Emerson's Dance Recital

First of all, I know that I am MONTHS behind on blogging. I have a big list of posts and pictures, but recital day trumps all that so things are just going to have to be out of order.

Anyhow, Emerson's dance recital was a success this year. She had been to this rodeo before and things were totally smooth sailing like she was an old pro.

We did a mommy-daughter trip to the nail salon for pedicures this afternoon as a special treat (for both of us) before her 2pm recital.

Her little class this year only had 4 girls in it and one was on vacation so there were only 3 of them on stage. It was really cute. The good thing about her class being so small is that the girls really got to be friends. It was so cute to watch them play together and be silly in class.

On to the recital, her tap song was pretty fast this year and the steps were a lot more advanced than last year. It was a noisy mess but the girls enjoyed it and they all finished with a smile.

The ballet routine, on the other hand, was absolutely precious. It was to a great song that was about worshiping God and Emerson really loved it. Most of the times I watched her routine before today she would mouth the words to the song as she was dancing.

So sweet.

There were 2 or 3 times in the dance that the girls were to open their arms to heaven and look up in worship of God. It was absolutely beautiful and totally brought tears to my eyes because of the innocence.

 

 I just had to post this again in black and white because I think it really shows off the innocence even more.

Of course, Emerson got flowers after the recital. She LOVES getting flowers.

A big thanks to Jen for babysitting Ashton today. It was so nice to to have to entertain him for 2 hours in a dark auditorium when it should have been naptime:)

The many faces of Ashton

Bluebonnets

I can't believe Emerson is 4.5 years old and we have never done bluebonnets. What a horrible Texas parent I am! I will say that it is not for lack of trying though. I have looked and looked for a good spot for the past several years. It seems there are a lot of great spots on the highway but that is too risky for my taste.

After Emerson's soccer game yesterday, Steve and I happened to find a perfect spot. We went tonight after dinner and we were armed with treats. The kids were a delight and certainly enjoyed the candy:) And it was super helpful having Steve there to help direct the kids. These are hands-down the best images of my kids together that I have ever gotten. The key is apparently having daddy around!

Sleeping Baby

I have always wanted to snap a picture of my children sleeping. Not newborn-photos-sleeping, but sleeping as children. As dreaming, innocent, precious children. I just kinda figured it would never happen because they wake up on their own and are always sleeping in dark rooms so logistically, I could not see it happening.

Well today, an opportunity presented itself. Ashton fell asleep in the car this morning while we were running errands. I got home and got him out of the car and he stayed asleep on my shoulder. Lately when this has happened, I just carry him around the house for a few minutes until he wakes up. You see, he has dropped his morning nap and I don't want to put him in his bed for a full nap until after lunch.

Anyways, I was holding him and holding him and I really needed to pee. So, purely out of necessity I laid him on our bed while I ran to our bathroom. I fully expected him to wake up crying the second I laid him down. Nothing. I flush and nothing. I walk over to pick him up and it dawns on me...the light was decent. He is laying on white sheets. He is OUT COLD.

I saw the opportunity and jumped at it. I quietly sneak over and grab my camera bag and get everything set. Again, I fully expected him to wake up after the first shot (cameras are loud!). Again, nothing. So, I just snapped and snapped away. He stirred and moved around once, but that was it.

It was totally a gift this morning. Not posed. Not fake. But real sleeping. My sweet boy.

Our Backyard...

...Is a hot mess. I mean that quite literally. Mess with a capital M.

The great thing about it is that the kids don't seem to mind! We have some grass, "flowers" (aka weeds), rocks, a seen-better-days playset and sandbox and a busted fence. Despite all that, the kids LOVE to go outside. Ashton actually cries and gets really upset when it is time to come in.

I am loving this weather lately and the fact that we can play without sweating. I know that this time will be short-lived, but for now, it is heaven.

Our "flower garden" as Emerson calls it.

One of the rocky patches.

Emerson told Ashton to put the flower behind his ear like hers. He obviously misunderstood the directions! Ha!

Oh, and one of my FAVORITE things about this weather is that I have been able to dress Ashton in plaid shorts again. There is nothing I love more than little boys in plaid shorts. Seriously. I looked through this spring/summer clothes and there are like 10 pairs of plaid shorts. I have a problem:)