little dreams of ballerinas

"I liked everything that touched fantasy and beauty."

-Jacqueline de Ribes-

We recently had a little glimpse of real ballerinas...  

real tutus and ballet shoes,

  graceful men and women that twirled and danced effortlessly,

beautiful classical music,

and amazing talent.

I was delighted to be able to show my little dancer how real ballerinas danced and what they wore.  

She danced that night trying so hard to tippy toe around while twirling gracefully.

She stopped to answer questions from curious sisters and even laid out some costumes for us to see.

What a beautiful impression the real ballerinas made on this little one.  I am grateful for the talent they share with their youngest admirers.

first steps

They are wobbly, uneven and completely without rhythm.  

Yes, those first few weeks of beginning to walk are quite amusing. 

You saunter here and there.  Sometimes you make it to your destination and other times you literally fall short.  Most often you are patient and happy to get up and try again but other times you cry and scream out of frustration.  I often catch myself jolting my head around when I catch a glimpse of a little mop of curls coming toward me--I find myself thinking, "I can't believe she is really walking."

Take your time sweet girl.  I know you want to run to keep up with your sisters.  We adore your uncoordinated first steps and look forward to watching you grow more confident on your little feet!

her day

She was up bright and early to meet the sun on her first day.

After much anticipation, her first day of school finally arrived.  She eagerly asked about this day everyday last week when we saw her older sister off to school.  Waiting a whole week was hard for this #2 who excitedly follows in her older sister's footsteps.

On her day, she marched right into her new classroom, greeted her teachers with a drawing and a hug {this is definitely her trademark...a hand-drawn picture for all teachers and a hug}.  She proudly found and showed me her cubby and confidently hung her backpack and set her lunchbox in the top.  She was off, and didn't really even look back.

She was delighted to share a class with her best bud and other friends from last year.  She talked about playing in the sandbox, racing cars and putting puzzles together with her sweet friends.

After reading "The Kissing Hand," her teachers asked her how she felt about school.  Loud and proud she exclaimed, "excited!"

I am thankful for a happy start to a new year at school!

summertime rites of passage

My big girl is extremely cautious just like her mother.  She is always thinking ahead and seems to foresee the worst possible scenarios when it comes to physical activities.  Unfortunately, I think this has kept her from confidently mastering new skills.

This summer was different.

She seemed to be in just the right place to master some new skills we have been working on for a few years.  Thanks to some loving and patient teachers that didn't let her give up, she now swims confidently and independently!  And this afternoon, she took that first ride on her bike without and adult hands holding on.

 

via

We are delighted that you have mastered such wonderful physical skills this summer.  They will continue to bring you joy and exercise throughout your life!

back in the saddle again...

Well, we are back in the saddle again.  Off to school. Another year on the horizon.  New beginnings, teachers and friends.

I am incredibly happy she was ready to go this morning.  I gently woke her before the sunrise and whispered, "today is your first day of school, time to get up, rise and shine."  She looked up at me, smiled and said, "today isn't the first day, we already went to school together last week for my first day...we went together, remember, you and me?"  I was overjoyed to know she wasn't nervous about today.  In her mind, we already faced the first day together, last week at Meet-the-Teacher.

She sleepily got dressed and decided she would like to wear her hair down in a headband.  I held my tongue and let her pick out the headband she wanted to wear.  She proudly brushed her hair with only a little help in the back from me.  For breakfast, she ate what she always eats on the first days of school: yogurt, granola and berries in the fancy blue glass bowl.  Just like her mother (a ball of nerves on first days), she only took a tiny bite and decided that was enough.  She tied her shoes all by herself this year and reminded me that we needed to take photos in the front yard before leaving.

It was nice to meet today with a sense of relief.  Already knowing the school and all the procedures made us all feel peaceful and less worried about the first day.  Although she still clutched tight to my hand when we made our way into the overcrowded school, she walked confidently into her new classroom, found her locker and put her things away.  She was ready.

I had to laugh as her little sister guided her up the sidewalk and across the street to school this morning.  She walked proudly with you, giving pep talks along the way and holding the picture she drew for your teacher.

Despite your constant summertime quarrels, she will miss you immensely today.

When we got back into the car to go home, I felt that familiar tightness in my throat that seems to arise with emotions about my children, something related to them growing up and a passage of time -- all too quick.  This year she is no longer a kindergartner.  She is growing fast and strong, ready for everything.  She is moving forward and I am so proud, despite a few tears {from Momma} along the way.

Happy first day to all of you!

last of the summer evenings

Our summer evening look something like this most nights.  After dinner sprinkler fun consumes them as the golden sun sinks slowly down below the tree tops in our yard.  It is hard to believe that our summer is coming to an end.  Although we had our share of hard days, I am glad these three had lots of time together at home this summer.  Sisterly bonds grew stronger and tighter.  I had to laugh when I took my middle one to play with a friend and all she asked for was her sister.  

Hope your summer evenings are peaceful and happy, especially during this last week prior to school's arrival.

little snippets of summer days

happy summertime yogurt shop visits - weaving lessons - summer festival with friends - little reminders about hot stoves - an old door in town - exposure to live music for kids - one-year well check dr. appointment - boat rides - riding lessons