Annika's Dance

Annika is also involved in dance this year. She does one dance with some younger girls that is really cute. Her partner in this dance was a little nervous, so Annika urged her on more than once. It was funny to watch, but also encouraging that Annika knew her dance well enough to know what was coming next.
She likes to play in class a lot, but her teacher this year has been great and helped her a lot. She doesn't love dance though, so this will probably be her last year.
When I asked her what she wants to try next (piano, tumbling, etc.) she told me that she doesn't need to try anything, she would like to just come home from school and read or watch tv or play with her DS.
Then we talked about hiding your light under a bushel.
She still didn't get it.
So I may make an executive decision and try putting her in tumbling. She has had a bit of a motor delay since birth, and still struggles with gross motor skills a little. I am hoping tumbling might help with that. I guess we will see how much she likes it.

Here is her dance:

Tangled

Adrienne is doing a dance to a song in the "Tangled" soundtrack this year. The girls all have wigs (which they hate, I guess they are hot). I love the costume though, they look so cute.
Adrienne has a problem looking at the camera. Sigh. Do you love the cheesy smile?

This is her dance group and teachers. I'll bet I can guess what these girls are going to be for Halloween (or at least what Adrienne is going to be).

Here is her dance:


Unfortunately, I got my own "tangle" of sutures. It was on my shoulder and pretty sore every time I moved my arm and pulled on them. They finally came out and the wound looks great now. My boys thought it was cool that mom had to get stitches.

A Waterfall Braid

I saw this braid on Adopt A 'Do. I thought it was so cute and wanted to give it a try.
It took a few tries, but I finally figured it out.
I like the effect: long and straight, but still out of her face.


She is a busy girl though, so it didn't last through an active Saturday.

Only Happy Kids Sing...

I am feeling much better and need to update, I know. I caught this little moment the other day and had to share even though Burke thinks it is too much.
I laughed.
And laughed.

Part 1:

Part 2:

Getting There

I had what I hope will be the final procedure for this little drama done on Thursday. I am home recovering and hoping to be able to eat, sleep, and have a normal life soon.
My kids miss having me come to help at school and I really miss going to the gym and listening to Harry Potter on my Ipod while I run/jog on the treadmill.
Despite no exercise, I have found myself several pounds lighter. I guess not eating much for three weeks will do that to you, and I am not complaining about that.
I have found myself begging my husband to take me out on the town: last night we went to Wal-Mart for a birthday party gift and got a frozen yogurt that I ended up wasting.
But it was nice to get out.

Burke took both the boys skiing on Wednesday. They had so much fun. Kade did ski school in the morning and kept up with Burke and Nathan in the afternoon. He whispered in my ear that he secretly thought he did better than Nathan did. Nathan whispered that he thought Kade did okay, but needs more practice to keep up with the big guys.
They were all exhausted when they got home and they all looked like racoons because Burke forgot to put sunscreen on them until after lunch.
Now the girls are waiting for their turn.

I am hoping to have some more energy to do something productive with my blog and life soon...

Stay tuned.

We Take a Break From Our Regularly Scheduled Life...

I took an unintended break from life to spend some time in the hospital. It wasn't much of a vacation. And it wasn't very fun.
I am slowly healing up and getting to the point where I can eat again.
And lay flat.
And stop feeling sorry for myself.

I have an old college roommate who just found out she has cancer.
I am grateful for my little stent.
And that it will all be over in about 2 weeks.

Until then I am hanging out at home, watching way too much daytime TV and appreciating the sunshine that leaks through my blinds.

It's Great To Be 8

She's FINALLY 8. She thoughth it would take forever for her birthday to come, but she got there. The big 0-8.
For one of her gifts, she and I spent one afternoon shopping for her baptism dress and going out to lunch. She got to pick.
We went to the Olive Garden.
And got a beautiful dress.
She was a hilarious shopping companion. I tried to get her to pick a really pretty dress with lace and beading, but she would have none of it.
We got a very simple but elegant dress (and hey, it was also the least expensive!)


Here is her birthday interview:
Favorite thing to do: READ!!! of course she says.
Favorite book to read: Junie B Jones and Ramona
Favorite color: Pink
Best friend: Gracie and Olivia
What she wants to be when she grows up: A nurse
Least favorite chore: Folding the laundry
Favorite scripture story: Captain Moroni

As we all know, once you're 8, you get to be baptized. She was thrilled at the idea and we could hardly keep her contained on Saturday, since she had to wait until 4:30.
By the time we got to the church, she was so wiggly she could hardly sit still.
Grandma Terry and Grandma Williams gave talks after the spotlight by me.
She was baptized by her father.

I had my first opportunity to go back and help with one of my kids after the baptism.
(I have to insert here that we were very speedy. Annika was dried off, dressed up and spiffy in her seat before Burke got there. Ha! He doubted me.)
After the baptism, all of the cousins present sang I Am A Child of God, and then Annika was confirmed by her dad.



Here is her testimony: I know the church is true. I am glad that I have a family and that I am baptized so that I can be redeemed from my sins. I am very blessed to have a family, friends, and food.

That's it, people. Short and sweet.

She looked beautiful that day. I hope she always remembers it as a special opportunity for her father and her to participate in an ordinance to help her return to live with her Heavenly Father someday.
Thank you to all those who were able to be there, and for the best wishes of those who couldn't.