Flu Vaccines

Friday the Anna Claire and Mallory got their flu vaccines. I was so thankful {and so were they} that this year they were able to get the nasal mist ~ NO SHOTS! The vaccine didn’t do us much good last year…we all ended up with the flu. Let’s hope we’re able to stay flu-free this year.


Now, if someone could just invent a vaccine for my sinus infections!

Dance Class Darlings

Anna Claire and Mallory are loving dance class and they adore their teacher. I love watching them through the window and would give anything to be able to get into the studio with a hidden camera and get some pictures...they are cute and funny and a little uncoordinated ~ but they are learning!

Mallory is so funny because when she is practicing a step she's always got her tongue sticking out to the side of her mouth ~ thinking hard about how to get her toe to point and tap at the same time while her arms are doing what they're supposed to do while trying to watch herself in the mirror instead of the teacher!

Anna Claire is often somewhere in la-la land and has to be brought back to reality a few times each dance class, but she gets right back on track and is usually able to learn the steps just fine. She loves the class and has so much fun; I just think she gets tired about half~way through.

So, until I figure out a way to rig up my hidden camera inside the studio, pictures of the girls dressed and ready to go to dance class is the best I've got...but aren't they adorable?

Stop, Drop, & Roll

Anna Claire and Mallory went on their first~ever field trip yesterday to the fire station! It seems they had a great time learning all about fire safety and that firemen are our friends! Sadly, I had to work and could not go, so here are a few pics of the fire station fun taken by Granny:

Their next field trip is in two weeks and I will be able to go! Pumpkin patch...here we come!

October...Ready or Not!

Is October really here already?

Our October calendar is packed full of all sorts of exciting events: dance classes, two playschool field trips, a golf tournament, lots of Halloween activities, a surprise performance down at the Coliseum {you’ll have to wait for that, too!}, flu vaccines {yuck!}, and more....
So, we kicked of the month with a very. lazy. weekend. We stayed home all weekend except for a quick trip to Publix and enjoyed the cooler weather outside, watched way too much TV, and played with just about every toy in the house. The place is still a wreck!

I also decorated for fall which included hanging a wreath on the front door and another in front of the mirror over the fireplace mantle. This is when I was reminded I really don’t have a lot of fall/Halloween decorations {shopping, anyone?}. Now that the girls are getting older, I’m really trying to decorate the house for more than just Christmas!

I also realized the Anna Claire and Mallory’s wardrobe is NOT ready for the cooler temps. I always get caught by the first cold snap in October. They have a few nicer cold~weather outfits for playschool and weekend outings, but as far as play clothes are concerned, Anna Claire and Mallory have a total of five pairs of pants {two of those are pants that still fit ~ for now ~ from last year}, and they have two new long-sleeved t-shirts {more shopping, anyone?}.

I’ve been looking online for clothes because I haven’t been able to find anything in stores, and I am not impressed with what I’m seeing for play clothes {I could shop till the cows come home for dress~clothes}. I try to steer away from “too~trendy,” but I’m finding that harder and harder the older the girls get. For example, all I can find are “skinny” pants or leggings. Really? What happened to all the cute pants from years past with a little flair at the bottom? If you know whose selling them, please let me know! Maybe the stores put out their fall clothes this past weekend. It looks like I’ll be hitting the outlets Saturday!

For now, here are a few pics of the girls playing outside this weekend…wearing the same pair of pants as last weekend. ;-)

 crazy hair...

 and more crazy hair...

So Happy Together

Anna Claire and Mallory have been playing together marvelously lately. They have their little imaginary "games" they like to play {Toy Story, Princess,...} in which they portray characters and "act out" scenes from the movies. They also like to play with their baby dolls, particularly feeding them in their doll high chairs. And, this past weekend, they actually sat on the living room floor and played a complete game of Go Fish! Sure, I sat on the floor beside them to help and they showed each other their hands {gotta work on that}, but they still played cards together. Wow!

Ketchup and Mustard?

 

Today we bought the fabric for Anna Claire and Mallory's Halloween costumes. They insisted on carrying the bolts themselves.

I'll give you two guesses what they're going to be ~ and the answer is NOT ketchup and mustard! 

Prima Ballerinas

Can there be two prima ballerinas? Yes, I think there can!

Anna Claire and Mallory started taking their first dance class last week. As you can probably tell, they are very excited!

 Don't let Anna Claire's expression fool you.

I went back and forth all summer trying to decide if I thought we were all ready to get involved in extra~curricular activities {I actually considered soccer. I know nothing about soccer}. I had pretty much decided we were not ready, but as soon as school started {and after a couple of friends got me really excited about the idea} I began to regret my decision. At the last minute, I found out dance classes had not started yet, so we talked to the girls about it and made the decision to get them signed up ~ best decision ever! They've only had one class so far, and they absolutely love it.

Their class is called expressive dance and is a multi~age class {2~4 year~olds}. They go once a week for an hour and learn ballet and tap through imaginative play. It is wonderful. I wish I could take pictures during class.

I was glued to the two~way mirror last week watching. All the little girls did very well. Anna Claire and Mallory were so excited to get started, they both walked right in to the studio without looking back {I won't lie; I was a little worried about Anna Claire}. They participated in every activity and seemed to listen and follow direction very well. The best part is they are constantly asking when they get to go back to dance class!

 Well lookey there...Mommy made it into a picture! {Thanks, Grandmom!}

 Remember our recent trip to People, Places, and Quilts? I decided to make the girls' ballet bags...

 ...with my new embroidery machine! {Thank you, Granny and Papa!!}.

 The finished products...

I appliqued ballet shoes on one side and embroidered the girls' monogram on the other side.

I am still learning the ins and outs of machine embroidery and applique, but so far, it hasn't been too frustrating, and I've got tons of ideas for projects for the girls!