Vacation Day 2

This morning everyone got up and ready (minus our kiddos) and made their way to the fairgrounds to start setting up for the party.  My little ones must have been worn out from the previous night because it was close to 9 before they got out of bed!  While they were sleeping, Ma-maw and I finished ironing everyone's wedding clothes.  Once the kiddos were up and dressed, we made our way out to help with the decorating!

Julianne needed a higher seat in order to supervise appropriately.

The florist arrived with fresh flowers and small vases to be used on the tables

Little Miss was more than willing to jump in and help with the decorating.  Although, she was disappointed there were no streamers and balloons...

The head table - the bride's and bridesmaids bouquets will be added after the wedding.

Aunt Katie wanted to keep the decorating simple, and it turned out beautifully!

The finished cake - the topper was custom-done: it says Mr. {&} Mrs. Ricklefs with a snowflake.  The mugs were a gift the couple received early - one has Mrs. and the other has Mr.  I then added the ribbon for a little something extra.

Back in January when Ma-maw and I went to Iowa to help dress shop, Ma-maw had the idea to make a photo prop of a couple and a snowmobile.  We mentioned the idea to Aunt Katie, and she thought it would be fun as well, but was unsure what Brian would think.  Turns out, he thought it would be a fun idea too!  So, that became my big project.  I searched online for various pictures of couples on snowmobiles, and I sent them to Katie and Brian to decide what they wanted.  I was lucky enough to be able to use a projector at school to blow the image up and trace it on butcher block paper.  I brought it home and over the course of a week created the following master piece...

I think the groom and bride were happy with the way it turned out...

I even got Dallas to get his picture in it with me

We finished the decorating party with pizza and drinks, and then everyone went on their merry way to get cleaned up for the rehearsal.

Katie and Brian chose to do an outside wedding at the Historical Society on the edge of town.  There is a lovely flower garden there, and it made the perfect setting for the intimate wedding they wanted.

After rehearsal, Brian's parents treated us to dinner.  Pa-paw managed to get a hold of Julianne before the meal.

I then convinced the other kiddos to join them for a picture...

Dallas and Daddy waiting on the food to arrive

Little Miss doing her thang...

We ended the meal with cherry pie and ice cream for dessert...Sugar thought it was the best part!

One more picture of the soon-to-be Mr. and Mrs.!!!

Until next time...

Reba & Mommy Date

Tonight was Reba's turn for the canvas paint party.  She had picked the snowman for her project.

We were originally scheduled to go tomorrow night, but there were not enough people signed up, so we moved to night.  We started with dinner, again, her choice and she chose Kentucky Fried Chicken.  Reba had the same instructor as Dallas, but tonight she decided not to have the design pre-drawn on the canvas...there would be too many "corners" to try and paint around for the blue background.

After Reba painted the entire canvas blue, she added some white detail to show the blowing snow.  After we used the blow dryer to dry the background, the instructed traced the snowman and tree for Reba.

Reba then free handed the remaining parts (the tree trunk, the snow on the tree, the ornaments, the snowman's arms, scarf, and face, etc).

The instructed "finished" the painting by adding the black outlines, before we dried it one more time with the hair dryer and headed home!

Until next time...

Dallas' Date

I have been seeing some of my friends on Facebook "liking" a local art studio called SnickerDoodle Kids.  They hold paint parties for kids, as well as adults, to create their own canvases or wood shapes.  I thought it would be a nice special outing/one-on-one for Dallas and Reba for Christmas.  I had them each pick out a canvas design they liked, and scheduled them to be a part of a party.  

Dallas' party was tonight.  We started our evening by going out for supper - his choice, and he picked Wendy's.  He had picked the Gingerbread house design...

When we arrived at the studio, the instructor had already drawn the outline of the house and ground on the canvas

Dallas first filled in the background

Then, he painted the house

 He added the lollypops and clouds, and then filled in the door

The instructor "finished" the painting by adding the black detail lines, and Dallas gave it one last dry.

His finished painting!

The best part was as we were leaving, Dallas said, "Thanks Mom! I liked doing that with you."

Until next time...

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Tonight was Dallas' parent/teacher conference.  Unfortunately, Doug wasn't able to attend, so I had all three kiddos in tow.  Dallas and Reba sat nicely outside the classroom, while Julianne and I chatted with Mrs. Schuler.  Overall it was a great conference, and I couldn't be more proud of all the accomplishments Dallas is making in school.

Before heading to the conference, Reba had to catch a little nap.  She made the bed herself!

Outside of Dallas' class, there were multiple projects the class had completed.  Here are a few of the things Dallas has done thus far...

Portraits created to go with the story, "Arlo Needs Glasses"

Repetitive shapes (circles)

My Scarecrow...

The scarecrow described in the above picture

The students also made Jack-o-lantern faces according to how they answered the following questions.

Apparently, Dallas has never had pumpkin seeds, doesn't know if he likes pumpkin pie, likes happy jack-o-lanterns, and caramel apples are his favorite fall treat!

Until next time...

Fun Friday Fotos - Art Show

Dallas' school had an "Art Show" one day last week (in conjunction with the last PTO meeting of the year).  It was right after their tball game, so we skipped the PTO meeting and quickly went through the art displays.  Here are a few pictures I captured of Dallas' work...

If you look closely, you will notice a 3rd place ribbon below his painting.  When I asked what the painting was, he told me "a ship".

The kindergarten class has been working on creating sentences using quotation marks and special characters.  In case you can't read it, it says, "Don't let the Pigeon scream in the bathroom," said my sister, Reba.

"Some bunny loves you.
Yes, siree!
Some bunny love you.
And it's me!"

There was also a table with a few different books the kindergarten class has made this year.

Ms. V rides to school in a van.

Dallas' drawing of what he will look like at age 100 (they made these in conjunction with the 100th day of school).

Imagine that...still wearing a red shirt!  And look at all the hair he thinks he'll have!

Until next time...

2014 Grandparent/Special Persons Day

During Catholic Schools Week (Jan 26 - Feb 1), Reba, Julianne, and I had the opportunity to spend the afternoon with Dallas at school on Grandparents/Special Persons Day.  After lunch, we were able to spend time at the book fair, touring the school, visiting the classrooms, and play games before a special Mass to end the day.  As Dallas was taking us on a "tour of the school", I was able to see a lot of his recent art work hanging on the walls.  Enjoy!

Each kindergartner completed the sentence, "Kindergarten is..."

The teacher traced their silhouette (which, I love because my mom still has mine from Kindergarten framed and hanging up at her house!).  The kiddos also drew a picture of what they want to be.  Dallas' says a construction worker.

A diagram and writing about their senses.  Might I add how impressed I am with how Dallas' writing/letter making skills are developing.

A little thank you and love note!

Until next time...