The Sleepy Ballerina

This was Kinsley's last week of ballet and parents were invited to see the little beauties "perform" all the things they learned in their "extensive" training over the course of four weeks. To be clear, despite the teachers best efforts, I think the girls are leaving with the understanding of how to sit like a ballerina and curtsy. The best part was seeing all the proud daddies take time off work to come watch and take millions of camera phone pictures. Ben was one of them.


Kinsley was so excited but it must have worn off when the music started because the child couldn't stop yawning. Pretty darn cute, but maybe skipping naptime on the day of the big performance was a mistake.

A Picture Perfect Father's Day

It Was Only A Matter Of Time

Once Kinsley is tucked in bed there is a 99% chance she calls one of us back to her room. Typically, she wants one last hug or gives insight to something that was on her mind. When I heard her call tonight I expected nothing out of the ordinary.

Until I saw exhibit A. Look closely.


And exhibit B.


And exhibit C.


She was on cloud nine and it was hard for me to keep a straight face during our good choices/bad choices conversation. It is possible she has been planning this surgical procedure for 5 months. I was most impressed with the size of the incision on the monkey. Perfectly above the location of the beloved paci and just small enough to retrieve it. Well done Kinsley, well done.

Snippits

Here is a peek into some pieces of today:

This is how I found Kinsley when I went to wake her from her nap. Sound asleep.


Later, we were reading a book about a lost puppy. The policeman found its home by looking at the address on his collar.
Me: An address is where we live. It tells people how to get to our home.
Kinsley: I have a dress! Look, it is so beautiful!

Me: Kinsley, never ever put lipstick on the walls or all over Hallie's hair ever again. Really. What were you thinking when you were doing that?
Kinsley: I needed to decorate.

Birthday Girl Part Two

We had a fun time creating a Candyland world where Kinsley celebrated her third birthday. A handful of three year olds combined with handfuls of candy made for an energy packed time. I envisioned an outdoor extravaganza but it was freezing outside. I should have known, it is April after all.

It didn't stop us from having Kinsley wear her sleeveless party dress.




Kids followed a path which took them to Princess Frostine, Gramma Nut's house and Lollipop Woods where they had different activities to complete.




Here they are making Princess Frostine and King Candy crowns. They decorated them with candy stickers.


This is after the kids trekked through Lollipop Woods where they had to find a specific lollipop amongst many. In the cold, wet grass.


What you can't see in this picture is Ben holding the pole of which this pinata is hanging. There was fear in his eyes as the kids battled the ice cream cone. You also can't see the goosebumps on every one's arms. Or hear the plea from Kinsley to please wear pants before we force her outside again.


Obviously proud to be three!

"He Saved Us......."

It has been so fun talking with Kinsley about what Easter means. When I asked her why we celebrate it she told me that Jesus saved us. Impressed, but not convinced that she could grasp this concept I asked what he saved us from. Not surprisingly, she said the bad guys. She also added that Jesus went home to be with his daddy. Again, I was impressed but sceptical so asked another follow-up question. She then said that his pants were dirty and he needed his dad to clean them.

Here are some of my favorite pictures from Easter:

This has become and Easter tradition. I have a near duplicate shot of these kiddos from last year.


I could eat these girls up.


And have some of this for dessert.


Maybe some of these for a third helping.


You gotta love that the forced smile begins at such a young age.


The infamous kid table.


Kinsley and Makena usually disappear the instant they get together. Usually they are found playing dress up or dolls (or playing in the front fountain....a story I tried to keep from Ben until he discovered the wet clothing in the car).
Considering the princess craze the girls are in, it was a most unexpected discovery to find them playing with that big star wars thingy. However, Hans and Luke were nowhere to be found because Snow White and Sleeping Beauty took over the ship.

Birthday Girl!

In the blink of an eye, Hallie has turned one. I guess this is when I am supposed give the review of her milestones and accomplishments.

Walking? Not yet.

Talking? Only if the word daddy counts.

Independent enough to withstand church nursery for an hour? Nope

First haircut? Not even close

However, can the child make me laugh with a flash of her goofy smile? In a heartbeat.

Can I keep a straight face when she contorts her body around me so that she can make direct eye contact? This is my favorite of her quirks.

Does she still snuggle? If she had her way, she would be duct taped to my chest with our cheeks pressed together. This is her position of choice.

Adventurous spirit? She has no fear...Ben can't fly her around the house fast enough and no crevice is too small for her to explore.

There are many things we are still excited to see happen but she has won us over with her spark and individuality. Happy birthday, baby!