Ava's Dance Recital!

Yesterday was a special day for our little ballerina.  Her class performed on the 'big stage' in the 3-6 year old dance recital at the Eisemann Center last night.  It was an amazing but exhausting day that began at 8:30am with a rehearsal.  Yes, two trips to Richardson in one day!  Here's our early riser right before we left that morning.  I'm trying to limit myself to 20 photos for this post but it may not happen!

A little love from brother before rehearsal.....

I was a backstage dance mom so myself and another mom had the girls in their dressing room until the company dancers (big girl dancers) came to line them up and take them to the stage.  They had a lot of fun.  We played games and watched movies and there was a TV in our room showing the recital live. 

The theme this year was "Dancing through the Seasons" and our group danced to "Little April Showers" from Bambi.  They were all so great!  Ava's little personality came to life on that stage.  I truly didn't know what she was going to think but she loved it.  She smiled and giggled and danced her moves the entire time.  Jeff and I couldn't get over how much she enjoyed it.  I wish I had a picture of our expressions while watching.  They were all just giddy up there and as Ms. Crystal says 'brought their very best!' 

The girls were surprised with trophies before they all joined together on stage to end the show.

All the dads greeted their dancers with roses in the lobby.  Ava was so surprised and so happy to see her Daddy! 

And her Grandparents!

(And Aunt Kara who somehow was not photographed with my camera!)

I like to think that I don't brag on my kids too much or fabricate what isn't real.  I try to tell it like it really is and I can't say with words what my heart felt on yesterday.  I am amazed. I am proud.  I am thankful.  And I think this girl is absolutely stunning, talented and full of incredible personality.  But best of all--She is mine! 

I love you sweet Ava and I love watching you grow!

Memorial Day Weekend & Last Day of Dance

We had a fun and busy Memorial Day weekend.  We spent a lot of time outside and on the go and we were so sunburned and tired Tuesday morning that we didn't get up until after 8:00.  And that was only because Ava had ballet at 10:00!

On Sunday we enjoyed a neighborhood cookout with several neighbors/friends on our street.  We grilled hot dogs and burgers and played outside all afternoon. Our homes form a triangle so we called it our 'triangle party' rather than a block party :-)

'More watermelon please....for me and my shirt?'

Ava and Baby Landyn......  She asks for a baby sister every day and this just made it worse!

Pics from Monday at the beach pool...

Sweet Presely and Keegan

My little fish

Tuesday was her last day of the dance class she started in August.  They were so excited to practice their recital dance for us in a different studio. 

She has such a sweet little group of friends in this class.

They absolutely adore Ms. Crystal. They have all grown so much these last nine months!

 1st Dance Class last summer-June 2011

1st Day of class August 2011

May 2012

Fun in the Sun

On Saturday we headed to our neighborhood beach pool for the first time this year!  This is the first year that Ava remembered it from the year before but of course it was like the first time for sweet Keegan.  He was in awe the first thirty minutes we were there.  It was fun to watch him take it all in.  We stayed for about three hours and had so much fun but it's amazing how much we have to pack for our family of four!  I realized it had taken over an hour to make lunches, apply sunscreen, find all pool toys and accessories, get everyone dressed and load the car.  Family fun days are fun but I won't pretend they don't take a lot of work!  I noticed after I took this picture that our lunch cooler was still in the fridge so this isn't even everything.  Ha!

Here are some pics of our day....

How did I not know about this place Mom?

My sweet babies

Catching Up

The last couple of weeks have been fairly uneventful.  We are still enjoying most of our time playing outside since it's not too hot yet.  We are so ready for the pool but the spring weather has been so nice!  We bought the kids a water table a couple of weeks ago.  We took them to Toys R Us and after about half an hour on the same aisle, Ava finally chose the water park splash table.  She says 'it's for boys and girls.' She even named the little figurines Ava & Keegan.  They play in it almost every day.

Ava has been having fun on roller skates. She's getting a little more confidant each time but still holding on pretty tight to Daddy.

Friday night we took her to see 'Pinkalicious' at a local middle school.  The book was given to her before she was even born and I started reading it to her while propped up on her boppy at one month old so it's kind of a favorite :-)  The play was a half hour musical and she loved it!    I so hope she grows up loving theatre as much as I do.  She went through her dress up box and chose her favorite pink dress and jewelry to wear.

And pink cupcakes were served after.....Thanks Aunt Kara for sharing this event with us.  It's still quite talked about this Monday afternoon :-)

We pulled our 'waterpillar' sprinkler out yesterday and the kids had so much fun running around.

Ava riding her new scooter and looking too gown up lately.......

And lastly, Ava's dance recital is just a few weeks away!  Costumes came in last week and tickets are purchased.  I think we have checked out every book the library has about dance recitals.  She's so happy to have such a big group coming to watch her.  We are getting really excited!