The Dog Days of Summer

Fresh off the plane in California, we were immediately welcomed by the heat.  The girls needed relief and they needed it quick.  We didn't even waste time with bathing suits...

Tea anyone?

Hannah couldn't just stand by and watch, she needed some relief as well...

These truly are the dog days of summer!

Pigtails and Poses

Getting Sophia's hair into pigtails has become easier.  However, KEEPING the pigtails in is no small task....

So I had to get pictures while I could...

Lily had no problem posing for more pictures...

See what I mean?  Five minutes into pictures and only one pigtail left...

Simplicity

What I must say is easy for me. To be honest, it is actually quite simple.
I simply must thank you for all that you have done for me.
You are simply a great person.
In a world that is not always quite so simple, you help make it better for me.
Although you are not a simple man, you are simply a wonderful dad.
And I simply love you!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY DAD!

Father's Day

A lazy day with no obligations is what Joe requested for Father's Day.  So that's what we gave him (along with the "lizard" and butterfly).  I set aside my lists for the day and let Joe make the decisions.  First he wanted to eat breakfast at Cracker Barrel and then we were going to catch the 11 o'clock showing of Toy Story 3.  

In honor of Jessie, Lily braided her hair and wore a yellow bow.  She wanted to wear chaps like Jessie, but instead she settled for a denim dress and pink cowgirl boots...

Sissy also wanted to play the part.  I successfully put a ponytail in her hair and after one hour of pure crankiness and fits during breakfast, this is what became of that ponytail...

With breakfast finally finished, we skipped the early show for a later one

so that the one on the left could get a nap...

and we could all calm our nerves.  

After all, we didn't want to ruin his day...

Happy Father's Day to the man who gave me my two most precious gifts.  I love all you do for me as my husband and the girls simply love you because you are their daddy.  And a wonderful daddy at that!

We love you!!

Stage Fright

Yesterdays big dress rehearsal went very well.  The girls got up on that big stage and did the dance they had been practicing all season.  So I just knew today would also go well (or so I thought).  I even told Lily that once dancing is over, she can try soccer again.  Looking back, I realize that telling her that was a HUGE mistake.  But I am getting ahead of myself, so let me start with the basics.

Before every recital, I have allowed Lily to wear something I don't generally agree with for a four year old and now with Sophia dancing, I had to extend that promise to her as well.  

Lip gloss anyone...

Lily finally met the recital hair requirements and wore it in a bun...

One last ballerina pose...

and just a little bit more lip gloss...

Some pictures with friends...

Getting focused on the task before her...

and then a little bit more lip gloss...

It's time to go...

For those that have seen the video, you know how this ends.  For those who have not seen it, let me just say this, Lily froze and clung to Sophia for dear life.  Sophia tried to get away from her grasp and was successful in doing so about halfway through the dance.  In the end, neither danced.  

I guess it's time to hang up their tap shoes for a while.  Thank heavens for the rehearsal video from yesterday!

The First Attempt

After 5 months of practice every Thursday night, it was time for the recital rehearsal on the big stage...

The girls were happy to be dressed up like ballerinas...

Ring Around the Rosie helped to pass the time...

Sophia showed her best ballerina moves...

I plan on videotaping todays rehearsal because you never know what they will do tomorrow.