First Day of First Grade

Considering last year and the sadness that surrounded the first 2 months of Kindergarten, I treated this year's first day with little fanfare.  Well, as little as I could.

Her outfit was hung up days prior.

and I wrote on the chalkboard just before she woke up.

She didn't talk much about school.  Just asked when it was from time to time.  I knew she was a bit apprehensive.  She likes to be home ... just like her dad.  

Rob and I thought it best he didn't accompany us the first day.  We would make it very low key.  Just another day.  And like any other day, mom has to take pictures :)

Don't get me wrong, she LOVES school.  She missed her friends and absolutely was thrilled with her new teacher.  She just likes to be with her mom (this is what she says at least).  Big Mommy's Girl is what I say.

And sure enough tears were in her eyes when she woke up.  She said she was nervous.

After giving her a pep talk and telling her all the things exciting to come, she was much better and darted to the line with all her friends.  She went right in and didn't shed another tear since.

She was all smiles when she got out...letting her teacher know "THAT'S MY DAD!" as she scurried over to us. 

I told her earlier I would have something special for her at the end of the day.  I always keep my promises.

Day 2 she was even more excited and no tears at all.

Let's hope it stays that way. 

Our Alaskan Summer

 Here is a bit of what we did before and after our month long vacation.  Alaskan summers are short and this one was quite rainy, so we did a lot indoors and ended on a good note and beautiful day at the Alaskan State Fair. 

I have mentioned in many posts,  one of our favorite artists and children's book authors, Mary Melcher.  It so happened she was coming to Alaska for a cruise just before we left for the East coast trip.  Amelia and I caught up with her in downtown Anchorage where we gave her a brief tour, did some shopping and grabbed a bite to eat at one of our favorite spots, Alaska Cake Studio!  

Lots of birthday parties too.  

One was at a pottery studio where we made some keepsakes!

We had tumbling classes, ballet classes and swimming lessons throughout the time we were here, including a few trial classes over at my old stomping ground, Alaska Dance Theatre's open house.

We were, and still are, quite obsessed with Poppits...making cupcakes, macaroons and doughnuts out of clay.

School shopping was necessary.

and finally the Great Alaskan State Fair...where pony rides were essential.

This pony had her baby in tow throughout the ride.

Had our face painted...

...met up with this crew...

...made a cookie in the 4H building...

...and a candle in the Farm building.

We fed the animals in the petting zoo...

...played games...

and won.

Of course, we went on rides.

She even tried a small rollercoaster (I could go on too)...it was her favorite.

Then it was time to head home and unlike tradition, Dad didn't have to carry her.  She is growing up.

 

Tomorrow is the first day of First Grade.  We are keeping it low profile, remembering her first days of Kindergarten.  If it is just another day, there is not much too be fearful of :)  However,  Mom needs pictures.  That milestone... coming soon.

The New York City Ballet at Saratoga Springs

It has been 15 years since I closed my dance school back in Syracuse, NY.  A lot has changed for me since then and although I no longer dance, Amelia has just begun.  It was time for me to take her to my old stomping ground of Saratoga Springs, NY, the summer home of The New York City Ballet. 

I used to bring a slew of pre-teen and teenage girls each summer.  I tried to do what I did with them with Amelia and one of those teenage girls, Chelsea.  She was one of the first students ever to be on my roll sheet back in 1990 when I first opened my doors of The Eastwood Dance Center that later became The Eastwood Dance and Performing Arts Center.  She is now expecting and was as eager as I to head back to Saratoga.  First stop, Leslie Roy's Saratoga Dance. 

Leslie Roy opened the store the same year I opened my studio.  She was a soloist of NYCB.  It was a tiny shop when it first opened and has grown to include a store front next door.  It is a ballet lover's dream store. 

The first thing Chelsea and I noticed was the development around downtown Saratoga Springs.  Saratoga Dance is on an off street and I remember walking by a few questionable people and places back then..guarding the slew of teens and preteens I had with me.  Now it is hip and vibrant with a movie theater across the street.  The shop is still as quaint, delicate and beautiful as it ever was.

After purchasing a few items...it was off to get some lunch with a bit more shopping at hand, then back to the hotel to get ready for the evening performance. 

Toe shoes adorned the main road and throughout Saratoga Springs.  We tried to get as many pictures as we could of each.  

Saratoga Springs, much like the rest of NY was experiencing a dry spell, with most lawns yellow and dry.  Here was no exception.  Luckily, we had seats in the amphitheater as I had no idea if it would be raining here when I bought them months ago.  When I brought my dance groups, we brought blankets and coolers and let the girls sprawl out on the lawn.  Strangely enough, I don't remember one time where rain ever put a damper on our evening.

Amelia made it thru all but 15 minutes of A Midsummer Night's Dream.  It was nearing 11pm and even though she loved the ballet,  she just couldn't keep the eyes open any longer.   

Luckily fireworks brought her out of her slumber.  They usually only do fireworks for the opening gala, however, this was the 50th anniversary of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center and an unexpected fireworks surprise.  

The next morning we were up early for a dip in the pool and then off to The National Museum of Dance another "must see" for the dancer in Saratoga.

 

The museum is housed in an old bathhouse where one would bathe and heal in the springs of Saratoga Spa State Park long ago.

We found the story behind the toe shoe statues around town.

and viewed the many exhibits.  Felt like the museum, along with the town, had an upgrade since the last time I visited.  Lots of exhibits and a great children's area where we all regressed a bit :)

After the museum, we grabbed our lunch and headed to the beautiful Congress Park for a picnic before heading back to Syracuse...

but not before a whirl on The Congress Park Carousel.

Summer is nearing to a close here and might have one more post before the ever anticipated, "First Day of First Grade" that will be coming up this Monday.  And we won't forget the Great Alaskan State Fair that will be happening Friday :)   Stay tuned.