Who is going to win this race between Sianna and Ron?

This entry covers the month of May.  Sianna and I got together for 3 of the 4 Saturdays (I was on vacation in Chicago & NJ on May 19 - this was the first Saturday we were apart in almost 6 months).  She had four swimming lessons so far and has become quite comfortable in the water.  This past Saturday (5/26), Sianna jumped in by herself and floated on her back without any assistance.  She can go under water without prodding and is beginning to swim on her stomach.  Best of all, Sianna Loves the water.  She has two more swimming lessons scheduled (June 2, June 9).

It's been quite hot in Phoenix, so we haven't done as much riding as we would have liked.  The picture on the side of this entry shows Sianna and Ron in a heated race (guess who won?).  Our plan is to have the training wheels off by the end of Summer.  We will ride as much as we can (weather permitting).

Sianna's reading continues to improve.  I brought back a couple of new books with me that Ron's cousin (Kathy) gave me for Sianna.  We read one this past Saturday:   Franklin in the Dark  The story was compelling as various characters tried tto help Franklin with his fear of the dark.  It was Reading Level 2 and Sianna was able to read it out loud with good comprehension.  There are a whole series of  Franklin books to discover plus Kathy gave us some more resources to explore.  Thanks Kathy!

On May 12 (the day before Mother's Day), Sianna and I did some neat Mother's Day projects for her Mom and Grandmother.  Her custom cards accompanied balloons and a small memento.   Both her Mom and Grandmother really enjoyed their gifts.

On May 26, Sianna and I saw a puppet show (my favorite so far):  the 3 little pigs.  We've seen almost every show put on by the Great Arizona Puppet Company since December and have enjoyed them all.  Sianna's favorite so far is 'Peter Rabbit (which was done entirely to music).

Sianna's last day of school is June 2.  It is definite that she will be in Phoenix for the summer.  I'll be talking with her family about some ideas I have to keep her as busy and productive as possible.  I missed Sianna while on vacation.  Stay tuned to hear our June adventures!

The First Swimming Lesson is Over ...

Sianna started swimming lessons today.  She is signed up for a series of 3 lessons at the Brophy Prep Sports Campus.  Her teacher's name is Jill.  Each lesson is 30 minutes long.  Since the pool is deep, Jill put a "tower" in the water allowing Sianna to stand up with the water shoulder-deep.  Sianna loves the water, but never learned how to swim.  She was timid putting her head under water.  She learned how to blow bubbles, kick and paddle her arms.  I'm sure that after the 3 lessons are up, Sianna will be able to move around the water on her own.  She also practiced floating somewhat.  I worked with Sianna for another half hour in the pool after her lesson was over, so she had a good hour in the water.  Check out her  new bathing suit ...

After swimming, we came back to my house.  Sianna had not seen Ron for several weeks as he was in Singapore.  We made lunch (eggs) and Ron gave Sianna a small present he bought for her.

We then read some more of our book on Dogs and drew a few more animals  before heading off to Pierce Park with her bike.  It was so hot (102 degrees), so we didn't stay too long at Pierce Park.  We went for ice-cream to beat the heat at Cold Stone Creamery.  Sianna fell asleep in the car ride home, so the day was exhausting.  Next week her swimming lesson is at 9:30AM.  She can't wait!

Sianna's Final Oodles of Doodles Project

It's been a while since I've posted in the blog so I'll bring you up-to-date.  Sianna and I have continued to see each other every Saturday.  I pick her up around 11AM and we spend the better part of the day together (usually until around 4PM).  The "Oodles of Doodles" of class ended -- Sianna had a 100% attendance.  The picture on the side shows one of her projects made with beads and other stuff.  On the last day of the class, the class made a mural where each child participated in some way.  Sianna drew a picture of her sister Jessica plus drew part of the grass and the sky.  She enjoyed the class a lot ... we're already talking about other classes she could take at the Shemer Museum.

The bike riding is going quite well.  We raised the training wheels a bit so that Sianna could work on her balance with the bike.  She loves to ride her bike around the park stopping to play on the Jungle Jim's and slides.  We tried a new park: Perry Park in Phoenix (in addition to repeated trips to Pierce Park and Indian Steele Park). 

During these weeks, we've seen 2 puppet shows at the Arizona Puppet Theater:  Peter Rabbit and Saguaro hotel (a cute show about the desert cactus and wild-life complete with singing saguaro's and flying bats).

We went to a Book Fair on 4/14 suggested by Sianna's first grade teacher.  We bought 2 books that have kept us busy ever since (pictures shown below).  One book is on dogs:  it is a chapter book filled with wonderful pictures and chapters on Puppies, Digging, Wild Dogs, etc.  The other is a 'How to Draw' book including examples and instructions on how to draw various animals.  It mixes reading with drawing, which is a lot of fun.  Below is an example of our art work!

Sianna is riding a bike!  It was such a beautiful day on 3/24 we just had to ride bikes.  We went bike shopping when I picked up Sianna and bought the bike before her Oodles of Doodles class.  In class, Sianna made 3 flags (spring paintings to be hung up) along with 1 Easter egg painting.  She used lots of blue in her paintings.

Then we went to Pierce Park with the bike.  Sianna really enjoyed riding, playing, riding, playing ... .  She learned how to brake and worked on steering.  I jogged beside her on this beautiful day.  We stopped at Costco for pizza on the way back home.  Sianna is going to keep her bike in our bike shed with the rest of our bikes.  Hopefully she can ride every weekend.  Goal:  Remove the training wheels before she leaves for CA on 6/5.  I think she can do it.  Sianna read most of Arthur's Loose Tooth.  Her school field trip is this week (Tue);  I'm set to be a chaperon.  We're going to the library (how appropriate!).

On 3/17, Sianna went to her Oodles of Doodles class and made a cool April calendar which is currently hanging in my house.  A picture of the calendar is shown below.  She played in the park before class and we went for Chinese food after the class.  I learned that Sianna will be spending most of the summer in CA with an Aunt beginning 6/5.

Bree (my 25 yo daughter) joined us after her morning bike ride with Ron.  I picked up Sianna while Bree was still out on her ride.  We came back to my house where Sianna read and played outside.  Bree came back and joined us for Sianna's Oodles of Doodles Class.

Sianna made sun flowers which are now hanging in my car.  I love them!  Then the three of us went to AJ's for lunch.  The picture on the side of this posting shows both Bree & Sianna with their deserts (as they both have such a sweet tooth).

After lunch, we came back to my house where Sianna played outside with chalk.  It's getting warm so hopefully the turtles will be out soon.

The Wiggles On Stage in Phoenix, AZ

We had 12th row (center) tickets at the Dodge to see the Wiggles!  I didn't know anything about them, but they are a hugely popular children's group on TV from Australia.  They sing and dance about animals, nutrition, music and being healthy.  They are quite engaging, even to older graying kids (like me).

I picked up Sianna at day care at 4:30P (lots of traffic getting there).  She had a folder full of homework, so we decided to eat outside and complete the homework while enjoying the beautiful day.  We went to AJ's on 3d street and got some dinner.  She easily did the homework needing very little help.  Of course I didn't have a pencil (only pens) and the homework required a pencil (apology note from me accompanied the homework done in pen).

We headed to the Dodge theater and saw more kids in one location than Sianna had ever seen.  The concert was lots of fun:  kids were able to jump, dance, sing and participate as the four colorful wiggles weaved through the audience.  It was a huge treat for both of us.

Sianna and Miss Edwards (the teacher) at the Shemer Museum

Sianna's art class (at the Shemer museum) began at 12:30P on Saturday.  The picture on the side of this posting shows her with the teacher, Miss Edwards.  Each week a new creative art medium will be explored; the first class was primarily meant to break the ice and have the kids get to know each other.  There were 9 kids between the ages of 5 and 7.  Sianna loved it and brought home 2 works of art.

Prior to the class, Sianna spent some time at my house reading (Betsy and the Dinosaur), and playing outside.  We also made birthday cards for her Grandfather and Mom, both both of whom celebrated birthdays during the week.

After the class we went to the Chinese Cultural Center for lunch.  There was a Chinese New Years celebration going on that we needed to enjoy (of course).

Thursday, we are going to the Dodge Theater to see the Wiggles.  I'm picking up Sianna at Day Care to enjoy afternoon prior to the show.  We are having so much fun!

Face Painting & a Custom Balloon Hat

Target and the Phoenix Symphony sponsored a day of  Music in the Park at Steele Park on Indian School and 3d Street.  I picked up Sianna at 11AM and we headed to the park.  We were early, so we checked out  the jungle gym, swings and slides.  This park also has a duck pond and several small hills to climb.  Sianna loves parks!

We grabbed a hot dog & ice cream right before the festivities began.  Sianna was first on line for face painting (courtesy of Rainbow, the clown) and for a custom balloon made just for her.  The picture on the side of this posting shows both of these endeavors.  We listened to some music and enjoyed it all.

We headed back to my house to see I-Dog and Ron.  Sianna read books (she brought a few of her own in her new back pack):  Pretend you're a Cat and Good Night Moon.  We played outside and made each other Valentine's cards.  I had gotten Sianna some Valentines goodies (stickers, confetti, heart candy) and she gave me a bracelet she made reading 'I Love You'. 

Old Man of the Mountain Cactus

Big Brothers/Big Sisters organized an outing at the Desert Botanical Gardens;  it was a beautiful day for Sianna and I to participate.  I picked up Sianna at 10:40A and we headed over there.  There were about 40 other Big/Little pairs and a half dozen boy scouts ready to lead us through the Gardens.  The kids were given a hand-out with pictures of cacti and wild life that they were to "match" to things they saw while at the Gardens.  The picture on the side of this posting is one of the cacti that Sianna matched.  On the way out, Sianna stopped and made a pair of binoculars (paper, tp rolls) with some Target teen volunteers.

We were starving when we left and went to the Chinese Cultural Center for lunch.  Then we came back to my house.  Sianna read one of my favorite books:  Harold and the Purple Crayon.  Her reading is getting a lot better and she really loves to read.

Sianna played with I-Dog, read and got to ride on Ron's back before heading home.  I did get really good Wiggles tickets for 3/8 (12th row center), by-the-way.  We have lots to look forward to.