LOCKS OF LOVE

Cora decided a few months ago that she wanted to donate her hair to Locks of Love, but we had to wait until after the dance recital to do so. Today was the day!

Before 10" was cut off:

And after:

We found out afterward that she earned a Girl Scout patch for her donation:

And she can't wait to grow it out for a couple years and then do it all over again!

DAYCAMP, SUMMER #4

They started a couple days late, but they were excited to get rolling with Daycamp again this summer (their fourth summer at the YMCA Purks Daycamp), where they get to spend time with friends from all over town (not just their school) running, playing, swimming, crafting, and relaxing!

EARLY BIRTHDAY GIRL

Gramma has to leave tomorrow, so we had an early birthday celebration for Cora, complete with presents and ice cream cake!

(It's always fun to extend your birthday as long as possible!)

BRAINQUEST UNDERWAY

Summer vacation is here, which means it's time to BRIDGE!

(He asked for that green visor specifically for "doing my numbers"...)

MEMORIAL DAY BBQ

COFFEE KID

The best part of waking up.....

BEER IN FOOD BBQ

Delta Brews hosted a BBQ potluck where everyone competed in multiple categories of "beer in food" (i.e. pork shoulder smoked in a beer infused BBQ sauce, bread made with beer, deviled eggs mixed with beer infused mustard, etc.). Jay's chai pudding (made with his famous chai stout) won for the strongest use (or something like that) - it was intense. There were not many kids in attendance, so Cora and James enjoyed being the center of attention for a few folks (including their Gramma).

Though Jay stole the newest baby and walked him to sleep...

Believe it or not, she actually ASKED me to tie her to the tree... (I'm still not sure why)...

When she finally freed herself, she talked Gramma into a game of cornhole:

ALICE IN WONDERLAND

Behind the scenes of dress rehearsal and recital night (thought I don't have any of James because I was on the opposite side of the auditorium as him):

Some scenes from the show(s) (all videos are on Facebook because they're too big to load here), some from my iPhone and some from Jay's Nikon (I'm sure you can tell which are which!):

(final bows)

(the Queen's Unbirthday)

(Tap/Musical Theater - A Very Merry Unbirthday)

(PreBallet, the maypole dancers)

(the Caterpillar)

(Alice meets the Cheshire Cat)

(Ballet 1A, the crochet game)

(the teacher's solo during the Production Number)

A couple pictures from between shows (because we helped set up Thursday night, we were invited backstage for boxed lunches and celebratory cake - coverup on, of course!):

Scenes from after the show (pictures with their teachers and some of the good buddies, and the family, and a few poses requested by Cora, of course):

(with Mrs. Holly)

(with Mrs. Bridgett and Mr. Abe)

(with Ms. Beth and Ms. Anna Kate, the kids' favorite "Big Girls")

(with Mary Reilly, Mrs. Susan's daughter and acro assistant teacher, and Lexi)

(with her recital flowers)

Cora received a teapot of flowers after the show, but we gave James his gift in the van before we left:

(Alice in Wonderland puzzle and book, and a Cheshire Cat stuffy)