Dance Recital

Violet just performed in her first dance recital.  Her willingness to perform the dance had been touch and go in practices in the preceding weeks.  My favorite practice run through she sucked on her skirt the whole time.  So when recital day was here, and she started to show reluctance, mom pulled out the bribery card.  I am not at all ashamed to admit that I told her if she did the dance and performed the jump (she had refused to jump for the past 6 weeks in class), I'd buy her chocolate ice cream.  Never mind the fact that we were going out for celebratory ice cream afterwards either way--she didn't know that.  The bribery worked like a charm.

First it was a mad dash to get her changed into her costume.  We were coming from playing at the park next door to get her wiggles out.  I was planning on changing her at the recital itself but as I watched a steady stream of costumed children with their perfectly curled hair enter the building, I knew that I would be the only one so last minute.  I decided changing her in the parking lot was better than coming into the recital with an uncostumed child.

Dressed and ready!

Recital Program

Luckily they were the first group.

Waiting to start.

Serious dancing

The dance itself--I was super excited they were performing to the Go Go's.  I did my first talent show dance to Go Go's in 3rd grade (different song though). 

As you can see, Violet was highly motivated by the promise of ice cream.

The jump--she needs the teacher to show her because she has been refusing to do it for about 6 weeks.

They warned us to make sure their shoes were tied because if they became untied they wouldn't dance.  No one said anything about the skirt.  The look of horror on her face when her skirt becomes untied is pure comedy.

It's all done!

Celebratory ice cream.

Special thanks to Aunty Jenny for keeping us company and filming.

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Daddy through Violet's eyes:

I didn't realize Eric also liked salad and diet coke.  It was news to him too.  At least she got the hair color right.
Violet painted a rock purple in class for Father's Day but she promptly told Eric it was her rock to keep.  She loves all rocks and there was no way she was parting with a purple one.

Last Day of Preschool Year 1

Wow, Violet just finished her first year of school.  It's hard to believe.  She loved it--tons of new toys and tons of messy stuff to play with.  Despite having two less than social parents, she is super social and I think that's a big part of why she enjoyed it so much.  They had an ice cream party on their last  day (with sprinkles).  And just to make sure she went out with a bang, she let us know she had a "time out" today for not listening.  Yup, that's my kid.

Pictures from the year.  Look how small she is in the upper right!

From orientation at the beginning of the year:

Last day pictures for comparison.  She was not super into posing today.

Oh and believe it or not they got a yearbook.  Summer school starts in 1.5 weeks and Violet starts going three half days instead of two.

Summertime!

Going old school with the slip and slide!

First Camping Trip

We just finished our first overnight camping trip at Live Oak Campground in Casper's Wilderness Park.  We chose a site within 20 minutes of home, just in case we needed to head home on short notice.  We really didn't know how Violet would do.  She actually did great and had an "awesome" time.  Despite the proximity to civilization, it was remote enough and we heard both coyotes and owls nearby.

We set up the tent to the sounds of a nearby campsite blasting bad 80's music.  Suddenly the radio station threw in "Let it Go" from Frozen and Violet's excitement increased.  "Elsa is camping!"

After setting up camp, we did the nature loop hike.

Taking a break on the hike.

Violet was not a fan of the noisy flies  however.

Later that night we had a campfire and made s'mores.  Violet preferred her marshmallows separate from her chocolate.

Getting ready to roast marshmellows.

Roasting with daddy.

She slept pretty well that night and Eric and I were able to enjoy the campfire until late.  It was rough setting up and packing up all within 24 hours, but overall Violet did great and seemed to really have a good time.

Just prior to camping, we went to a preschool friend's birthday party at the petting zoo.  Violet had a great time with the animals and mom loved the catered food (bagels with three kinds of lox).  I didn't take advantage of the bar (mimosas and bloody mary's) but enjoyed the spread none the less.


Violet rode the train, savvy enough to run to the coveted "engine" seat.

She requested to ride the black horse Shadow.

Riding Shadow.

There was her first experience with a pinata.

Enjoying her spoils.

Child of the corn.

Dad with a goat.