I was so excited when a studio near our house (and by near I mean 20 minutes!) offered a dance class for 18+ months. I immediately bought Audrey a leotard, tutu, and her first pair of ballet slippers. Today was her first class and we're both hooked! She was awesome. Her teacher, Ms. Kiki is so sweet. Audrey didn't really follow ALL of the directions. Her teacher tried to get the girls to do things like touch their toes, raise their arms over their heads, and bang their hands on the floor to make "thunder." Audrey didn't want to do any of those things, she just wanted to dance. She did an awesome job of bringing Ms. Kiki her circle (or "kircle" as Audrey says!) Her favorite part was Freeze Dance, probably because we do it at home all the time. Chris had to work, so Grandma and Grandpa came to take photos and video. I managed to get a ton of pics when I wasn't participating :)
Standing on her "kircle"
She laid down to rest more than once!
Taking another break
Getting a sticker for being soooo good!
Admiring her sticker
What a wonderful first class!
I'm so glad we'll be doing this together. I think it's a great way for her to socialize and experience new people, new things. I can't tell you how proud I was to watch her get out there and dance her heart out. I hope this is something she really likes and decides when she's older to stick with it...but if not, that's ok too! I'm looking forward to trying soccer, gymnastics...whatever her little heart desires!
It was a pretty effortless transition for Audrey and myself. I had no problems waking up ridiculously early and when I go to wake Audrey she's in a ridiculously happy mood. She lays in bed and snuggles with Dad as I load the car and it's off to Grandma's we go! With as much bonding time we had over the summer and as she's grown to be a momma's girl, she has no problems with me leaving. My work day flies by and before I know it I'm back at Grandma's where Audrey is waiting for me at the door.
Working during the day really makes me cherish the evenings and weekends so much more. When the weather starts to get cooler we're going to try to go for walks a few times a week after dinner. For now we prefer to stay inside and dance like crazy, rough house, and play with our toys and read books.
I bought Audrey a potty this weekend. She has shown ZERO interest and honestly, I think it's way to early to potty train at this age anyway, but I know the first step is up to me...introduce the potty!
She really likes sitting on it, but when she actually used it, it freaked her out a bit. Now she barely sits on it for 20 seconds. Eh, I don't care for it too much myself.
School starts for realsies this week! And we are jumping in head-first; Scott's first football game is Wednesday night and I start my graduate math class on Thursday night. Audrey's first dance class is Saturday morning...very little down time, but at least these weeks will fly by!
I don't think I've ever felt like this! I am always SO READY to get back to school. But there has never been a summer so fun and so special...a lot of great changes and tons of fantastic memories. The fact that today is the last day of summer break is a bit difficult to accept. BUT I HAVE WONDERFUL NEWS!! I'm looping up with my kids to 3rd grade...yes, those wonderful, awesome 7 and 8 year olds are mine for another year :) That means a whole new curriculum and the first year of SOL tests (eek!) but I get to spend 5 days a week with the coolest kids I know. All of those tears at the end of last year for no reason, lol.
As much as I will miss Audrey, I am so happy she'll get to be with Grandma and Grandpa everyday. She loves them so much and it is truly her second home. And even better? My sister in law is moving here with my sweet niece in October! The girls are going to have so much time together and become the bestest of friends.
Yes, lots of good things coming up this year...Ryan and Mimi's wedding in November, a new niece or nephew in the spring just to name a few. I have a feeling it's going to be another incredible year!
Sometimes I look around and can't believe what I see...an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, and a warm home. I feel very blessed and don't ever want to take it for granted!
I was at school yesterday looking through my mail. Someone left a beautiful card in my box and I wanted to share it:
She Who Is My Little Girl
I loved you from the moment I saw you. I adored every little thing about you. In you I see all my hopes and dreams For the future begin to blossom
I'll teach you to believe in yourself, To trust your inner voice, And to believe in true love. Then I'll give you wings and teach you how to fly.
Then with part of me holding on and part of me letting go, I'll watch you spread your magnificent wings and soar.
With our shared dreams, as well as separate aspirations, You'll become everything you were ever meant to be... Smart, strong, and independent With a kind, tender, and passionate heart.
But no matter how high you soar Or how far you go, You will always be my little girl
-Suzy Toronto
Big thanks to whoever left this...I'll be saving this card to give to my sweet girl at the perfect time.
Check out this video...the first part is Audrey exactly one year ago. She was just starting to crawl. The second part was taken this week as she danced around the living room (something we like to do every day!)
I can't believe it's been a whole year since she started to crawl...and look how much her hair has grown! Audrey is so much fun to be around. She's loud and crazy one minute, quiet and focused the next. I am amazed at how she can sit and play with a toy or read a book for long periods of time. But I especially love how chatty she can be and how she gets up and dances around while singing, even when there's no music.
She's currently cutting her canines. Her diapers have been pretty runny and she wouldn't eat any solid foods for a few days. She's been very clingy as well. Luckily her sleep hasn't been interrupted (except last night, she was crying on and off between 10:30-11:00.) Hopefully they come thru soon...I know in just a few short months the 2 year molars will be here. She started saying "stuck" this week. As in her Mickey and Minnie were stuck in the shopping cart, or when she's belted in and wants to get out she says, "I stuck!" We have a new game where I'll sit in front of her crib and kiss her through one of the slats. Then I'll move to another slat and she'll meet me for another kiss...I do this over and over until she gets tired of it (because I could do that all night!) Random- I've noticed that when she wants something, she'll point to it and say, "Doe doe?" I have NO IDEA WHAT SHE'S SAYING. All I know is that she wants it (this ranges from my drink, to her paci, to a toy that fell on the floor.)
Since Audrey's b-day is right before Christmas, I put most of her presents away and bring them out periodically throughout the year. Yesterday I put together her baby stroller and I also opened a baby doll. I was not surprised to see that she was more interested in the stroller than the baby.
Yeah, she took the baby out of the stroller (by the head, mind you) and actually maneuvered herself into it (which was NOT easy!) Does this look like a child who needs another sibling anytime soon? Methinks no.
She did show concern when the baby cried...
...aw, that's much better!
Some other pictures of our week:
A beautiful rainbow, right in our front yard!
SQUEAL!! Cutest pigtails ever, unfortunately her hair is so thin they slide right out...
Teething like a mofo
I've been trying to relax and enjoy the last few weeks of summer, which means staying home as much as possible! During the school year we are gone all the time! I just want to hang out at home with my sweet girl. Starting next week I have a gazillion things to do for school. Teacher workweek isn't until the 30th, but I have a few classes I need to take each week before then. Here's to 3 more weeks of sweet summer!
We spent the rest of our trip visiting old, favorite sites...
LL Bean and the outlets
Rick's Cafe in Naples (right on Long Lake & Sebago Lake) Scott and I took out the Craigcat a couple of times. Scott also went with dad, then they took a jet ski...which tipped over and they had to be rescued!
Me and Scott :)
At DiMillos (a restaurant aboard a docked ship in downtown Portland)
Last night in Maine, stopping at our favorite ice cream place in Norway
We couldn't wait to go to the lake! It brings back years of wonderful memories and at the same time it's kind of sad how much has changed. My grandfather's camp is gone...there's a long tarp blocking his old view of the lake (construction requirement), and his beach is overgrown. But by this time next year a beautiful log cabin will be in it's place and it will undoubtedly be the most beautiful spot on the lake once again. We spent time next door with long-time friends Bob and Ann. I was so excited to bring Audrey to the lake and I got so many beautiful pictures...
Grandpa's old dock
Just being at camp with my daughter made the whole trip worth it. As much as it has changed, I can still see it the way it was when I was her age.
