Dancing Queens

The girls' dance class performed in The Nutcracker over the weekend.  We were surprised by the production value of a park district class.. but the girls sure loved their big, fancy costumes and their parents loved watching them on stage.

Sugar plum fairies!

Cousin Lauren was in the same class... so fun performing together!

A very special part of the day was that Claire's kindergarten teacher, Miss Christensen, came to see the show and brought Claire flowers.  Claire was so happy!

Grammy and Babu came to see the show, too!  It was so special having them in the audience to cheer them on. We are so thankful for the way they encourage our girls. 

Kicking off Advent Season

Last weekend we took the girls to the ballet.  I was looking up Christmas events in our area and found a Christian ballet company that put on 'A Star of Wonder' ballet.  It was the perfect kick off to our Christmas season.  If we weren't hosting Thanksgiving, my Christmas decorations would be up already!

The first half was scenes from The Nutcracker and the second half was focused on the nativity and Jesus' birth.  The girls (especially Claire) were captivated from the very beginning.  Even before the show started... just seeing the theatre, the stage, and the curtain was exciting for them!

I let them wear their Christmas outfits.  It was fun to get dressed up and do such a big girl thing with them!  Justin was a great sport... he is the best Daddy for these girls!

Tiny Dancer

Claire just finished a ballet/tap dance class at our local rec center.  So fun watching this tiny dancer learn new things and have so much fun in the process!

Birthday Recap

We had so much fun celebrating our four year old!  The day started with an avalanche of balloons when she opened her door, birthday cake pancakes, and a few gifts.  

 

Emma picked out some nail polish for her sissy!

Checking out her birthday book.

Pure joy on her face!  

Birthday cake pancakes!

The fashionista combined gifts she got to create this sweet birthday look.

We then packed up and headed to Gatlinburg, TN to spend the week in a big cabin with my whole family.  (more on that to come...)

Claire was so excited to celebrate her birthday with her cousins this year.  She wanted a dance party (is anyone surprised by that??) so we sent out these tickets to everyone a couple weeks before the big day.



She also requested a disco ball cake.



We had fun turning the upstairs of the cabin into a dance floor and creating our playlist for the party.

Everyone lined up and gave Justin their ticket to the party.

Sweet moves!

Even the adults got in on the action.

Check out the video of everyone jamming to 'Gangnam Style.'

Dancing Queen

I promise I won't post ballet pictures after class every week, but I just cannot stand how cute it is!  And this week we got to have Grammy and Babu come with to see Claire in action.

Ready to go!

Waiting with Babu

Pointing toes!

Tippy toes!

Check out that form! ;)

Practicing her curtsy.

Hanging with Grammy!

My Little Ballerina

Today was Claire's first ballet class.  It.was.precious.

Happy ballerina after class was over!