Macy & Family

dance woes

We found what we thought was a great little small dance studio for Greta to take dance at this year. We have liked it for the most part. They have fun and the teacher really gears the class to the younger kids, by including stuffed animals and such. But as we get closer and closer to the recital, we are definitely having second and third thoughts. Upon closer look at some of the other places around here, it seems they all have similar ‘problems’.

First of all, let me thank my cousin for getting married on the day of the recital, so we don’t actually have to go to it this year! You see, in addition to the $90 costume for my 4 year old (almost 5 year old), you have to buy tickets to the recital at $25 a pop. Yep, you read that correctly. So for us to see our child preform we not only had to pay for the really expensive costume (I’m still waiting to see it), but then we have to pay $75 for me, her father, and sisters to see it (thankfully B is free until she is 3). Not to mention if we want her grandparents to come or we want to buy her flowers or whatever.

Oh and we just got an email about some more things to buy! woo! A t-shirt with her name on it ($15), a participation trophy ($10) and the right tights for the recital ($11). Plus I would need to go buy makeup for her to wear for the recital and we don’t know how much the group picture is just yet. And while I expected some of these expenses when we signed her up, I certainly didn’t expect them all. Do we all really need trophies for participating? Why? I just don’t get it. Isn’t performing in the recital the trophy? I really have never understood all the participation trophies. I think I have one trophy from my childhood, a trophy I got for dancing at the same place for TEN years. And it is a small trophy, nothing big, for TEN years. Some of the places I looked at specified the exact color of lipstick, blush, etc. that the girls needed and while I understand this for more serious dancers, I can’t grasp it for the 3 – 5 year old class. I’m not sure what the video rules are for our dance studio, but I know for some you cannot record even at the rehearsal and must purchase the video if you want your other relatives to be able to see your child dance.

And unlike some of the kids in her class, SHE is the one who wants to take dance. While I’m happy that she wants to do dance since I did when I was growing up, there was absolutely no pressure and she looks so forward to going every week.

So what do I want? I want a high school or college girl to teach them in our church gym. Nothing big, just fun, pure fun. No trophy, just a small little recital for the families (that would be FREE, obviously) and maybe a costume that doesn’t cost $90. So who’s in? Where can I find this girl to teach?

edited: Well I actually read all the recital info and hoo boy am I glad we aren’t attending. Not only would we have to buy $25 tickets for Matt, Eloise, and me, but Greta would need one as well if she stayed to watch the rest of the show. Oh, and the theater is not air conditioned! and is the first week in June, because that is usually a cool time of year. And we do have specific makeup to wear for the picture and recital. And yep, we are not allowed to record, instead we get to buy a DVD for $25. So really where can I find a high school or college girl to start a little class?

nature

Has the weather been glorious at your house? The past few weeks have been filled with beautiful days, lots of sun, highs upper 60s and low 70s. Just fantastic. We have been trying to get out and do some fun stuff. We’ve gone to the zoo, a wildflower preserve, a nature preserve, and a sculpture garden, plus a trip or three to the Delaware Canal for both walking and fishing. Here are some pictures from the various outings. Often Beatrice is on my back in the carrier, either asleep or awake, so there aren’t nearly as many pictures of her. Also, prepare to see lots of purple sunhats

Local wildflower preserve to see the Virginia Bluebells (even though we don’t live in Virginia).

Local Nature Preserve.

Sculpture garden.

Delaware Canal.

The only thing they have caught so far (they are out fishing as I’m writing this, so maybe they caught something better today, although I don’t think they have the camera, so there won’t be any pictures anyway).

flowers

Since flowers are in full bloom around here, I have been attempting to get a decent picture of the girls in front of some of the flowers. I have attempted many, many times. Here are some of the best ones. Most of the time I’m able to get two of the three to cooperate, while the other one typically runs off after one or two shots. Fun times.

Easter

The Easter bunny left a trail of Easter eggs from their baskets to the door, with more eggs outside.

Then it was off to church.

Dancing + others

Greta and Eloise dancing, with Greta singing and making up the dance as they go.

Beatrice saying ‘Greta’.

Beatrice being silly. She loves to make this face when I try and make a video of her, posing for the camera.

Silly face mixed with some music class stuff.

And Beatrice singing along (kind of) to her favorite music class song.

acrobatics

Our future career might be acrobatics. Here is our first practice session.

We are totally on the track to become like the Chinese Acrobats, right?

flashback

June 2012

March 2013

Leprechauns

Greta has read a few books about leprechauns at school lately. And now she seems to have created a whole elaborate world of leprechauns. We have set up a leprechaun trap to capture one this weekend.

All of these facts are according to Greta.
There are five leprechauns per state. They bring gold, real gold coins, not chocolate gold coins on Greta’s birthday. They also deliver gold to some other countries on Granddaddy’s birthday. So everyone keep your eyes peeled on either May 30 or October 2. In Pennsylvania we have one girl leprechaun and three boy leprechauns, while in Florida there are four girl leprechauns and only one boy leprechaun. But don’t worry, all of the girl leprechauns dress like boys so you can’t tell them apart. They have orange hair and beards, some have brown skin, some white. They wear all green, except their belts, which are black with a shiny belt buckle.

We have some chocolate gold coins set out in our leprechaun trap. Once we capture the leprechaun, we will hopefully find his gold, but if not, we will still get some gold on Greta’s birthday.

getting big

Everyone seems to be all of a sudden so much bigger.

Let’s start with the baby. She walks, she talks (a few words), she sings, dances, wants to play with her sisters every single second.

Eloise uses the potty, talks nonstop, makes up her own games and stories, and sometimes let’s me do her hair.

Greta sleeps all night in her room, makes up some pretty good songs, always has a solution to the problem at hand, loves to draw and color, can pump on the swing, vacuums.

Three monkeys

It still remains nearly impossible to get a picture of these three little monkeys smiling and looking. Here is a recent attempt.

No one looking.

One looking, although still making a funny face!

Almost there, just get your finger out of your eye, Greta!

I can see all eyes, and smiles! But I’ll keep trying.

Mom, we are done!

Do we really have to sit here and keep trying?

Ok, two of us will keep smiling, but I won’t put my hands down.

How about I stick out my tongue? Is that better?

Baby B, you are silly.

I moved my hands, but I won’t smile normally.

No one looking again.

I’ll put my hands in the air now, Mama!

B, will you please look!

Change places, maybe that will help?

Nope, definitely not helping.

And we’re done!