Our Little Sunshine Girl

Emmalee had her dance recital this past Saturday. Dad came over to watch Micah and Lily so Steve and I could go watch the 3+ hour performance (thank you!). Of which Emmalee danced for about 5.5 minutes. But it was SO worth it. Her ballet class performed "Here Comes The Sun", wearing bright yellow and orange tutus. They all did SUCH a great job - it was amazing seeing how far the girls have come since the beginning of the year, and how Emmalee has progressed as a dancer these last 6 years. This year was her 5th year with The Dance Connection studio, and at the end of the recital, she received special recognition on-stage, and a trophy. She was so excited and proud! And, without trying to be biased at all, Steve and I think she is one of the best dancers in the class. She is very graceful and really learns her steps and all. She has decided that she will go ahead and stick with ballet for next year too. It really is her "thing"!

Relay, and a bunch of lasts...

Last weekend I participated in my second American Cancer Society Relay for Life. I walk on my friend Jenn's team. Jenn is a 2-year breast cancer survivor and a very good friend of mine. This year I was able to attend the opening ceremonies, which was very emotional. I am thankful to have been able to watch Jenn and several other survivors walk the first lap, the Survivor Lap. What a celebratory walk that was! There were several teams participating. One of them was a team walking for a 29-year-old girl named Naomi who is battling breast cancer. Naomi was there, with a scarf covering her bald head, walking with her friends and family, until she had to leave for her chemo treatment. As I walked, I prayed, "Please don't let me have to walk in this relay for one of my own family members someday". I brought Emmalee and Micah with me, and they had fun walking (or in Micah's case, running) and playing with their friends, and participating in some of the activities that were available. I had to work Saturday night, but I went back early Sunday morning to walk some more and attend the closing ceremonies (and I won a free week of music/art camp for Micah in a raffle!). I am glad to be a part of this, and Jenn and I have already started talking about fundraisers for next year's Relay!

Last Monday was Micah's last soccer game. He ran up and down the field like crazy, but I don't think he ever made contact with the ball... The highlight of the night for him was receiving his medal!

Also last Monday was Emmalee's last Brownie meeting. The girls prepared little skits for the parents. Emmalee did a skit, showing us proper phone manners. And she got to wear a pretty pink dress... (because apparently you should be dressed in your finest when talking on the phone). She received an award at the end of the night - she was named "Sing-along Queen". Now if that isn't Emmalee...

Tonight is Em's last softball game. And yesterday was her last ballet class. Her recital is on Saturday - you can be sure I'll post pictures afterwards! Micah's last day of school is tomorrow, Emmalee's is next Thursday. Everything is coming to an end...

Milestone!

This morning, Lily told me she had to go potty. She does this often - anytime anyone else goes to the bathroom, she'll say she has to go too, and lots of times I will indulge her and take off her diaper and sit her on the potty. She'll sit there a while, and then say she's done. Well today, shortly after she woke up, Lily told me she had to go potty. And then she took off her pj pants and started pulling at her diaper. So I took it off, sat her on the potty, and she looked at me all seriously, and then started to pee! Her eyes brightened, a huge smile came over her face, and she laughed and laughed. Then she said "more" (or in Lily-language, "mo"), and did some more! I hugged her and let her pick out a special treat (fruit snacks). Congratulations, Lily! I am so proud of you!!! I am starting to glimpse the light at the end of the diaper tunnel!