Ballet

For a long time now, Kiahna has been dreaming about ballet--those are her own words!  I finally found a wonderful (affordable) homeschool ballet class, and today was the first practice.

Aliya is also participating in ballet, but her real interest is still in gymnastics or soccer. I am still working on finding those activities for her...so in the meantime, she wants to participate in ballet with Kiahna. Their official ballet recital is December 10th for anyone who would like to come and watch. They are excited!

I didn't realize that video could be taken through the mirror until Niah showed me, so that's why there is not any footage of the actual ballet lesson.. This video shows the last few minutes of class, which is when they do the free-for-all freeze dance. Aliya and Kiahna's personalities definitely show up in their dancing techniques!

Borrowed Cogs

Isaiah loves cogs...well, actually...Aliya and Kiahna love them, too. They just call them dogs. But to Isaiah, the hairy 4 legged friends are ONLY known as cogs. Very cute. Very consistent.

Having a dog (or dogs!) again is still an option...but not right now. Having a dog requires a commitment, and that is not something that we can fully take on at this time. Try explaining THAT to the heart of a child. Remember Aliya's note? My heart still breaks.

So for now...we are will just borrow the cogs at our cousins house when we visit them in Arkansas. By the way, the cogs at our cousins' house are also borrowed--they only have the dogs from time-to-time. WE love it when THAT time is the same time that we are there! All this borrowing...perhaps we've stumbled upon a new pet trend!

2 1/2 Year Landmark

Today marks the day that Isaiah turned 2 1/2 years old...and to celebrate, he had his haircut for the FIRST TIME at a VERY MANLY barber shop. Isaiah may be young but he is smart!!! He knew that THIS was not just any ordinary hair-cutting place.

The sports memorabilia and the baseball game on the TV screen were giveaways that he had arrived at a MAN CAVE. At the end of his haircut, he walked away with a sucker. BONUS!!!

After such an awesome haircut, I might have some problems convincing him to let me cut his hair again. The bathroom counter top has lost its appeal, I'm thinking.

With his new haircut and new/borrowed clothes (Thanks, Henry!), we headed outside to take his pictures. At the 2 1/2 year landmark, he is even more handsome than ever!

1 Birthday, 2 Boys, 5 Ponies

Today...a dream came true for 2 little boys. Even though, technically, it was HENRY'S 2nd birthday, Isaiah enjoyed it just as if it were his!!!

There was 1 little pony outside the fence that the kids could pet. Isaiah and Henry were cautious at first...because some older siblings kept saying, "Watch out! It'll bite!" FINALLY, after much assurance from the owners, the kids understood that this pony would not bite or kick, so then they smothered the little pony.

Finally, the time came for the actual pony rides. Henry and Isaiah got to go on the first round. Then it worked out that they were able to ride every other round. For a whole hour, both Isaiah and Henry were either riding a pony or standing in the line to ride again. 

Aliya thought it was a disgrace to dress up the BOY ponies like girls. What can I say. She's kind of right....and these were definitely boy ponies!

After the pony rides, it was time for birthday cupcakes and PRESENTS! Isaiah was excited about his party favor--a book (about horses) and a sucker! The excitement soon wore off, though, and it was off to the hay bales!!!

It's hard to imagine ever having a better party than this. Definitely for 2 little boys, this was the BEST BIRTHDAY EVER!!!

Because We're Cool

Maybe it's because they are two...maybe it's because they are so cute...maybe it's because they have 2 sweet girls watching them from the sideline...or maybe it's just because they are cool. Just a warning though, guys.  It might not be as cool 10 years from now if you're wearing a girlie helmet while sitting on a lawn mower in the backyard.  Then again...you might just be cool enough to pull it off.

Sweet Sleep

I love my kids. I adore watching them play, or laugh, or discover new things...but I especially enjoy those moments when all is quiet...and they are sleeping. I have to resist the urge to pinch their cheeks or kiss their face off.

It just so happened today, that I was able to capture one of those moments. Isaiah had resisted taking his nap...but after he finally allowed his eyes to close, he drifted off into cuteness!