Avenue of Flags - Memorial Day 2013

On Memorial Day I took Gianna to Orange Grove Cemetery where the city was celebrating the holiday in quite an impressive way.  That morning at 6am...volunteers put up 888 flags flanking the winding road throughout the graveyard.  It was impressive, to say the least.  Each flag belonged to a family who lost a military family member.  It had laid on his/her casket at one point.  Families loan their flag for this specific event and then it returned to them. Some are local but the rest are from all over the country.  This is the largest display of these military flags in the entire United States.

Gianna was quick to spot the 'royalty' and ask for a picture. 

 

Let's add the Mayor of Lake Charles for good measure.... 

 More royalty...

There was a moving service that was part of the morning.  It was hot already - so it seemed a little long to a little four year old.  She was a quite a trooper though.

 We saw Aunt Marcia at the event.  She is largely responsible for our adoption of Gianna. Indebted, to say the least.

Gianna walked up to this decorated soldier and asked if he'd like to take a picture.  I wish I had half the confidence she does.

Suessical the Musical

One of the local theaters recently performed Suessical the Musical. I knew Gianna would be so entertained by it, so we called some friends and made a night of it.

 

It so happened that we received a bag of hand-me-downs that day which included this cute little Cat in the Hat shirt.  Turns out we had a tutu that matched it perfectly.

What an appropriate ensemble!

 

Gianna in the oversized theater seat. 

 The production was simply fantastic and the cast was so gracious to take pictures with the kids afterwards.  Gianna is now obsessed with the Cat in Hat and is convinced that he is coming to visit her soon.

 The bird girls were just adorable.

 They got quite a kick out of my little bird.

 The blue bird girl is a friend of ours - Kirsten.

 Horton was a sweetheart.  (sorry for the blur - phonecam)

 Monkey Man 

 

After a second visit with the Cat - she got a little personal show.
He even did a back flip for her.  She was VERY impressed.



 

Dance, Ballerina!

This year I had a little lady bug performing at the LCDA dance recital.

 Obligatory photo shoot outside.

 

Our neighbor and friend, Matthew was outside while we were taking pictures. 

Gianna asked him to be her prince and waltz with her.  He respectfully declined.

 

 

Rehearsal:

 

Caught her in mid-jump....

Emma & Gianna watching the little ballerinas practice...

Looks like an infestation of lady bugs!

 

 Gianna and her little friend, Cara.
These two are a dangerous duo.  In ten minutes they had their entire summer planned.
They were so hilarious.

 

These three were so funny together.

I'm in love with this next picture....

 

One of the girls was having a rough morning.  She was pouty, so I thought I'd get her to laugh by making all the girls pout.

 It didn't work. :-/ Great job, Maria!

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 And finally ----- RECITAL DAY!

 

Gianna & Nacey - one of her favorite friends from school.

 

 G and Cara on the big day.

 

Maggie and Gianna were in the same ballet class last year.  Maggie moved up this year and was a Spanish dancer.

 

Gianna right before the performance.

....and after.

 

Instead of flowers, Mommy got her a ballerina puppet.  Figured it would last a little longer.

 

Gianna's idols, Ms. Colleen (the director of LCDA) and her precious daughter, Cecelia. (Gianna pronounces her name with four distinct syllables. Cute.)

 

She was thrilled that I invited her Pre-K teacher to come.  There were four of the girls in her class that performed. Gianna was ecstatic to have her there.

 

 

  And it's off to summer!!!!

What a great year of dance.

Pre-K in Review

Could not have asked for a better first year of school.  We finished last week. (Aaaagh!)
I made the teacher a Shutterfly book with pics I took throughout the year.  I then made a video of the pages for the kids.  Here's a look.

A Grrrrrrrrrreat Day

Went to a great little Children's Celebration at the Visitor's Bureau on Saturday - thanks to a reminder from a sweet friend.

The BIG excitement for Gianna was getting to pet, hold and walk (on a leash) a two year old alligator. She's certainly becoming more brave. (excuse the blurry phone pics)

And there was a face painting station.  Gianna asked if she could be a tiger.

I reluctantly agreed (hoping for a more girly choice I guess.)

I was SO glad I let her have her way. 

Isn't this a great job?

 And then we have the tiger and the alligator...

She could not leave that little gator alone.

 

And then there was the pirate...

 

She is a complete sucker for a man in uniform (no joke!)

She had the firefighters wrapped in a matter of minutes.

She asked really good questions too.

 

There were so many fun things that I didn't snap pictures of. 

What a great day.  Must remember for the future.