First Dance Recital

I don't know who had more fun at the girls' first dance recital...them or me! They were both so cute and they performed their very best; neither one got nervous or shy and Chris & I were so very proud!!

Also, back in December, we purchased a professional photo shoot for charity. We waited several months to use the session, and after we did it, I told Chris that we were not purchasing any of the images. I like more natural photography, done outside, and this photographer only does studio work. I absolutely did not want to spend any money on the images. Until I saw this composite that they did of the girls in their dance costumes. How could Chris & I walk away from this?!?!? We had it enlarged and it will be hanging on our wall as soon as it comes in. I. Love. This. Image.

Skiing and Skating!

The girls went skiing for the first time this year...Noelle is still a little unsure but Delilah loves it. And they have both been taking ice skating lessons at the local rink, and meeting up with friends to skate. I didn't grow up around winter sports at all, so this is pretty new for me, too!

Museums and more

We have long heard how great the Stepping Stones Children's Museum in Norwalk is, but we've never stopped by. It's right next to the Norwalk Aquarium, which happens to be one of the girls' favorite places in the whole world, so we never make it past the fish! We finally went one snowy day and the girls LOVED it. They didn't want to leave after 3 hours, so I bought a family membership for the year. Turned out to be a wise decision because they asked to go again two days later.

While the girls and I were doing our hands-on learning, Chris was in Utah for a much-deserved break. He met up with a few guys and went skiing for 4 days. They were out there from the moment the lifts opened, until they shut down at night. He came tired, sore, and very rejuvenated. Here's a pic with Frash...aka Don Frashier...aka one of those family members who just happens to not share any DNA.

And after Chris returned, Delilah had her first sleepover in Rye. It was at her precious friend Mia's house. Mia's mom sent me a few pics throughout the night...they had a puppet show, made pizzas for the pizza oven, had a dance party with a disco ball and everything. In short, a full success.

And we end with one of my new favorite pics of Noelle. It was taken at the museum; she is so darn cute!!

Some Winter Fun

Winter started late, but is has come in raging! As I type this, the girls are home from school on their third snow day in a month. This is definitely a time when I love being out of Manhattan and having a backyard again. The girls can put on their snow pants and play outside as long as they can stand it...I can join them intermittently instead of having to commit to several hours like I did when taking them to Central Park!

Here's a snapshot from the Superbowl Party we went to last week. It was hosted by a church member and it is apparently an annual event with many traditions that we got to learn. All ages welcome, and I love this shot of the high schoolers playing with my girls. The blonde is their favorite babysitter, Sarah. She is a gem and we've decided that she is going to mentor my girls and her mom is going to mentor me...I have no doubt that this will ensure that my girls grow up to be as wonderful as Sarah. :)

And I end with some snapshots from the Mother/Daughter Valentine Tea Party at the church yesterday. My committee and I almost canceled the event because no one was RSVP'ing...but there was a flurry of last-minute activity and we ended up having nearly 50 moms and daughters (and a couple sons thrown in for good measure). It was SO SWEET!!! We had coasters with ice-breaker questions and all the little girls loved asking questions to their tables. We also wanted a service component, so we made Valentine goodie bags for the local senior center...almost 100 goodie bags in all. Our church runs a thrift store, so we were able to cheaply purchase an assortment of mis-matched tea cups and saucers...as a party favor, all the attendees got to take home their cup & saucer. I think my favorite part of the event was that not everyone there was a church member--people brought friends from the community...open and welcoming...the way church should be! :)

And we end with a pic of the Huntley Valentines. :)

Happy New Year!

Christmas!

As always, a beautiful Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I love my family so very much.