Music Recital

I have the girls enrolled in a really great music program where they are learning music theory as well how to read music.  However it's all play based.  They truly are learning.  This program is especially great for Paige who surely thrives in this type of learning environment.  These are some pics from their recital.  It was a bit unorganized, but I'm hoping since it was their teacher's first one, next year's will be even better.  Next year they will learn keyboard/piano. 

Standing on a huge music staff jumping to the Do Re Mi song from Sound of Music

Flowers for performing

Easter

Easter was fun this year.  They really understood the whole Easter Bunny concept and that it's a day to be thankful for what we have and spend time with family.  They even left the Bunny some carrots (with Ranch dressing, of course) for a snack. 

Butterflies

Auntie got this beautiful wings for them for Hailey's birthday.  They are so pretty and they have lots fun with them. 

Loves Learning

This sweet girl loves to sit and read books, figure out puzzles (she really loves the Highlights for Children Magazine Puzzle Buzz), practice her handwriting, etc.  It appears she figures things out and retains things really fat.  She is beginning to prove the saying,  "Mind of Steel Trap" to be true.  Here she is making pictures with a stencil set Auntie got her for the birthday. 

Cake & Games

These are some more pics from Hailey's bday.  She really wanted a party, so I made it as fun as I could with family. 

Played kiss the frog with Auntie, Nanny and Dada. 

Auntie hugs during Kiss the Frog

Butterfly bday

Hailey's birthday was Butterfly themed, per her choice. 

Birthday donut for breakfast.

9:47am

Face painting at Butterfly Wonderland

Butterfly Hailey & Caterpillar Paige

She was so sweet, she wore this headband all day.  I love 5 years old. 

Auntie with a butterfly on her shoulder.

She was so excited to have one land on her foot!

Butterfly Wonderland has an aquarium too.  This is the stingray pool.

Bday at school for Hailey

Hailey got to celebrate her birthday at school.  Mrs. Hart always makes it a special day. 

Lunches

I pack the girl's lunch every day.  Paige likes just peanut butter sandwiches.  Hailey likes Auntie Jam (strawberry jam that my aunt makes) and butter sandwiches.  I always have to include milk (I'm truly working on making sure they now they will need to buy milk at the cafeteria next year because this organic milk is crazy expensive), squeeze applesauce, tube yogurt, granola bar (for snack) and some sort of cracker.  I try to really pack the protein and fiber in for Paige in food that she will eat because she needs the extra stamina for concentration. She really works hard to process information.  So far the boxes come back mostly empty.  The granola bar doesn't always get eaten.  I have to say, they are very lucky girls, I mostly ate "Hot Lunch," which is what we called School Lunch.  I even had a prepaid lunch ticket! 

Hailey turns 5

Hailey turned five years old on March 29.  (I'm behind in blogging.)  She had a butterfly party and my mom, my aunt, Paige, Hailey and me went to Butterfly Wonderland up in Scottsdale and then came home for dinner, swimming and cake. 

Hailey's well check relieved a very healthy 5 yar old who does not have to return for another year.  All of her immunizations are up to date, so none were needed at this visit. 
Height:  44.5 inches = 75%
Weight:  40 lbs  = 50%
BP:  106/70
BMI:  14.2 = 15%

When Hailey turned 5 a change occurred, she became FULL of questions.  And difficult questions too.  Things like, why doesn't a circle have sides, What does that sign say, etc.  And they were constant, all day.  Then we took her to get tested for the gifted program in our school district.  Well, those scores revealed lots about why we were getting the questions.  She scored really high.  She missed getting into the program by 3 percentage points.  Sooooo, I then realized she needed to be in school longer.  Running errands, a couple activities at home and quite time with mama was not enough for her.  So we put her in school 5 full days a week.  She loved it and did really well.  So well that she was reading and writing 4 and 5 letter words and doing multiplication. 

Hailey is extremely thoughtful and compassionate.  She genuinely thinks of others, especially her sister, whom she truly loves.  She is enjoying playing tennis and is a very good ballerina.  She swims like a mermaid and can play her pony game with her Dada very well.  She does get her feelings hurt pretty easily and surely likes to have things her way.  But when it comes to giving into Paige, she AWAYS does (Paige is very lucky to have her).  She still likes to have me lay with her at bedtime until she falls asleep (I truly love it and know it will go away soon).  She's a pretty good eater, as long as it's chicken.  She calls hamburger, "brown meat" and will not touch it.  However, we can serve her steak.  Fruits and most dairy products get gobbled as well.   She loves her Frog Snug, plays princesses and with her ponies.  She really enjoys math and numbers.  We still need to work on riding a two wheel bike (for both girls).  She is always up for a snuggle or a quick peck kiss.  Her smile lights up the room.  She is super excited to start kindergarten and be at the same school again as Paige. 

Hailey is an absolute joy to have in my life.  As her Mama, I want to give her appropriate challenges and allow her to be 5.  It's difficult because she really is capable of doing more.  But balance of childhood and appropriate activities is important to me, yet I don't want to stifle her.  It's a tough Mama Challenge.  I love her so much and I'm having so much fun guiding her and helping her spread her wings.  Enjoy being 5, our sweet Chickadee. 

Hikes

My aunt and uncle came into town and we were able to go on a couple kikes with my uncle.  One was Hieroglyphic Trail near Superior and the other was Pyramid Trail on South Mountain.  Really pretty.  The girls are very good desert hikers.   

Fairy Garden

One of the last days of Spring Break, Hailey was at school, so Paige and I had a little time alone.  We went and bought flowers for the fairy garden my aunt had bought and finally put it all together.  She had such fun arranging it and truly sat out and waited for the fairies to come.  It was a super sweet afternoon.  I love that she believes in fairies. 

She wrote a note to the fairies: 
I have a special fairy garden for you.  Wear pretty dresses.  If you don't have one, wear your regular clothes.  Paige made. 
OMG, can it be any sweeter?!

Special Day with Paige

I read this silly article the other day about things your kids really want.  One was to spend time with me without my siblings.  It hit me that we usually do things together with Paige because she's always at school.  (Can you tell I really resent she is there so long?)  Plus, I don't have siblings, so have no idea about this desire.  Hailey's Spring break was only one week, so I sent her to school on her normal days and made a special day out with Paige.  I asked her what she wanted to do.  She said she wanted a new toy and new clothes.  Sounded like a trip to the mall to me!  She was incredibly sweet in that everything she picked, Hailey had to have the same.  So we bought double of everything!  I had such a nice time with my first born.  I love her so. 

Lunch at CA Pizza Kitchen

A sundae of course.

When we were leaving the restaurant, she said she wanted to go look at all the
beautiful pots with trees and flowers in them.  Then she saw the splash pad!

We tried on hats.  Found one that perfectly matched her dress.

She remembered another time that we had gone to the mall that she liked the cream cheese and bagel.  So we got it!

St Patrick's Day 2015

I love that they believe the Leprechauns come into our house to create mischief the night before St. Patrick's Day. 

Treats left by the Leprechauns

So much mischief!

All dressed for tennis and the day.  No pinches here!

Hailey's craft at school.  She sewed the button on the shamrock.  I will treasure it always.

Day 6 spring break

Just  a few moments I caught of them playing so nicely. 

Hailey is getting to be a person that always has a book in her hand. 

Playing separately, but in the same room. 

First Tennis Lesson

I signed the girls up for Tennis Camp for the second week of Spring Break.  I had no expectations at all.  They have never had a racket in their hand.  Well, as I watching, I saw BIG Dreams for Mama.  Oh, a fabulous doubles team indeed.  HaHa!  I asked them how they liked it when it was over and they said they LOVED it.  THAT made me even more excited.  I have no idea if it will last, but I relished in it for a few moments, because truly they were not every good and absolutely need practice.  I was able to sign them up for the next session and starting in a couple weeks they will go each Saturday.  We'll see....this may be their sport!  Keep Calm Mama.