{Princess Dance Camp}

An advertisement came through my email for a Living Social voucher for a Princess Dance Camp at a local dance studio earlier in the summer.  I knew Chase would not do it alone...she's not that kind of gal!

But we found a sweet friend to do it with, then Chase said she didn't want to go :(

So I didn't buy it.  

At the very last moment before the deal expired, I asked her one last time, and lo and behold,

she said YES!  So I quickly snatched it up before she could change her mind.

We borrowed tap shoes, ballet shoes and leotards and away she went!!

Slightly hesitant the first day, but not bad at all.

It was Monday thru Friday, 9-12.

Each morning they started in ballet shoes with some movement/music...

then I don't know what they did!!

I know they made a craft each day, had a snack, did some tap...

then at 11:30 each morning a "REAL" princess showed up.

Monday was Sleeping Beauty...

Learning how to wave like a princess

Tuesday was Ariel...

Wednesday and Thursday were REALLY real princesses...as in the girls that are doing the beauty pageant circuits (I think)...

And Friday was the culmination with Cinderella.  

They also did a performance...

I've got some cute videos but need to figure out how to get them on here.

Another day!  I just needed to post these because I've got others that need to get on here too.

She really enjoyed it.  I don't think we'll be signing up with a "real" dance studio yet.  But surprisingly she liked the tap best.  I'm going to see what the Y is offering.  I think she loved seeing the princesses the best.

Did you notice that all 3 dress up princesses are the same lady??

We've had such a fun and busy summer.  It's been a blessing.

I was worried at first, but we're down to the last 2 weeks and those are full of family.

We hope ya'll have had a blast too :)

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. 

A moment I want to pause, savor,  and remember.

Hello????

Where are we, you're wondering??

Photo credit: London 2012 Olympics - Pictograms

Well, each and every night we are sitting in front of our TV, watching the Olympics, OF COURSE!

It's wreaked havoc on our sleeping schedule (as if this nursing mom needs more havoc!)

We're up until about midnight each night...

but, it's been so much fun to watch together.

We have loved the swimming, the gymnastics, the track & field...

the close calls, the contesting of medals, the Bob Costas interviews, 

seeing the athletes all cleaned up with their medals on the Today Show& the really cool stories like Oscar Pritorius and Kirani James.

It's amazing to me that so many countries from around the world don't even win a SINGLE medal.

Imagine, not a single medal???

Equally amazing to me is that China {basically} did not participate until the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, and they are such a power house.  I mean, I get it, but still...

So, those are my thoughts on the games.

We've calculated that Chase will be almost 16 for the 2024 games.

Yeah, at the rate she's going, she's not going to be the next Missy Franklin!!

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. 

A moment I want to pause, savor,  and remember.

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. 

A moment I want to pause, savor,  and remember.

{3 boys born at church since the end of February ~ there is one more not shown}

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. 

A moment I want to pause, savor,  and remember.

(Brudder's 4 month well check.  Snow White came along for the ride!)

4 MONTHS:

Weight: 12 lb 13 oz, 5%ile

Height:  24 1/4", 13%ile

Head circumference: 40 3/4cm, 22%ile

::Ninoo's Visit::

We had another fabulous visit with Ninoo (aka Selina)

I met this dear friend in Philadelphia about 11 years ago.

She is so kind to visit us about two times a year, and she spoils us rotten.

She loves to cook and bake, exercise, play with the kids, etc.

She loved meeting baby Beck.

We had a great visit to our favorite thrift store and made out like bandits.

She has learned to bring a bigger suitcase than what she would normally bring in order to fit everything back in to get it home.  This time she really needed it!!

How DARLING is this one year old gorilla, Monroe?  We loved him!!!

We had a nice day to ourselves without kids shopping in a nearby beach town...
we visited the San Diego Zoo Safari Park...
we went to my boot camp fitness class one night...
we did some walking/jogging together...
saw fireworks together on the fourth of July...
she babysat for us so we could go on a date.
We had a great time at a local winery and then dinner.

John always enjoys good conversation with her and this visit was able to help her with a financial budget.
She cooked us some delicious meals and made her famous sangria.

It was an absolutely wonderful visit and I'm hopeful that she went back home to her stressful job a little more relaxed than when she arrived.

We look forward to our next visit...in January maybe??