In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun

Our little Mary Poppins loved dancing for Local Motion this year. It was made even more fun by having Auntie Britty helping in your class! Mc really did well with her coordination and making friends. I am having a moral dilemma on taking her again next year. She bumps up to 2 hours a week- 2 dances, two costumes. That means more money & more time. We all want to give our kids ALL the opportunities that are out there but, I also think that taking a break might not be so bad. Maybe trying something new. I love watching her perform, loved seeing her costume so I guess it is all worth it in the end but it is  A LOT to get to that point. I am sure as she gets older, it will only get worse finding the balance;  it just makes me wonder how other moms do it- soccer, dance, tumbling, piano, baseball, swimming- all that driving back and forth, costumes, uniforms, time and money.

There was a great article in the Ensign this month, "9 Principles for a Successful Marriage & Family". It really centered on strengthening "life's basic relationships" and how sometimes, we focus more on pushing perfection in sports rather than developing those necessary family relationships. I love going to do things as a family. I love sharing in those new experiences with my kids. In the end, I think I might be a little selfish.
I know talents take time to develop. I want my kids to do what they love but in the end, it's all about sacrifice and for now, that all rests on on me as the mom. 


With that said, the pictures are the "spoonful of sugar that helps the medicine go down". Seeing her stand on stage and perform perfectly makes you proud and this is why we do all the running around, spend $60 on a costume that we will never wear again and wait 2 hours after her performance to dance to "Gangum Style".


The group. Funny story, really the only memory Mc recollects when asked about dance class is "the girl who farted really loud".  The chick right behind Mc on the left, yeah that girl ripped a big one during class, music stopped, dancers paralyzed mid leap to figure out where the flatulence came from. Money well spent.

 


Mc, Rayne "Rain" & Mykah (Do we live in Utah?).



Picture of a Picture



One of my favorites. She LOVED having her picture taken and cheesed it up the whole time.



A Carnie's life is a wonderful life

Friday night we hit the Sojo City of Scum- probably was a little more "classy" than the AF City of Scum. It was a blast! Mc & Brynlee had so much fun riding together. Mc braved the zip line (twice!) and Kingston loved the ponies and the "cycles". Grandma Cookie enjoyed her funnel cake and Grandpa Donut rode the Ferris Wheel. A great way to kick off summer- thanks Mimi & Papa!

Mc & Brynlee riding the coaster.

Evil Mcknevil. This kid has no fear.

The Fam- pardon Kingston's back blocking Grandma Cookie.

The "Cycle" that we had to ride at least 3 times. He wasn't sure at first if he liked it but then quickly learned how cool it was.

Maiden Voyage

When G & Chris asked us to join them on a lovely day of boating on Utah Lake, we were more than happy to oblige. Funny thing, we were driving next to G & Chris (and their new yellow boat) almost the whole way there and didn't know it was them.

We had a great day! It was a little chilly and I wasn't brave enough to get in the frigid water but Mc won the "Best Boater Award" for jumping right in, using her "thumbs up" to go faster in the tube & just being brave overall. Both kids were a little nervous when we first headed out- Mc was alarmed we would sink and I am not so sure Kingston liked the life vest.

We went tubing, had lunch, laid in the sun and just enjoyed the surprisingly uncrowded lake. The kids & I were almost sunburn free- K had a weird patch on his nose, I missed my knees with the sunscreen and Mc was solid. Mark however, decided he didn't need sunscreen, thought he was all good until later that evening when he noticed his feet and inner legs (from sitting on the tube) were ROASTED- like so bad he couldn't wear shoes or pants.

Mark isn't sold on the idea of owning a boat but I have fond memories of boating as a kid. For now, we are happy to tag along for the ride.

Mc & Grandma- who was also brave enough to get in





Mark and the kidlets. Cannon would do "thumbs down" while Mc was "thumbs up" the whole way.

I left my heart in Versailles.

This is what I was doing a month ago. Riding through the gardens of Versailles. It was one of those moments in my life where I totally felt at peace. At one. It was an amazing experience. The day was perfect. The weather was serene and while riding along, I could be alone with my own thoughts. It was almost like a dream- there was a slight breeze, birds, rows and rows of meticulously manicured trees and that feeling of being so small in the grand scheme of things. I was able to close my eyes (only for a moment because I am sure my bike riding skills were less than desirable), and give the yearnings of my heart to the Lord. It was one of those times where you hope your brain keeps that picture forever, the epitome of a "happy place" where you could slip away during the toddler tantrums. Thanks Blackhursts, for keeping the dream alive.