Singing' and Dancin'

You may have seen it on facebook, but I have to share here too. The other day, while waiting for Adam to run out of the store, I let Maeve out of her car seat and up front to sit with me. We were jamming along to her favorite cd, a mix of pop songs re-done by their artists and Sesame Street characters to have child messages and she started singing and dancing along. She does this All.The.Time! Usually, she's in her car seat  or stops when she sees the camera, but I was able to get her this time!! In a week where I really, really need smiles she does one better and gives me laughs instead. 

Our Overpasses Are Cooler Than Yours

Play dates are one of the best parts of being a stay-at-home mom. Your children get to see other kiddos, run around, and explore all while you catch up on the daily ins and outs with your friends. It makes me feel more like my pre-baby self to share an afternoon with another mama, and maybe a coffee or croissant. 

(Oh Central Market how you make the best play dates!!) 

Playing in some of the fountains that are scattered through the park. 

Yesterday Maeve and I trekked out to Dallas to see my friend, and Mongolia roomie, Jenny & her little bit Haven. Don't judge, but we've only been able to see them once since Miss H came along. I know, I know! You'd be amazed how far away everything seems in the same metro-plex!! Haven was a quiet, wide eyed observer most of our time, a tiny thing just like her mama and daddy! Maeve, on the other hand, ran around like a crazy woman and downed most of the sno-cone I had planned on us sharing. We met up at Klyde Warren Park in Dallas and it is SO neat! They built this huge park on top of an overpass in the middle of downtown. Fountains are everywhere, a futuristic playground, book and newspaper carts, pianos and food trucks---AWESOME! What is not so awesome is that it's fairly new, and so are its tiny baby trees. There was practically no shade to hide little people under; especially little people who are too small still for sunscreen. 

The lunching ladies. Look how TINY that sweet girl is!

The children's playground.

The company and the park were a blast and I had to literally pry Maeve up from the water when our meter was about to run out. AND we even made it home in time for naps! Yippee!! It's funny, I so often feel like I have no idea what I'm doing, that I know no more than I did when Maeve first came along. Being around a new little girly-whirly reminded me--we're not there anymore. Sure, we're learning new things about each other, and battling new battles, but the newness of it all has changed and I like to think I'll feel a little more confident with my next baby when the time comes along. To remember I basically camped out most of the first year. I was overwhelmed when we would tackle play dates before she hit about a year. I am thoroughly impressed Jenny!! You go Mama! 

She really tried to climb this. Really, really. *sigh*

Mondays can often be the roughest day for us, with looooooong weekends and a day back to 'normal' but this was a beautiful way to start the week. So glad we got to see you Proffitt girls!!! 

You've Been Bubbled

Beware the Bubble Pirate Red!

Last night, during bath time, I walked in to find Maeve covering everyone in layers & layers of bubble masks, herself included. For awhile she had a bubble eye-patch and beard, while smearing bubbles onto Adam's head as high as she could pile, and scrubbing them into his beard.

Love!

  Dutchess, who usually comes around the tub to see if there are any wet toes to be licked, was caught in the bubble trap too! Don't pity her too much though, after all the bubbles are tear-free, and she kind of brought it upon herself. 

After using every last bubble in the tub to decorate, Maeve dutifully began rinsing everyone off with her pink cuppie, making sputtering noises all the while! And yes, my floor was very, very wet. ;)

Dancing Queens

Several of my teenage students for Wonderfully Made Dance are also on their high school's color guard team. After football season is through, these girls and their teams compete in a series of shows: group, ensemble and solo. One of my sweet girls, Madison, asked me to choreograph her solo for competition, and I was both thrilled and humbled! This particular competition is for a grade, and will decide whether or not they letter for the year.
Eep! 

Some of my favorite dancers!

I've had the music on around the house most of our days and, fortunately, Maeve LOVES it! She's begun singing snippets (in her own way) and when the music comes to a close will ask, "'gen? 'gen?" Thursday night, after dinner, Maeve suddenly climbed out of her chair and began dancing to the solo music. Plies upon plies, and light twirls! Once I pulled out my camera she slowed down quite a bit, but kept going with some coaxing. When I stopped taking video, Adam re-started the music and we girls went dancing in the living room. That sweet baby girl made my year!!! Ohhh to see her love dancing is one of the best!!!  You'll have to forgive my very loud Mama voice, I was holding the camera right by my face. 

Maddie let me take a video of one of our rehearsals awhile back, which I plan to post here. Her piece is dance, saber and flag; the latter of which she is marking in rehearsals. I am so proud of this girl!
 First year of dance, and first year of color guard! Gooo Maddie!!!

Corpus Cousins

This past week, Maeve and I trekked the seven hours down to Corpus Christi to visit my cousin Shannon and her sweet, growing family. As I've mentioned, many, many times, I feel lucky to have a family I can count as one of my best friends. The day the Navy transfers them out of driving distance will be so sad; I've loved all our visits these last five years, especially when we're pregnant! Anyhow, Shannon had come up for a quick ladies weekend the week before Easter, mainly for conquering JBF and Ikea and for late night talks. (A post for another day!) She graciously invited us down to help "nest" the house for their third little girl, due to make her appearance in about seven weeks! 

I love this picture from our afternoon of water in yard.  

We crammed so much into a week, it is nearly unbelievable. I knew I was tired, but didn't know just how much until I came home and was dragging over the weekend. Four hours of sleep for a week, and chasing three busy girls is no joke! We spent mornings running errands and solidifying ideas for the house, afternoons   playing in the sun, evenings projecting and late night eating Cheetos and chocolate while talking (we're some of the best talkers around) and watching my new favorite "Call the Midwife". (Go watch it, NOW!) Our girls are an interesting blend of their mothers and fathers; so sweet to see where they overlap and we can see how they might too be kindred spirits. Maeve and Allie, our three-months-apart redheads are both nurturing mamas. Since they were not yet one they've carted their babies around: kissing, patting, squeezing, loving. They're quick to give hugs, to say "I LOVE you!" and spent the week finding each other's lovies and returning them to their owner. Maeve and Meggie share a quick, adventurous spirit. When Maeve was about a year, right before she was really walking, we were all at a pumpkin patch together when Meggie began quickly scaling a pumpkin pile. Quick as a flash, Maeve began following her cousin up the pile, giggling all the while. So, it was no surprise when Meggie would bounce off the couch, or run ahead Maeve's eyes would gleam and up she'd climb or run. Sometimes she was even the one ahead! Shannon and I joke that one day, in the not to distant future, the "M"s will be engaging in all sorts of rambunctious activities while Alice Virginia stands back reminding them all the while, "I just don't think this is wise." 

Any guess as to who stayed with mamas and who ran ahead? ;)

You can hardly make this one out, but it's all three girls chasing seagulls together! 

There was still the usual childhood tensions, but they were fleeting. Most of the week was giggles, and hugs, and bed jumping. (Something little Maeve was the ring-leader for.) Each morning, and after each nap, Maeve would wake up asking for "Maggie" & "ALlie". Even on the way home, and into yesterday she kept cocking her head to side and asking about them. :) Makes me so happy; I really hope we're able to foster their friendship, and help it grow. We made memories on a marshy nature walk, running on the board walk. A girls afternoon at the beach, still a little too chilly, all of them begging to stay in the water. The toddlers got a special "big sister is at school" treat, going to the aquarium to chase all the sea creatures and declare their love for each fish, turtle, seashell and dolphin in their little matching outfits. I love those girls so sincerely, my little "niece" cousins. and it melts my heart to feel their sweet, unconditional love. Each morning Meggie (3yr) would check, "You and Maeve will be here today. I want you to stay until Wednesday. You'll have to go home to teach tippy-toes and see Adam. BUT you're coming back when the new baby comes, right?" 

Yes Meggie, we stayed and played and we'll be back. :)