Eye check and art

Once a year we head up to visit Dr. Evans, the girls eye doctor. They LOVE the office--who wouldn't?? Even though we (knock on wood) have no issues and the girls do fabulously--it's still a lot of testing and direction following, etc. for them. 

Cora nailed all her letters (even backwards and upside down) but Dr. Evans still threw in a few picture tests for her. 

While we were there, Amara spotted this art on the wall. The staff told us that they were commissioned at Open Door Studios in grandview and were all special needs individuals. I encouraged Amara to look around and make sure this was the one--but she would not be swayed, it HAD to come with us. 

The office had her pose for a picture for their social media, we paid, waited for their eyes to dilate more (watch Brave and eat some popcorn too) and we were out the door. 

When we got out, I surprised the girls wiht some sunglasses I picked up for them (knowing their eyes might be sensitive too) and they were so happy! We cut the tags off and they immediately began taking selfies, posing and sending to dad. Even though it was a heavy traffic ride home, they totally enjoyed themselves and I just had to smile at them. 

hip hop banquet

At last, Amara's Hip Hop season came to an end. It was the longest she's ever done one sport/ class/ event--and there were ups and downs along the way. 

The greatest of course being the broken arm in February--but we all learned a lot. Amara is not a quitter. She is (internally) competitive. She CAN put on a game/ competition face (when she wants to) and she LOVES any form of tumbling. 

The coaches had some nice things to say about her determination, attitude and gumption as they presented her award with the team. She got to celebrate with about half of them--half had conflicts on the Friday night of the banquet. 

She was glad to celebrate with Cora and us one last time for the team. We sat with some friends from winter tinys last year and by half way through they were ready to go, but we stuck it out. 

They put up a slide for each kid, outlining a high point or two--and just like the photographer said, this will be one season we will never forget. 

Amara is looking forward to spending time with these kids in classes and she really speaks highly of (almost) all of them. I'm so thankful for the confidence and rhythm and sense of impulse and improv this team and her coaches have given her. 

More piano with Mrs. Amy

The girls recently completed I think their third music session with Ms. Amy, but the second "piano" session. The girls had a group music class with the other kids, followed by brief individual lessons. Ms. Amy is SO good with the kids, i don't even think they know they are learning! 

Thanks to Aunt Charlotte's piano--they have started picking it up in the living room at home too--so awesome to see them engaged with the lessons they are learning! I want them to keep and develop that life-long love of music and hope that they only continue to grow and learn with each day and lesson. Thanks Ms. Amy!

GCKA coach pitch softball

The time has come that Amara is no longer a tballer, but a SOFTballer. After 2 seasons with jumpstart, then a year off, we jumped in feet first to GCKA and she is signed up with a GREAT coach, Keith Gehrs, who is amazing with the girls. He coaches to them, but is SUPER patient, and is a great communicator too. 

We were thrilled too, to learn her friend from kindergarden, Callie is on her team too, by luck--she's a great kid and I think that will be great for Amara to see her every practice and game. 

At her first practice, Amara was right out there in the mix, fighting for balls in fielding and being a focussed partner for throwing drills too. I think she liked the ground ball fielding drill the best. She yelled over to me "I caught it, mom!" every time. 

When she stepped up to the plate for BP, she was all business. She took her stance and focussed on the ball. Of the first group of pitches, she got one right off the bat! She was thrilled I could tell-and it's been too cold for us to play at home much, so that was with very little practice!

We upgraded some of her equipment, but she wanted to keep her old bat, and didn't want her own helmet, so I think she's really enjoying herself, and not just for the swag. Hoping for a great season!

loving the spring

Even though this time of year, the weather is all over the place--we are enjoying all of it. The rainy days are lots of puddle splashing, 

the warm days break out the bicycles, bubbles, and creative clothing combinations

and the 4-wheeler--never too far away for Amara to take a few paths around the yard (though I wish she'd wear her helmet more )

and the flower picking. They really have a great time out here rambling and exploring. Sure, they TRASH the barn sometimes when I let them wander, but they are figuring things out, creating, problem solving, and GETTING ALONG--so I let it go ;)

hip hop part deux

Coach Tay decided to host some hip hop classes in between the seasons and we decided to pop in and check it out. Cora decided she wanted to go and be a part of it all too, so the girls got all "hip hopped" up and we headed to the CCS. It was all I could do not to completely crack up at their attitude going in. 

Amara, being a veteran, picked it up pretty quickly, but the shocker was Cora! She was SO SO serious with Tay! She gave it 100%! She was stomping with attitude and doing every single move he did right along with him. I loved it. She had a great time for sure--I have no idea if she will continue, but wow, what a treat to watch them out there together. 

Easter

Easter this year rolled right up on us fast, so I feel like we barely had time to celebrate! Eric hid the girls baskets this year to make them hunt for them and they helped each other and had fun examining all their goodies.

The chocolate bunnies were big hits! Also the playdoh, new fairy garden items, and Amara loves her chex mix!

After playing and snacking, we got dressed and headed to church to meet up with grandma--she was already there saving seats as always. We got to see our best bud Mrs. Misty there and then packed up and headed to g'ma's house afterwards. 

The girls had a hunt with Jason's boys in the yard, the weather was PERFECT and they loved their easter baskets and their easter chickens (which grandma brought to church to entertain them :)) It was a quick, but really fun day and everyone was exhausted by the end!

Hip hop bonfire

For a little end of the season treat, we decided to host an impromptu bonfire for Amara's hip hop team. It fell during spring break weekend, so not everyone made it, but Lauren, Shawny, Milea, Lauren, Justin, and Peanut all came--and of course Coaches Tay and Kaylee.

The kids literally didn't sit by the bonfire for more than :30 seconds--they were running, playing, jumping, exploring, tagging, and rolling in the yard. It was cold, but no way were they cold at all!

By the time it started to get dark, everyone had worn themselves out, but we got to have a great time together and look at the stars, listen to music, watch Tay dance (he can't stand still!!) and watch the kids play in a non-gym environment.

Amara was a gracious host as always, helping the kids, giving tours of the house and property and trying to accommodate anyone's needs in a jif. She is a little "me" in that sense I guess and really likes to make sure everyone has a good time and is taken care of.

Everyone said they couldn't wait to do it again and come back next season--so I'm sure if hip hop makes her list, we will revisit for sure. 

John Deere egg hunt with Frabotts

When the time rolled around this year to plan our egg hunts, we were thrilled that we could partner up with the Frabott family and head out to London to the John Deere store again. 

It was sunny and pretty, but with 50 MPH wind gusts--that will knock a little one off their feet, and some muddy conditions, we had to be prepped and bundled for the day!

The girls all looked at some tractors and gators before the hunt, but when it was time they lined up and took off like pros. Their division was 6 and under, so next year Amara and Mallory would have to move to the older kids side ;)

As they went through their eggs, the girls were thrilled to have a pail full of every kind of GUM you can imagine, a few chocolates, and no prizes--which I was glad of, I actually didn't welcome the fight of one or two kids getting something and not the rest. They continued to climb in and play on the tractors at least another half hour. 

When it was over, the kids all didn't want the fun to end, so we headed back to our house. The girls played Wii Zumba in the living room, I baked some yummy chocolate chip cookies (which they devoured) and we enjoyed the rest of our day together while baby MJ FINALLY slept a little bit to give mom a break. 

Best egg hunt day with friends EVER!!

Community outreach basket program

Friends of ours from the cheer center, shared some information about a family who was filling Easter baskets for kids in need. She had somehow obtained these 150 plastic easter baskets and she was asking friends and family to take a few. I was so inspired by all the pictures and stories that I reached out to her too (don't know her directly) to get our family involved. This year we took 4.

Eric and I went shopping for the supplies--grass, candy, matchbox cars, chocolate, bubbles, etc. and then one lazy morning, we drug out all our supplies and got to work. The girls, E and I all sat down and arranged all the treats and toys in each pail with care--knowing that this may be the only gift some of these kids get for a while. 

The task didn't take long at all--but the kids loved it. Come to think of it, kids never really get to PREPARE Easter baskets, so I am pretty sure they thought it was cool that they got to do it for someone else. No one bickered or fought, and each wanted to make sure the baskets were full and overflowing--a welcome sight after some of the drama over our Samaratin's purse boxes last Christmas, haha. 

They couldn't wait to pack them in my car and drop them off. Kara Moats, the gal who was organizing the event posted "God hooked these kids up!" With a photo of over 150 baskets that people had donated to her cause. She has already committed to doing the event next year too and so have we!

Carolyn and I have already begun scouring the Easter markdowns in anticipation of saving some of the items for the project next year--which needs a cool name, but we can't wait to get started again. 

Burton egg hunt '15

The Burton family generously threw yet another Easter egg hunt and party this year! It was a beautiful, yet chilly day--but we packed up our baskets and headed to UA. When it was time to hunt eggs, all the kids clamored outside, lined up and waited for directions from Brandi and Matt.

Cora only wanted to hunt the purple eggs--so she really was hunting eggs. Amara on the other hand went for the tricky to get ones--to let the "little kids" have the easier ones in the grass she said.  Both girls got plenty--and at one point, Cora said "that's enough for me," put her pail down, and got on the swing set--before the hunt was over! I was cracking up.

We colored eggs in the garage too--we lost the camera chip, so I don't have photos--but the girls really loved the bunny ear tongs and making creations with the colors. 

I think our girls would have been content just to play outside--it was chilly, but we were the ONLY ones who stayed outside after the hunt. It was such a nice, sunny morning and it felt like we were all just soaking in the Vitamin D.

Eventually we went back inside--the girls opened their eggs for the prizes inside, ate, and did a few crafts with me. It was a really neat party and we enjoyed getting to play outside just as much as we enjoyed all the activities and seeing our friends!

Divas

I genuinely reserve the term Diva for a drag queen of certain attitude, confidence, showmanship or glamour--of which I know MANY fierce ones, but every now and then I get a glimpse in my ladies...

and I can't think of a single better word to describe these two. In the words of the great Ru Paul--you betta' work!

last hip hop comp

Amara's last competition of the season, number 4 for her, 5 for the team--happened just 30 hours after getting the cast off. She was determined and made it happen!

I was so thrilled Tiffany came with Payton and brought friends Rylee and Reese to all cheer Amara on. I could tell she was excited too. 

Amara got out on that competition floor and gave it her all--"left it" as they say. She even did a full freeze elbow stand in one part of the routine--Eric and I about fainted!!  It was a great end to the season and I was so glad that Amara had a cheering section. Mom and dad even brought Garhett too!

The kids all took the mat for awards and supported the other teams even though they didn't win--Amara was always smiling, hugging, high-5ing and singing all the way. 

Even on the way out, already in coat and fuzzy pj's--with little sister clinging on for dear life (and holding her up as it was 10pm!!) she busted out some attitude face and posed one last time for the season. She's my warrior as Coach Tay would say!

fairy garden class

I'd seen these fairy gardens for a while now and wondered if the girls were too young--but I finally decided to pull the trigger this spring, splurge, and sign up for the class at DeMonye's. 

I am SO glad we did!  We had an absolute blast! As part of the class, the girls got to first pick their container. Next three of one kind of succulent, then a few other vines that looked like miniature ivy or something. The ladies running the class instructed the girls on placing screen over the drainage holes, holding them in place with rocks, then filling the container with dirt and watering it all in. 

Next they made tiny holes with their fingers, just like a little plug hole, and the flower plus fit right in--nature's perfect tools! Last but not least, we headed to the garden shop for a few trinkets to finish it off. They each picked a covered bridge, then Amara picked a gazing ball, they each picked an animal friend, and then Cora picked a hammock. 

Daddy loaded up the garden creations while I cleaned up and paid--it was really a great class that we all enjoyed and we already have plans for an even bigger garden, that we were inspired to make from one we saw at the greenhouse. Awesome new family project!