Ballet Recital...and a little drama

Hadley and Reese both had their ballet recitals this past weekend.  They both take at two different ballet places, sounds crazy but the times for their different ages just made sense.  That being said, their recitals were on the same day...luckily at two different times but it made for a busy day.

Hadley's recital was first...and I was bound and determined to be prepared to everything knowing that it would be a long day for everyone.  So, I had the bags packed with snacks, water, first aid, clothes, books, cameras and we were ready to go to Hadley's recital...Early!  We arrived about an hour early...but I was glad to not be rushed.  We got out of the car to take pictures outside on the front steps of the church and took great pictures on a beautiful day.  It was great until I asked Jason for the keys to get Hadley's ballet bag (with her shoes) out of the car...he said "in your purse"...my response...my purse is in the car!  

Yes, no amount of planning can account for that!  Locking keys in the car with the ballet shoes needed for the recital...for the daughter who is not ok wearing any old shoes...but her own!  Thank the Lord we had gotten their early, and thank the Lord my husband is quick on his feet...he found a friend to let him use his car, drove home, got the spare key and got the shoes out right in time for Hadley's group to preform.

Now, I do have to say that was after a complete and total meltdown from her, trying on extra shoes from the ballet studio...none met her approval.  She was 100% that she would not perform and until her Knight in shining armor arrived (daddy) with shoes in hand! Lesson learned...no amount of controlled planning can keep life from happening...go with the flow!

Sassy sister taking pictures before we realized the shoes were in the car!

Bebe and Hadley after her great recital, she did an incredible job.  I know that girl is going to do something big one day!

Again, family pictures before the realization of the locked in shoes

Reese's recital was a few hours after Hadley's...we came home, ate lunch did another round of hair and makeup!  Reese looks so grown up that it takes my breath away sometimes!

She did an incredible job and is a natural ballerina for sure!

A big weekend for this 7 year old...

Well, it has happened again...another year older for our beautiful Reese!  She had a big weekend, her birthday and her first official race!

Reese wanted to have a swim party...and in February those are few and far between...but an indoor pool is just what we needed!   She picked out the design of the cake she wanted, icing and everything...I think it turned out so cute!

Inside the lifetime facility having cake and snacks before heading out to swim.

Wild and worn out!

 She went on a little daddy/daughter outing for a treat and a day to drive the golf cart for daddy!

Reese's school particiaptes in the Kids Mercedes Marathon.  They run each day at school during P.E. and they run enough to total 25.1 miles...and then on race day all of the children who want to run in a mile race to complete their marathon!  I ran with her and she is a speedy little thing!

Daddy found us as we were almost finished!

Race is over, proud of her medal for sure!

Bebe came to watch and make the weekend even better.

Reese is growing up so fast, but we are so proud of who she is becoming.  She has loved every minute of first grade and made the transition from a small Christian half day Kindergarten to a public full day 1st grade without missing a beat.  Reese loves her teacher and has made so many new friends.  I pray that her love for school only grows as does her love for God and people.

Reese asked Jesus into her heart this year, which was such a tender moment for Jason and I both.  It was 100% her idea and she prayed exactly what was on her heart.  We pray that God continues to pull strongly on her heart strings to bring her close to Him and that she will choose to shine for Him even in times when it is easy to fade into the crowds.

Reese still loves ballet and gymnastics and Jason and I are hoping to get her involved in a team sport soon.  Her love for drawing has grown leaps and bounds and she and I spent a lot of time doing that together.  Her reading has improved so much and I pray that she will continue to grow in confidence and love for that.  Happy 7th birthday to our sweet Reese.

101 days and more January Fun!

Reese had her school celebration of 101 days of school this week, so to make it a little fun all of the first grade classrooms have to create hats for the celebration made of 101 and items.  They can choose anything they want (within reason).  Reese wanted to make a crown of sorts...so we set out with contractions paper, feathers, sequins, pom poms and she created a pretty cute hat!

She's  making her 101 face...see it!

Waiting for the 101 hat parade to start...she's so cute. 

(sitting with Anna Kate, Izzie and Wynn)

 In other Beckner news...the red wagon is still getting lots of use and much to Elli's dislike it has become a game to get her in the wagon.  Poor dog.

 A fun outing with most of our small group.  We love Steel City Pops.  

 A little extra Ellie love on a cold January night.

American Girl Cafe

 Well, I felt like the trip to the American Girl store and cafe need a  post all of its own.  Reese and Hadley had both asked for an American Girl doll last year, I went back and forth over whether I should get them one or not.  I felt like Hadley was too young...but having a older sister you want what they have.  We caved...and honestly I am glad, they have loved them.  They each got the My American girl doll that looked like them...or what they wanted them to look like!

So this year as a Christmas present we went to the store and booked lunch at the cafe with all of the girls, their dolls and Bebe.

The cafe does such a great job of making the girls feel so special and making it an experience.  The dolls each had a chair right beside the girls and everyone had their own fancy drink, menu, ect.

One of my favorite pictures of our Sweet Reese

 Hadley was so excited and loved having all of the little things for her Caroline doll.

 Brynlee does not have an American Girl doll yet...thankfully she is fine with that, and I think if she did have one it might not have its head right now!  But she brought her Ariel doll that she got for Christmas and the cafe treated her just like family!

 Sundaes...on the sundaes...these girls were giddy!

 Reese making sure Rachel had enough to eat.

 Reese and Hadley both took their dolls to the American Girl salon to have their ears pierced!  A fun treat, Hadley would like to get her own ears done...but that is not on my agenda anytime soon!

Thanksgiving programs and such

Well, sad but true...I am having a hard time getting through my "to do" list each day...and blogging has not made it.  I have decided I still want to keep it up really to log my girls stuff and to help me remember things.  Some catching up from fall.  Hadley and Brynlee both had their Thanksgiving programs at their sweet preschool.  I love hearing all of the sweet songs and listening to them recite scripture.

Hadley was a pilgrim...hard to spot, back row to the left.  She sang every song and did every motion.  

 Our little Bryn was a turkey...wow if there was ever an appropriate part...a turkey she was.  She lasted about 5 seconds up on stage...and then..well see below.

 She sat in her teachers lap while everyone else sang.  At least I have had many performances at home!

 Love that Turkey's smile

We are still adjusting in the new house, but are loving it.  Fall brought quite a few leaves so the girls decided to destroy my hard work  we decided jumping in the leaves would be fun!

How can I say no to this sweet face!

Out of order but our sweet little Pilgrim. I am so grateful that for this program they said the girls could wear dresses.  In so many things they ask the children to wear jeans or t-shirts...two things that Hadley CAN'T STAND!  She literally pitches a fit saying pants and t-shirts are for boys...wow do we have our work cutout for the next 20 years!

 This year has been tough on me with Reese being in 1st grade.  The transition has been great for Reese, but I have struggled.  She is just growing up too fast.  Her fall school program was a patriotic one...she did great and they had a little time to show off their instrument talents.  I miss the little preschool programs with Reese, but I am beyond blessed that she loves schools and she loves her teacher.  

The First Day...of First Grade!!!

 Well, it's official, our baby girl is all grown up and going to Big school!  Reese started first grade on Monday!  Honestly, this entire summer I would get a sick feeling in my stomach when I thought about her going to school, so I just tried not to think about it...but it came anyway!  Last Friday we headed up to Vestavia Hill East Elementary to meet Reese's teacher.  She was really nervous and I was fighting back the tears.  I was beyond excited to meet her teacher...especially after we had about 5 friends come up raving about her to us!  Also, Reese has 3 friends from her Covenant Kindergarten in her class which is crazy, considering there are about 10 first grade classrooms and only about 8 children from Covenant at this school.

Also, one of her sweet friends that she does gymnastics with is in her class...I know that God totally handpicked everyone in that class and I could not be more thrilled!  Reese had a great first day, I wanted to walk Reese in, she wanted me to walk her in on Monday and Tuesday and she about squeezed my hand off the first day, but when I picked her up she was grinning ear to ear!

Our family has a tradition of doing "Roses and Thorns" to tell our highs and lows of the day, week, ect.  Reese said her "rose" of the day was spending time with her teacher (I love that).

Our beautiful first grader ready to go!

Jason and I tried to make last week a special week for Reese.  Jason took her out on one of their "daddy-daughter dates" and she was in heaven.  Hadley and Brynlee were both crying that they did not get to go, but their date will come soon as always.  

Reese and I did a special Mommy-daughter afternoon date...Reese's first Pedicure!  She was really excited and just like her mommy she giggled and squirmed during most of it!  We did a little shopping and had some sweet treats together!

She picked out a doughnut with the chocolate "squishing out" as she said!  After having this treat she asked if we could come here all the time...sorry sista!

Big girl in front of her school sign, beautiful smiles!

This is by far my "rose" for the week!  One of Reese's homework assignments from yesterday was to bring in 2-4 items that would fit in a brown lunch bag to help her class get to know her better.  Her teacher gave ideas like: small stuffed animals, toys, favorite candy, pictures, ect.  Reese wanted to do some pictures so I gave her a stack of about 10 pictures that were still in a stack of things I have yet to unpack in the new house  I had.  She picked out the one of she and sisters at the beach, one of the girls and Bebe and then asked for one of the dogs.  Then she put in a ceramic cross that was in her room.

I asked her if she wanted to put in a toy or something, I said you don't have to do lots of pictures.  She looked right at me and said, "none of that stuff matters, what matters is Jesus and my family!"  I was wishing I had given her a picture of Jason and myself was blown away!  I mean, don't get me wrong this girl can argue and fight with the best of them and scream over who gets what toy...but it just made me think that in her heart...she knows what matters!  

We are so proud of you Reese, you shine so bright in our family and we know that you will shine for Jesus wherever you go!

Tea Party

So, Reese's birthday celebration has stretched for a few weeks!  How fun to be 6!  Long story short...back in January Reese said she did not want a birthday party...just a celebration with family! Wow...but I should have known better.  During our travels back from Disney, she voiced her desire to celebrate her birthday with her friends!  I could have said "no", but I just decided what the heck...we can do this!  This, as in plan a party in less than a week, spend a very small amount of $, fit it into an already busy weekend...and Viola...a Tea Party!

Tea Party table ready for 10 6 year old guests!  Place cards were very exciting for Reese to have on the table!

 A tea pot and tea cup decorating station.  We printed out tea pot templates on card stock, then cut out the "pot" circle in scrapbook paper designs and let the girls pick and glue.  We decorated plastic tea cups with stick on jewels!  

 Tea Pots everywhere...we pulled out all of our tea pots, this was a tea pot that was my sister's and mine when we were little!  

 This little gem came right on time...Aunt Joyce sent Reese a Belle doll and tea set...little did she know that it would fit perfectly into our party Theme.  We read the Belle tea party book during the party, and many hands loved to play with this mini stet.

 Some of the "ladies" picking out jewels and pearls to wear

 Working on the teapots

 My little Hostess with the mostess pouring some tea

 Ta-da....the edible tea cups...fun and Yummy!  A scalloped wafer cookie, dab of icing, large marshmallow, spread more icing, add pearl sprinkles on top, cut a life saver in half...dab icing and put on the side for a handle!  The ate them up...and loved making them...favorite part putting the large pearl sprinkles on top!

 The Little Tea party...Hadley, Brynlee and our friend Jayde Kirkland were here.  The Kirkland's came for a quick weekend visit...our girls loved having friends in the house!

 No tea party is complete without a little makeup.  We did eyes, blush and lips...and then a little later...I painted nails!  I hope the moms were ok with Neon pink and purple nails!

The Dress up station...we had a few things out for the girls to put on...most came in their own...but some had fun dressing up and down...and up and down...and up and down...good thing I am used to that!

 Maybe a little more stress added to my weekend...but watching the girls have fun was worth every bit!  

CHEERS!