Little Sister...

April 2nd, 2011

I love to go to the studio early on Saturday mornings to watch Ryann's pointe class.

Sometimes Bayli comes with me, today she wanted to dance too...

Picture Week (Day Five...)

March 17th, 2011

Whew, we made it to the last day... :)

My beautiful Madi

Skye in her funky Musical Theater costume! So cute!

Picture Week (Day Four...)

March 15th, 2011

The most fun part of Picture Week today was that Bay came dressed up to take a picture with her big sisters, but first got to play with Sooz's cute new puppy Goop.

Needless to say, it was love at first sight... :)

Okay, down to business now...

I LOVE Skye's face in this picture! :)

Picture Week (Day Three...)

March 14th, 2011

One of my most favorites...

What a cool costume!

Mad & cute Kalyn dressed for Musical Theater (Jailhouse Rock this year!)


Ryann & Lauren, Pickpocket for Contemporary

Bay got a major hot chocolate mustache killing some time at Starbucks... :)

Picture Week (Day Two...)

March 12th, 2011

I love this picture of Madi & her sweet friend Lauren! This is Mad's first year in Lyrical - her favorite class & costume this year. :)

And this one of Ryann... So, so fun that she got her pointe shoes just in time for pictures!! She wasn't ready to dance in them quite yet, but she got to wear them in these pictures for Advanced Ballet.


Ryann & Breezie for Advanced Lyrical - these girls have been together such a long time!! :)

Picture Week (Day One...)

March 11th, 2011

Day One

of our fun & crazy Picture Week at the studio!

Skye looked so, so cute in her costume this year, especially in the funky CUTE hat that Ryann made for her.

I love these pics!!

Can't wait to see how the professional ones turn out!

Ryann showing her new pointe shoes to Barb. :)

Ballet Story

A story, part of a story, an unfinished story...

The story of a little girl who fell in love.

Touching, inspiring, simply beautiful...

It may sound overly dramatic, but it's unfolding has been a beautiful gift to witness...

Once upon a time, there was a tiny 5-year-old girl

who saw the Nutcracker Ballet for the first time.

She was enthralled, sat with eyes glued to the stage, fell in love...

Then she discovered a movie, Barbie in the Nutcracker. In her little kindergarten world, it was the closest thing to her newfound love. She watched it over & over. She memorized the final dance. She did it over & over. She asked the same question every day, "Mommy, will you please put me in ballet?"

She asked & asked until the asking made it happen.

In January, we called the studio where her friends danced. She wanted dance with them, but were told that she probably couldn't because that wasn't a class for beginners. She got to try one class while the studio owner watched. Afterwards, we were told, "She'll be fine." :)

She was a natural.

She stayed.

She danced.

She grew.

She learned new things, new styles.

She grew tired of ballet, her first love.

I was sad, but when I told Barb that she was done with ballet, she just said "No."

"She can't quit ballet. She's ready to fly." :)

She didn't quit. :)

(Barb made sure of that.)

She danced.

And danced.

And danced.

Sometimes ballet was her favorite.

Sometimes ballet was a neccessary evil.

But still she danced.

She danced until ballet was her favorite again.

Until she was ready to go en pointe.

And once again, I got to be there.

To drive her to Castle Rock for a fitting.

To witness her excitement, her pride, her sense of accomplishment.

To see her strength & determination.

To remember that little girl who fell in love.

And marvel at just how far she's come.

So lucky to get to see her following her dreams.

So proud.

So looking forward to the next chapters of this story...

Dance Pictures

I am in love with these beautiful pictures that Ryann's friend Bethany took...

Amazing.

This one is my favorite...

my sweet, beautiful girls
Thanks to Bethany for these gorgeous, gorgeous pics.

The Last Week!!

"Best Friends" Bay & Haley :)

The last week before Christmas Break is always so crazybusy!

This year was even more so, with 3rd Grade Viking Day, Parents' Week at the studio, 6th Grade Christmas Party, a visit to Mrs. Durck at East campus & lots & lots of homemade carmel popcorn-making to give to all the amazing people we're so blessed to know ... :)

Always busy, but always so much fun!!

Skye with besties Morgan & Peyton

Viking Day...

The best Christmas gift I gave myself -

this visit with my angel Linda Durck...

Celebratory lunch at Red Robin

Yumm.Loved watching Ryann's amazing routine in her advanced ballet class

Ryann & Alicia...

Hello Christmas Break!!