Almost Wordless Wednesday--Dancing with the Chosen

Last Sunday we were able to see The Chosen live! It was a wonderful concert and I am so happy to introduce my little ones to children who live in another country, their words, and their music.

Here is a video of Mr. Bananas dancing with The Chosen. I apologize for all the shakiness. I used my phone to take the video and I don't have the steadiest hand. But nonetheless you can see Mr. Bananas dancing and enjoying himself. LOVE!

Mr. Bananas is in the very front in a long-sleeved red shirt speaking to Millie from Chosen. Every now and then he would stop and look for me and say, "Mommy!" but he couldn't see me. But you can catch him cheesing for someone else's camera. This kid loves being on stage.  If you look closely you can see Buggy and her friend Cha Cha dancing behind him.   Enjoy!

Buggy's Dance Recital 2012

Buggy has taken another year of dance classes. I am so glad that she has this opportunity. She loves dancing and she loves her dance teacher.  This past weekend was her dance recital. I am absolutely terrible about getting pictures of her in her recital outfits. Ugh!  She is adorable and yet, I am so worried about making sure she is ready for her number that I forget to take pictures. I had the same problem last year.

We prepped for the recital by getting mommy/daughter manicures and pedicures. Have I mentioned that I love having a girl?  I love bonding with her and spending some one on one time with her.  In a house full of boys, it's nice to be girly together.

I took her to her dress rehearsal on Friday. I have to admit that it had been stressing me out to get her to her dress rehearsal. The recital was scheduled to take place 45 minutes away from home.  Add rush hour traffic and a tornado warning and I wasn't sure if we'd make it. Thankfully, Hubby had planned to be home that Friday to give me a hand. He kept the boys while Bug and I made the trek to the dance rehearsal. I'm so glad he did. I don't know how I would have kept Mr. Bananas entertained throughout the rehearsal.

As soon as we walked into the theatre, Bug said, "A stage! I'm going to be on a stage!" She couldn't wait!  It was so cute. After I had her dressed and ready to go she said, "My sparkles! My pretty lips! You forgot my sparkles and pretty lips!"  Oh, that's right. I had forgotten her eye shadow and lip gloss. But I made sure to put it on her for the recital.  The dress rehearsal was a late night, but I had promised Buggy ice cream on the way home. She fought very hard to keep her eyes open on the 8:30pm ride back to our house.  We stopped on the way home to get ice cream. We sat in the car in the parking lot enjoying our treat and hanging out together. We talked about the recital and what to expect for the next day. Our Bug was so excited to be on stage in her pretty costumes and sparkly make up.

The next morning was busy. But we managed to get everyone out of the house on time and made it to the dance recital right on time.  We had great seats right up front and enough room for everyone. I was really pleased my parents made it this year. I was disappointed that they had missed it last year as I thought they would have really enjoyed seeing their granddaughter perform.  But they were there this year and I think they were glad they came. Bug was really glad that they were there.  She waved to us before her first number and blew kisses at the end.  While I was getting her ready for the second number she told me that she wanted me at the bottom of the stage to see her perform. She was so tickled to see us again when the stage lights came on.  The whole performance was adorable.

As stressful as it can be getting ready for the performances and deciding whether or not we can afford it, I love watching Buggy perform and I love that she loves it. We stayed with the same dance studio for the second year in a row. I really like it, however, I think I'll look again for a daytime dance class. It would just fit our schedule better. I figure I only have about 2 years (tops) of being able to put her in a daytime dance class to free up our nights. We'll see.  But I'm pretty sure that no matter what, we'll stick with dance for at least another year because she loves it so much.

Waiting with the other girls for their tap number.

Buggy loved the roses from Daddy and the boys and the flowers from Lolo and Lola

The Big Kids with Lolo and Lola
Buggy Loves her flowers :)

Almost Wordless Wednesday--Dancing Man

Because we all need a smile and there is something so cute about a baby dancing :)

Almost Wordless Wednesday: My Girl

It's so different having a girl. With my firstborn I learned a lot about trains (especially the Thomas and Friends series), dinosaurs, dragons, and cheetahs.  Having a girl as a second born was a bit of an adjustment. She loves pink and purple. She loves to try on my shoes. She critiques my clothing choices and usually says, "You look beautiful, Mama!"  She loves dresses that twirl and will spin and spin just so that she can see her pretty dresses twirl.  I knew that when I had a girl I would want her to try dance classes. I thought she would love it and she does.

Here is my little girl on one lazy Saturday morning. She had dressed herself in her dress up clothes over her pajamas and dances for me.  I think wearing her sunglasses upside down is my favorite part of her outfit! This one is for you Ms. Chi!

Dinner Conversation and Entertainment

Hubby is gone for another week long business trip. He left Sunday night and he'll be back Saturday night (ugh!).  It's been over 2 years since he's been gone for so long on one business trip.  He actually has another one sometime next month and then in February he'll be gone 2-3 weeks. Yikes!

When he's away I try to find my own routines. I get dinner on the table earlier and get the kids to bed much earlier.  Last night my parents came over to give me a hand. They spent time with the big kids playing games before giving them their bath. While my mom bathed the big kids, my dad spent some one-on-one time with Mr. Bananas. I cleaned the house.

By 8 o'clock last night all 3 kids were in bed and my parents had left.  I finally sat down for my dinner. When it's just me, I find it easier to feed the 3 kids and then eat dinner by myself after they are in bed. While the big kids eat, I feed the baby.  So at 8:30pm I had reheated a bowl of soup and decided to watch the Sing-Off while eating my dinner. Wouldn't you know that not 2 minutes into my solo dinner, my daughter came downstairs?

DM:  Buggy what are you doing down here?
B:  You know what I'm doing.
DM: I do?
B: Yes. I'm watching tv with you.
DM: You are?
Buggy sees that I'm watching the Sing-Off: Oh, and I'm dancing.

While the contestants are singing, she gets off the couch and starts dancing.  When they finish and the audience is applauding, my darling daughter starts bowing repeatedly and saying, "Thank you, Thank you, Thank you" Humble, isn't she? (Ms. C, I think she is a natural performer! It's a good thing I have her taking dance classes at your studio!)

At the next commercial I start to carry her upstairs. I'm almost to the top of the stairs when I see that the gate is in place and locked. Um????
DM:  Bug, how did you get downstairs? The gate is locked?
B:  I'm little. I'm 3, but I'm still little. I'm still little and I fit! I'm 3, I'm little, and I fit! (The whole time she is giggling).

The little stinker crawled underneath the gate and walked downstairs.

I finally got her back in bed.  It's never a dull moment with my little performer...

Sane(r) Saturday

So I told you about my frenzied Friday a couple of weeks ago. I have to follow up and say that the next day was better.  It was still busy, but Hubby and I had found our rhythm and did a better juggling act.

The morning started off with Hubby, Boogie, and Buggy going to the Church for the monthly church cleaning. Mr. Bananas and I met them a little later. I picked up where Hubby left off. He took Boogie to his last t-ball game and I stayed at the church with Buggy and Mr. B. Afterwards the littles and I went to the t-ball field. We missed the game, but still met Hubby and Boogs.  Hubby took the boys home and I stayed back a few minutes with Bug to chat with some friends. She and I headed home and I got her ready for her recital by curling her hair.

We made it to the recital and for a two year old, I thought she did pretty well. I was able to get her dressed and ready to go. I did not have to walk her on stage, instead she followed directions and did what she was supposed to do.  Poor thing was exhausted and I caught her yawning through her tap piece.  But she looked beautiful and did a great job. The only snafu of the day was that I forgot my camera. Fortunately, my next door neighbor was at the recital because her girls were also performing. She graciously took pictures for me and sent them to me. Whew! Crisis averted.

We came home and indulged in Greek food for dinner and my parents came over to spend some time with the kids. While the day was incredibly busy and we were on the move constantly, juggling was a lot easier.  It could be that I had fallen asleep at 8:30 the night before. Maybe it was because my husband was available to give me a hand. Or maybe the kids were just more compliant. For whatever reason, it was pretty much smooth sailing, despite forgetting my camera for the recital.

Since then t-ball and dance have finished for the season. I'm taking a breather until Boogs starts swim team tomorrow and then off we go again!

Shy Buggy before her first performance

I think she's a little nervous here.

Buggy with Baby Stinky for Brahm's Lullaby

My favorite picture of the day.