The Fighter's

2014-2015 dance season is a wrap!  The girls had their big recital this weekend - with lots of special visitors in attendance.  Grammy, Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Carly, MJ and our neighbors - the Krebs!  Ava danced tap, jazz & hip hop, Kate danced tap & jazz and Olivia - she was my little ballerina this year. I am so proud of these girls and all they have accomplished this dance season.  Their hard work, dedication, spirit and joy they exude while dancing it....I'm a proud mama!  They have grown so much this past year and it has been so much fun to watch!  And we are so thankful to the studio...the teachers work so hard to not only inspire these girls in dance...but they also encourage them to be well rounded, strong and positive lights in this world. What a fun year!

Girls learning the realities of make up removal after dance rehearsal.  not easy!

My little Friday sidekick....hiding and buried under groceries!  Soaking up these last Friday's of her and I.  Every Friday she helps me make copies at Ava and Kates school, followed by errands and broccoli cheese soup from Panera (she loves hers in a bread bowl!).  Then every once in a while I can convince her to help me clean.  I love my little buddy.  

I am officially the worse girl scout badge sewer in the world... Thankfully Katelyn is very forgiving - but this picture may give you an idea of what I went through to get the badges on.  I finally resorted to good old super glue.  Katelyn is ready for her bridging ceremony (after going through a year of GS - lacking badges). And I am owning the fact that badge sewing is not my strong suit (sorry girls!).

Olivia draws the best pictures!  Here is her latest...I asked her what it was and she said "Mommy throwing a snowball"

It's kind of sad it's been over a year since my last post!  No excuse...well maybe a few (or 3...who keep me hopping!).  School, work, dance, swim team, cleaning, church, eating, dating (my husband of course!), soccer, time with family, time with friends, tennis, golf, grocery shopping, homework, book reports, Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring...now repeat it all again! Life. Is. Busy. But...for the most part that's what makes it So. Much. Fun.  And the down times that much sweeter.  We do have those too...sometimes it's a conscious effort....one we're not great at...but we're working on it. And the girls have grown and I have too (and probably have a few more gray hairs...Doug found his first a few weeks ago)!  And Ava's up to my shoulder and the perfect mix of confident young beautiful lady meets Huge Star Wars fan...meets beautiful dancer.  She's pretty amazing.  Katelyn my petite sweet but spicy ball of fire...she so fun.  Packs a punch in ev...

Dressed up and ready to go for Right to Read week super hero day.  Princess Leia & my Teenage Mutant Ninja turtle.  And I am realizing this morning how thankful I am for these days when they are still proud to dress up in costume. Love them! 

What a great year for Ava with these mini tappers!  And Miss Jen too!

Sweet moments...

Poor Ava came home from school today with a fever and flu symptoms.  Hate it when they're sick.  But I'm so thankful when they are I can tuck them into my bed next to our office so I can keep an eye on the while I work.  Poor sweet thing conked out with layers of clothes and blankets on.  You know they're sick when they nap.

We love - love!  And Olivia loves chocolate! And we had a fun night out at a Valentines dinner with friends!

Some mornings a good tune comes on while I'm driving the girls to school - and so we jam out.  My favorites include 80's/90's favorites - I like to dance, sing at the top of my lungs - and my girls either laugh or look at me funny, depending on their mood.  Today we rocked out to one of my favorites...I had flashbacks to my curled and hair sprayed high bangs, banana clips and stone washed jeans.

So proud of the girls!  They attended their first dance convention - days full of classes, and Ava competed in tap, jazz, hip hop dances - their team did great and I am so proud of the girls for all their hard work this weekend.  And - in addition to classes and competing - we had such a fun time just being together.  It turned out to be a fun girls weekend with 2 of my sweet peas! Ava's tap - "Let Me Clear My Throat".  Girls did awesome and scored first place for tap in their division! Sweet time with my ladies - relaxing after a long day! Class time! Ava's hip hop dance - Treasure Hunt! Ava's Jazz Dance..."Love Potion".   The production routine - Equality in Motion.  Loved this dance! Kate in her classes - she got to go on stage! All tuckered out!  Lots of hard work put in to the weekend! All you need is Lo...