The Butterfly Performs

Like I said earlier, the girls (well, mainly Cambree) had multiple opportunities to wear their costumes.  Cambree to her speech therapy group, preschool and dance class.  

These first pics are from her preschool Halloween singing performance.  I was so glad to go because she had been singing snippets of all the songs she was learning but it was hard to tell what was really what.  It was so fun to watch her perform with her class.  My favorite part was during a break in between 2 songs when it was almost quiet, she says 

"Hey Mom!  Take a picture of me!"

I did.  Several.

Next up is dance.  This I had been watching a bit the past couple weeks through the "mom window" in the studio and again, I couldn't wait to see it for real.  I was not disappointed.  I was also lucky that Haylee was home from school sick (did I just say that?) so that she could "make a movie" with my phone while I snapped some pics.  Cambree got SO into this dance!  I love watching her dance because it is one of the few times she is (almost) 100% focused on what she's doing.   I can tell by her face how hard she tries to follow her teacher and mimic her moves.   Ah!  Another proud parent moment!

And for your viewing pleasure, a movie.  Thanks Haylee.  (Poor kid.  Haylee had to miss her Halloween dance because she was sick.  One week of strep doesn't sound too bad.  But when you throw in a violent and very scary reaction to the first meds she took, losing about 5 pounds, and an extra emotional mommy....you get my drift.  It was rough.)

Riiiiiight.  So we can't figure out how to get the movie from my phone to the computer.  Hopefully I'll remember to add it to the post as soon as it does get figured out.

Edited: We figured it out!!!  Couldn't have been more simple, ha ha ha.  Thank you Jenna.

Halloween Day

Reverse order anyone?  This year I have even more Halloween pics than usual because the girls got to wear their costumes so many different times before the actual BIG day.  But I thought I'd start out with that BIG day first.   

I tried to low key it this year.  But things didn't really seem low key at all.  Why should they?  We have too many traditions that we/I weren't/wasn't willing to give up.  Costumes were definitely simplified this year but that's ok I think.  Know why?  Because both kids were thrilled with their costumes.  Never mind the imperfections I noticed with what I made.  They loved them and were so so so excited 

each and every time 

they wore them.

For the one who likes to make messes, it took some serious convincing to get her to get her hands in that guck!

At the school parade.  Horrible lighting + unready me = not that great a pic.

She was cold.  This was before trick-or-treating.

We had a peacock (with floppy, but cool, feathers) and a pink and orange butterfly.  Ok, so there's not really any orange anywhere on her costume unless you count her hair but that's what she told everyone she was.

" You want me to punch you with this ring?!?!"

Proud Parents

I cannot count how many times I tried to work with Cambree on writing her name.  Or any letters at all.  Nothing.  Till now.  She brought this paper home the other day and I was floored!  

Thank you preschool.  Thank you Miss. Emily.  Thank you Cambree for trying and learning and succeeding.  I cannot imagine feeling more pride in my daughter than I do every time I look at this first specimen of her writing her own name!!!  Such a seemingly insignificant accomplishment for some but for us, this was HUGE! 

Another thing I want to remember about our little Bree.  

Who am I kidding?  Our big Bree.

Every night (ok, most nights) when I go in to check on her I'm always very careful not to adjust her covers too much or kiss her or whatever because she seems to wake up easily.  But lately, she has been waking up.  She opens her eyes, smiles at me, and stretches out her arms.

For a hug.

Then she rolls over and goes back to sleep.

My heart melts.

 

Seriously???  Who lets their kid sleep with so many "friends?"

I don't.  Not on purpose anyway.  They all migrate into bed with her sometime after her 13th blow kiss.

7 Years and Counting

That's right, 7 years.  

BJ has run the St. George marathon 7 whole times.  

The whole 26.2 miles.  Just tell me you're not impressed.   Seriously.  The kid's got spunk.  Or ...something.  He's got something.

This year, similar to last year, it was hot.  Like 100 degrees hot.  Ok, well when he finished it wasn't quite that warm but it was the day before.  And it got that hot later in the afternoon as we lounged in a cold pool.  Or maybe it was when we enjoyed the ac of our "rented" house as we watched General Conference on the big screen.  But I digress...here are some pics from the race.  And don't worry, I have yet to get a nice finish line or even somewhat close to the finish line photo.  I'm always too worried about missing him.

 In between throwing up on the sidelines...poor kid.

He finished with the amazing time of 3 hours and 23 minutes.

And, despite the lack of a smile on anyone's face, we were all very proud of that time, BJ included.  

There are few things in this world that I am able to do for 3 hours at a time.  In fact, the only thing that comes to mind now is sleep.  I can sleep for 3 hours and 23 minutes.  

BJ?  

He can run.

Then we watched Conference.  Well, some of us watched.

We were so lucky, not to mention grateful, to have both BJ's mom and my parents along for moral support.  (And to clean up Cambree's puke in the car.  Thanks Mom!)  (And to squish in the back seat of the bus in-between the 2 girls even though there were empty seats in the front.  Thanks to both Grandmas!)

Farewell St. George and all your wonderfully fun marathon weekend hype.  

We'll (cross your fingers) see you next year!

Welcome FALL!!!

Thank you Fall for having a first day!!! 

 It was a great excuse for us to make 

homemade donuts,

apple cider floats and 

watch the Charlie Brown pumpkin movie!!!

Cambree put the hole back in her donut...

"Here Mom, you get sprinkles on your nose too!"

First day of...

...something.  Holy cow we've had a lot of first days this year.  Lots.  Or so it seems.  I am slowly being ushered into the Special Soccer Moms Club.

Haylee started 1st grade this year which means a full 7-hour day away from home!  This has been an adjustment for the entire family 
but we're getting the h
                                           a
                                                  n
                                                                g of it.

The first day was  hilarious.  I wanted pics of Haylee at the bus stop and all but I was a little embarrassed to take my camera.  Glad I did.  30 parents at the bus stop, all with cameras.  30 parents waving goodbye to a bus full of anxious kids.  I'm sure the bus driver got a good laugh.


 I loved it.

Guess why this one is BIG?

Then she started a dance class.  Another first.  She  l o v e s   it!  She is still working on the coordination/step/sequence but she has mastered the poise, grace, and beauty required from  a real leotard and real dance shoes.  


Cambree is taking dance too.  She loves watching herself in the mirror wall in the dance studio.  I love watching her watch herself.  I also love seeing her little underwear poking out of her leotard, under her little pink tights!  There is a picture of me about the same age with the same wardrobe malfunction.  Used to be embarrassed.  Now I am proud to have set a fashion trend for my own 4 year old.


Both kiddos love to practice dance for their Mom and Daddy audience to any music by "John  Smith" (actually it's Josh Groban but I've stopped correcting them.)


Bree also started Talking Time this week.  This is her group speech therapy class that we started last spring.  We really like Talking Time!!!


And today...I dropped my youngest off for her first day of PRESCHOOL!!!  I honestly can't believe that I actually had a harder time of it than her.  Seriously!


This was our conversation this morning:


Bree:  Mom, I can just go all by myself.
Mom:  But I have to drive you.
Bree:  Ok, I guess you can drive me.  Then I can go all by myself...
Mom?  I might miss you a hittle bit. (that's how she says 'little')