Anna First Day of Dance Class

 Anna took gymnastics last school year, but has recently been asking to take dance.  I knew she would absolutely love it, but I didn't want her to quit gymnastics. I didn't want her to be in more than two activities at 3 years old, either (she starts choir at church this year).  Luckily, a friend of mine let me know about a dance class that offers tap, ballet, and tumbling in the same class.  Score!

She was so precious going to pick out her shoes and tights and leotards.  When she put everything on that day, you could tell that she felt beautiful.  Seeing all of those girls walk in and prance around in their tap shoes was ridiculously cute.  After the class was over, she came flying out yelling, "Mommy, I had the best class!  Do you know what?  We got to do the freeze dance!"  I know Anna is going to be so excited to get her recital costume come the end of the year.  Oh, the things we have to look forward to!

The First Tailgate 2011: UNC vs JMU

The long-awaited football season was finally upon us and we all headed to Chapel Hill for the first game, with a little more gear than we have had in previous years.  We couldn't wait to see what Jack thought about cheering on the Tar Heels.  Plus, Jack and Charlie would finally be together again!  

Future roommates (according to their daddies)

Tuckered out from all the morning excitement

Anna took a nap, too, poor thing.  She wasn't feeling very good this game.:(

The boys and their boys

Anna perked up once the game started with some help from Aunt E!

Jack took another quick nap during the game...

...but then woke up to enjoy the second half!

The kids did great!  Although it was sweltering, we all had a great time and enjoyed seeing the Tar Heels play and bring home the win.  One down, two more in a row to go...

Jack is 7 Months Old!

What a month this past one has been!  Jack is growing so fast!  I had to pack up all of his clothes that weren't at least 12 month size.  He is definitely in size 3 diapers and pushing 4s.  He has mastered the army crawl and can get pretty much anywhere he wants to go.  But instead of crawling, he now just wants to hold onto something and stand up!  He is walking mostly on his tip-toes, but is slowly figuring out that it is not the most stable way to do it.  We broke out the music table so he can stand and play and he loves it.  He made his first trek to the beach this month when we stayed down there for a week.  He had his second ear infection this month and had gained almost a whole pound in just two or three weeks.  He is a great eater and eats pretty much whatever we give him, especially if it is something we are eating.  We tried to drop his third nap, but found out he still needs it most days.  On the days that there is something going on and he can't get that third nap, he can get through and just be a little fussy.  We're getting there.  On the day before he turned 7 months old, he learned how to clap and is so proud of himself!  It is so cute!  

Here are some pics from the past month...

First trip to the beach

"I don't quite understand this sand and wind stuff..."

At first he was a little timid with the waves,
but then got excited and started dancing when he would see them coming.

With Mommy and Daddy

Sleeping with Bobo

Happy Jack

Ready to eat!

I love my music table!

Anna's Love of Flying

Anna has always loved being tossed around, swinging, climbing, and riding rides at the fair. Usually, the higher it goes, the better she likes it.  Well, one evening the kids and I met my friend Carrie and her two kids at the mall.  Her little boy, Tucker, wanted to do the little bungie jumping thing so bad.  And, of course, since Tucker wanted to go, so did Anna.  Carrie and I looked at each other...and caved.  I was actually thinking that Anna would get on there and get scared because that thing goes so high!  I don't know what I was thinking...SHE LOVED IT!

Ready to jump!

She was as high as the upper balcony!

Self Portrait

Anna has an art easel in the playroom and occasionally likes to draw on it.  On August 25, 2011 she drew these pictures and they were so amusing that I had to have photographic evidence...

Anna's self-portrait: She looked at it when she was finished
and exclaimed, "It looks just like me!" 

Anna's drawing of Daddy

Mermaids Live in the Water

Anna got a new mermaid costume and kept asking if she could wear it in the bathtub.  I kept saying things like, "We don't want to mess it up!" or "If it gets wet, you won't be able to wear it again until it dries." Nothing worked.  She kept asking until finally I said, "Why do you want to wear it in the bathtub so badly?" She answered, "Because mermaids live in the water, Mommy!" And you can see the outcome of that...

Nicknames

Anna has so many nicknames for Jack!  I wanted to get some of them down before we all forgot them...

Jack (obviously, but this starts the progression)
Jackie
Jack-e-poo (a fave)
Poo
Pooch
Poochie Snooch
Snoog
Snooger Booger

Where she gets them from, I don't know...