Dance Recital

Leah and Abby had their first dance recital tonight! They spent the last 6 days being sick and we weren't sure if they were going to be able to attend. But they woke up yesterday feeling better and woke up this morning feeling like dancing!

Take a peek...






A couple months ago we saw a flyer at the library for creative movement classes here in town. I called and got the girls signed up and it has been awesome! The home where they take the classes is just down the street from us and it has been a lifesaver for these wintery days. Leah and Abby had a weekly outlet to run and move and expend some of their energy while they wait for Spring. Unfortunately, the recital marks the end of their classes, as their teacher has already moved and won't be commuting just to teach dance to little girls!

The recital was at their teacher, Breanne's, house. When we arrived, Abby was running around like crazy! She was so excited. A few of the parents and grandparents were sitting around the perimeter of the room waiting for the show to start. Abby spotted an elderly gentleman and ran right over to him, climbed up on his lap, and gave him a big hug! She LOVES Grandpas! (It doesn't matter whose...)

Leah LOVED her new black leotard and her pink sequined skirt. She has been wearing them off-and on since yesterday (when we bought the leotard). We put her hair in curlers a couple of hours before the show and she was beautiful!

Both of the girls performed wonderfully! They have such healthy, strong, capable bodies. It makes me happy to watch them move and learn. I am so proud of them!!!

Pretty Leah

Little Abbers - She thought it was funny to run away when I pointed the camera at her but I was lucky enough to get ONE shot without her noticing...

After-dance Cupcakes!!

Leah, Mom, and Abby eating cupcakes

Pollocks, Pig-Outs, and the Fun Park

What a week! Grandma Sharon and Grandpa Gordon came to visit on Thursday and we had a BLAST! Thursday night Grandma told Leah and Abby that we could do whatever they wanted. We talked about going to a movie and going out to dinner but Leah had her heart set on skating. That's right... skating. We went to the Fun Park around 5:00, thinking we'd skate for a little bit and then go out to dinner. When we got to the park we found out that they were doing some kind of fundraiser and we could do TWO activities + a slice of pizza + a drink for $7. Skating alone would be $6.50. So our plans changed. Sharon, Leah and I tried skating. I think we did two laps total. Leah was slipping and sliding all over and I am SOOO glad Sharon was there to help me hold on to her! It was a fun first for Leah.

After skating we ate pizza and drank root beer (Abby's favorite!).

Then all of us went bowling. That was a blast! Abby won. She beat ALL of us. Quite impressive. After bowling the kids (and grown-ups) were wiped so we headed home.

Friday we drove to Preston to check out the elk at one of the farms up there. Then we ate lunch at LD's Cafe (another first), and Lenny settled in for his afternoon pre-work nap. Grandma, Grandpa, Leah, Abby and I went and saw the Yogi Bear movie. The kids liked it and we were all STUFFED full of popcorn and candy. The rest of the evening was spent reading stories and playing games with Grandma and Grandpa.

Saturday morning Grandma and Grandpa took the girls to McDonald's for breakfast. SWEET! Then we got Lenny out of bed and went to lunch a couple hours later. Leah ordered deep-fried macaroni and cheese bites and they were delicious. Abby ate nothing but french fries and ice cream. A dream come true.

After lunch we said our goodbyes and Grandma and Grandpa headed back to Tropic. It was so nice having them drive all the way up here to spend time with us! They slept on our couches/floor, shared our bathroom, paid for our meals and entertainment, and didn't slow down or complain once.

Thanks, Grandma and Grandpa! We love you!!

Grandma Sharon, Leah, and Me... SKATING!

Leah "skating"

Lately whenever I go to take a picture of Leah she poses like this...

Dad helping Leah get everything just right

Grandma Sharon "looking great" (according to Leah)

Abby loving her root beer

There were some teenagers at the lane next to us who got these silly stick-on moustaches from a vending machine and Leah and Abby just HAD to have some. So, of course, Grandma hooked them up. Look at my silly kids!!

Abby, picking up her fifth spare in a row...

At lunch on Saturday Leah made me take a picture of my Choco Taco
so we can "always remember it."

Abby, Grandpa, Grandma, and Leah

Dance Class

Oh, how I dislike having sick kids! This past week Leah got worse. I thought her sickness was almost over but she ended up with a fever of 104 and a horrible cough. So I took her to the doctor who prescribed some antibiotics (which Leah HATED) and now everybody is doing much better. One of the worst parts about being sick was that the girls had to miss "dance class". A couple weeks ago I signed the girls up for a Creative Movement class to get them out of the house and, as the name implies, try to get them moving (creatively!). They LOVE it! The teacher is great and keeps it really low-key. Here are a couple of pictures the girls brought home with them a few weeks ago:

This is a plie, Abby and Leah style. Leah does it exactly how her teacher told her. She is my little rule-follower. Abby is tense and looks like she's ready to spring. She is a little distrusting and likes to do things her own way and on her own terms. I think they are both so cute!

Hopefully this week they'll be back to health and playing and dance class!