kate's first dance class

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A few weeks ago, Kate started pretending "dance class," and one night before bed, she asked me if she could start going to real dance classes. It was a strangely grown-up conversation, and I told her that Daddy and I would think about it. She then kept reminding me that I promised we'd think about it! Needless to say, we got her enrolled!


Kate was so excited to go to her first class. She walked right in without fear, but then just stood in the back and wouldn't respond to the teacher's requests to participate. I was just glad she wasn't crying! Once they changed to tap, Kate was finally ready to dance!

The video is hilarious to me.... it's the moment she decided to stop being a wall flower. 

Just a note... this was a substitute teacher, and in Kate's regular class there are about 7 or 8 little girls. I thought it was so funny that there was only one other little girl there at the first class!
first dance class


And the video:


We went to dance for the second time this week, and Kate followed the same course. She sat down for the whole ballet time, but then she got her new tap shoes on and was ready to roll! She just needs a little time to warm up to being there, I guess! It might take a few weeks before she tries any ballet. :)


friday phone dump 01.04.13

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I fell off the "friday phone dump" wagon many months ago as I have not really been taking very many pics with my phone. I do have a few to share, though.
The first seven are back from September and October. The rest are from December, and the last two are from yesterday.phone dump 1.4.13 mosaic

first time to the donut shop | ClickinWalk
simultaneous sliding | kiss for Caroline | kiss for Kate
sweet sister hugs | another hug (lots of playing in the backyard in October!) | cute Caroline expression
silhouette | playing TOGETHER! | dress up
snowman in the window | backyard snow play - Caroline didn't last long | bathtub kisses
C in the stroller | C kicking the soccer ball | K dancing along w/ The Nutcracker


And because I really loved this, here's the silhouette picture bigger. Definitely taking my good camera to this spot sometime... we'll have to try to recreate this. :)


'tis the season...

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for Christmas cards...


And here's the image a little bigger. I love getting sweet sister shots! They're definitely hard to come by, and Daddy was a BIG help to snag this one.




for pictures with Santa... 

Kate held this pose the whole time, and Caroline was between sobs here.




and for Christmas programs...

Kate's class helped sing "Away in a Manger," "Joy to the World," and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." The little ones were all thoroughly distracted by all that was happening on stage and watching the big screens, but they managed to squeeze in the lyrics here and there. :)

The picture on the right was when they told the kids to "catch a bubble" so they would be quiet. I loved Kate's little bubble face!



Caroline and I are off to Kate's "Happy Birthday, Jesus" Christmas party at school here in just a few minutes! This post could go on and on.... so many fun things to enjoy during the Christmas season!