Graduation

Ben graduated from his preschool in May.  He participated in the kindergarten class this year and they all got to wear caps and gowns and put on a performance for the families as well.  Ben will go to kindergarten again in the fall at his elementary school as he won’t be six yet, but he will come in with a great head start having tackled the kindergarten skills already this year.  

The class got to vote on almost everything for their graduation.  They chose blue gowns with silver stoles.  They voted on the lunch menu for the family lunch that day of chicken patties, carrots and broccoli, lots of fruit and an ice cream sundae bar!  

They put on a play and Ben was the frog in the play.  He was very cute and participated in the funniest punch line of the show.  It was quite the story!  They also sang several songs.  Ben talked about how much work it was and was so glad it was over!  Ha ha!  They received their diplomas on stage and changed their tassels to the other side once they had “graduated”.  Ben informed us that he would likely be doing this again when he was ten and leaving elementary.  Always planning ahead!

We shared the day with all the grandparents and had a really nice time celebrating these years of accomplishments.  Afterwards, Ben and Mom snuck away to Mayfest downtown.  Ben wasn’t thrilled with this surprise that Mom had planned but changed his tune once we got there.  He was able to do three fun crafts and enjoy a treat.  Mom told him he could pick out a treat as long as it wasn’t ice cream (which we had just eaten).  Ben exclaimed, “Mom, look!  It is perfect!  That sign says ‘Cool off with a frozen pink lemonade’.  That is just what we need to do!”  This whole reading thing has really opened a new world where there is nothing to hide and Ben is in control of the information.  :)

We celebrated more at home with some Lego themed gifts and tickets to visit Legoland Discovery Center in Dallas the following weekend.  What a fun day!

Coupon Updates

Elizabeth

Date with Dad – Elizabeth decided that she and Dad would be going to Pei Wei to eat chicken and noodles on their date.  She was so excited!  Dad picked her up from school and they ate at the restaurant – just the two of them.  This picture shows how pleased she was to be on a date with Dad.  They had such a great time that they decided to continue their date at Cherry Berry with some frozen yogurt.  Yum!  She still talks about her sprinkles and ice cream just about every other day and how Dad let her get it.  Mom is now looking forward to next month’s date with E since she has such great taste!

Family outing – We had lots of family events already planned this month and we were supposed to go to a Drillers game for E’s special choice.  It looks like it will happen in May now as we were all just too tired to go on the night we had planned.  We’ll catch up next month!

Ben

Date with Mom – Ben selected mini golf for his date with Mom.  We picked a Saturday morning to go and had the course mostly to ourselves.  It was so much fun!  Ben really enjoyed a place he had never been and also learned some of the rules and etiquette of the game.  Rule #1 – Don’t leave Mom in your dust when you finish your turn but she is still putting.  :)  Mom even sneaked in some treats and we enjoyed a few candies while we played.  We will definitely be back and Ben has actually already been back with Grandma and Grandpa.  I think it will be a favorite spot for him this summer.

Family project – Ben chose a marble maze to construct as a family project during April.  We had seen it in Family Fun magazine and it looked like something we could tackle.  The day we were going to build it, a package came for Ben in the mail with new Wii games that he had ordered with his Christmas money.  So we gave him the choice and the Wii won out.  We have had difficulty rescheduling and it was offered again to him today.  His response “But it is May now.  That is an April coupon.  I think we might just have to play Wii instead.”  Mom reassured him that the coupon would still be honored even though it was “expired”.  He is now considering when he might work it in to his busy schedule!  It may be something that is tabled for now, but the supplies are ready when it is time. 

New Experiences

Dad wanted to try Chuy’s for his birthday dinner.  It is a Mexican food chain that is new to Tulsa and opened about a month before.  Ben was adamant that he was not going and would not eat.  We explained that it was Dad’s birthday and that he would be going, but wouldn’t have to eat if he chose to skip dinner.  We didn’t say much else, but read the kid’s menu to the kids and let them pick something.  Ben decided he would try the chicken (so Mexican – ha!).  He inhaled his meal and raved how delicious it was.  At one point he let us know that he was so glad Dad picked this for his birthday and maybe we could start coming every day for dinner.  When that request was denied, he lobbied for once a week.  We talked about how great it was that he tried something new and liked it, but that eating out needed to be more occasional.  So he has committed to going there for his birthday in September and is begging Mom to chose it for her birthday as well.  It was pretty funny how he went from refusing to go to begging to go every night.  We’ll be using this example now when we try new things . . . maybe you will like broccoli as much as you liked Chuy’s. . . May not be a fool proof plan, but it has helped open the door for other restaurants at least!