Pony Party

For Esperanza's 6th birthday, we had our first 'themed' party with a small group of friends. Esperanza had a few different ideas on what she wanted to do for her birthday, but eventually settled on the pony party. I found a very affordable and fantastic option for the pony party close to home. 

First, everyone met at our house for some pinata fun, cupcakes and visiting. Then, we got in our rides and drove up the hill to the farm where each kid had a turn (or several turns) on a horse. The farm had several animals that the kids enjoyed doting over as well.  

Joining us were Rafa & Kiko, Izzy & Maddy, Sadee & Andee, Olive, Treya and two neighbor boys came over for pinatas & cupcakes.

Off With The Training Wheels

 Shortly after buying Esperanza a new big bike with training wheels, it occurred to me (and her) that there was no way she would be comfortable learning how to ride a bike without training wheels on that big of a bike. I don't know what we were thinking when we bought it! So, we brought out a very small bike of Rafa's that Eva had recently given to us for Ezra, which has training wheels, took the training wheels off and she was more than ready to learn how to ride. Armando worked with her for just a short time on the road. She fell once, but then was off and going! No training wheels!!

Turquoise

It's in season apparently for Esperanza. Her shoes, her warm Spring fleece jacket as well as her rain/wind jacket, leggings, tights, Keen sandals, dresses, summer outfits, her swimsuit, her dance recital costume and even her bike and helmet are ALL turquoise. Most of these things were handy-downs or thrift store finds that just happened to be right size and price, but I just began realizing it's all turquoise too. I am most positive it isn't only coincidence though, as she really does love the color. 

 This dress has little turquoise flowers all over it.

Story Teller

Ezra comes up with stories. Sometimes it starts off with him telling me something about his day, or an event he remembers from the past. Then out of no where, a dinosaur or unicorn becomes part of the story and it quickly turns into an especially wondrous fantasy story. It's clear on his face that he is conceptualizing a mental image of his story as he makes it up along the way.

Last night I wanted to video tape some of his story telling. Before I got this video, he had a really great one about a unicorn that came up out of the water that he cut up and ate. This one is good too.

Dance Recital Day

Today was Esperanza's dance recital. She and 3 other little girls tap danced on stage to Madonna's Material Girl at The Washougal High School Auditorium (same place as the holiday performance). I only got a few bad quality pictures because we couldn't use flash photography. Over the past several weeks the girls have been practicing their dance at the dance studio once, sometimes twice a week. At this age, I don't really feel like taking the whole thing too serious, because it seems to take the fun out of it. If she wants to keep dancing, and make it more serious later, that is great. For now, she mostly takes dance class because of the glitzy recital costumes and make-up that goes along with it. 

Here are a few pictures from the dress rehearsal and from the day they did professional photographs.

And a video I took at the studio during dress rehearsal.