Lily...already a month past 7!

Before the onset of homeschooling this year, I couldn't fathom adding another after-school activity to ballet, tap, choir and soccer...times two children. But now that our days our less scheduled, we have been able to add piano lessons for Lily and gymnastics for both girls. Gymnastics has been a real hit, so I was not surprised when Lily wanted a gymnastics party for her 7th birthday.

But way before the party, first thing in the morning...we did the "birthday string".  Tied some twine in various rooms, leading her all over the house until it finally led her to her presents.  She loves this new tradition!

                                     ***                GO     RANGERS !!!           ***    

After Jade's soccer game it was finally time to party!

She was fortunate to have cousin Eli in town!

Loved this pic...worked great for her thank you note...

She had a great time...and I *think* her friends did too!

Cannot believe another year has flown by...7 sounds so OLD...and here we head to # 8!   We love you sweet Lily Grace...cannot wait to see what the Lord has in store for you over this next year.

Workout...Mommy and Me...Gymnastics Style

I took Jade to a little preview gymnastics class back in July. So, when we went for the real deal I knew what to expect.

What a workout. Running all over the gym floor...sometimes carrying her 33 pounds with me...squatting, lunging, walking and sidestepping various beams, etc. Whew! I can't remember what I wore, but it was totally inappropriate. I came out of there completely sweating!

The real kicker was the trampoline though. Whoa. I haven't been on a trampoline in years, and my last memory of one only includes laying out on it...not jumping.

So, besides wearing Under Armour work out apparel, I also added a sports bra to my outfit.

I'm definitely sure that the last time I went jumping and rolling around on one of those things I hadn't nursed two babies. Enough said.

I was dressed and prepared and so was Jade.

See the trampoline back there? AKA, death to the girls.

We definitely need to work on our beam skills. ;)

She doesn't like playground swings at all...but swinging from rings? Right up her alley.

On the contrary, she loves slides at the park, but wasn't willing to slide into the foam pit at all.

All in all...she had a blast, I got my morning workout in, and no one got hurt. I'll say it was a triple win.

46 seconds of pure pre-"nastics" fun

I've always thought that gymnastics outfits were ugly. Always. I don't care if they are on Mary Lou or a more current star, they just don't appeal to me. The color combinations alone are frightening...then add a few rhinestones and weird fabric cuts. Oh Lord.

I mean, who looks cute wearing black, blue and hot pink all at once? JADE!

My baby started mommy and me toddler gymnastics..."nastics" according to her...

She was a little bit excited. Just a little bit.



I'll post some pictures of her in action soon.