Swimming

Gracie had never been a strong swimmer.  She's taken LOTS of lessons, however take the floaties off and she sank like a ton of bricks.  This year Alan and I said that's it - NO FLOATIES for 5 year olds.  We put her in the pool without them, made her practice floating and she fussed and the next thing we know - she figured it out.  Now she does the backstroke, swims on her side, flips, jumps off the side and diving board, swims underwater, swims in the deep water.  The lifeguards always comment on how amazing she does and without lessons this year.  I am so proud of her!!!  Mallary loves the pool too - only with the comfort of floaties!  She kicks and swims all day too!

 Baby Pool time during 10 minute break

 This is more like it!  Floating in the big pool

 Swimming

 Jumping off the diving board

 Backstroke

 Ready to go again.

Fun with Ava and Andrew

We headed to Birmingham to go to Jana's Birthday Party.  The girls had fun and Oh how I wish you could have seen them both during the party getting their faces done.  I brought my camera but no memory card so I only have Gracie's picture.  The lady from Magic City Face Art was there and both girls got the "Arabian Princess" style and looked so cute. Afterwards we headed to Meme and Chief's house since they had been in CA/Alaska for 2 weeks and we had not seen them.  The girls and Andrew played and were WILD!  It was almost midnight before I got my girls asleep.  The next day we got up and went to Elaine's for backyard water fun!

Princess Ballerina Camp

June turned out to be a crazy busy month!  My intentions were for there to be a camp every other week, however scheduling did not work out and we packed it all into June.  After VBS we had Princess Ballerina Camp.  My girls LOVE this camp and Mrs. Tara.  Gracie already had her list of stuff she hoped they would do (and she got to do it all).  They were both excited that Mallary got to go.  Gracie kept saying "Oh baby, can you believe you are big enough to go to camp with Sissy" I'm not sure I could believe it.  They put on their tutus and leotards, dance recital costumes, fairy outfits and off we went each day.  Of course there is always the big finale when they showcase their favorites through the week.  Mallary was a little overexcited and was in her own little world for the recital and so glad that I was there.  She talked to me from the stage quite a bit.  They were so cute and when it was over Gracie said do you think they might let me come back next year (camp is only ages 3-5) ?!?!

Princesses lined up ready to perform

 The Cinderella Group

 Mallary dancing

 Shark coming at me during the under the sea dance

 Lucky for me she turned away!

 The sleeping Kitty Dance

 Dancing with Scarves on Stage

 With their crowns

 Curtsy and Certificate time

 She moved too fast to catch the curtsy

Point Mallard

After our VBS picnic, our church had its own night at Point Mallard Water Park.  We enjoyed our evening swimming, splashing in waves and going down the water slides.  Gracie and Daddy did the big slides again, but I didn't get a picture of it. 

VBS and Picnic

 This year our church had Shake it Up Cafe for Vacation Bible School.  This theme was right up our alley as we all like to cook and help out in the kitchen.  I was a group leader for rising kindergarteners which meant Gracie and lots of her friends.  Each day we rotated through Bible Story, Science, Crafts, Snack, Recreation and Music.  Gracie had so much fun.  On the last day we have a family picnic night at Point Mallard and the kids sing all the songs they learned during the week. 

The "Rolling Pins" Martha Caroline, Gracie and Abby

In the Discovery (Science) Lesson

 

 Gracie taking her turn making butter

 Sarah Laine and Gracie tasting their butter - They said Yummy!

 Performing their VBS Songs at our picnic

Shaking it Up!

Dance Recital 2011

This year was another fabulous dance recital "Rock and Roll Cafe" with music from the 60's to current - and even better because we had 2 dancers this year!  It was Mallary's first recital and she was so cute!  Gracie did not disappoint with her awesome 3 dances in ballet, tap and acro.  Both girls also danced in the finale.  They worked so hard this year at dance and loved it. 

Ready to leave for the Recital

 With all their curls!

 Mallary's Ballet "Lollipop"

 Blowing Kisses to her fans!

 Gracie's Acro Dance " I want Candy"

 Gracie's back bend (she's on the left)
 


 






 
 
Tap "Magic In Me"

Ballet "Let it Be"

The girls with all their pretty flowers

 

 Family Pic

Trophies