Mariana's Dance Recital

Mariana had her big dance recital yesterday. She danced so beautifully! We were so proud.

This is her class minus Kennedy, who was sick :(. Davis, Katie, Jada, Kylie and Mariana

Her sparkly jazz costume

In her tap costume with her teacher, Miss Darby (a fellow redhead).

Flowers from Daddy

She also received a little bouquet from her friend Michael, whose sister was dancing, but he disappeared so quickly after delivering them that I couldn't get a photo!

Ready to go home with our beautiful ballerina for a celebratory dinner at Jason's Deli with Pawpaw and Manah.

And the videos...
Ballet (just an exerpt)


 Jazz (forgive my camera....it had trouble focusing with all the sparkles!) This video is actually from the rehersal. The little girl who leads them around the stage was sick for the recital. Her substitute almost ran off stage. Mariana grabbed her and pulled her back onstage, saving the dance! What a girl!


Tap

Soccer time

Allia had soccer today, after being rained out last week. She played great, but it was hot! She made some great stops as goalie, but right at the end started feeling sick (probably from dehydration) and couldn't get out of the game because another teammate was already on the bench. What a girl...she tried her best. Poor baby!

Water!

Things are heating up quickly here, so we had to hit the water yesterday at least for a little while.

So many "Last"s

May is a craaazy month with all the lasts. We had our last dance class this week and are gearing up for the recital tomorrow. Here are some photos from the end of year choir party and Gloria's last soccer class!

My children were sooo excited to be able to play on the church playground! (It is usually used for the daycare)

And Gloria with buddies William and J.P. showing off their patches. These guys had so much fun together!

Generous heart and desire for prayer

I was so proud of Mariana the other day. She received some money from Uncle James and Aunt Karen for her First Communion. She saved half, as is our family practice, and was so excited to spend the other half. We went shopping, and she only spent a little less than half of her money on herself and used the rest to buy each of her siblings something. It was so sweet to see her so eager to share her joy and good fortune with her brother and sisters. So proud!

After mass, I usually say a little prayer with the children that goes something like, "Dear Jesus, thank you for the mass. We love you. Mary, thank you for your son Jesus. Pray for us and help us to love him more. Amen." Admittedly, I have been less than consistent lately. Frequently, after juggling Anastasia for an hour plus on Sunday, I am ready to sprint down the middle aisle and out the door as soon as the priest pronounces the final blessing! Lately, when I forget, Gloria has been approaching me and asking to pray "that prayer that we say together" after mass.

It warms my heart to see virtue stirring in the hearts of my children. :) Thank you, Jesus!

Tough girl

Light saber fighting at age 16 months...she is gonna be a tough one!

Little reader

Anastasia has really taken to reading books in the last few weeks. She just looked so cute enjoying this one on the couch by herself.