Bratfest 2013

As David and Mary pointed out, "Sara's first bratfest!!!!"  Definitely an important event in a baby's life.

Here are some pictures of "Sara's first bratfest!!!!"

Oh, Sara, my sweet little winter baby who never went anywhere.  It's been good to finally start getting you out into the city where you were born.  And any baby born in Madison has to go to Bratfest!



(What did we do on Memorial Day weekend before Bratfest became a part of our lives???)

Ballet spring showcase

Last winter Mary began taking ballet classes at a classical ballet school.  It has been a wonderful experience.  The school's approach is loving, holistic, and fun. But serious. Yet not stressful.  They are learning to dance instead of learning a dance.

In May the school had their spring showcase.  It was small and simple at just 30 minutes long total.  But it was beautiful and moving.  The students danced to music from Charles Gounod's Faust.  (Mary's Pre-Ballet class danced to "Les Nubiennes.")  

I do not have pictures or video from any of the performances. (No cameras allowed.)  But a week before the show, the students tried on their costumes over their leotards and practiced the dance in front of parents.  You can see a video of the class practicing HERE.

To accommodate all the family and friends who wanted to see the show, there were three performances over two days (not to mention the extra rehearsals that weekend).  It made for a busy Friday and Saturday.  But, as usual, Mary, with her remarkable stamina, handled it all with grace.

Mary off stage between performances.

Congratulations, Mary!  I brought flowers for her on opening night.
It was such a lovely performance that people were crying at the end of the show!

Mary in costume after the final performance.

When Mary got home after the final performance, she celebrated by giving Sara a big hug.

...though I'm not sure how Sara felt about Mary's celebratory hug.

Oh the sister love.
By the way, Mary looks like one of my cousins in the picture.
 (Hey, fam, doesn't she resemble Shannon or Alicia?)

Man, this year sure beat last spring's recital.  Last year was an important experience.  It gave Mary (and me) confidence and a sense of accomplishment.  Mary is still proud that she danced in front of so many people.  Most importantly, though, I now know what to avoid.  That kind of program--with the emphasis on a single grand performance with expensive costumes instead of an emphasis on teaching and caring--is not a good match for Mary or our family.  (David definitely preferred sitting through the 30 minute program to the 3-hour one!)  Mary has a gift for being graceful, and I am happy we found a dance studio that restored her love of dance.

P.S.  Locals, check out Ballet U.  I highly recommend it!  Serious, fun, quality, and age-appropriate instruction.  Also, it's reasonably priced, and they offer financial assistance in lots of ways.  The director's philosophy is that every child should have the opportunity to dance.

David, too

I know I have been posting a lot about Mary.  The thing is that she tends to jump in front of the camera, whereas David avoids it.  And I tend to post what I have pictures of.

Not to worry, though.  David recently turned 8, had an awesome birthday party, earned his gold belt in karate, got glasses, finished a great year of school with a wonderful teacher, and, very very best of all, was baptized and confirmed.  There are plenty of David pictures and posts to come.

Meanwhile, here are a few pictures of sweet David with his baby sister, back when she was 4 1/2 months old.  David is a loving, caring, tender, fun and funny big brother.  Sara adores him.

Mary's Primary talk

On Sunday, April 21 Mary gave her first Primary talk.  The week before Mary dictated her talk to me--she knew just what to say--and I typed it up.  She shared the story of when Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father appeared to Joseph Smith.  In Primary, she read the talk while I held up a picture.  She did a great job!

Best of all, Mary, of her own accord, invited her two best friends to come hear her talk.  (Mary organized this all on her own.  She has quite the organizational skills.)  The girls stayed for all of Primary and had a great time.  Mary is happy and anxious to talk to her friends about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  What a good example.  She never ceases to amaze me.

Here are the three best friends--Brooke, Mary, and Abby--in the car on the way to church.

Two pictures from two months ago

This is a picture of a baby on the edge.  Don't let the cute little tongue fool you--look at the stress in her eyes.

This is a picture of a baby who has gone over the edge.  And that is her big sister looking frighteningly pleased with the whole thing.

Being a baby is not easy.

Katie

Despite what your big sister may think, sometimes you do not want to wake up with Katie the Bitty Baby staring you in the face.

Uncle Daniel came to visit

Waaaay back in April, after BYU's final exams, my brother Daniel came to visit.  It was great to see him, and he was wonderful with the kids.  (David and Mary loved playing with him, and he was a doll with Sara.)  I loved talking with Daniel.  Man, I love my baby brother.

We had a great visit.  One day I picked David up early from school so we could take Daniel downtown.  We visited the Veteran's Museum (small, free, and very well-done) and the capitol.  The next day we took Daniel to the National Mustard Museum (Wisconsinites love their brats which means they take their mustard very seriously) and then next door to the yummy Hubbard Avenue Diner.  I am very grateful that he spent his precious few days between winter and spring terms with us.

(You can read/see a little about the visit from Daniel's point of view HERE.  The picture of Daniel and Sara melts my heart.)

P.S.  Daniel, you have now survived both "The Mary and the Flies Incident" of long ago, as well as the more recent "David and the Ticks Incident."  You may never want to get in a car with either of my kids again.  Thank you, as always, for your calm in face of a crisis!

Yes, twins

Months ago I posed the question, "Twins?"

The answer is, "Yes."  According to Mary, she and Sara are definitely twins.  "Just not the kind who have the same eyes or the same hair or were born at the same time."  But they are the kind that wear the same clothes.

I definitely did not see this coming, but I learned that I am happy to oblige (like at Easter!).

Whenever possible, Mary likes to match Sara as much as possible.  It is very sweet, really.

Here are some pictures of my twins.

Strawberry twins ...

Yellow twins ...

Polka-dot skirt twins ...

Love my "twins."  (And they love each other.)

Father's Day

This year David made a card for Greg that said "Happy 8th Father's Day."  Very thoughtful.  Here is a picture of Greg's "first" Father's Day.  David was ten days old.  He was very small back then.  (I love the expression on his face--newborns are so funny.)

Mary, meanwhile, proudly made her dad a "King for a Day" crown this year.  I think it's funny that, in our house at least, Mom gets to take a break from being a mom on Mother's Day, but on Father's Day Dad gets extra time being a dad. But it seems the perfect way to celebrate each day.  (Best of all, though, no extra church meetings on either day!)

Good thing Greg likes being a dad.  And he's really good at it.  Like, really really good.

Here is a picture of Greg with his first two.

And here are some pictures of Greg with his whole crew.

That dad is a very beloved guy.  By me most of all.

Back in business

I might actually post regularly for the next few weeks.  The last few months I haven't been in front of my computer screen much.  It's been good.  But I also miss blogging.  Though I am feeling differently about it of late.  Reevaluation in progress ...

In the mean time I have lots to share--pictures, happenings, events, updates.  All coming soon, I hope.  Until then, here are a few pictures taken this week of the sweetest, gentlest, tenderest little baby ever.  How she survives the chaos of our home I do not understand.