Meridian Dairy Days Parade

Tonight we went to the Dairy Days Parade as a family. This is the first time that I have gone because I am normally out of town but Kevin has been going the past few years with the girls. There was rain in the forecast so Kevin wasn't sure about going. We went anyways and got rained on but thankfully we ran into one of Madison's best friends with her family and they shared an umbrella since ours was missing out of our car. Madison, Allison and Ashley think that they melt or something in the rain so I was really surprised that they were so excited about being out there. This is what they set up before the parade started. Once the parade started the rain stopped and the silliness came out. There were alot of great floats in the parade.
Here are some of our other favorites.
Budwieser Clydesdales 1998 Indianapolis 500 pace car I thought of my dad and the fun times I had as a kid when I saw this car. They had a bunch of great old cars like this Ford Model T and Madison thought she was some sort of comedian any time one would drive by. She would ask Kevin if that is what he drove when he was younger. She is just so funny. This old stage coach drove by and I pointed it out to Madison because she has really enjoyed Idaho history this year but she turns to Kevin and says, "Dad isn't that what Grandpa drove." I am not sure what we have created but she sure thinks she is funny. More Madison humor. When this one drove by Madison turns and says that the guy singing look like Grandpa(Kevin's dad) but with more hair. It was so funny because once she realized what she said she was so embarrassed.

There was alot more and that was just the highlights of our night. We really had a great time. I am really glad we went.

Madison's Wax Museum

Tonight we were able to go to school and see Madison's class wax museum. Each person in her class chose a important person in Idaho history and researched them. They created a short speech about their life and would say it anytime someone put a coin in their cup. It was really neat to see all the kids dressed up and preforming. Madison had a great time with this assignment. She was a little nervous but did a great job. I think her favorite part of the whole thing was looking for the perfect outfit for her person. She chose May Arkwright Hutton. May helped to secure voting right for women in Idaho. Fourth grade has been a lot of work but also a lot of fun. It is hard to believe that it is almost over.

Kevin turns 35

Yesterday we celebrated Kevin's 35th birthday. I was not as prepared as years past(aka still recovering from surgery) so I had a busy day of trying to pull everything together. Ashley was a real trooper with all the running around that we did. Kevin has been super busy at work so we all waited patiently for him to get home and this is what he found in his office. Ashley is obsessed with Happy Birthday balloons. Unfortunately the work wasn't quite done so we had to wait for him to finish up a few loose ends before we were able to go out for his birthday dinner. We went to Famous Dave's. (Dad's choice of course but the girls ended up loving it) Kevin opened his gifts and we enjoyed a wonderful dinner. While picking out his balloons, Ashley found this Hannah Montana notebook and she insisted that Kevin would love it. It was so cute on how insistent she was that he needed it and it had to be the pink one, that I just had to get it. Kevin thought it was funny too. This frog is funny because Allison has given it to him for the last two years, Ashley got it for her birthday this year and then Madison gave it to Kevin this year again. It always makes us smile when it reappears.

After dinner we headed back to the house for some cake. Kevin ask for one of our favorite cakes a Baked Alaskan. We really had fun celebrating and showing Kevin how important he is too us. It was a great night.

This is just too funny not to include. As we were leaving the restaurant Ashley laid across this rock and ask me to take a picture of her. She makes me laugh. I don't know what she is going to come up with next.

Our little Author

This last week Kevin and I were able to go to school and listen to Allison's 1st grade class read their books that they had written. We have been patiently waiting for this day. It brought back alot of memories of Madison in first grade and her book. It just happened to be the day after my surgery so Kevin was home taking care of me which was nice because he has been so busy at work he might not have been able to make it. Allison was in heaven to have both of us there and we really were able to enjoy it because a friend had Ashley for the day so I could rest in a quiet environment. Allison did a wonderful job on her book. You could tell how hard she worked to do her very best. Everyone in her class did such a great job. It has been fun to watch them all grow from kindergarten through first grade. It will be sad when they are split up next year with all the changes in the school.

Piano Lessons

Madison and Allison started piano lessons today. They were kind of shy about the whole thing so I went in with them. They are so quiet in unfamiliar situations. It is funny to see them. They were both very good and listened well. Sister McEntire told them to practice every day. I thought oh fun one more thing I will have to nag about. Since today was there first day I wasn't going to bug them about practicing but they both ran home and wanted to practice. Madison practiced first and then Allison sat down and did her homework.(without me asking) I think she wanted to get it out of the way so she could have her turn next. I am glad that we have finally got everything in order so that our girls can get in piano lessons. I never learned how to play and want to give them the opportunity. I hope the excitement takes awhile to wear off. After the girls were all done Ashley sat down and said "Now I practice my piano. I don't know what we are going to do with her. She wants to grow up too fast.

Rendezvous, Butterflies and Bicycles

Rendezvous

Since Madison started fourth grade we have been hearing about Rendezvous. Mrs. Dunsworth has told the kids and parents about it. Other parents that have been before have told me that I really needed to go because it was the best field trip. Madison and I have been waiting for the day to finally come. Well Friday was the day and it was great. I could not believe what an ordeal it was. Everything was organized so well. What is Rendezvous? A day to discover and live Idaho history. There were about 30- 35different stations on various topics. We were not able to go to them all. We were able to go to the canon station, where they did a walk through of how to load a cannon. The cannon went off every 30 minutes. It was loud but exciting.

Abraham Lincoln was there to tell us about his life. He was the president that signed Idaho in as a state. He is the tallest president that American has ever had and almost died when he was 6. We learned a lot of interesting facts. We got to see what type of toys children played with in the 1800's. We got to see how to pack a wagon train. There was much more but I wouldn't want to bore everyone. Madison had a great time and will hopefully remember this day for awhile.

Butterflies

When we returned to school I was lucky enough to catch Allison's first grade class release there butterflies. Allison has been so excited about the project and has been telling us every detail for a couple of weeks now. All week she has been watching the weather to see if it would be the day that they release the butterflies. Well Friday was finally warm enough and not too much wind. It was fun to be there to see it.

Bicycles

Today Kevin got our little bike already for Ashley to ride she was so excited. I can't believe that she is growing up so fast. She had the best time riding her bike. She is such a wonderful little girl and has no fear. She just hoped on and started peddling away.

Ashley playing Dance Dance Revolution

The girls have rediscovered that we have Dance Dance Revolution on the Wi. They have been playing it any chance they get. Ashley of course had to be right there with them. It was cute watching her play or at least think she was playing right.

Madison thought it was cute too so she took this video.