For Avery’s actual birthday (and Fathers Day), we headed to Great America – site of Avery’s first birthday! Lots of rides, lots of sun… And a birthday hug from Linus.

-M

When Zoe turned seven we made a trip to the American Girl store and let her pick out her a doll, which she named Penelope. On Saturday, it was Avery’s turn – and it was girlie-overload as we browsed around the store, got the dolls’ hair and nail done, and dined with the newest member of our family (Chloe).

-M

Avery has the habit of celebrating her birthday multiple times - or, perhaps more accurately, we’ve set the precedent for her to do so. This year her celebrating kicked off with a Friday evening art-themed birthday party with a few friends.

-M

Seven years ago, on a sunny Friday morning, Q and I drove to the hospital; a few hours later, Zoe’s “present” made her appearance. Happy Birthday, my sweet Avery. (And to all the dads out there: Happy Fathers Day! Two special days in one…)

-M

It’s official (at least according to the school calendar): Summer is here! The girls had a half-day of school, during which they “graduated” to the next grade, and – per tradition – I took them to do something fun afterwards. We spent some time at a nearby park and then headed to a local library, where I read a national park ranger was giving a presentation; there, the girls learned all about local wildlife, did some animal-related crafts, and then put on a little play. A great way to start our break…

-M

For a recent class project, Zoe drew a “map” of her heart. She shared it with me last night and I grabbed the camera to capture it; someday it will be fun to look back and remember what was important to a 9-year-old.

-M

Speaking of the end of the school year, the last major event in first grade happened on Sunday, when we went to Avery’s teacher’s house for a pool party. Mrs. E thinks of everything – there’s an ice cream truck, a pinata, an awards ceremony for each of the kids and (of course) swimming – and it’s something the kids (and their parents) will remember for years! We were lucky enough to do it twice…

-M

I’ve written here about – and you’ve seen photos of – all our end-of-school-year activities. Fun for the kids, and usually fun for the parents: yes. But with each activity comes a (sometimes long) to-do list, and that can lead to stress and exhaustion. For a long time I thought I was the only one feeling overwhelmed by this time of year – but then I came across this (hilarious) piece, where the mom-author asks:

Are you sure that I can’t fill out and/or sign another field trip form-fundraising form-class placement form-book order form-class party form-popsicle request-overdue library books notice-missing library books notice-school district feedback form-one month of half-filled-out reading logs?

…

Are you sure that I can’t chaperone one or all eleven of the field trips between now and the last day of school? Don’t worry, I no longer have time to hold down a job. By the way, remember all that time between January and April? What happened there?

Are you sure that there isn’t some sort of spring concert-adorable play-other emotionally manipulative school event to go to now or every night until the last day of school? You know, something where maybe one of the boys can wear a too-big tie or the tallest girl in class can shyly stoop down in the back row? Maybe it could be a third grade dance or a fifth grade graduation? That sort of thing.

And on and on it goes. So, yeh, I guess I’m not the only one.

-M

Last Friday, Avery’s class performed an opera called “Stone Soup,” and Avery’s role was one of the children. The photos and videos provide a taste of the performance (just ignore the heads in the way in the video).

-M

For the summer, fresh new cuts for the girls! (They chose the length.)

-M

When describing Avery I’m always using the words sweet, silly and sassy. Two examples of the latter behavior: At bedtime recently, she asked if she could watch a show when she woke up the next morning. “Instead of doing that, why don’t you read a book or play a game?” I suggested. “Are you kidding me?” she asked in an exasperated tone. And the next night, after she didn’t respond to something I had just said, I told her, “Mama is talking to you.” “Avery isn’t listening to you,” was her reply, along with a big laugh. (Don’t worry, though: Her sweetness counteracts the sass.)

-M

And now, a photo of Zoe and some of her friends – slighter bigger than Avery’s but just as smiley.

-M

One last photo from last Thursday (I promise): one of Avery and some of her (very happy) classmates. I can’t get enough of their smiles…

-M

Some family photos from Thursday, including an old-school (black & white) one with our special guest visitor: Pop Pop!

-M

A taste, now, of the singing at school yesterday. During the two-hour service, the kids performed more than 10 songs – some in Hebrew, some in English – and each student spoke in front the audience. This last part made Avery particularly nervous (I hate crowds,” she told me the night before. “Since when?” I asked her. “Since I was born!” she responded) – but she did just fine! And she was all smiles while up there singing, especially for the last song – a crowd-pleasing rendition of the Alef Bet (Hebrew alphabet) song.

-M