Flossing

The kids called me downstairs to watch them floss.  Fantastic! They're taking an active role in their own hygiene.

Sort of.  They're dancing, which is good for their health. Not sure what impact it will have on their teeth though. 

I will say this: flossing does make them smile!

Doing da Locomotion with me....

You gotta swing your hips now....  come on baby!

2019 Daddy Daughter Dance

This year's Daddy Daughter dance had an "Under the Sea" theme.  MLD and Ashley had a wonderful time together!

Drama Queen

These photos were so cute that they made the big cut and were used in the weekly camp email, The Smoke Signal.

Here's to our star!

And here's a good anecdote that's sorta related:

Ashley asks me if they had floss when I was little.  Of course!  I say.  They had floss when grandma and papa were little, and their parents probably had floss when they were little, too.

Strange look from Ashley.  Really?  She says.

Yes, I say.  People have been cleaning their teeth for a while now.

No!  She says.  Not floss fpr your teeth!  The dance move called "floss"!

Boy, did that age me ;)

My little dance and drama queen -- up to date on all of the latest moves.

2018 Daddy Daughter Dance

You know it's almost spring when Daddy invites Ashley to the Daddy Daughter Dance.  Here are some photos of Ashley hamming it up for the camera, posing with her brothers, accepting her corsage, and then playing with her friends.  Enjoy!

Ah, no fair!  How come Ashley gets to go and not me?

Uh, who's that coming down the stairs?  She's sorta familiar, but not...

Haha!  I don't have to get dressed up!  I can wear anything I want to tonight!

What's that?  Do I get one?  Can I eat that?  Looks very sugary!

Boys have retreated to the couch for movie night.

Ashley and pals

I got it good!

Circle Dance

Here's a game that has amused kids for (literally) hundreds of years:

Boppin' With Da Boys

Boppin' with the Beach Boys is a favorite past time in these parts.  It's even better when you add a mirror into the mix.

Norwegian Performer

Ashley was so excited to take part in the big performance at the end of the cruise.  Adam, less so.  He probably remembers the last time he got up on the cruise stage.  Ilya shot the video;  the boys and I went for ice cream.  All were happy.

2017 Ballet Recital

What an exciting weekend we had!  First there was the hair and makeup:

Then we were treated to a fabulous show:

And just when you thought it couldn't get any better, a lovely bouquet of flowers was waiting for our ballerina:

What a magical day!

2017 Daddy Daughter Dance

When MLD found out about the Daddy Daughter Dance, he knew that Ashley would love to go with him.  Here are some photos and a very special video clip:

Dancing Fun

Tate is a fearless fellow.  He wanders in and out of dancing kids:

He gets this fearlessness about crowds and dancing from his father:

In fact, the whole family joined in!

Dance the Night Away

There are some nights where all the kids want to do is boogie:

BDPS: Wiggles and Giggles

The kids love it when Miss Joyce comes to camp:

Recital Part 4: The Grand Finale

All of the excitement you've witnessed in the past three posts was from the dress rehearsal on Saturday.  Then we got to do it all over again for the big performance on Sunday.  So today we're bringing you photos of Ashley with her friends from the big day.

And with her biggest fan of all:

Recital Part 3: Tippity Tap

Lucky for us we're able to get up close and shoot a video during dress rehearsal.  It takes me a moment or two to find Ashley, and then it takes her a moment or two to find me.  But once she does, I get a great big smile.  Hint:  Look in the middle of the back line at the start of the performance, or look for the most talented kid up there.  Your call ;)

Recital Part 2: The Outfit

Ashley's class was decked out in blue.  Adorable!

Why is the cutest photo always out of focus?!?!?

And the hair.  So proud of her hair.

Recital Part 1: Before and After

At the end of the ballet season, all of the ballerinas and tap dancers take part in the big recital.  This is a chance for the kids to perform and have fun.  It's also the time when a mom starts sweating about the directive received from the ballet studio:  

"Dancers must wear their hair in a bun.  If your hair is too short for a bun, it must be pulled away from your face as much as possible.  It is distracting for dancers to have hair in their face while dancing".  

Gulp.  This is a tall order when it comes to Ashley's hair, which defies gravity and an assortment of barrettes on a daily basis.   I am super proud to report that Ashley's hair and I made a spectacular debut.

Before:

After:

And with makeup:

Dance Fever

When I was little, I remember a show called Dance Fever.  It was on TV shortly after dinner.  Post-prandial dancing cuts across generations.  These two caught the dance bug too:

Ballet Saturdays

The magical age of 4 brings so much with it including weekend activities.  Ashley has campaigned for ballet lessons for over 4 months, so with the start of fall, our little ballerina is overjoyed when it's a Saturday:

And she showed me her plie skills:

I sat patiently in the small waiting area, caught up with a neighbor, and managed to catch a quick clip through a window, which is why you hear parents chatting and no music.  Ashley's verdict when they emerged from the class?  It's great but it's not real ballet!  They played with scarves, hula hoops and other toys.  Ashley was hoping to improve her plie skills.  Maybe this weekend?  

Hint:  Look for the girl in pink.  OK, that wasn't helpful.  Look for the girl in pink to the left of your screen with "Anna" braids.  And quit'sher laughing.  Those were the best French braids I could muster on a squirmy kid!

Border Ballet

We had lunch at the Border Cafe recently.  As we were waiting for Daddy and Adam to finish up inside, Ashley and I waited outside.  There's music on the outdoor patio, so Ashley turned it into an impromptu show:

And then Adam joined in the fun.

The best part wasn't caught on camera.  Adam was heading to the car and Ashley clearly wasn't done dancing yet.  So we agreed she could finish out the song.  As soon as the song ended, she held up two fingers:  "Mommy, just two more songs please."  How can a mom say no?