eight and ten (picture heavy)

This February Abby turned 8 

Her request was a Frozen themed party

(seems to be the party trend this birthday season)

the birthday girl at school

Her birthday happened to fall on the school's annual "Artist Fair"

a cake decorator came to the class and personalized a cake. just for her.

party day!! 

tissue paper garland is the best. cheap. easy. cute.

the party was complete with a runway show

seriously! CAN'T BELIEVE that our baby is 8!

and then... our first born turned 10!

it was Sammy's turn for the "family" party

so it was early morning presents

followed by dinner and presents at Karl Strauss (his choice)

can you spot the PHOTO BOMB

me and my boy 

(don't know what happened to the picture... looks like i have something on my lip)

Now I seriously can't believe this boy is TEN! a WHOLE DECADE! ugh! can I please oh please freeze time!?

Throwback Thursday

 So we just started a new school year last week. FOURTH and SECOND grade! Where or where did my babies go?! Seriously. Time just goes faster and faster. I want to freeze time. But God didn't leave me that ability. He did leave me with the ability to soak up every minute of their childhood and to appreciate them as individuals (and the ability to take a ridiculous amount of pictures).

These pictures below are from last year when they started THIRD and FIRST grade. This was the first year that BOTH kids went full day. Now I have 2 weeks off still of work in between their first day of school and my first day of school. And I remember being so bored that first day when they were at school all day. I mean what was I to do? I had no one to clean up after. No one asking me if I could get them juice. No one asking me to play a game with them. No one asking me if they could watch a t.v. show. No one. It was bizarre. But I found different things to do to occupy my time while counting down the hours that I got to see them again.

 And that takes us to this year. And yup. Here I sit, still bored, with no one. But I will say it's been nice to have quiet mornings knowing that they love their school, teachers, and friends. And I get to do things that are productive... like blog ;)

Abby did miss her first day of second grade due to a fever. She was bummed but willed herself better just in time for the second day.

We are all looking forward to this school year. Lots of learning and growing to be done. I am so thankful that I get to be a part of their education by volunteering and making a difference in their lives.

Dancing on the Edge of Glory

This year's end of the year dance recital was ah-mazing! The costumes, the dances, the song choices.

Really such an enjoyable performance.

This is Abby's second year/season dancing, her 4th recital... and man oh man are we proud of her!

She has grown so much, in her dancing and in her independence. Dance and the stage is definitely her "thing."

We can't wait to see what her future in dance holds!

This was one of my favorite numbers of the night. Performed to a piano instrumental of Lady Gaga's "Poker Face"

And here she is during her tap number! Performed to "42nd Street."

Ballerinas. So elegant.

And then her Jazz number!

I can't even handle how well these girls did!!

the costumes were so great through out the entire show

And the finale number. Can you spot Babbs?

She had such a fun night!

Abby had so much support from friends and family. Even those who couldn't be there were rooting her on!!

Our Abby Babbs. We are so proud of you for rocking the stage!! You are an amazing little dancer for your age and e hope you keep reaching for the stars and always enjoy dancing. We love you so much and couldn't be more proud to call you ours!!

tiny dancer

abby's end of the year dance recital was a few weeks back and man oh man did she ROCK it!!!

i'm totally not being biased either, seriously ask any one who was there

even the owner of the dance studio and her mom said she did the best :)

made us SO proud!

but then again, she never fails in that department.

backstage having some cheese and bread sticks waiting to get the show on the road

ah! just love her little dance poses!! she was so on point.

hands on hips with the beat like what.

taking a break with the big girls back stage

{side note: abby was the only one who in her dance group who "practiced" during backstage down time. that right there shows early dedication}

waiting with the girls for the big finale dance. do you see the sass my daughter brings?

see. told ya.

so proud of her! she was born to be on stage. i promise.

one proud daddy and brother right here. brother even picked out flowers for her.

and more fans. mammo and papa. aunt katrina with her date ewan {they too brought her flowers}

see. this is my proof. here she is being told what an ah-mazing job she did on that stage!! from a totally non-biased point of view.

oh abby. you are something on that stage. mommy and daddy hope your love of dance continues to grow throughout all the years to come!

you make everyone so proud!!

see her christmas show here