ballet. round 2

There she stood all dressed in the much-anticipated ballet accouterments that she longed to wear.

With a point of her toe, a twirl of her body on a single foot and arms open wide, she was a ballerina.

Her turn had finally come and a little ballerina dance on her bed was definitely called for.

We are delighted to see where her little pointed toes take her this year!

her first day

Her first day of her second preschool year finally came 3 weeks after her sister's first day.

She asked and asked when she would go.  With the third, I am always amazed at how eager she is to do just what her sisters do.  She acts without hesitancy and yearns to fervently keep up.

Although her first day of school came a week later than expected, she sailed along without a hiccup on her first day.  She marched in with her reusable tote (requested instead of a backpack this year), found her cubby and her friends and seemed utterly delighted to tinker with the little toys and Play Doh at the exploration table.  As I left her, I bent down to give her a final kiss and reassurance that I would return, only to find her completely absorbed with the manipulatives on the table.  Needless to say, she was delighted to be at school again.  Even though I was a bit sad that she didn't even care to say goodbye, I was incredibly happy that she was so happy.

A wonderful year awaits!

dive

This summer, she worked up the confidence to dive standing up.  She was coached by all her expert coaches and with a month of practice, felt comfortable diving while standing up at her end of summer competition.

All that hard work paid off with a well-deserved medal at the end.  It was a good summer of swimming for this girl. 

Dress up days with her boy

She has reached the stage that I so fondly remember with the others--dress up days!  Any chance she gets, she rummages through the dress-up trunk in her sisters' room to find the perfect pieces to pair together for her desired look.  On this particular morning, she decided to dress up her boy as well.  Thankfully, he is a willing participant...happy to have her attention for a bit.

Summer concert series, Part 2

Each summer, our lovely piano teacher comes to our house and hosts a piano recital for my girls and our family.  It is a wonderfully intimate way to introduce young children to the idea of playing for people without too much pressure.

 She insisted on a solo.

 She prefers duets played with her teacher.

They adore their teacher and the time spent weekly with her.  We look forward to our next summer concert series!

Tea

Oh how lovely it was to sip tea from my Grandmother's tea set at my niece's birthday party.  Just having my hands encircled around her dainty tea cups with the sweet floral pattern and gilded rim, made me so happy and feel her presence around me.  I adored my Grandmother and miss her all the time.  She did everything right in my world and was such a friend to me.  To have tea with her again would be the most lovely treat in all the world!

her turn to celebrate

10 days after her sister, she finally gets her celebration.  It seems like an eternity to an almost 3-year-old, but a combined swimming birthday party helped ease the 10-day wait.  Yes, this year, she shared a birthday celebration with her sister.  They celebrated with all their close friends and siblings at a favorite public pool. 

She and her sister were delighted to have cookie cake for the special occasion.  She was a little unsure about blowing out her birthday candles alone because of almost burning her hair while helping her daddy blow out his candles a few months prior.  Thankfully, her eager sisters were close-by to help.

 This year you were overjoyed to open cards and "read" them.  You seemed to enjoy this more than the unwrapping of gifts.

On the day of your actual birthday, your sisters thought a birthday morning donut was in order.  You picked a chocolate sprinkle donut to devour.

Your 3-year-old measurements were added to the wall in the garage along with your sister's.  You were so excited to be included in the annual birthday measure.

We adore your strong mind, sweet manners, feisty and fearless personality but kind heart.  Although you are quite stubborn and strong, you take such great care with others and your kindness beams like rays of pure sunlight from gray clouds.  We love you, kid.

Your first annual birthday questionnaire:

1. What is your favorite color?

Yellow

2. What is your favorite food?

Burger fries

3. What is your favorite thing to play?

Blocks with daddy 

4. What do you like to do outside?

Swing 

5. What do you want to be when you grow up?

Myself

6. What is your favorite book? 

George

7. What would you like to do this year before you turn 4?

Go in daddy's car