Happy Fouth of July 2015!

Fourth of July festivities 2015

Cuties all ready for fireworks

Hanging out with Nana & Papa

Smoke bomb fun

Alina's first sparkler of 2015

Such a joy to watch the girls play

Happy Fourth of July 2015! We enjoyed a very fun and festive display on our court this year. The grandparents joined us along with some close friends and the kids thoroughly enjoyed lighting up the night sky with sparklers and fireworks. The biggest hit each year have been the smoke bombs. They love the colors and running through the vibrant smoke filled air (whilst plugging their noses and laughing hysterically of course). Later in the evening, once the fireworks were exhausted, they moved on to glow stick dancing and we had to drag them inside by the end of the night. It was a very fun holiday and so nice to be able to enjoy all this just right outside our front door, no crowds or traveling involved. We're certainly loving these lazy summer weekends.

Elise with her super sparkler XXL

Sparkler fun

Alina with her super sparkler XXL

Firework display

Glow stick dance parties are a must

Elise has got the moves

Alina's got the twirls down pat

End of a fun evening. Happy 4th 2015!

Alina's First Dance Class

Alina loves her Saturday ballet and tap class

Adorable little dancer, Alina

Sweet little Alina started her first preschool dance class this month, and just look at her huge smile! She loves to dance and especially enjoys her new class as it is taught by the dance teacher that works at her preschool. She loves getting to dance at preschool and is very happy to be going to dance class on weekends now too. She makes the cutest little bun-haired ballerina and is so eager and excited to learn all the new dance steps and moves. We sure love our tiny dancer in the making!

All smiles while practicing her dance moves

California State Fair 2014: Part I - Art & Exhibits

The candy exhibit at the California State Fair 2014

Candyland - with plenty of lollipops and gumdrops

Two mouthfuls of candy yet still posing, hah!

The girls enjoyed the art exhibits

They especially liked "Mr. Skinny Bun"

Photography exhibit

Checking out the quilt and craft exhibit

Elise checking out the Rubes cartoon exhibit

Elise loved walking on water in her air bubble, so cute

Ending the evening with Queen Nation. The girls danced along!

Preschool Winter Concert 2013 - Santa has Arrived!

The cuties performing at their preschool winter concert

Alina was so excited to greet Santa, she ran to his lap

Sweet moment with Santa, she asked for "Minnie Mouse toys"

The girls had their annual preschool winter show last Friday, and we were really taken aback by how much they have grown and matured over the past two years. They both performed great in their winter concert and dance routines. Elise was up first and she sang, dance and caroled on cue, all the while flashing big smiles and plenty of proud giggles. When little Alina's toddler class took the stage, we weren't quite sure what to expect. Alina did amazing; in fact, she was the star of the show. All the other kids in her class were in tears or froze up on stage, while she followed all the moves and melted like the perfect little snowflake. Watching our sweet little star shine on stage was certainly a very proud parent moment for us. Her dance teacher even commented, "she was my only performer; she did fantastic!". I can't praise these two enough (it's my job after all), but at the same time they make it pretty easy by doing so well. 

After the performances, the next big highlight of the day was meeting Santa Claus himself! In years past, the girls haven't exactly had the best track record with Santa. In their past meetings with Santa there has always been a bit of uncertainty and hesitation. This year, they embraced the opportunity to meet Santa. Alina ran right up to Santa eager to hop on his lap, and express her wishes for, "Minnie Mouse toys". She flashed some of the sweetest and most adoring expressions toward Santa. Expressions that had my heart melting, because I saw the genuine sparkle in her eyes and once again felt the pure magic of the holiday season. When it was Elise's turn to site on Santa's lap, she ran up told him she wanted, "a Disney princess castle" and had the biggest grin the entire time. She had been talking about meeting Santa for weeks, and even wrote out her very own Christmas list, which she mailed directly to Santa. The girls left school that day feeling fulfilled; Christmas is right around the corner and they both are officially basking in the spirit of the season.

Story time with Santa and their Christmas book exchange

Elise was thrilled to meet Santa, look at that huge grin

Watching the Little Red Riding Hood puppet show

Elise's First Ballet Recital

Adorable ballerina in the making

Ballerina Elise practicing her final bow 

At her very first ballet recital; she did fantastic!

Elise has been taking dance classes since September, and despite being nervous initially, she's amazed us with her determination and drive to succeed. It was immediately obvious just how much she enjoys dance. Her eyes lit up during the first class, and her body language spoke volumes as if she was freed from routine and meant to find dancing as her outlet; she was able to quickly pick up all the dance steps and at that moment she made me the most proud mom imaginable. She has been so happy after each class and has unwaveringly declared that she intends to become a ballerina when she grows up.

 

Elise had her very first ballet performance last weekend. Her act was among fifteen others at the dance studio's semi-annual winter recital. In the weeks leading up to her big debut, I had tons of "what if" scenarios running through my mind. At the top of the list, was concern that she may be fearful on stage after seeing everyone in the audience and freeze up, or even worse refuse to go on stage. The main reason I kept replaying this scenario, is because I was the shyest child and certainly could not have gone up there and performed in front of such a crowd. Elise, of course, never ceases to amaze and impress me. She immediately erased any lingering doubts I had, when she bounced out with the rest of the girls and saw me, Alina, grandma and grandpa in the front row, and flashed the biggest and proudest smile ever.  

 

Her performance was fantastic. She followed her cues, smiled and looked completely comfortable on stage. I had to hold back tears, because she genuinely did something I never had the courage to do at her age. Not only that, but she did two performances, so she was there from 2pm-6pm, in the back room with the rest of the girls, patiently waiting among the other acts until her stage time. I'm still in total awe of our little girl. She was so well behaved and she shined on stage. This was truly a special milestone; we knew it, as did she. She road home in the car that evening beaming with pride. I kept looking back at her in the rear view mirror and her face said it all, "I did it", "I succeeded", "I made my family very proud". She did all of that and more. We love you little ballerina! 

 

 

Our proud little star after the show

All dressed up by the tree

Little cuties. Alina says she wants to dance like her big sister

 

Pre-Halloween Festivities and Fun 2013

The girls having fun at their friends Halloween party

Elise dressed up as a ballerina for dance class

Dance class cuties in their costumes

Our 2013 Halloween corner display, designed by Elise!

Healthy treats - strawberry and tangerine vampire bats

Living Dead Doll Hush ready to play

Elise made Halloween bookmarks to share with her class

 

The girls preschool Halloween party

Our sweet little monster Alina, looking cute :D

She was proud to walk in the parade, big smiles!

The girls Halloween party crafts and fun

Elise with her class all dressed up for Halloween