I know, I know...

it's been a while. Not only have I been a slacker with blogging, I fear I haven't been taking a ton of pictures either. But, I am finally taking all my pictures off my real camera and I found some treasures. Here is a family shot. It was taken at the beginning of December. It's amazing because Liam is so skinny still in this picture...let's just say, NOT ANYMORE.

 This is a memory that with a picture or not, I don't think I could forget...try as I may. So, our darling miss charlee rose has been taking ballet for a year now. the first 2+ months was a fight...to get her in her clothes, to get her to put her shoes on, to get her to go in the class, to get her to stay in the class, to get her to participate. Well, I am glad to say it has gotten easier...not easy, but at least when she is in there and as long as I'm not watching, she has fun. We had to buy a leotard 2 sizes too big and "leggings" (we can't use the word tights) that bunch up around her ankles. We bought 5 pairs of shoes before we found some that were acceptable. I don't even care that she isn't the cutest girl there. She is there with her clothes on and semi, usually having fun. What more could I ask for....?

 Well, in December the studio had a small dance performance at a local rest home. They practiced their routine and she was doing it...until the costumes came out. Of course, it was too tight. It wasn't really, but she had nothing to do with it. So, I took pictures of the skirt, and in only a few days amazing Jo made a bigger one that matched all the other girls. I thought that would have solved the problem. WRONG. Notice where her sleeves are...they were too tight  and the hair clip hurt her head. Plus it was made to wear in front of a bun...but when you won't wear a bun in your hair, it's hard to wear the clip. So, slowly she melted down...and when it was time to go on (there wasn't even a stage...just when it was time to walk out the door) the backstage mom came and got me...she was in a crying puddle in the back. I swooped her up, made her watch her friends out on "stage" and tried to show her that it wasn't scary and that she knew the dance. "I'm just too afraid".  I understand. Maybe next time.

 Here is the charlee we know...happy back in the safety of her dad's arms....far from the stage and that crazy hair clip with big poky flowers.

So, chapter 2 of the nightmare performances continue...there is another one. The big one. It's this June and her class has been assigned to be butterflies. I've been trying to talk it up, but she just says, "I only like real butterflies". I have a feeling this isn't going to end well.