Dance Recital

Emily had her first real dance recital this weekend complete with a real costume and a real stage in a real theater!  Emily started dance this fall when our neighbor, Ashley, offered to start taking Emily to class with her daughter, Reagan.  The classes were every Tuesday from 4:30 until 5:15 meaning it would have been a challenge for me to be able to take her.  But thanks to Ashley, Emily got to dance!

The girls danced to "Good Ship Lollipop."  They had a big backdrop that looked like the side of a ship.  Then they danced in their tap shoes with big yellow lollipops!  About half way through the show a little boat and sailor came out and the kids danced around it.  It was cute.

Emily really knew the routine and danced her little heart out.  I was so proud (see below).  She was really terrific.  Emily has already said she wants to dance again next fall.  I really hope she does.  Thankfully, Ashley has already agreed to take her for another year.


Best friends backstage





My favorite lollipop!

Post recital flowers from Daddy were a BIG hit!






Visit from an "old" friend

We were lucky to get a visit from one of Emily's oldest friends last weekend - Sam!  Sam and Emily were in daycare together at Carolina Kids Academy from the time Emily was about 7 months old until she was about 3 when we moved Emily to Primrose.  We stayed in touch with Sam and his parents, Joy and Phil, having many family date nights and many play dates while we were still living in NC. 

So we were thrilled a few weeks ago when Joy dropped me a line to let me know they would be in WV.  We immediately made plans to get together.  They came and stayed with us for two days - even new baby Molly got to come for the visit!  We let Sam and Emily spend some time just playing end enjoying their time together.  Then on Sunday afternoon we all went to the Clay Center.  As is usually the case, the ball pit was the favored attraction.  At the end two fun days of play, Sam and Emily even got to have a real slumber party.  Sam got to sleep on Emily's blow up bed and Emily slept in her bed.  They had such a wonderful time and it was great for Emily and her old friend to reconnect.

What I will always remember about Sam and Emily's friendship is that when we moved from NC last summer, we had one last play date with Sam. When playtime was over, Emily hugged Sam and said "Goodbye my prince." 

Hibiscus

This past weekend, we bought 2 large planters and 2 hibiscus trees to sit between our garage doors on the driveway.  Emily picked them out because they had large, pretty, red flowers on them.  We were outside playing last night and the following was our conversation about our new trees:

Emily:  Ooo!  Mommy!  Look at that beautiful flower.  What is it called?

Me:     Hibiscus.  Can you say hibiscus?

Emily:  Hibiscus

*long pause*

Emily:  When will it grow biscuits?