Fox Trottin' Away

This little jump-ropin' , monkey-barin', hip-hop dancin' chick just had her SECOND Fox Trot. :) ...look at how hard she was concentrating on the rules. 

And then THEY WERE OFF!

She did great! So proud of her!

****

Bode's Buds

Uncle Drew's

As an homage to the end of summer we had a fun pool time at Uncle Drew's last month.

We had a jam session and Mexican food. It was pretty fun.

Thanks Uncle Drew!

Mimi's Birthday Celebration

This is SO belated, but I had to post pictures from Mimi's EIGHTH birthday. 

Ages 5, 6, 7...they all seems similar. Newly school-aged, sweet, still little. Eight feels creeping toward bigness. I think I've written enough about it on here, but Mimi is a BIG kid. She likes older girl/tween-type things. It's totally surreal but also adorable. (Today I met her outside of her classroom as a surprise. I normally meet her further from the school with a friend. She said hi to me, but then told me that her and her friend would meet me at the car. It was my first dismissal by her. I walked away stunned, feeling like I had just reached a new parent milestone. I looked awkwardly around, waiting for another parent's empathy or to laugh with but there was no one. (She actually came and found me then insisted that we walk next to each other, so I think it was a false alarm. But it was good practice for when it really happens ;)

I just love this girl. She is SO creative, so sweet, so funny, so smart. She is also spunky (which can turn into sass very quickly). She is her own person. Tonight she told me that I "just don't understand her!!" and I reminded myself that she is supposed to feel like that. It's a part of growing up, separating. I want her to feel understood, but we are two different people. And in that time when you feel a little alone, you grow. I know I felt the same way too. 

Here's what EIGHT year old Mimi likes: 

-crafts

-Harry Potter

-piano

-dance: jazz and hip hop are her groove. She's in love with these classes and doesn't balk at going. It's because they play Meghan Trainor and Taylor Swift...her other passion.

-her kindle (that she saved up for. YAY! The Turrills are in the 21st Century!)

-Winston

-yummy food...especially if it's sweet

-time with her friends

-being creative with her fashion (like she has her whole life)

-writing stories

We loved getting to celebrate her on her special day the weekend after school started.

She was showered with love by so many people.

First, her buddy Sophie stopped by with a gift for her...

Then she invited Emma to go to the movies with us and then have a sleepover.

(It seems like every time these girls are hanging out together they are coordinating ;)

We saw "Nine Lives." It was about a man who turned into a cat. It was the kind of movie that made me sad for the actors the whole time, wondering if they feel so embarrassed to be in a movie about a man who turned into a cat. That has to be a career low.

But, the girls loved it, so that was a win.

Then it was off to meet Daddy and Bode for pizza!

There was some park playing...

Swing high sweet girl.

Sometimes I look at her and her beauty (inside and out) just takes my breath away.

Then it was back to our house for cake and ice cream!

Happy birthday sweet Mims. Your future is so bright. Keep dreaming big and being YOU.

xoxo