Winter Show 2020

The girls participated in their studio's winter show this past weekend. It was a complete whirlwind experience! Every year I say how thankful I am that the director chooses to put on this show in January as opposed to December, despite that it is a Christmas themed show. The extra rehearsals and stress are certainly not needed during the Christmas season.

While the classes start to rehearse their regular dances 2-3 months earlier, the cast is set at Christmas and they spend only 3 weeks learning and perfecting their parts. It's simply amazing to see it come together. As I chatted with the owner after the first show, we both commented how wonderful it looked and the doubt we had just 2 days prior. These kiddos are talented :) Regan participated in the cast and once again, had a phenomenal experience. Sidney cannot wait for her chance to try out....anxiously waiting for next year when she's old enough.

 

Sidney danced in lyrical, jazz and ballet dances for each of 3 shows. She loves lyrical the most and shines up on stage. Her face tells me she is sure happy to be back on stage after taking a year off. I couldn't believe how many people commented that they were happy to see Sid back on stage :)

 

 

Besides all of the cast dances, Regan was in 5 dances in each of the 3 shows as well: 2 different ballet, pointe, tap and jazz. I love seeing how much she has grown over the last 9 years of dance. It's astonishing. Watching her up on pointe is just beautiful.

 

 

Although the most beautiful dance is White Winter Hymnal. I could watch that one over and over. Maybe it's the simplicity of the costumes, or the excellent uniform of the dance, or maybe it's the song itself. Whatever it is, I love it!

 

 

I'm so proud of all the hard work that Regan and Sidney put into their dances, all while staying on top of homework and their other activities. Not an easy feat.

 

 

I love their stage presence and love for being in front of an audience. They sure aren't shy these girls :)

 

Congrats on another amazing winter show!

Camera roll lately....softball, softball, softball

The girls, Regan in particular, have been putting in a lot of training time this winter with their softball teams. As a result, Regan begs me to take pictures and videos of her doing specific drills so she can later study them. This girl is dedicated I tell you :) She might spend more time studying these videos than she does on her homework, just don't tell her teachers that!

The other day, I went to look at my camera roll and this is what I found:

She was working with her catching coach on some pretty specific footwork behind the plate. As long as she keeps asking, I'll keep taking these videos. I love her commitment to this game she loves so much!

From baby to kindergarten to high school registration

It almost doesn't feel real to even say out loud: high school registration.

I'm only 29, how can I have a high schooler :) ha! Yea right. 29.

 

Oh this sweet baby girl who loved me to pieces, wore whatever I put on her and loved to play in my arm....., she's growing up so fast!

 

I remember getting this pamphlet in January of 2011 and thinking "kindergarten....already!"

 

 

And now here we are, a mere 9 years later, staring at this not-so-tiny-book below, wishing we were looking at that pamphlet. A time when we were worried about lost loveis and missing favorite toys. There's some truth to what they say "little kids, little problems; big kids big problems".

 

Tonight, I sat in an auditorium filled with parents of soon-to-be-freshman and listened as all of her options were laid out before me: geometry, world language, STEM classes and fine arts. Don't forget AP and honors courses and if you want to be considered for something extra-special, there's the pre-ACT requirement next month.

 My head was spinning and my hand was writing frantically.

Us moms gathered afterwards to compare notes, huddled around my cell phone looking at websites to hopefully help our kiddos make the right decisions to prepare them for a future.

One that their 8th grade mind has no idea what it wants (nor should it!).

The pressure is huge, and I vow not to ask her "what do you want to be when you grow up?", so she can choose the correct high school classes.

At least not this month.

 

 

Oh baby girl, your future is bright. And although I still cannot believe we are heading to high school, we are so excited for whatever your future may bring! This mom who loves to learn, is begging you to take me along on this journey because I'd love to take some of those classes with you!

 

 

Pretty please!

Time flies

It dawned on me this evening:
 Lincoln is 6 years old.
In 6 more years, Regan will be approaching her 20th birthday.
 Two decades.
Oh my heck!
Which led me to think how much our lives have changed in is last decade.
So let’s recap that right here, before we ring in the new year.

In 2009, we lived in a tiny 1200 square foot house with two little girls who loved to color and paint, sing and dance. They loved each other fiercely, looked after one another and and were best of friends.

We outgrew that house and moved to one with more space and a gorgeous backyard; the girls were instantly in love with the pool.

They grew into silly, sassy, sweet things and also found fun!

Regan started school and Sidney loved joining her for lunch. 

Ahhh, look at that cuteness!

We played and explored, did a little traveling and a lot of family time. 

We had fewer extra curricular activities and more together time.

And in 2013 we added one more to the mix. A boy to shake up all that cute girly stuff. 

He loved puppies and mischief and making a giant mess. 

But those girls love him no matter what. 

Oh our rolly-polly boy how we love you! 

We found time to explore

And make memories

We traveled and hiked

And taught photography to the littlest of the bunch

We made time to relax and bask in the sun

And run, jump to burn off energy

We got baptized and first communioned (not on the same day)

We splashed and made a mess!

And traveled some more

The last decade has been incredible and full and amazing in so many ways. It's hard to believe all of that happened in just 10 years. I'm excited for the next 10 :) 

Twas the week of Christmas....

,...and everyone was stirring!

We had a whole lot of busy-ness happening the week of Christmas. With three busy children and two full time working parents, there is never a dull moment around here.

Somehow we squeezed in all sorts of Christmas prep.

 

Sidney got to baking and whipped up all sorts of treats and goodies for us to enjoy. She (not so excitedly) let Lincoln help make cut out cookies one day.

 

 

Some fair weather days allowed us to get outside and enjoy the sunshine. We went sledding, played at parks and even went on scooter rides around the neighborhood.

 

Our elf-Ellie and her reindeer "tiger" had all sorts of tricks up their sleeves, which Lincoln thoroughly enjoyed.

 

Regan and Lincoln had class parties. They let me volunteer and I was happy to snap a few pictures with their friends. These fifth graders who freely roam hallways, have a much different party compared to the kinders.

 

All grade Kindergarten "snowball" fight....see Lincoln in orange in the middle of the gym having the time of his life tossing "snowballs" at his classmates!?

 

 

I got to see some of Lincoln's work hanging in the hallway :)

We hosted a variety of friend get togethers, and I'm so thankful that both groups enjoy Lincoln and let him tag along with any outdoor activity.

First it was Regan with her friends

 

Then Sidney and her friends

 

Ryan and I took Lincoln tubing at Buck Hill. He loves tubing and was begging to go; so one day while the girls were lazy and, we went without them. We had a great time!

 



 

My team pulled together and enjoyed an ugly sweater-white elephant gift exchange. I appreciate these people so much!

 

But in the thick of it all, we still enjoyed time at home together, under the lights of the Christmas tree (even if it was balancing the checkbook!).

 

 

It is a busy Christmas season, and we did all we could to soak it in. 

Fearless boy

On Christmas day, my mom and I took the kids to the nearby sledding hill to burn off some energy. It was a beautiful afternoon and they were delighted to race down the hill.

It had been pretty warm on the days leading up to Christmas, so the "jump" area was quite muddy. Reluctantly, Lincoln agreed not to go down the muddy mess. However, he quickly saw another jump (single jump) a little off to the side and further down the hill.

Let's just say he was in his glory racing over that jump.

Here's a video of him having a great time.

  

But let's take a little closer look at him....his face is priceless!

He did this over and over again. Each time being catapulted through the air and landing hard but laughing the whole time. He has no fear that boy :)

Christmas prep

Ready or not, here comes Christmas!

It's sort of how I feel every year, and this one is no different. I'm really trying to get into the holiday spirit, though it's not baking and cookie decorating this year.

 

We did a little "giving" with Regan's club softball team at Feed My Starving Children. It was a late Friday night with over 100 players, parents, siblings and coaches, where we packed and danced and packed some more.

 

This is a great experience to show the kids how to help those in need. Since both girls had gone before with other organizations, it was easy to bring along Sidney for this event. 

 

That mischievous elf has shown up again. Playing tricks on us and giving us a lot of good laughs. This prank wasn't so fun, as it resulted in Lincoln refusing to use that bathroom all day fearing "Ellie will see me naked!".

Backfire :)

 

 

St. Nick brought us gingerbread houses, only it turned out he didn't bring the pre-made ones. Darn it. So we had to exchange them for the much easier pre-made variety. Each kiddo decorated to their heart's content, and then Regan even let Lincoln help her finish up. Such a sweet (rare) moment!

 

After picking up our Christmas tree at the same lot we have been to for many years, Lincoln was the only one that wanted to take the annual horse drawn sleigh ride. It was FREEZING! But it was still fun, and he sported his Santa hat the whole ride.

Love you buddy.

 

And what is Christmastime without a photo alongside the big man himself?!

This picture doesn't show the groans and eyerolls from our girls, who think they are much to old to be sitting on Santa's lap. Or my pleas and bribes to do it for just one picture :) Let's face it, the days of getting all 3 of them on Santa's lap is dwindling, but I'm going to bribe for as long as it works.

 

There's still hope for baking, and driving around to see the decorations, and drinking in the holidays. It's sneaking up on us faster every year; but I'll try to soak it up while I can.