Little Dancers

The girls are both taking ballet and jazz classes this year. At the studio you can only view their class by a t.v. monitor. Of course if you are there for two hours with a two year old boy, that doesn't happen very often. So I enjoy observation week when the parents are invited in the classroom. Children dancing are so adorable! They both look forward to class every week and seem to really enjoy it.

December 2010

Thanksgiving Weekend

This year we stayed home for Thanksgiving for the first time in nine years. Skyla was in her first performance of The Nutcracker and rehearsals kept us from traveling. She loved every minute of it. I don't have pictures of the costume but I did get one of her 'theater make-up'. It was quite freaky to see our seven year old in eyeliner and red lipstick but it was part of the gig. I couldn't stop crying (big surprise) when I saw her little body dancing on stage. It just seemed like such a brave thing to be doing. She said she wants to be in The Nutcracker forever.

Lots of runners passed our house Thanksgiving morning for a fundraising "Gobble Jog". The kids sat outside and enjoyed the people watching. Lester decided to fry a turkey this year. It turned out to be a relaxing day. Just what we needed.

Two Little Indians

The girls dressed liked Indians last week for the Thanksgiving Feast at their school. August's class surprised the parents with a play and a song. It was very, very, sweet.

Halloween

Fun, fun, and more fun!

Triathlon

One night last June Les said, "I think I'm going to do a triathlon in October." I knew right away that he could do it. I just hoped that he would train for it. He started his training in July and began spin classes, running and tackled swimming too. Soon, other friends from work were also planning on completing the race.


On October 3rd he completed his first triathlon with great success; enduring a 1/4 mile swim, 13 mile bike ride and a 5k run in 1:23min. I have attended similar races in the past to watch my brother in law. It is very emotional to watch these athletes complete such an accomplishment. Luckily, my parents met us at the race. The kids and I were up at the crack of dawn and leaving in the dark to drive an hour added to the excitement. We made signs and were planning on catching him at the finish line. He was too fast for us...but we did see him go by on his bike. I was just coming from getting my camera out of the car. I was hoping I wouldn't miss him because over 1,000 athletes with helmets and sunglasses can start to look alike. I looked up and instantly recognized my man! Maybe it was the tattoo on his right arm that helped. I literally jumped up and down and screamed. It was so fun to see him go by. Skyla even had this little smirk on her face showing how proud she was of her daddy.


Congratulations Lester... we think you are a superhero!

The Fair

I took the kids to the state fair on Friday. They have been asking to go back since the first time we went two years ago. It was a spontaneous decision and also a way to celebrate August's recent success with going to school. I wasn't sure how Jude would do on the rides but he loved them. When the first ride started he was obviously surprised by the sudden movement. I put him in the little fish and he was thrilled. Suddenly the ride started rather abruptly and his face looked like, "What the heck? No one told me this thing was going to move!" After that I sat him securely next to his sister because you can handle these things much easier with a little sister love.

This year we also watched a live tiger and bear show. The kids really enjoyed the bear show. I'll admit it was entertaining. However, I couldn't help thinking the poor bear must be humiliated wearing a Hawaiian lei and riding a bike.

Sweetness

Jude has been walking around the house with Skyla's baby and saying that it is baby Cael. Yesterday he climbed in the girl's bed and said, "Night, night baby Cael."

Cael Walker

I have told everyone who I encounter (strangers included) about my new nephew. Here is a link to my sister's blog so you can see how beautiful he is. I am so grateful to have been present at his birth. A powerful moment in so many ways. Welcome baby Cael. You are surrounded by so much love!

Little House

The girls helped Les spread mulch in the front yard Sunday. They kept saying that they were Laura and Mary helping Pa on the farm. I'm pretty sure they made Jude be baby Carrie. Skyla said, "Life is hard on the prairie". All this motivated from our first viewing of the show. Which was a hit. Despite some major concern over Pa falling from a tree and breaking his ribs. Followed by a lengthy conversation about how he really wasn't hurt even though it really looked like he fell a long way.

Skyla, August, Jude and Papa

Somehow I missed this picture when I posted about our visit. It's a good one.

Avett Brothers

Friday night Les and I saw The Avett Brothers at an outdoor performance. Les bought the tickets in July to celebrate our 9th wedding anniversary. If you ever get the chance I HIGHLY recommend going to their show. We can't wait to see them again. Their music is often playing in our house. Even Skyla has favorites and recognizes them playing. There is something about the sound of their voices and the plucking of their instruments that fills you up with happiness. Now, to see them live AND outside well that is a whole other cup of loveliness. Their energy is so radiant as they jump around the stage filling up a huge outdoor arena with their voices. We sat on a blanket together, sharing a bottle of wine, listening to the crickets in between the music, looking at the stars and enjoying a long overdue conversation. Afterwards I realized maybe I am wrong about thinking "If I only had.... a housekeeper, or sent my kids to school, or have a glass (or two) of wine, or win the lottery, or read more parenting books, or read less parenting books, or exercise, or stop analyzing things" then I would be less stressed out. I think instead I just need to date my husband. After all, he is pretty amazing.

Also, as I ramble on...THANK YOU DAD! I know it isn't easy to watch three kids until almost midnight. Especially when the little one decides to wake up for the first time in forever (30 minutes after we leave) demanding his mama and more importantly his mama's milk. We couldn't have enjoyed the evening without your grace and the girls think you hung the moon! Actually, I do too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFMHE2oI0eo

A Weekend Away

We visited Lester's dad last weekend and enjoyed a much slower pace. We all love the alpacas. Skyla was thrilled to give one of the babies a bottle. The kids also rode the tractor and enjoyed swimming in Aunt Janice's new pool. Jude instantly connected with his "Papa" and followed him around all weekend. Thank you for a wonderful weekend!

Just Because...