Christmas in July

Last week Olivia went to dance camp at her dance school. She loves the story of the Nutcracker so much so when I saw they were doing a Nutcracker themed camp, I knew it was for her! She LOVED it so much, loved is really an understatement. Friday, after their performance she came home and cried because it was over!

They performed two acts of the ballet and here is Olivia as a rat...

Sugar Plum Fairies

...and look who else was here! She actually really enjoyed watching Big Sister dance

My Little Soldier

Saturday night was Olivia's dance recital. The theme of the show was "Dancing through the Nations." Olivia was lucky enough to get to dance for the good 'ol US of A. I took her to get her make-up done that day, and she went from normal to crazy in about .5 seconds after she saw her reflection!

Waiting in the drop off line before the show

Do you think she was excited??

This is her on stage. Do you see the child in front of everyone else? That's not her. Do you see the child directly behind the one that is in front of everyone else? That is her.

Olivia and her daddy afterwards

Her bff Katherine came with us...what a friend to sit through 3 hours of dancing!

Olivia with Aunt Titi and Nana

Olivia and Mommy

My tiny dancer

Daddy Daughter Dance

Last week was one of the highlights of Olivia's dance year...Daddy Daughter Dance Week. She and I had been looking forward to it for weeks! Not so sure about Daddy, but he was definitely a trooper!

There are a lot of pictures and they are in complete random order, but I just couldn't narrow it down!

They made the daddies do the "crab walk" across the dance floor...all I can say is I'm glad the mommies didn't have to do it because I know one mommy that may not have made it!

Ana Blair wanted in on some of the action

Teddy Bear Dance...priceless.

Olivia was upset though because she had been planning to get Daddy the Smokey dog they have there for the kids to pick from but someone beat her to him!

Ana Blair enjoyed as much of it as she could and then decided she could use some snuggle time!

This one is my favorite

Another really great moment...shoe changing time. Daddy was helping her, but Olivia decided she needed a lip gloss break first.

More glossing...

This is the look Olivia reserves only for her Daddy

Daddy Daughter Dance Week was so fun and funny...but it really does serve as a reminder as to what a great Daddy Olivia has. Not just any Dad would do the Teddy Bear Dance!

Mother/Daughter Dance

Yesterday was Mother/Daughter Dance at Olivia's dance school. She had so much fun, but did tell me I wasn't the best one there (w-w-w-what??). Pretty sure I was! Its been a long time since I danced to anything, except the occasional romp around the house with Olivia...let's just say I broke a sweat! There is definitely a different skill set for the 2/3 year old class and the 4/5s!

This was taken during "freeze dance." All the girls dance freestyle to a Hannah Montana song and freeze when the music stops...I almost fell over laughing so hard watching Olivia try to make sure she was frozen into a pose for when the music stopped!

It was so much fun...not nearly as fun as Father/Daughter Dance will be...stay tuned for pics in January!

So You Think You Can Dance?

This girl does...dance started back up for fall today and Olivia was thrilled! I don't know if its a good or bad thing, but Olivia definitely has at least one of her mommy's traits--she thrives on structure and schedules. Summertime is limbo for her. Growing up, I was the only freak kid who looked forward to the first days back to school because I got a new schedule and a new routine. My children have always lived on a schedule and Olivia is thrilled that dance is part of that routine. She, at least in her mind, is THE Dancing Queen.

Ballerina Girl

On Satuday night Olivia had her first "big girl" dance recital. When I say big girl, I mean it. You would not believe all the rules and regulations that were stated in the 30 page handout given to me...everything from picture by picture instructions on how to achieve the classical ballet bun, the no-underwear rule and make-up instructions (medium-base, blush, eyeshadow, mascara, eyeliner and red lips). Add these things to the 30 minute drive downtown that I had to do 3 times this week for rehearsals and you have one stressed out mama.

Needless to say, she loved it. She was an iris from Alice in Wonderland--and shock of shocks, she danced. She didn't stand there, she didn't hold onto her ear the whole time. She danced.

When I took this pic, I looked at it on my camera screen and almost cried. I see my tiny baby turning into a big girl.

Lipstick, her favorite part. I have to say, lipstick was and still is my favorite part of make-up
So happy when she saw her reflection
I love this kid

I just think this pic is cute. I wish that was me she was running to, but alas, I hold the camera as usual...its my sister

With her BEAUTIFUL flowers Ms. Hollie made for her, she loved them!

Proud mommy and daddy