Legoland and Fun With Friends

Friends from Houston, Eve and her daughter Whitley, drove up to visit and go to Legoland. They arrived on Monday and we visited Legoland together on Tuesday, which ended up being a lot more interesting and fun than I'd expected. The last time Eve and Whitley visited, Sofia was five and Olivia was 18 months, so it seems like a lifetime ago and it was so fun to watch the three girls play together. Meanwhile, the last time I've visited Legoland in Grapevine, it was for Sofia's preschool friend's birthday and Legoland had opened just a few weeks prior to his party. At that time, it was vey spartan and only had a large area to build Legos, a rant to build and experiment with Lego cars and a big maze/jungle gym where the kids could run and play. I expected it to be the same and was very happy when we arrived and saw that they have done a lot with the small space they have. Since we visited Legoland in Carlsbad, CA, last summer I knew it wouldn't compare to that experience, but it really is a fun place. The night before, the girls decided to build a tent in Sofia's room and sleep all together on the floor. Needless to say, there wasn't a lot of sleep that happened and we had to wake all three of them up to eat breakfast and get dressed for their day at Legoland.

We arrived around 10:30am after eating pancakes and eggs at home and the girls were super excited. Whitley told the girls to bring a Lego person that they could trade with any of the workers. It took a while for both girls to find/make a Lego person, but we finally were ready. We also brought towels, waters, snacks and had the girls wear their swimsuits under their clothes. Once inside the girls turned the corner in front of us and were gone. We looked around for a minute then decided they would eventually find their way back to us. Finally after a few minutes they found us and we headed over to see the Star Wars section, which the girls had found at the far end of the Legoland. It was really cool and of course Sofia loved it. It really is pretty amazing what they can make with Lego pieces. Eve told me she and Whitley hadn't seen any of the Star Wars movies, so none of the scenes made any sense to them, but it was still cool. We've seen them all, but I can't remember which one is which. After exploring all of the Star Wars scenes, we headed over so the girls could drive the Lego cars. They were really cool and it wasn't crowded at all, so the girls only had to wait about 10 minutes before they were driving. It was so fun to watch them drive around and they seemed to love it.

After the cars, we continued to explore and walked through the miniature Lego Dallas. Of course, I had to take a picture of the girls in front of Fountain Place, which they still call "Peekaboo" from when CK worked there. It's always in the skyline of any Dallas scene, which is cool. Of course they had the DFW airport and the Dallas Cowboys stadium, the baseball stadium, as well as many of the Dallas and Ft Worth landmarks. After, we visited the Lego Friends and took a few pictures with the girls. The photo of Olivia and Whitley with the girls looks like they are two more friends! The girls built cars and experimented with the cars doing down ramps and they ran around in the very cool (and much improved) jungle gym. We all rode together in the castle ride and shot spiders and various things with lasers. Olivia and Sofia were surprisingly good at it!

We ate lunch at the little cafe and the cheese pizzas weren't too bad. After lunch, the girls were more than ready for the splash pad! Eve and I lucked into a great table under the trees, so it wasn't too hot and we had a great view of the girls playing together. They build a wall/building with huge rubber Lego blocks and spent a lot of time trying to perfect it. They also played on the play structure that had water spraying from all directions. They had a ball and the splash pad was perfect. The fun ended a bit when Olivia hit her lip and started bleeding. She was ok after a few minutes and we decided to head home shortly after. The girls had a great time and Eve and were shocked that Whitley and Olivia stayed awake for the entire ride home.

After we got home, the girls each put together their "souvenir" from Legoland. Whitley and Olivia bought Lego pet kits that included little dogs. Sofia bought a small "mars rover" that had a small astronaut that she named "Fred Haise" and proceeded to take him everywhere. That night we grilled pork loin and had a salad and corn before we made the girls' favorite: s'mores! We ended up using our oven, which is so much easier and cooks the marshmallow and warms the chocolate perfectly! They were delicious! The girls went to bed, excited to have yet another sleep over. Unfortunately, we had to separate the kids, sending Olivia to her bed while Whitley slept with her mom. Sofia was heartbroken, but also incredibly tired. We told her Olivia and she could have a sleep over later in the week.

The next morning, we had donuts and chocolate milk and the girls just played together. By late morning, Olivia and Whitley were in their swimsuits having a ball together. They loved getting onto the alligator floaty together and riding it to the middle of the pool where they would fall off together. Meanwhile, Sofia enjoyed some quiet and read her book. Eve and I sat outside in the lounge chairs and watched the girls swim. It was great and even though it's June the weather has been fabulous and much cooler than normal. CK ran to Chik Fil A and picked up lunch and the girl got out of the pool long enough to eat and were soon back in splashing around and wearing the girls' mermaid tails.

By mid-afternoon, Eve and Whitley needed to head home. Olivia was sad to say goodbye and we'd all had so much fun together. It was great having them and visiting Legoland together, which was such a great surprise. We hope they are able to visit again soon! After we said goodbye, I gave Olivia a pedicure pool-side. She loves pedicures and it was so nice outside that we figured it would be nice to have toenails painted while enjoying the backyard.

We made it to Legoland!

A scene from Attack of the Clone

The girls with R2D2

Sofia on the Lego Police car

Olivia driving

Lego friends!

Checking out the Dallas baseball stadium

DFW

Cowboys Stadium....maybe the Cowboys win in Legoland!

Sofia and Olivia with "Peekaboo" in the background

Whitley and Olivia and their friends....

Busy building at Legoland

Lego building

Sofia and Whitley as mermaids

S'mores

Fred Haise and the Mars Rover

Whitley and Olivia as mermaids

Riding the alligator together

Trying to match before saying goodbye

Sweet girls!!

Getting a pedicure, pool-side

Last Day of School! Hello Summer!!

Today was FINALLY the last day of school for the girls! It was particularly difficult to get up and out of the house the past three days and we all agreed that the last day of school should have been the Friday before Memorial Day. Instead, the girls got that day off for a "bad weather day" that we never used during the school year, so they had a four day weekend instead of three. Then, on Tuesday morning we had to all drag ourselves out of bed for three more useless days of school. Really, once STAAR testing is over the kids hardly do anything in the classroom and most of their days are full of fun events: Splash Day, Fun Day, Field Trips, Celebrations, etc. It doesn't make a lot of sense, but we somehow got through our short week.

I woke up on Thursday morning, the last day of the school year, realizing that I had all the teacher's gifts but never had the girls put them together and write their thank you notes! I ended up getting a gift card to TJ MAXX for both Mrs. Grant and Ms. Murray along with a cute note pad that said "Teachers make the world go around." For Mrs. Schultz, I got a Starbucks gift card since she drinks their iced green tea every day. Our class, thanks to the hard work of Hilary, pulled together a photo album of the year that we gave to Mrs. Schultz. I also got a gift card for Ihop for Mr. Robert. He does so much around the school and constantly cleans up after all the kids and probably rarely gets a "thank you." Plus, since he isn't a teacher, I don't think many think to thank him during "appreciation week" or Christmas. I asked Sofia to write the "thank you" notes to both of her teachers and to Mr. Robert. Olivia wrote her thank you note to Mrs. Schultz and I was busy packing their last lunches and making pancakes that I really am not sure what exactly she wrote. She did ask how to spell "best" and "awesome" and I'm sure it was very sweet. She adores Mrs. Schultz which is easy to do since she is the sweetest teacher we've had at CES. Sofia really loves Mrs. Grant and Ms. Murray and we are so thankful that Mrs. Grant has energized Sofia in her math skills. Both teachers are sweet and good at encouraging kids, but Mrs. Grant really has Sofia's admiration this year.

We finally finished pancakes and got all of their things together for the last day of school - an extra reusable grocery bag for Sofia to bring all of her school work home in and Olivia's empty backpack, and headed out the door. I wanted to take pictures of them on their "official" last day, so I got a few pictures before we loaded up in the car. By then, we were running later than we have all year! We got to the small parking lot and there were probably 10 cars waiting to park! I remembered that we should have left a lot sooner than normal. We finally got in and parked just as the bell rang, so they were late on their last day of school, but I was able to get a few more pictures of them!

As we drove to school, I asked if they wanted to ride the bus home or be picked up from school. Sofia was adamant that I pick them up so she could "say goodbye" to everyone. Since she will be going to Aspire Academy next year, she won't see these kids in school until middle or high school! Plus, I knew she really wanted to say goodbye to her sweet teachers. I ended up playing tennis and then met Casey for a "final pedicure" before we picked up the kids. I got to the school and it was an absolute zoo, so I parked in the church parking lot and walked over, which wasn't what I'd planned since I was still sweaty and stinky. I arrived at the crush of kids and couldn't find Sofia anywhere. Olivia saw me and ran over to give me a hug. In doing so, she stepped on my foot and messed up my brand new pedicure! Oh well! Finally, after no sign of Sofia, we figured she forgot and caught the bus. Olivia was able to give Mrs. Schultz one final hug and give her buddy Poppy a hug goodbye. It was bittersweet as we walked to the car, and thankfully Olivia was excited for summer to be here finally!

We drove home and picked up Sofia and headed to Luna Grill for lunch. The girls were so excited to be able to sleep in and have very little scheduled the next few months before school starts up again. I'm glad we don't have to rush out the door at 7:20am every morning, although my goal is to continue to wake up at 6am to have a little quiet time to myself since the girls wake up naturally at 7:30am. Can't wait for some fun an relaxing summer days ahead!

One quick picture on their final day of school

In front of the school - no cars in the background since the bell had already rung! Oops!

Heading into the school, for the very last time for Sofia

Olivia and Mrs. Schultz

Olivia and her buddy Poppy

Pictures from the first day of school. Wonder if those dresses still fit them?! I think Olivia's does but I don't think Sofia's is long enough!

4th Grade Celebration

This morning was Sofia and her fourth grade friends' celebration. Yesterday I told Sofia that we'd be at the 4th grade celebration and she said they hadn't practiced anything or done anything for it, so she wasn't really sure what would happen. One of the moms told me that they would be reading out their "greatest accomplishment" for their year, like they did in 3rd grade. I arrived shortly before it started and CK got there a few minutes later. It was surprising how few parents were there, especially compared to the Kindergarten graduation. We ended up sitting in the middle of the second row. The celebration started with the three 4th grade classes filing in with their teachers and sitting facing the stage, with their backs to us. When Sofia came into the room, she searched for us and finally saw us and waved. She sat down in front of us and read over her accomplishment page and I wondered what she wrote.

Mrs. Farragher welcomed us all and congratulated the kids on a successful end to their 4th grade year. She then welcomed Mrs. Grant to hold the microphone for each of her kids so they could read what their greatest accomplishment was for the year. Finally it was Ms. Murray's turn and then finally Sofia was approaching the stage. She looked really calm and relaxed as she walked toward Ms. Murray with her paper. She stopped and read her greatest accomplishment for the year which was: "meeting Jim Lovell and Fred Haise the astronauts because they were very interesting. I feel like we could all learn from them; it was very memorable." It was sweet and I somehow thought that she would write something about math, since she's become much better at it over the year and she loves Mrs. Grant so much. However, I can understand why she chose that experience as her greatest accomplishment, even though it wasn't related to school.

The program ended and we met up with Sofia and gave her a hug and congratulated her on another great year. She headed back to her classroom for the rest of the school day and CK and I headed out. I actually had a tennis drill to go to and as I drove I felt really blue thinking that she won't be back at CES next year. There are so many sweet kids and their parents who we've gotten to know over the past five years and I realized how much I'd miss seeing them at all the parties and events. Sofia doesn't seem to be upset by her upcoming change at all. When I ask her who she'll miss most, she does say all of her friends in 4th grade, and she means everyone she knows, which is awesome. She gets along well with everyone and as much as she will absolutely love the challenge and change that Aspire Academy will provide her, I do know there are some great kids she'll miss a lot and so will we. But, it's been a really great year and we can't believe we will have a 5th grader on our hands!!

Sofia reading over her greatest accomplishment, before it's her time to take the stage

Ready to take the stage

Ms. Murray with Sofia reading her greatest accomplishment

Sofia and her friend Elena

Sofia's greatest accomplishment page

Rockets End of Season Party!

Tonight, instead of meeting for an hour of soccer practice, we met at Red Brick Pizza four our Rockets end of season party. I'd considered hosting the kiddos at my house for a swim party, but figured it would be a lot easier to do a swim get-together another time. Sofia and CK decided to stay home, so Olivia and I headed to the pizza place. We arrived and all the other girls were already there. We ordered our pizza and salad and Olivia joined her soccer friends. The kids played and talked while they waited for their pizzas. I sat with the parents and we all talked about our upcoming summer plans.

After the girls ate their pizzas, Coach Matt handed out the soccer trophies to each girl. Olivia actually got hers first and had the biggest smile on her face! She was so excited! She normally doesn't like the attention on her but she didn't seem to mind. She held up her trophy and smiled for a picture with Coach Matt. After all the trophies were handed out, Grace's mom Corrie gave each of the girls their own individual cookie with their name written in icing. They almost looked too good to eat! Of course, the girls didn't have a problem gobbling them down. She also picked up a cupcake "cake" of a soccer ball with "Rockets" written on it. It was SO cute and looked delicious! Of course the girls gobbled down a cupcake each too. They were then all crazy with sugar, so we got them together for one final group photo with Coach Matt and Coach Doug. I made sure Olivia thanked each of her coaches individually before we said goodbye to everyone and headed home. They are terrific with the girls and really are trying to teach them all they can about the game. We are so lucky to have them as our coaches and look forward to a great season in the Fall.

Rockets cupcake "cake"

Olivia with her individual cookie

All the girls hanging out together

Coach Matt handing out Olivia's trophy

Olivia and Coach Matt with her trophy

Coach Doug, Coach Matt and the Rockets! Such a fun group of girls!

Memorial Day 2017

On Memorial Day the girls and I drove to Greenwood Cemetery in Fort Worth to attend the 100th remembrance service at the Royal Flying Corps Cemetery, which is located in a section of the cemetery. That area is the final resting place of US, British and Canadian flying airmen who died while in Fort Worth training to fly during World War I. Two years ago CK was asked to fly his Waco over the cemetery during the remembrance service and we attended the service with Cynthia and her family who were visiting that weekend. This year he was asked again to fly with his Stearman and flew formation with one other Stearman and pilot friend. His buddy Chad was going to fly in the cockpit with him, but he couldn't make it, so CK asked Sofia to go with him and she agreed. Later, he asked if she could go with Olivia and I instead since he felt it was more important for her to be on the ground and experience the entire service.

The girls and I arrived at the cemetery shortly before the service was to begin and were shocked at the attendance. There were easily twice as many as the prior service and a good mix of people. It really is a beautiful ceremony and is really something special to attend. The girls and I originally stood with a great view of the podium. A young lady with a beautiful voice sang the National Anthem and CK and his friend came over in their Stearmans just as she finished up, which was the absolute perfect timing! CK told me that was their goal, but they were only going on time and weren't in touch at all. It was perfect timing and very moving.

We soon found it to be too hot in the sun where we were standing, so we switched to the other side of the podium and stood under a large oak tree. The girls ended up sitting down for the rest of the ceremony. Once again, the Irish priest who spoke at the last remembrance service gave a very moving talk in memory of those lost. The bagpipes started into song and just as they began, the F-16s flew over! It happened so fast that I could hardly even get a photo of them before they were gone! It was incredible!!

After the service, the girls and I headed to the local airport to pick up CK and returned to the Lion's Club across the street from the cemetery where there was a luncheon for those involved. The man who has organized it each year and has involved CK in the fly-overs, wanted to give an award to CK and his buddy for their efforts. The luncheon ended up being really sweet and several people came over to talk to CK after they realized that he was one of the pilots. CK gave a small speech about the importance of these services when he accepted his plaque for himself and his friend. It was really a special event. After lunch, we said our goodbyes and I took CK back to the airport. Olivia decided to fly back to Arlington with him, so Sofia and I headed home.

The program

The wreaths to commemorate the British, Canadian and U.S. airmen lost

The fly over of CK (in the lead) and his buddy

The introduction by the man who has organized the events!

A view from the shade of the crowd!

Olivia listening to the priest

Such a beautiful event

The placing of the wreathes

The bagpipes begin

The sword salute

The F-16s that were there and gone in a second!

The departure of the bagpipes

The gravestones at the end of the service

CK with his award and talking of the importance of these commemorative events