"1st Ballet Recital"

This was a big night for our little dancer. She took her role very seriously, and was such a leader. I was so proud of her for how she conducted herself on stage, but also off stage. I felt like she grew up overnight watching her up there. It was pure joy watching her dance and also do her sign language on the Benediction at the end of the recital. She was simply beautiful, inside and out.

Ellison with a few friends - there were 6 in her class

Ellison and Elijah with their 89 and 92 year old great-grandparents!  What a blessing!

"Ballet Pictures"

Ellison took ballet for the first time this year, and it has been so fun to watch her be able to use her creativity in a new way. I adored her ballet teacher and the way that she conducted her classes. Her priorities were right in line with what we were wanting for our daughter..., teaching her to use her body and her creativity for the glory of God. Her little class was low-key, fun, adorable, and a precious introduction to creative movement. I know she will not grow up "too fast" with this group. She loved going each week, which is always a plus with children's activities!  She has also expressed interest in trying gymnastics, so I don't know what the fall will look like, but for this past year, this was the perfect activity for her...., and if I can say so myself, she was a natural :)

On our way to ballet picture day.  She did say she would rather play with the dog next door than get dressed in her itchy costume - I get that!

But, once she got there and saw her friends, she quickly changed her mind and forgot about her itchy costume!

Silly faces are a must with this girl......

and so are faces like this.....

and this......

These 2 girls are two of a kind!

"Easter 2016"

K3 class Easter Egg Hunt

Got to love a girl who still rocks her cowgirl boots into Spring!

Pure joy!

Hunt # 2 - neighborhood hunt and it was freezing this day! Weather was so weird over Easter.  The Easter Egg Hunt # 3 (church one) was rainy!

Showing Daddy their goodies

I still have to take a deep breath every time I see pictures of this boy these days. He is just growing too fast.

And this little butterfly...., in her own world

Easter morning!  

Precious - they were cooperating so well this morning, and being so kind to one another. I'll take it!

I love this one - the way she is looking at him is adorable

Among the lillies!

So handsome

He is RISEN indeed!

"Ellison's 4th Birthday Party"

Thankfully Ellison requested a rather simple birthday party this year. She just wanted her friends from church to come over and play with her. The only requirement was that they come dressed in a princess costume and bring a baby doll or stuffed animal!  So easy...., no agenda but to play!  I did at least feed the sweet little princesses and their mommies lunch, but other than that, these girls ransacked my mom's house (we were still living with them at the time of her birthday) and had a fabulous time just playing together. It turned out to be a very mild day in January so they were able to play outside too.  This is my kind of birthday party!

Pre-party cat love!

The Princess is ready!

"Birthday Blessing" during Chapel at school

L to R Grace C, Grace Mc, Ellison, Libby, Ginny, Abby, Maddie (front row)

                         

Me and my girl