Taco, the Superhero

Walker NEVER dresses up (even on Halloween). So, I am thrilled to have a picture of him in this Batman costume (borrowed from Gage). He attended a superhero camp this week at church and actually - surprisingly - did very well despite a somewhat disastrous drop-off on the first day. This was his first "camp" experience; it took us a couple of days to convince him that we weren't actually going "camping."

These pictures of Walker (as Batman) were taken on the last day of superhero camp. Can't you just see it? Batman, flying through the sky, saving the day.

And because I like to document Walker being sad...like a very supportive mom...I took this picture after he threw away his picture because it "had bumps on it." Full-on meltdown. He used the hardwood floor as a surface to draw a picture. Therefore, it was "bumpy" and not smooth. Ahh. Walker. Poor Buddy. I wish I could just tell him to "get over it" (in a nice way) but I can't. We have to talk through it and figure out a way to solve the problem.

But I had zero sympathy for him when we went bowling yesterday. Anyone who knows Walker knows that he is a sore loser. It's really, really hard to convince him to act otherwise. We went bowling yesterday with friends (fun, right?) and because he wasn't "winnin'" he just pouted and cried and then flat-out refused to play. Fantastic... But Lainey had fun. She happily cheered on her friends and got excited for the winner! 

Last Day of Kindergarten AND Recitals 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6

What a weekend...which explains why I'm just now getting motivated to blog about it! :) We finished Kindergarten AND the dance season with a bang. What a fun, emotional, exhausting weekend! I'm glad this only happens once a year! :)

This picture was taken at the end-of-year Kindergarten party...the day before the last day of school. It was so fun. And Walker actually survived most of it with me! Pictured are Ainsley, Lainey, Berkley, and Jakayla.

Last day! Big girl.

I couldn't get a decent picture of them!

Such a typical Walker face these days. :-/

***

And from the last day of school to dance recital delirium... :)

at rehearsals with Ainsley and Kaitlyn (two of her very favorite people)

She's a mess. I'm aware of that. 

This costume is my favorite. I LOVE it! It's so cute!

With Maggie, one of her favorite "big girls." (Maggie is one of my favorites, too!)

And with Devyn :) 

(I'm noticing a little smeared lipstick here.)

I love Devyn and her big sister, Ilana. Such good girls! Their brother (in the middle of them) was in second grade when I taught second grade. I feel like I've known their family for a long time!

Silly selfies.

And with Carly. :) I love Carly, too. I'm grateful for these sweet, older girls who can serve as role models for the younger girls!

One Down...

One recital down. FIVE to go! :) Lainey told me today that she wishes she had "500 more recitals." OK. Well, I'm glad we only have five, not 500! :)

before Saturday night's performance

I sorta want to steal her fake eyelashes. :)

Lainey's DARLING teacher and her DARLING son came to see her perform on Friday night. I am so, so grateful for them and the fact that they came. They couldn't stay the whole time (it was a three-hour show!) but I am so glad they made the effort to be there for part of it!!!

****

And hopefully you can click on this video and see Lainey's Talent Show performance!!! It's hilarious!!! :) And she did great! So proud of her for being SO brave!!!!

IMG 4189 from Abby Harris on Vimeo.

Unexpected...

This is a picture of escargot. Why am I posting about escargot? Because Walker tried it at dinner last night (we were at a German restaurant)! Seriously. This is definitely something that falls under the category titled "Things I Never Thought Would Happen." We asked him, jokingly, if he wanted some "snail" and he nodded and said yes.  Even after we showed him the two little garlic-and-butter-and-parsley-covered pieces of snail. He ate them both. Ew. Even I won't do that. !!! Walker, you are a bit more adventurous than I thought. (Meanwhile, we're still trying to get Lainey to eat the jelly on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.)

Zoo Day

We had such a fun day at the zoo! We love our preschool friends. Pictured below...Gracie, Walker, Brayden, (Camryn, Brayden's sister), Beckett, and Grace.

By chance, Walker read his first word today - zoo! He actually read it on a sign. I'm not saying he will read it again...let's say in a book...but he read it on a sign while at the zoo. :) Ha! 

Walker has a lovely underbite smile going on these days. He makes this face to be silly. I hope he grows out of it! :)

Walker kept referring to the giraffes as "giraffe-es." And he didn't want to feed them because his "hand would get all slimy." He did end up "helping" me feed a cracker to a giraffe.

Walker's giving Brayden "punchy-punchy" hug. 

Notice the fists.

Awww.

While on our way to the zoo, I told Walker we were near his (second) cousin Tom's house. Just the night before, Walker had thanked God for "makin' Tom." :) It melted my heart. He also thanked God for makin' himself, and for makin' love. :) I thanked God for the rain. Walker said, "No. Not dat (that). Das (that's) yuck." ;) Even though he might have been the one who licked rain off of our car just a couple of hours before... ;)

On the monorail! Our first time ever.

This blog post is pretty much about Walker and Brayden at the zoo. And the things they did together! :) 

taking in all the animals

And here's a view of Reunion Tower. Which Walker happily calls the "bubble tower." :)