Dancin' Hot Hot Hot

 

After all the classes, extra in home practises and multiple agonizing hair buns by Mom, another dance season is in the books. Corynn gave it her all at her new dance company. She rocked this season with one of her friends by her side. Every Monday, after a long day at school, these two danced their hearts out even on their most tired of days.

'I'll Make a Man Out of You' and 'Let's Go to The Movies' were the songs for her routines this year. As apprehensive as I was that she was going to learn all the new technical dance moves, she conquered the challenge, albeit being able to do the splits.

Our little heart breaker hit the stage just as the sweat started running down our faces. Dance recitals are long and unending in the first place, but take away air conditioning in an auditorium filled with people on a 95+ degree day for two hours, well I think I've made my point.

When the show was over and I looked at her smiling face on stage as she took her last bow, I couldn't have been more proud and possibly excited to get in my air conditioned car. The show didn't end when we got home either! Connor took it upon himself to help his sister take out over 40 bobby pins from her hair.  Now that is love:)

Seven Wishes & Spring Fever

Seven years ago I heard three words that changed my life forever, "It's a girl!" From that day forward, our world has been a little pinker, a littler brighter and ,of course, much sassier!

For Christmas this past year, Corynn received a dry erase board for her room.  Leading up to her birthday, she posted a daily countdown with post it notes stating how excited she was to celebrate her big day.  We decided on a mini spa day with her 3 besties.  What better way to ring in a new year than with nail polish and jewelry.  We finished it off with a scrumptious lunch to make sure the birthday girl didn't get Hangry:/

Since our Corynn is 7, going on 17, I think it is fitting to give her 7 wishes (with one for good luck) to help lead her way. I saw this mnemonic for the word Daughter and thought it would be perfect for her.  Happy Birthday beautiful girl!

Dare all your dreams

 Always believe in yourself

Uncover hidden talents

Go on adventures

Have fun and be happy

Treasure tiny miracles

Embrace life

Reach for the stars 

Turing seven also brought a new addition to Corynn's everyday life; glasses!  She can really rock the new look.  What is even better, is how confident she feels in them.

 

Spring fever has officially hit the household.  We ditched school and started our Spring break early with a quick trip to Chicago.  I don't know who was more excited, the kids or myself to spend a night downtown in the city.  We looked at the big buildings, shopped around and maybe picked up some Cubs paraphernalia.  Which, to all who are concerned, my Cardinals loving husband refused to purchase himself.

To finish out the evening, while Dad had court side seats for the Bulls game (I wasn't jealous at all:/), the kids swam, relaxed in the hot tub and had a room service treat.  I swear those were the best milkshakes $30 could buy. 

We capped off our Chicago trip with a visit to Nan and Papa Hutch.  The kids were so excited to see and play in the snow, since we never had any of measure to play in back home this year.  Snow angels, snow balls, and snow forts for hours.  Our last morning there the kids bundled in their snowsuits one last time.  By the time we arrived in MO that evening, it was sunny and 74!  What a difference 5 hours can make.

 

We concluded Spring break with an adventurous hike through Ha Ha Tonka park again. What a difference a year makes!

 

The kids were hiking warriors.  Two miles of rocky paths, over 316 stairs and limited rest breaks.  Hopefully the next time we go to the Lake, we can just relax by the pool! 

 

Leave a Little Sparkle Wherever You Go

Another year has come and gone and in its wake we left some loves, lost some teeth, celebrated birthdays, survived a hurricane, explored our summer oasis, made new friends and many new memories and left a little sparkle wherever we went throughout the holiday season.

We issued in the last month of 2016 with a birthday celebration for Connor.  What better way to celebrate than with a Ninja/Nerf war party.  The kids, both young and old, had an absolute blast.  Connor even got to cut his cake with a real Ninja Katana sword!  When the party was over, all left a little sweaty and out of breath, while a sea of Nerf darts remained.

 
 

Even though we managed to keep all of our teeth intact after tackling the ninja warrior facility, the big kids wiggled them out before the holiday.  Corynn lost her first tooth, with the tooth fairy making a special trip with the pajama elves on Christmas Eve and Connor's wish for Christmas was for his two front teeth!

Bennett serenaded us in song by candlelight during his Christmas program.  His dapper looks and resounding voice left smiles on everyone's faces.

Between Thanksgiving and New Years, our trio managed to soak up all the fun these seasons bring, including: cookie baking, eating treats, visit with Santa, and family fun.

 

We also, or at least myself and some of my children, continued to celebrate the Cubs World Series win during the holidays.  Even if it doesn't ever happen again in my lifetime, I can still say it happened once!  Luckily my husband has let some Cubs paraphernalia enter into this Cardinal household.  And my hope is that as spring approaches, the glitter trail left behind by our beautiful Tinkerbell's flowing dress, will begin to subside in homes, couches, cars, washing machines, etc.  As the saying goes, though, it never hurts to 'Leave a little sparkle wherever you go'! 

 After all of Santa's careful planning and the Elves hard work, Christmas day had finally arrived once again.  The kids opened their presents one by one, oohing and awing after each gift was revealed.  Books, boots, boxing, Lego's, gumballs, the outdoor wonder wave and the kids very own Red Ryder.

   

They couldn't wait to try out the new haul of games and toys.  That included the big kid Ben who, while all of us were still wearing pajamas, donned a suit to show off his superior Ping Pong skills.  Also, for anyone who may have been worried, we were careful and managed not to shoot any eyes out with our marksmanship.


As we take down the decorations and reflect on this past year, I think a great motto for the family in 2017 will be:

 'Dream Big'

(because it never hurts to strive to be bigger and better)

'Sparkle More'

(because, it never hurts to be confident and look good)

'Shine Bright'

(because it never hurts to always be smiling and make the ones around you happy)