Still Blah

I still feel like crap.

Stuffed up, feverish, and lethargic.

In other news, this little girl turns 8 next month:

How did that happen?

Chesskers

Yesterday morning, E and her BFF were playing "chess," as only 7 year-olds can play it.

They set it up like checkers and called out "checkmate" every time they moved.

Then, of course, they argued over the rules.

Frosty the Snowman

Day On

Monday was supposed to be a day off, but ended up being a day on.

C had a dentist appointment, so I took both girls along to make an afternoon of it.

We went to the dentist, went out to lunch, and went to go paint our own pottery.

I told you she is obsessed.

And then we headed back to the dentist.

C had a cavity.  Another one.

It's such an embarrassing moment as a mom!  We take care of her teeth, she rarely gets sweets, and even more rarely gets soda.

Apparently, it just happens.

Twice.

Then, it was home for 45 minutes before heading out again for an extra-long dance session for E.  Then, home again to finish making a late-for-us dinner.

Oh, and the things that didn't get done?  Baths, Cosby Show, etc. are now scheduled for tonight.

Fortunately, day on is now day over.

Phew!

The Eegl Hant

This is what E made for Mr. Einstein for Christmas:

Yes, I know the spelling is atrocious.

BUT, she planned it, sewed it, and wrote it all by herself.

And it will always be treasured.

Gone Fishin'

Sometimes happiness consists of a stick,

some string, a wall hook, some seaweed,

and a grandpa.

Second

She's a second grader today:

(That dress was below her knees at the beginning of the summer.)

My "little" girl.

Finally Tri-Cycling

It's been a productive summer.

E finally learned to ride her bike without training wheels:

C finally figured out her bike with training wheels:

M finally figured out how to pedal his retro trike:

All on the same day.

At Least Someone Enjoyed It

This morning, E asked us if they could run through the sprinklers this afternoon.

Apparently, though, it was too cold for 2/3 of them.

Oh, well. At least one of them enjoyed it.

Springfest

Every year, our small town has a big celebration over Memorial Day weekend.

And every year, our small dance studio puts on a big performance at the amphitheater.

Both the girls dance with Dance FX, run by Toby and Rosalie Black (I second-shoot weddings with Rosalie).

They offer a wide assortment of dance classes,

from Tiny Tots (ages 2-3):

(I have no idea what this little girl is doing, but her expression is priceless! And that's Rosalie with her)

to cheerleading:

(They cheer with the high school cheerleaders.)

to big girls' hip hip:

to jazz:

(That's C!)

to lyrical jazz:

to little boys' hip hop:

to Irish dancing:

to big boys' hip hop:

(Here's a random picture of E doing her hip hop; I can't figure out how to move pictures around from Picasa.)

to clogging:

I love this performance! It's by far my favorite every year.

The weather doesn't always cooperate (as you can tell from the photos; the clouds and sun were fighting that day, making it impossible for me to keep up with my camera settings), but it's a beautiful, fun setting, and free for the community to watch.

And can you tell I finally figured out how to do a watermark? Love!

7

I tell her daily

that she needs to stop

growing up so fast.

Apparently,

she doesn't listen.

Because

she keeps getting older;

and today,

she is seven.

Happy Seventh Birthday, E!

I'm really sorry I posted this picture of you.

But, seriously, if you're not going to smile at the camera, what choice do I have?

Finally!

After snowing most of last week,

after temperatures below zero for most of the week,

after icy roads, slippery sidewalks, and squeaky snow,

it finally warmed up enough and the snow finally became wet enough

to make this:

**********

Don't forget! Today is your last chance to enter to win this!

Footed

A couple of years ago, we started the tradition of giving our kids new winter pajamas at Thanksgiving. We buy them at the Carter's outlet towards the end of summer, and each kid gets to pick out the pair he or she wants. (Okay, he doesn't get to choose; he's too little.)

This year, both girls chose footed pajamas, so M got a footed pair as well.

Since it's been so cold already this year, we broke out the Thanksgiving pajamas on Halloween.

They were so excited!