Big Sister Recap

Some catch-up to do on the Big Sister! Marissa has had some excitement of her own that I haven't had a chance to blog about yet. June was an extremely busy month for our monkey. I took her for a special Mommy & Marissa date to see a children's production of The Wizard of Oz. Her first play. It's a classic that I love and have been wanting to watch it with her for a while now. One day, by accident, I passed by a poster advertising the production. And two days later her and I were on our way downtown to see it. It was kids performing, so it was cute and Marissa was entertained by that. I am so pleased at how much she enjoyed it. We went for Starbucks together after the play and she was spinning around in her dress singing "we're off to see the wizard, the wonderful wizard of oz!"

When we got home from the play we decided to make brownies. Marissa decorated them with mini M&M's and was most helpful licking the beaters and the bowl! Perhaps more of a taster than a baker at this point :-)

Another bit of excitement for her was going to Andrew Sibbald for the kids Kindergarten orientation. It wasn't a formal affair. Just an opportunity for the kids to be in the classroom. They had lots of stations set up for the kids to explore. And they got to meet the two Kindergarten teachers. So she's all excited for September now and a little bit more familiar with where she'll be going. Exciting times ahead!

Next up was Marissa's dance recital. Last year was ballet, this year they did a tap number to "Baby Face". A little bit overboard if you asked me, with so many preschoolers in elaborate costumes and full makeup, but cute none-the-less. When Marissa gets shy, she does funny things with her tongue. She sticks it out, rolls it around. It's hilarious really. So when their number started, there was some definite tongue action going on, I'm sure it's pretty intimidating for a 5 year old to be performing on stage for a very packed theatre. Despite the tongue, she managed to get some moves down, and run off stage faster than you can imagine as soon as it was over! Special girl had all her grandparents there to cheer her on, thanks you guys for coming, especially Oma & Papi who drove all the way out from Medicine Hat to see her two minutes on stage!

She's almost unrecognizable with all that makeup!

Posing with her dance class

Marissa's fan club...Mommy & Daddy, Granny & Grandad, Grandma & Grandpa, Oma & Papi

I think the most exciting event of all though was Marissa's Preschool Graduation. You haven't seen adorable until you've seen a classroom of five year olds wearing caps and gowns. Seriously adorable. Miss Heather shared a couple things about each child as they were called up to shake her hand and move on to receive their diploma from Miss Shanon. Marissa's favourite part of preschool was circle time, and when she grows up she wants to be a nurse, a doctor and a dentist. I guess we better start saving our pennies! Big dreams for a little girl :-) The kids performed a few songs, and recited a special pledge with their hands over their hearts. It went like this..

I pledge to myself on this day
To try to be kind in every way
To every person big or small
I will help them if they fall
When I love myself and others too
That is the best that i can do

After the ceremony, the kids got to enjoy refreshments, play with each other, and even get their faces painted. Marissa really enjoyed Leap N Learn this year and loved her teachers. She's sad that it's over, but excited for what comes next!

Our little girl is growing up!

With her classmates, and her best buds Brayden and Emilea