S'mores on a stick

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Last Day of Dance

Every Saturday, with a couple of exceptions, during the school year we drive into Chinatown so Jess can go to her class at the Boston Chinese Dance School.  It makes for a long day - we leave an hour and a half early to give us a buffer on getting stuck in traffic, we park at a garage, walk 10 minutes to class, walk up 3 flights (that's the killer for me especially when its humid and hot out) and then I sit in the hallway while Jess goes in and watches the older girls until its time for her class.  We took the train once last year; we will never do that again.  We ended up getting bussed part of the way because of problems on the red line and had to run to make it to class on time.  After dance, we walk back to the parking lot, start the drive home and eat somewhere on the way.  The long days are worth it when I see her shows because she loves doing them.  Last summer we stopped in mid-June because Jason had to go to confirmation camp the last weekend.  This year there was no confirmation camp so she did the annual Chinatown street festival today.  Practice over the past few weeks has been running 90 minutes or longer rather than the normal 60 minutes.  Today was the festival.   The speakers went on a little long at the festival and the girls were very hot but they did a great job.  Jess had a blast.  It was a good way to end our dance year.  The school is year round but Jess likes taking a break in the summer; we'd be missing half the sessions when we go away (cruise, NY, picking Jason up at camp); and the thought of walking in the heat, climbing 3 flights of stairs and sitting in an unairconditioned hallway makes my lungs hurt. 

Baby Shower Gift

I have been waiting for someone to have a baby shower since I saw this craft in Woman's World Magazine. The neighborhood threw a shower for a neighbor last weekend.  Jess and I weren't able to go because we already had plans to go to the Dragon Boat Festival in Cambridge but I made the bear on a motorcycle diaper cake and dropped it off at a friend's to bring to the shower.  I love the way it turned out!!!

 

Jason's Confirmation
Jason was confirmed on Pentecost Sunday.  It was a beautiful day.  I had asked Jason if he needed to bring his speech but he said no, that Pastor had it.  Wrong!  He did a good job of adlibbing.  My honest child started his speech with "I don't like getting up early on Sundays...."  Tell it like it is, dear.  He went on to say that he did get up because he works the soundboard at church as a way of working for Jesus because it makes the service sound better.  After the service, Pastor confirmed with him that he will be continuing to do the soundboard even though he doesn't have to go to Sunday school any longer.   After the church service, we had a luncheon at our house.  It was wonderful to spend time with friends and family, especially those we don't get to see often.

                                              Jason's confirmation class

                                                        My cake for our party

                                                   Jess with red on for Pentecost Sunday

                                      A rare sight - Jason in khakis, dress shirt, and tie.  He was going to wear cargo shorts and a short sleeve button shirt but he has an 8th grade dinner dance that he has to dress up for so the clothes are doing double duty (actually triple duty since he'll be wearing them for his graduation as well)

                                       Our church decorated for Pentecost Sunday with a guest oboeist

                                           The children processing in

                                               Jason doing a reading

                                                   Jason doing his speech

                                        Jess with cousins Maya and Bobby

                                                   Jess with cousins Peter and Maya

                                              Jess and Bobby

                                                  Jess and Cousin John, Baby Cousin John, and Aunt Edie

                                           Jason with Cousin Matthew

                                          Jason with the Cross he received from Thrivent

Boston

I took Jess into Boston for the day in May.  We started off at the swan boat in the Public Garden.  From there we walked to the Christian Science reflecting pool and fountain.  I'm glad Jess is up for adventure because that was a bit of a walk.  Along the way we stopped and looked at some statues and fountains.  We ate at PF Changs (didn't live up to the hype for me) and then Jess played in the fountain.  On the way home, we stopped at Pinkberry - YUM!!

                                                   Jess ready for her swan boat ride.

                                                  The famouse Make Way for Ducklings statues

                                              Jess with some Dr Seuss-looking flowers at the Public Garden

                                                  Dumplings and friend rice at PF Changs

                                        Playing in the fountain

                                          Sign of a good day

Princess Birthday Party

Jess received a beautiful invitation in the mail to an enchanted birthday soiree.  Only problem - she didn't know the birthday girl.  She goes to Jess's school and is in kindergarten like Jess but Jess's school has 6 or 7 kindergartens.  I emailed the mom and asked if Jess was supposed to get the invite. The mom said her daughter had given her her classmates names from the kindergarten directory and thought she had the right child but she wasn't sure; she said whether she knew her or not though that she was welcome to come.  Jess was so excited by the invitation she said to me "But Mom, you said I should meet new people."  I explained that I had had to make sure another little girl wasn't being left out by accident.  Turns out there is a Jessica in the birthday girl's class.  The birthday girl's mom invited the other Jessica as well. Jess made a point of looking for the girl at school and talking to her before the party so she wouldn't be a stranger at the party.

The birthday was held in a theatre where the girl takes jr. glee club.  The invite said to wear your fanciest dress or a princess costume.  My friend Bonnie picks up a dress for me for Jess each year at WDW.  Her parents both work there and they get a fantastic discount which she passes on to me.   Jess chose to be Belle for the party.  Everyone was dressed so beautifully.  Miss Massachusetts and Miss Massachusetts Teen were both there.


                       Back view of the princess hairdo                                 My little princess

                                                   Birthday lineup

                                              Getting a sash after the mini pageant of walking, twirling, and answering a question.  Jess's question was what is her favorite holiday to which she answered Christmas.  

                                                 The treat table

                                                  Jess and her friends Bella and Victoria.

                                                    Jess with Miss Massachusetts and Miss Massachusetts Teen

                                                  Beautiful cake

                                          Jess's plate. She's not a real sweet eater so after the cookies, she was done.