Gymnastics Exhibition

Maddie LOVES gymnastics (I'm not lying when I say she does at least 100 cartwheels a day) and so she was thrilled when it was time for the gymnastics exhibition!

They showed off their skills and all the girls did so well.

Then, the coaches chose Maddie to be the demonstrator!

One of the coaches told us that they chose someone who always worked so hard and took direction well.  We were so proud of her!

Sweet friends, Maddie and Emma!

Soccer!!

Maddie is playing her first year in organized soccer and so far, LOVES it!

Yesterday was her first game, and despite the heat (about 100 degrees out!), she had so much fun.

 We can't wait for next week's game!!

Beachy Morning

This morning, we packed up the kiddies and headed to the beach for some fun on the playground.

The weather was perfect and Grayson loved riding in the swing for the first time.

My three loves :)

Pretty girl

Handsome boy

Soccer Time!

Maddie and her friends, Emma and Malia, started soccer last week and it was so fun.

Maddie loved the running, kicking and being outside.

There were so many coaches, which made it really great.

Maddie and Emma :)

Our Little Tapper!

Maddie's been in ballet for about a year and a half, but for the past few months she's been BEGGING to try tap, too. There weren't any classes she could take at her current place (through the city) because all the ballet/tap classes fell during my tutoring hours.

So, we made the big switch and moved over to a dance studio.

Today was her first day and she had a BLAST!

Daddy came with us (he's THE best).

She was so excited and couldn't wait to get there.

She also didn't want to put down the dance bag that Nana got her.

It was packed with tap shoes and Gatorade. :)

The only bummer is that the moms can't be IN the room with them. Instead, we all sat outside and watched through the glass (hence the lack of actual dance pictures).

But, they all did so well and we were so proud of our girls! Maddie seemed to absolutely love it and upon getting home, immediately put her tap shoes back on so she could practice (our poor floor! haha).

Warmer Weather

Apparently, winter is gone and done with here in California (not as though it's that tough when it is here!).

I'm definitely not complaining, since the weather has been beautiful, but geesh...

It's almost like summer!

This past weekend, we spent a ton of time outdoors.

Lately, Maddie's favorite thing is to ride her bike.

As in, all. the. time. :)

She rides while Mike and I walk alongside her (aka: directing her back on the sidewalk, untangling her handle bars from fences and encouraging her to not wave both arms in the air while "steering.").

It's real peaceful. Ha!

We also had fun drawing on the sidewalk with chalk, playing at the playground and helping Mike with the gardening (well, I didn't help and I'm sure Maddie's "help" was questionable, but we at least tried to keep him company!).

Our Sugarplum's Winter Recital

It's hard to believe that this was Maddie's third dance recital!

And with each one, I think she gets more excited.

Her ballet class did a sugarplum fairy routine this time. :)

She got a light dusting of eye shadow and blush for the big event.

Our sweet fairy!

Emma, Malia, Maddie and Ainsley... All her dancing buddies!

Up on stage and ready to dance!

Sweet girl!

She was not such a sweet girl after the recital. Ha!

Maddie goes to bed every night by 6:30. The recital didn't start until a little after 7:00.

Not a good combo for the attitude and mood! :)

Check out that scowl!

We're on a little ballet break right now because of the holidays and honestly, she must ask every other day when it starts up again!

October Recital

Maddie got to participate in another recital last weekend, performing, again, as a kitty cat. :)

Emma, Malia and Maddie were ready to go!

Love these girls!

We can't wait for our holiday recital in only a couple of months!

Ballerina Girl

Maddie has been in ballet for one whole year.

That's somewhere around 40ish ballet classes...

and she still loves it just as much.

Maybe more.

It's her favorite time of the week (and it's up there in my top five).

Such a sweet ballerina girl.