the life of baby jude

For my birthday this year, Meema and Peepa paid for me to go to performance camp. They have a two-week long program for 4-5 year olds. Since I'm such a ham and known the world over for my famous dance moves everyone thought I would love it. I did... sort of. I loved going! I would get so excited when Mommy picked me up early from school to take me. But once there, I wasn't that keen on singing and dancing with the other kids. A lot of times, Mr. Dale would hold my hand and bring me back up onto the stage. By week two, I started to learn the moves and came out of my shell a bit. I was a little nervous; all the other kids were such great singers! Mommy and I would practice at night and she was very impressed. She told Mr. Dale that I knew the words to the songs and the moves that went along with it. We practiced one last time before the big show. I was ready.

Then, Friday afternoon came. Mommy, Daddy, Meema, Peepa, Carolann, Grandma, Uncle Erik, Uncle G and Aunt Lynda all came for my big debut. Needless to say, I made through two songs before deciding the stage was much too dark and scary. I left the other five kids sing for the rest of the show while I sat on Mommy's lap. I will say that I did a great job as "the crank" during "Pop Goes the Weasel" and pushed Elmo off the stool during "Humpty Dumpty." But yeah, I had a bit of stage fright. I was very happy to receive my special certificate, however, and pose with my singing friends. Maybe I'll give gymnastics a try next.

This past weekend, we all celebrated our nation's independence. This is actually my fifth 4th of July, if you can believe it. My first was spent being propped up on M&D's couch, while wearing a red, white & blue onesie and matching goofy hat. (My parents are so mean.)
But, not this year! This year, I went swimming. I'm a big boy, after all and that's what I was celebrating. Please see the picture to the left. See? I don't even smile if I don't want to. Just put me back in the pool, people!

I got to see fireworks that night (and even ran into Evie & Greta), but my fellow blogger, Mommy, wasn't there. So, I can't really write about it. But it was fun and I told Mommy all about it when I saw her on Sunday! They were so pretty. I gave some of them names, too. Red & green ones are, "Christmas fireworks," while white ones are "ghost fireworks." I'm four. I can make up names for fireworks. Remember, indepencence, folks.

I hope everyone had a great 4th of July!!

Meema was here last Saturday night, hanging out with me while Mommy went to work. We had dinner outside. We had chicken and corn and I said to Meema, "This is sooo delicious!" Since I was so enthused about it, Mommy and I decided to have it again tonight. I think this might be my new favorite meal for summer. I'm sure glad I have all my teeth now.

Last Saturday was my preschool Annual Family Picnic. We all got together a local park and ate yummy food and played on the playground. It was fun to see all my friends with their brothers and sisters and mommies and daddies! They even had fun crafts for us to do. Like sand art! (That's me, Justin & Nitesh negotiating the different colors of sand.)

Meema came down for it with a delicious fruit platter in hand. I'm glad she did because even though Mommy signed for potato salad, that didn't really work out as originally planned. I was a fan of the brownies, myself. I have to figure whose mommy or daddy made those. I'm totally taking a trip to their house this summer.

The graduating class, the "Toucans," sang a special song about going to kindergarten. Mommy got all misty, realizing that I only had one more year of preschool before I go to big boy school myself.

But for now, I'm happily enjoying swimming and eating popsicles at summer camp everyday.

One more thing- I got a car painted on my face. I finally settled on this after originally wanting Miss Melissa to put a cupcake on my cheek.