Dancing Divas

My incredible sister-in-law Tiffany decided she wasn't being stretched enough, what with her husband gone at law school every week and all. So, being the saint that she is, she decided to invite eight 3-4 year old girls for the next five Wednesdays to the church gym for free dance instruction. I know. Wow!

I was so impressed today when the eight pretty princesses experienced a real professional dance class. Tiffany had outlined lesson plans so creative and fun that the kids were jumping with excitement. Mary had a blast, and I felt like a proud mama cheering them on. Mary's the second one on the right.




This week's theme was Jungle Mania! The lucky little ladies moved like jungle animals to special jungle music with their special jungle toy (Mary had a bear). These girls made the most darling elephants, snakes, and monkeys I have ever seen. The group even began a routine that will be shown in all it's glory at a dance recital on May 15th. Stay tuned for that. Where does Tiffany come up with all this great stuff? It must be from all her years dancing and cheering. I mean, look at this move. I know. Wow!




This new stage was probably more exciting for me than Mary. It felt like such a "moment" purchasing her first dance outfit and rolling her hair into a bun. We went to my mom's just before the lesson to show off her new digs. I could see her mind flash back twenty five years...apparently Mary looks just like me. Poor girl. Luckily she's got her Daddy's amazing eyelashes and incredible dance moves. Here's a photo from when I was 5 in a similar get up (side note: That Basque man is my brother Damian during Halloween--not some creepy small guy--I was way too shy to go near anyone like that). So, can you see the mother/daughter connection?






Or...perhaps she resembles her uncle Jared more? It's a toss up.




Anyway, enjoy this video of some of today's lesson and the dance expertise of my amazing sister Tiffany.

The Magic of Bubble Gum, Grandma, and Joyln

Mary reminds me every so often of her favorite photographer, Joyln Hutsell with Ambience Photography. She works magic. She can masterfully capture your kids' beauty and unique expressions in a 10 minute or less photo shoot. Now, Mary's smart. She has picked up on this magic and sings her praises whenever the word picture is mentioned, literally, she sings about her all the time. Her song mostly consists of the following lyrics in a variety of tunes: "Jolyn, Jolyn, Jolyn, takes my pictures, and then...I get bubble gum".

Yes, the other magic trick to help get incredible pictures is to bribe your children with bubble gum. If you buy that bubble tape stuff it lasts for a long time, so they think their getting a great deal. Noah doesn't chew bubble gum yet, but he also doesn't require bribing...just a few toys during the shoot and Grandma's amazing distractive techniques. She has a gift.

Somehow your years of terrible camera work and minimal numbers of professional photo shoots get washed away with experiences like these. I hope I take some time to get more done of the whole family...and soon! They grow way too fast!

So, which picture do you like best?

Noah 1:

Noah 2:

Noah 3:

Noah 4:

Noah 5:



Mary 1:

Mary 2:

Mary 3:

Mary 4:

Mary 5:



Together 1:

Together 2:

Together 3:

Together 4:

Zoolicious

Another family activity while in SF was a visit to the Zoo. I remember going to the zoo on the first Wednesdays of the month as teenagers. Why? Boredom...and it was free. Plus, some of the boys found it funny to taunt and tease the poor caged up animals. I do have to say it was quite a different experience from what I remember. I mean look at how close this giraffe is! Maybe the whole tiger attack has brought in some fresh excitement. Way to go SF!! I loved all the renovations and plans for more improvement.



Here are five easy steps to making a zoo trip with little ones ZOOLICIOUS...
1. Wear comfy shoes. Yes, the bane of my existence..too tall and uncomfortable shoes...or is it just that I'm too short. Let's blame it on the short gene, not my decision to buy lots of tall, cheap, darling, Payless shoes. Grin...smile..act like it doesn't hurt... Actually, you walk around so much inside that I don't know if parking in the streets was worth the eight dollars saved. Yes, it was. That's expensive parking considering you already put a down payment on your entrance tickets. Plus, the little train ride was unavailable (sent away to be fixed) that could have saved a few feet of walking!:) Next time I'll bring the tennis shoes, despite how dorky I think I look.



2. Get one of these strollers. We were the last ones to get it, and I saw people coveting it as we passed. Worth every penny! And the kids loved it. If they could just have one adult seat on it I could have kept my feet in prime condition.



3. Bring some of your own sanitizer. I LOVED this petting area. It was heaven for the kids. I wonder if they drug up some of these animals? They were so tame. In fact a couple scared me because I thought they were statues. (The zoo does provide some sanitizer when you leave the fenced area, it was just empty.)



4. Make sure you eat at the cafes. Just save a few hundred dollars for the event, or get a donation from your grandparent. It may have been more zoo-like than the animals themselves, but it was a nice transition from petting world to our find-all-the-animals trek. We only spent a few hours there all together. That was smart--sometimes less is more.



5. Bring Grandpa along to watch the kids...definitely outnumbering the amount of children was a good idea. We were able to get these cool wheel barrels, tractors and play rakes much easier. While another parent headed for an item with kid in tote our extra adult could dash to it free as a bird and snatch it. Also, a grandpa this nice doesn't get mad when your kid (Noah) insists on climbing over fences and constantly refusing to go to the next animal stop because he's so interested in the last. Why didn't I inherit his patience gene?




Unfortunately, I didn't take a picture of the ferocious animals that were all hiding. The lions were laying on their backs with their limbs pointing towards the air. Do you think these ferocious animals were really "sleeping" the whole time we watched them? They must have drugged them too. Conspiracy. Law suit protection. Whatever! They were so still, I couldn't get Noah to actually see where they were. Plus, I had no idea they lay on their backs like that. I just watched Lion King again to check. Simba slept much more natural looking. Maybe they were scratching their backs on the rocks when the tranquilizer hit them?



BTW-I did dress Mary in the same outfit two days in a row because she insisted; however, they were washed after the beach. Who wears the blue pants in this family?

Beach Babies

We took a quick trip back home this weekend for my cousin Pierre's return from Iraq and my good friend Debra's wedding reception. The weekend was jam packed with visits, activities, and a peek at our new little niece Lucy Jane Nadauld. After our six hour drive we arrived in San Bruno just itchy to run around. So, we headed to the beach! Instead of driving to Half Moon Bay we chanced it in Pacifica. Would you believe there was no fog or wind? The kids had a great time running away from the waves... with only a few slips, some wet clothes, several frozen toes, the smell of salt in our hair, and unbearable sandy numb legs afterwards. Sometimes, I really miss California!

The Love Bug

On Valentine's this year our family was bitten by the Love Bug's evil twin...also known as...the wicked Flu Bug. Instead of chocolates, roses and musical melodies we enjoyed Ginger Ale, tissues, and sounds unmentionable. Noah was the first to be bitten, followed by Aaron along with my more milder case. The only family survivor was our own little Lovebug, Mary. We're just waiting for her to fall victim and helpless.



We did manage to enjoy our nieces' beautiful baptism, despite the fact that several cousins lay pale and puking in neat little rows. We also made some Valentine's treats for Mary and Noah's "friends" (cousins).



Although in many ways it was a torturous weekend, there's nothing that makes you feel more loved and needed than your child falling to sleep in your arms exhausted from illness. What a way to remember how grateful you are for the love of your family.

By the way, sorry for the lack of posting..two months have passed by. Wow! I just recently joined Facebook and have been spending my "Blogging Time" reconnecting with so many old friends. What a treat. I haven't responded to any of your blogs, but plan on commenting very shortly. Don't write me off...yet!

Pass the Kleenex please

This is the most amazing Christmas video that I found on YouTube. Really, take the time to watch it. I used it for our ward Christmas party last week, and since that's over I can now share it with all my friends and family. Just be sure to pull out the tissues. It is a real tear jerker.

Tis' the Season

It's December!

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