 15 in the show. I thought she might be scared or overwhelmed by the whole stage/audience thing, but she liked it and didn't even need me to go backstage with her. She loved watching the older girls perform too. We're taking this summer off, but I'll definitely sign her up again come Fall. We'll miss her classmates and their moms this summer.

Dance Recital

Grace did so well at her recital today! I'm going to post more tomorrow, along with a couple pics.

Father's Day Weekend

We had a busy but fun Father's Day weekend. Mike is FINALLY out of school on Saturdays for the summer so it's wonderful to have him around more. On Saturday Grace had her dance recital pictures and rehersal. Despite the rehersal being right at naptime, she did a great job, and followed the teachers' instructions very well. The theme is "Teddy Bear Picnic" & the girls are just too cute for words. I'm hoping to post the actual recital (next sat) video here next weeekend if the file isn't too large - otherwise I have a shaky, low-res version of the rehersal. Grace helped me bake a cannoli cake in-between the dance events. On Sunday Mike golfed with his dad and brother in the morning and Grace and I went to church. We went to Grandma and Grandpa's for a great Italian dinner in the late afternoon and celebrated with the dads. My dad was in SF with Poppy and we missed him but know he had a great day too. Grace is so lucky to have her daddy....the way these two love eachother just melts my heart!! Enjoy those new golf clubs daddy :)

Photo of the Week: Summer Eats

The Baby's Room

Here's my inspiration for the baby's room, which we are getting started on soon. Grace's room is very traditional, very girly - just like her. I've decided to make this room more modern & whimsical. The first task is packing away the current 'office' and cleaning out the closet, which is basically filled with junk we never use. I've ordered this bedding and we're getting the dresser from IKEA & changing out the knobs. The room is pretty small so we won't need that much stuff to fill it :)

Book Recommendation

I'm about half-way through this book and it's excellent! Since I've been to Italy, India and Thailand (close to Indonesia in culture), it caught my eye at the book store. I also just learned the movie is coming out this summer starring Julia Roberts so it will be on the top of my summer movie list, right along with the new Twilight movie :)

Sophie (3) & Ethan's (1) B-Day Party

Ethan and his friend Olivia are two days apart
Besties
Blowing out their candles

We went to Sophie and Ethan's co-birthday party yesterday and had a great time seeing a bunch of Grace's little friends. The party was monkey-themed and the kids played, danced around and had a yummy lunch complete with monkey cupcakes. I thought Grace would never want to leave because she & Sophie have become so close, they have the best time playing together and truly are little best friends these days. I can already tell they are going to 'spell trouble' together when they're teenagers (just like K & I, ha ha ha). Thanks Kristyn and Jason for a perfect day & happy birthday Sophie and Ethan!

Video of the Week - Black Eyed Peas

Kristyn, this one goes out to you ;-)

Book Recommendation

I just started this book but I can already tell it will be hard to put down.

Disneyland

Welcome to Disneyland, whoo hoooo!

Small World bridge with Nana Fly dumbo, fly!!

I was shocked G wanted to go on the teacups; equally shocked when she loved them

Pooh bear is so cute, G is a little shy at first with the characters, but she wants to meet them

We love Disneyland so much!! Each time we go, Grace has more and more fun. Yesterday we hit-up the happiest place on earth with Nana. The weather couldn't have been more perfect and despite a lot of teenagers that were there for end-of-school parties, the lines were pretty short on the kiddie rides. We went on Dumbo (Grace's favorite), the teacups (first time for G), Small World, the carousel, Winnie the Poo, Jungle Cruise and the Disneyland Railroad. It has been so cool to watch Grace enjoy the park more & more each time we go. We had a 'to-die-for' Monte Cristo at the the New Orleans Cafe and met some of Grace's favorite characters. I have to admit the day is pretty easy when there are two adults for one child - even being 22 weeks pregnant. I seem to get much more tired when it's just Grace and I. We made it 9 am-2:45 pm and Grace passed-out in the car before we got out of the Mickey & Friends parking lot. See you next time D-land!