Ballerina Toes

We've been driving to dance for a lot of years.  

We've logged a lot of hours at the studio.

All my hot and tropical vacation fund money goes to classes and slippers!

Mikayla has been working so hard this year.

As a parent, it is really exciting to see a child reach goals and set new ones.

She is already accomplishing things I only dreamed about doing!

This year she got pointe shoes in ballet.

Apparently they get thrashed quickly

{along with the dancer's pretty feet}

So we decided to take some photos while the shoes are still lookin' good.

Consider these my hot and tropical vacation pictures...

Bracelets were Mikayla's idea

Cute, right?

Fan was Mailee's contribution.

Love it!

This might be my favourite.

Mikayla's other favourite thing is reading/books/libraries/bookstores. 

 Made sense to combine her two loves:)

My other favourite pic.

This is my girl.

Dancing, reading, teal-loving achiever.

I have to say, taking out my "big camera", or "real camera" felt SO GOOD!

Being creative also felt SO GOOD!

I've been in a bit of a slump recently and this was reviving.

Pull out your cameras ladies.

Let's not let our family's memories be captured only on our IPhones!!!

Christmas Eve and the Worshipping Sheep

Through Creator's, Mikayla got the opportunity to be a part of the Christmas Eve services at Trinity Church.  She had a fantastic time being a part of a big production.  They had 6 services in all along with many rehearsals.  She has had quite a few opportunities to dance outside the studio this year and she loves it! This one was great practice in front of a HUGE crowd:) Here are a few of the church's photographs...( couldn't resist posting these because they are great quality and I have been resorting to iphone pics so much these days!)

They were sheep and the song was "it's a baby" to the tune of "call me maybe".

SO cute.

A New Ballerina

In our house dance is kind of a big deal.

Just a little bit.

On Saturday we welcomed another dancer to the group!

In past years we've had some drama surrounding mini Banmans in tiny slippers.

For some reason both Mailee and Maddie refused to do dance when they were tiny.

And believe me, I tried everything.

bribes

force

eye rolling

huffing

being nice

participating in the class

{ya, me, not the kid...she just watched me. HA.}

Eventually I gave up with both girls and waited a few years until they showed an interest on their own.

{genius, I know}

Here's Caity's story:

Here she is doing a pose before class.

She was a little nervous and saying she just wanted to "check it out".

Waiting for her turn!

Getting support and encouragement from her dancing sisters.

In the line-up to go in.

{I think our homeschool needs to practice "lining up"...she kinda missed the mark on that one!}

{She's on the left}

Cutie!

The tall girl next to Cait is Mikayla.

Mikayla is gonna be the teacher's helper in this class!

Breezy watching her sister.

Pointing toes.

So proud of my baby ballerina!!!

I'm pretty sure she's kinda proud of herself, too!

Caity got her very own mini smash book after ballet.

Now she has a special spot for her dance stickers every week!

A few hours after dance Caity asked to get back in her ballet gear.

She did some moves for us!

She wanted a bun too!

She even wore her slippers to bed!!

Later that day, this was the scene.

{you can't see her, but Maddie is standing right in front of Mailee.]

This has been the scene for 7 years.

{give or take a few girls}

I love this scene!