Garden Party

It was Uncle Brian’s birthday yesterday, so he and Emily came over for cake this afternoon. We had cake before we all went out together. Brian chose our destination for today, the Botanic Gardens. Marina and I had never been there before but it was a beautiful day and we were looking forward to checking it out.

We got drinks at the Cafe before going out into the gardens. We started at the Romantic Gardens. Marina brought her camera and she stopped to photograph many of the ones she liked. She knows that lilacs are my favorite flower, so so gushed over them whenever we saw them. We were both especially happy to find the Lilac Garden which was full of fragrant white and purple blossoms. We enjoyed leaning into the bushes and smelling them.

Marina particularly loved the waterfalls and butterflies we saw throughout the gardens. She enjoyed the Chinese garden, especially the giant flowers blooming there. She was disappointed that the roses were not blooming yet, but was pleased with all the tulips. Throughout our walk through the enormous garden, she wanted to go to “the Ball.”  She was referring to the tropical gardens inside an enormous greenhouse. When we arrived there, we were amazed at how much it seemed like a jungle. It even had a treehouse!

On the way out, we stopped by the children’s garden. Inside there were many fun activities for kids. Marina enjoyed running across the mountain bridge and playing with the stuffed wild animals. Further inside she found a digging pit and a wading stream. By then, the weather was turning cooler and we were all tired. Judging by Marina’s reaction, we’ll have to return soon.

Sock Hop Sweetheart

Marina has been learning a number of dances in her gym class at school lately. They've been learning them for the sock hop tonight. Marina came home telling me about learning the Macarena and wanting to wear a poodle skirt. The outfit I ordered for her arrived earlier this week and she's been very excited to dance in it.
 
We arrived at the school early and she and some of her friends danced together. I was impressed at the steps they were doing to the 50's songs. And they were having so much fun in their poodle skirts! We had dinner in the cafeteria - hot dogs, popcorn and root beer floats. On our way back to the dance, she stopped to have her nails painted and got a couple of temporary tattoos.

Once we got back to the gym, the kids were doing the Limbo. After doing that for a while, they started some of the other dances, the Macarena and other line dances - all led by the gym teacher Mr. Norris. The fifth graders did their version of Thriller, which Marina loved.

After two hours, everyone was wiped out. Our first sock hop was a lot of fun!

Ballet Lessons

It was Parent Watch Week at Marina’s ballet class today. We can’t really see what is going on during their class, so it was fun to see what it is they usually do. They started off with stretching and then spent quite a long time at the barre. Compared to classes she’s had before it was quite a lot of work! Marina is one of the youngest in the class and she was working very hard. After the barre work was complete they practiced their recital routine. They have been working on it for a long time and they haven’t even completed the whole thing yet! It’s a complicated dance but they still have a while to learn the rest. Marina is learning so much from this class.

Birthday Dinner

Marina’s birthday fell right before spring break and Easter, so I thought we’d wait a little before having her birthday dinner. A few days ago she reminded me we hadn’t had her birthday dinner yet, so I was aware she hadn’t forgotten.

We invited the whole family over this evening for dinner. Marina wanted spaghetti, so I made an Italian dinner. She was especially excited to see Cameron and her uncles. We ate dinner fairly early. Once she and Cameron were done, they went into the basement to play.

When everyone was ready for cake, I had to convince her to come out of the basement for it. I’d made her another Disney Fairies cake. We made sure everyone understood Marina was to take the first bite of cake. (She had not been so insistent about dinner.) As soon as she was finished eating, she dove into her presents. She received many nice gifts and wanted them deboxed right away.

She’d had a fun evening.

Easter Celebration

Marina has been excited about celebrating Easter. She was very happy with her Easter dress and especially her pink hat. (I always get her an Easter bonnet.) Our holiday started at the Easter egg hunt at church. Marina waited very patiently before the kids were told to begin picking up the eggs which covered the grass. Once she got started, she didn't want to stop collecting them. She was the last child still looking to gather the eggs. She was having so much fun she forgot to trade in her eggs for a goody bag. She played with one of her friends until the service started.

After the service she played with her friends for a little longer and had a snack. But she was more than happy to got home because she couldn't wait to see what the Easter Bunny had brought. We were barely in the door when she started finding the eggs hidden around the house. She also found her two Easter baskets.

For dinner we invited two friends. One brought Marina a bag of candy and toys. Marina was quite thrilled with that. We had turkey for dinner. Marina at the drumstick and stuffing. She even tried some wine (she didn't like it). Once dinner was over, she put on a Disney fashion show for us, dressing first as Rapunzel, then Elizabeth Swann and, finally, Snow White. She was sad that it had to end, but it was time for our friends to go home.

Before bed, Marina read the story of Jesus' resurrection for her Bible. The perfect way to end the day.