Thankfulness List # 166-191

Just a few random pictures and grateful thoughts:

My nephew is so silly (#166). Everytime he even sees a camera, he makes this smile. And he really enjoyed picking the flowers out of my pots.

#167: Sissy has been taking dance classes now for a few months. This picture was taken as we were going to her first tap class. (#168: That's another one of my old leotards!) She was enrolled in a class that included tap, ballet, and gymnastics. That session ended, and now she is attending classes at two different places. She is taking ballet at a new place we LOVE (#169). It's an art academy, the same place Dash took his dance class (#170), and Tornado is taking art classes (#171). One reason I like this place better is that parents can watch through the window (#172), unlike her last spot.

She is also taking cheerleading classes (#173). (It's basically a gymnastics class, though.) This was essentially her idea. She goes around saying, "I wanna be a cheerleader." She will cuddle up with Daddy (#174) and watch a few minutes of an Illini game. She loves to watch the cheerleaders, and she will say, "Go, Illinois!"

She has so much fun at all of her classes, and I feel very happy for her (#175).
Sissy becomes more of a "big girl" every day. This morning, I asked her if she needed help putting on her ballet shoes. She said in one breath, "I don't need help, Mommy, but thank you for asking." (#176)

fun with bristle blocks (#177)

We took a weekend trip, which included a stop in my hometown (#178). It's always nice to visit and reminisce; my heart overflows with feelings and memories before I even hit the city limits (#179). Three of my best friends from highschool (Elizabeth, Missy, and Angie) and I got together (#180) because one of them is about to move to California. Our other friend Lori also stopped by with her beautiful family to say "hello." (#181) I am so grateful for these friends that I have had for 20 years (#182). I really lucked out by living in this particular town at the particular time that I did (#183). We missed you, Sarah (#184)!

We also drove over to my original hometown to see my Grandpa and Winnie. He recently had a procedure that really seemed to help him with pain he'd been having; that was great to see (#185). I'm so grateful that I still have my Pa-paw (#186).
I was really, really happy that Sissy let Great-Grandpa cuddle up next to her. She was really sweet, giving him hugs and smiling at him. That meant a lot to me (#187). We also got to visit with my aunt, uncle, cousin, and dog-cousin. Those visits are few and far between so that was very nice. (#188)


(#189-191) I'm also very thankful that I got to spend the weekend with almost my entire family. I'm thankful for safe travel. I'm thankful to my brother and sister-in-law for hosting us!

Cinderella and Dash

Dash completed his Cinderella and the Prince creative movement camp. Okay...so, let's be real; it was a dance camp, but I passed it off with his dad a lot easier by calling it "creative movement." I was so proud and entertained, watching him in class. He totally focused on what the teacher was saying and did everything she asked him to do. I giggled watching him plie' and leap across the dance floor. One day they got to dance with their swords and crowns (wands for the girls), which they had decorated.

They didn't just learn dance movements; they talked a lot about Cinderella, the story behind the ballet. They watched a clip of a performance. They put together a booklet with activity pages they completed, including this page of facial expressions -

and this coloring page he's still working on.

He loved this camp. LOVED IT. He was greatly disappointed that today was the last day.