My dancer

It's nearly impossible these days to take a picture of Annabelle not doing some sort of dance pose.

Fun First

So many people have said to me "it is so much more fun to dress a girl"

Seriously, how can you look at a pair of tightie whities with Thomas on the butt and not think that is the most adorable thing you have even seen?

We are starting to potty train (Mostly by reading "The Potty Train") and doing pretty well. Nate goes when ever you put him there, and will on occassion tell you he has to go. As with all good things, it is a work in progress.

Happy 1st Birthday Zachary!

	We arrived at Zachary’s birthday party to a big surprise – Bouncy House!
	There was a balloon artist that made Nate the pirate captain he always wanted to be
	Annabelle was totally into the “Hit the bug with the mallot into the frog mouth game”
	There was a LOT of cake
	Handsome birthday boy
	Annabelle & Nate helped Z-man open his gifts.
	A year already? The kids were so happy to spend time with their cousin.

Father's Day

I just love these pictures.

Idlewild - Trip 2

We went back to Idlewild to beat the heat on a 90 degree day. The kids had fun splashing around the Little Squirts Zone and then we headed for the new wave pool.

I wish I had been able to capture a picture of the shrieking, laughing, jumping in the waves fun we had for most of the afternoon. I never expected they would both be so into getting splashed about, but they did.

Ask Nate though if he had fun at the wave pool and he will say "Well, I kinda sunk, but Daddy pulled me out". Which he totally didn't (they have to wear life vests to even get through the door) but it still sounds funny coming from his little mouth.

Strawberry pickers

The strawberries are ready.

Nate has been Daddy's helper in getting them harvested.

I just love these guys.

The Recital

I wanted to get this all down while it was still fresh in my heart, although I don’t think I’ll be forgetting Annabelle’s first dance recital for a very, very long time, if ever.

About a year ago Annabelle starting asking to go to dance school “to be a real ballerina”. I looked around, found a good one and got her scheduled to start in the fall. She asked me daily last summer when dance class started.

For the last 9 months she has been going to class (Annabelle received her “first trophy” for Attendance after the recital, she was so proud) while I read a book in the waiting area. This past month the parents have been asked to watch the routines to get the girls used to performing in front of an audience. It seemed each 4 year old had their own thing they wouldn’t do, this one wouldn’t shuffle, that one wouldn’t shake their hips etc. Annabelle decided she wouldn’t do the arm lift required in the ballet routine. ( I’m sure there is a name for it but it’s when they turn to the side, one arm goes straight up as the back leg goes out with the other arm down, so the arms make like a steep ramp). I mean she just flat out said “I don’t want to do it”. So we practiced it, I showed her how the other girls did it and right up to dress rehearsal she still wasn’t doing it.

Show night arrives, the tap routine goes beautifully and we get ready for ballet. As I am taking her out into the hallway to line up with her class and I say “now remember, arm up” and she gives me that “yeah, whatever” look. I leave it go, this is supposed to be fun after all.

I went out and joined the entourage to watch the show, Aunt Karen, Kurt, Jenny & Jason, Aunt Kathy, Nana, Daddy & Nate. Out come the mice (which made the entire audience sigh “awwww”) and I watched as my little girl finally got her “real ballerina” moment.

Then came the part of the routine with the arm lift. I felt myself holding my breath a few seconds right before it was scheduled. OK, here we go, arms up, twirl around, turn to the side and UP GOES THE ARM! She did it; really perfectly with straight posture did it, not once but all 4 times. I’ll admit, I cried. Tears of pride, tears of relief, just tears because my daughter wanted something, worked for it and got it. Tears because this is the kind of moment I envisioned when I found out I was being blessed with a little girl.

As I went back to the hallway to pick her up after the dance was over and she came running into my arms. “Did you see me Mommy?” “Of course my sweetheart, of course I did, you were just perfect”

Idlewild - Trip 1

Our first trip this year consisted of a picnic lunch with Aunt Karen & Kurt, followed by a trip to Story Book Forest and then Raccoon Lagoon (Kiddie Land). With our season passes we like to break it up into lots of few hour trips, keeping everyone from being overwhelmed. Annual picture at the entrance.

Kurt was pretending to be the teacher in the Little Red School House.

With the kids being so into Pirates lately they *loved* the Good Ship Lollipop.

Last year, Nate didn’t have to duck in the soup can

When Nate saw Annabelle struggling to pull the sword from the stone he told her “Don’t worry Anna-bull, I will help you.”

Oh my precious children, I hope your wishes come true.

Of course, there was pumpkin dancing with Aunt Karen.

I hope you always take bike safety this seriously.

Annabelle was thrilled to drive the purple car.

Nate has some serious convertible hair.

And of course, before we leave, fishing followed by a cyclone (waffle cone + strawberries + ice cream + whipped cream).

Flying

This picture, in all it's bluriness, makes me smile. My favorite kids, using momentum to push the other one higher.

My wish for you both is that you always help each other this way.

Weeknight workout

Now that daylight is longer and the weather beautiful we have been eating dinner early, then getting out of the house in the evening.

Taking the 1 mile jaunt around the lake always *seems* like a good idea until I am pulling a wagon with over 60 pds of kids up the hill at the end. The reward for being good and not fighting in the wagon is getting playground time.

Memorial Day

As always, we spent Memorial with (bonus) Grandma Joyce. We attended the parade and then went to her house for a picnic. With the 91 degree temps this year, thank goodness Grandma had the air condition going!

I forgot to take the camera to the parade but I will always remember the sight of my two little patriots waving their flags as the veterans marched by. I hope you always cherish the freedom we have been afforded and appreciate the ones who have given so much to insure that for us.

Maiden voyage

Nana wanted to get Nate a wagon for his birthday this year. The weather has finally cooperated enough for us to start getting out in the evenings so we went and picked it up. Nate couldn't wait to get in (to the point of sitting in it while I was trying to put the wheels on).

His nickname the past week has been "Julius Caesar" as now he wants wheeled everywhere, like from the living room to the dining room for meals, while he waves to his royal subjects.