cotillion

co.til.lion \k-o/til/yen \ also co.til.lon \k-o/til/yen, k. o/t-e/ (y)-on\ n [F cotillion, Lit., petticoat, fr. OF, fr. cote coat] 1: a ballroom dance for couples that resembles the quadrille 2: an elaborate dance with frequent changing of partners carried out under the leadership of one couple at formal balls 3: To assemble a group of young people to develop, appreciate and respect their role in society through dance and social skills education.

We've known a few other kids who have gone through cotillion classes, and when we found out it was available in our area through JDW, we decided to take advantage of it. Katie was very excited, because she loves new experiences, but nervous because she didn't know anyone else in the class. We had fun shopping for dresses and playing with her hair.

Week #1 - introductions

Week #2 - ladies' choice (happened to fall on Katie's birthday)

Week #3 - costume party

Week #4 - table ettiquete (mom as chaperone)

Week #5 - daddy daughter dance
It was a fun experience and I look forward to doing it again, twice!

Katie's #11

Katie's birthday was on a Tuesday this year. We always get up and do our little family thing in the morning - gifts and breakfast candles. That evening, she had one of her cotillion classes - we'll do that in another post.

The big party was planned for Saturday. She and her friend Emily have been talking for years about doing a party together. They are exactly one week apart in age, and have known each other since they were 2 years old.

We hosted a pool party at a natatorium on the other side of town. They have a lot of friends in common - between church, school, and scouts. It was a great group of kids!

I think they got the biggest kick out of the diving boards. Most pools don't have them anymore, for liability reasons I guess. I don't know what the exact height was, but it was a good ways up there.















Number eleven is going to be another great year! We love you, Katie!

how's the weather?

This was one of my favorite books when I was a kid.

I was a bit skeptical when I heard they were making it into a movie.

I have to say, it was pretty cute.

They exaggerated the storyline quite a bit, but did it in an entertaining way.

They even added a little romance.







It was especially fun in 3-D! And they don't just pass out those flimsy paper glasses... now we get real shades!

Anna's teacher read the book in class, then invited the children and their families to join her at the theater to see the movie. Anna even got to sit next to her. What a thrill! Thanks Mrs. Cherry!

oompa loompa doompadee doo

I don't remember the first time I saw the original movie (Gene Wilder) and I still haven't seen the new one (Johnny Depp), but I do remember reading the books. My sister had the Roald Dahl box set, and I loved the fantasy and imagination they provided. The Magik Theatre always does such wonderful interpretations - this time they mixed a little old and a little new. Fun for everyone!

Charlie and Grandpa... Augustus, Mike, and Violet... the oompa loompas... Willie Wonka...

preschool readiness

Does this little girl look like she's ready for preschool or what!
It's actually the first day of her second year of preschool, and she is SO ready! She loved being with her sisters all summer, but they started school 2 weeks ago and she's been stuck at home with boring ol' mom. It's gonna be a great year!

at the movies

I've never been one for stage performance myself, but we've discovered that our children have quite the knack. Here is a little montage of movie quotes we put together for our church talent show. See how many you can guess!



Nobody puts Baby in a corner… I’m late I’m late for a very important date… One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got in my pajamas, I don't know… Toga! Toga! … Mama always said life was like a box of chocolates… Scrumdiddlyumptious! … You dumb dumb, you give me gum gum… Stick with your man. Think of him as chewing gum. By the end of the game, I want you to know what flavor he is… You smell like Phys Ed! … There's no crying in baseball! … Show me the money! … Just a bit outside… If you build it, he will come… May the Force be with you… Badges? We ain't got no badges! We don't need no badges! I don't have to show you any stinking badges! … I'm here to fight for truth, and justice, and the American way… Every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings… What if I'm not the hero? What if I'm the bad guy? … Who you gonna call? … Bueller… Bueller… phone home… That might be so, but by God, I ain't never said a word to a pig… Wax on, wax off… Snakes. Why'd it hafta be snakes? … I'm king of the world! … Dah dum dah daum …You're gonna need a bigger boat… Just keep swimming Just keep swimming… I feel the need -- the need for speed! … To infinity…and beyond! … Houston, we have a problem… Shane. Shane. Come back! … Was that floatin' like a Cadillac, or was that stingin' like a Beemer? … To the Batmobile… Wait a minute, Doc. Ah... Are you telling me that you built a time machine... out of a DeLorean? … I've got a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore… Republic. I like the sound of the word… Groovy, baby! … In Hartford, Hereford and Hampshire, hurricanes hardly happen… Mirror Mirror on the Wall… But enough about me. What about you? What do you think of me? … (slap cheeks) aaaargh! … Here's looking at you, kid… You talking to me? … Garçon! Coffee! 'Garçon' means boy… just a spoonful of sugar… As God as my witness, I'll never be hungry again… Where are the chips? Somebody stole them. Did you not tell them that they were the Lord's chips? … Stella! … No more wire hangers! … Ye Gads! … You can't handle the truth! … We love you Misses Hannigan… I love you. Ditto… Hasta la vista, baby… How about a hug? … Get your stinking paws off me, you dirty ape… I'll be back.

1st and 5th

Oh my goodness!

Can you believe how grown up they both look?






We're looking forward to another great year. We are thrilled with our teachers and excited about our classes. Can't wait to learn new things and meet new friends!

cowboy camp

We are lifelong fans of the Dallas Cowboys. They haven't always had their training camp in San Antonio, but have several times since we've lived here. Can you believe this is the first time we've gone to watch? And it's free!

The girls weren't exactly thrilled to be there. They've each been to their share of sporting events in their lives, but with this just being training camp, there was no music, cheerleaders, or any other hoopla. They weren't too impressed. All they wanted was cotton candy and popcorn.

It was a fun family afternoon! GO COWBOYS!

lucky number 7

Our sweet little Anna is growing up! She is the most passive of the 3, so quiet and humble. She loves to draw. She loves to play with her dolls. She loves fishing with Daddy.

We did our little tradition of a birthday morning muffin...


She loved the movie Bolt, so she got the DVD and a pair of tights like the ones Penny wears. (That's what she wants to be for Halloween.)


She'd also been asking for a hamster. Mom and Dad opted for a guinea pig (easier to locate if it gets loose!). His name is Chester. Coincidentally, while we were on vacation the week before, we saw the movie G-Force. Too cute!!!


We discussed several options for party plans this year, and she just kept coming back to a sleepover. The girls made their own mini-pizzas for dinner, followed by a little cake and ice cream. Games and a movie, then lights out! (my kind of sleepover!) Waffles and smoothies for breakfast, then everyone was on their way.

summer vacation

We have some wonderful friends that we have been vacationing with for 6 years now. This was our fourth time to get together. We've been there (CT), they've been here, and we even had a jaunt to her parents house in Florida. This time, we decided to venture up North again. They are wonderful hosts and tour guides. And, all our kids get along great! Might I say "never a dull moment"?

They have lots to do at their house (you just gotta when you have 4 boys and a home daycare!). The kids spent quite a bit of time in the pool. It is a heated pool, but the girls were still a little shocked at the temperature (it was actually the air that was quite a bit cooler). Notice the gorgeous trees in the background! Rumor is, there's a bear out there...


Her parents have a lakehouse up in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. They were gracious enough to share their space with us (again) for a few days. The weather was perfect. Unfortunately, sweet little Anna wasn't feeling well (she ended up being down for a few days).


Did I mention we travelled across the multi-state area in a 30+ foot RV? It worked out great for us... all 11 of us! We all got to be in one vehicle (all 11 of us!), the kids had a little freedom to move around (yes, the little ones were in car seats), we had a potty (hence, we had fewer stops), we had a kitchen at our fingertips (have you ever seen the movie The Long, Long Trailer with Lucille Ball?), AND when we were driving through the mountains, everyone had an awesome view (all the kids in the back room - to get the bestest view!)...


How can you pass through Freeport and not stop at the L.L. Bean Flagship Store (and the outlet, of course).


We spent another night at campsite along the coast of Maine. Wouldn't it figure that is when the rains would come. Everybody was filthy, but we had fun anyway. The boys even survived a night in the tent!


One of our favorite books is One Morning in Maine by Robert McCloskey. It was very surreal to be standing on the same beaches where the story took place. No lost teeth though. More muck and mud... we'll call it a science lesson!


more bars in more places...
(okay, I know it's too many bars, but isn't it too cute?)


Last but not least, we visited the Mark Twain house in Hartford. While we were waiting for our tour guide, we came upon this life-size lego statue. Pretty cool. We weren't allowed to take any pictures in the house, but you can take a virtual tour.


We are truly blessed to have such wonderful friends. It's amazing to me too, that even though we only see each other every other year, the kids come back together like they hadn't missed a beat.

Looking forward to 2011!

when in rome...

Our church hosted an awesome VBS this year! We 'journeyed' to Rome and learned all about Paul and the Underground church, from an insider's perspective. A lot of people put a lot of work into it. We were group leaders, so we didn't miss a minute. The girls brought their friends too. It was a fun experience! Here are a few of the pics...

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Next year... Egypt, maybe?

singin' in the rain

...one of our favorite family movies, so of course my girls know how to do Gene Kelly's famous steps.


Here is Bethany doing her rendition. Not bad for a 3 year old!
(you'll have to tilt your head to the left - sorry)


Anna is visiting Grandma & Grandpa this week, that's why she's not in the picture.

happy father's day!

Okay, so this really has nothing to do with Father's Day. It just happened to fall on the same day...


Some dear friends were passing through town, and the only time we were able to connect was Sunday lunch. We still decided to go for the manly meal - steak and potatoes - and brave the restaurant crowds with our own little crowd of 10. We made it through the meal with only one broken dish, lots of peanut shells, and full tummies!

Cryste and I used to rock our babies together in the nursery at church during worship. Our 'babies' are now 7. Since then, between our 2 families, we've added 3 more! They were forced to move on a few years back... we still touch base every now and then (but not often enough).

Memories!

rockin' rabbit

I am an equal opportunity mother... I try to make sure that each child has the same opportunities as those siblings before them. Katie and Anna each took dance classes and had the chance to perform in a recital. I was happy with their experiences at Dance Plus, so it was only natural for Bethany to attend there as well.


Katie loved class, but didn't care for the stage.

Anna did not enjoy class, but was a shining star at the recital.

I was curious how Bethany's experience would play out. She was the youngest in her class, and was easily distracted, but picked up on the moves quickly.








Would you like to see how the recital went?
(this is actually a video clip of the dress rehearsal)

Here are a few of my favorite shots...


...cute little bunny tails,
a little shuffle step,
and a little extra from our littlest entertainer...



















This was the finale. All the big girls had a choregraphed routine, and the little ones were invited to join them on stage. Bethany was the only bunny up there. She observed for a moment, then joined right in! It was hilarious and totally unrehearsed.



btw, Bethany was asked to join the preschool competition team. an honor, yes. worth the time and money at this point in her (our) life? her parents regrettedly declined. we will look for more opportunities in the future. never say never!

cousin fun!

After months of planning, we finally arranged for my niece to come visit. She spent a whirlwind week with us. It was 100% pure girl fun!!!

She arrived on Tuesday afternoon. We went straight from the airport to the Witte museum (it's free on Tuesday afternoons).














From there, we headed home, unloaded, changed clothes, then back out to a pool party. Everyone slept very well that night, needless to say!

Wednesday morning, we took Bethany to her last dance class (recital pics coming soon), then went downtown for some more tourism...

lunch on the Riverwalk, a tour of the Alamo, then $4 raspas (snocones). Poor Josie was not accustomed to our South Texas heat!
















Thursday was Six Flags! Josie had never been to an amusement park before, so it was a real thrill. We rode some rides and then headed to the water park. Fun for all!
















Friday we decided to take things easy. We did escape for a while in the afternoon - I took Anna & Josie to library for a mini-production of "If You Give A Mouse A Cookie", put on by our favorite children's theatre. (I love the picture of the girls whispering to each other.)












One of Josie's wishes for the week was to go to the mall. We spent Saturday morning at NorthStar (home of the big boots). We took her to Build-A-Bear and the Disney store. Look at the smiles!















You might think I'm crazy, but I took the girls straight from the mall to Chuck E. Cheese... filled their tummies and burned off some energy. I got to sit and watch. :)
















Sunday morning - all dressed up for church. Nana was here a few weeks earlier and bought the matching outfits. Too cute!

Last hurrah - Monday morning we caught the free showing of Madagascar at the Palladium Theater. That place is huge!

Straight to the airport from there. It was a great week. Next summer, we're hoping for two!