Spring Recital

Last Saturday night was Harper's Spring Dance Recital.  This year she did three dances: modern ballet, ballet, and jazz/hip-hop.  She loves all three styles of dance, but hip-hop brought the biggest smile to her face.  She loves going to dance two nights a week and it is something that I never have to persuade her to do.  I just see her light up every time she is dancing on stage, at home or in class.  She truly loves dancing and performing!
I am always amazed at how much she improves each year in dance class.  She did absolutely wonderful at her recital and the best part is...she was having a blast!!!

Modern Dance

Ballet

Jazz/Hip-Hop
{Danced to Shake It Up!}

Getting her Medal

First Grade Performance

Last Friday, Harper had her Class Performance in the morning during her all school assembly.  She had kept it mostly a secret from me...just told me the day and time and where to stand once I got there.  When we arrived that morning, she positioned me just where she needed me...and I found out why later.  Her class walked on stage and Harper got the part of introducing the class and their class creed.  The class creed was really long, but most of the kids stayed in unison through the entire thing.  After the creed, they started singing and doing sign language to Raffi's song, All I Really Need.  The lyrics went something like this..."All I really need is a love in my heart...food in my belly...and love in my family!"  During the instrumental portion of the song...all of the kids bailed off the stage and ran over to their mom's to give us a beautiful red rose...hence the position in which I was instructed to stand.  They all ran back onto the stage to finish the song.  It was such an awesome experience to see how they have grown and changed this year.  Things like that always bring a tear to my eye and get me really choked up.  Great Job Harper!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Richard celebrated his 31st Birthday this year...and the kids' had a special surprise for him on the morning of his big day!

Later that week we enjoyed a super yummy steak dinner with my family and Richard got served a complimentary strawberry shortcake for his birthday and piece of chocolate mouse pie to "celebrate his awesomeness!"  Yep, that is a direct quote from the waiter!  And I would have to agree! Love you old man!

What a SUCKER...

During Harper's birthday party...Owen got to go play at his friend's, Gentry and Grady, house.  I sent birthday suckers with him, so they could celebrate too!  This picture is just too cute!  Three peas in a pod for sure!

Harper...the BIG 7!!!

Well...it's official...Harper is now 7...SEVEN...years old!  I absolutely can't believe it.  I remember her birth just like it was yesterday.  This birthday has been the hardest for me.  She is now seven and will go into 2nd grade next year...only 11 years until college!  Wow!
Harper woke up on her birthday to a maze of streamers.  She loved crawling through and was so excited that she got to take cupcakes to school for her birthday and her daddy was a WatchDog at her school too.  Such a fun day!  That evening, we celebrated in style.  Harper loves going "downtown" and wanted to celebrate her big day at our fav Mexican restaurant...cupcakes at our fav bakery...and a movie (Chimpanzee) at the theater.  We had a wonderful evening and she was so glad to celebrate!

Birthday celebrations around here usually last a few days...to get all of the festivities in.  Harper got to celebrate her birthday with her friends the following Saturday.  We had her party at our house again (I don't think she would want it any other way!).  This year she wanted to have an Art Party.  She is such a crafty little thing, that I knew this would be right up her alley.  I scoured Pinterest for months collecting ideas for decorations, activities, food, invitations, etc.  I LOVE planning birthday parties...I think I might have been a party planner in a past life! :)
Harper had 10 dear friends from school, church and little league come to celebrate with her and they all seemed to have a blast...just being together.  It is so fun to watch interactions of all of the little ones...well I guess they aren't so little anymore.  It was definitely a party to remember!

The DECORATIONS

 {Streamer Ceiling took FOREVER...but was a huge hit!  We still have it up!}

 {Children's Art Quotes on the Entry Walkway!}

The FOOD

 {Cake In A Jar...a hit...just screwed the lid on and sent leftovers home with the girls!}

 {These Kool-Aid ice cubes were the biggest hit of all!  We had to go get more Sprite!}

The ARTWORK

 {The girls decorated a lunch tote as they arrived...then I stuck the favors inside!}

 {The masterpieces!}

And most importantly...The FRIENDS!!!

Our Graduate!

Our Daddy, Richard, graduated with his Master's Degree in Education Leadership two weeks ago.  We are so very proud of him!!!  He spent every Wednesday night the past two years in a variety of classes to prepare him to become a school administrator.  And he also found out last week that he passed both of his school administrator certification tests.  Wooohoo!  I am very excited for him to join the ranks of being a principal...oh boy...adventure awaits!  Congratulations Rich!  We Love You!