A Ballerina Inspired

Mimi treated Abby to a tea party with Angelina Ballerina and a ballet performance several months ago. Before the tea, Abby and I had never heard of Anegelina Ballerina, but she is now a HUGE fan. So adoring is Abby that Dora is history! Angelina's all the rage in our house now. And so is ballet. We had dabbled in learning ballet positions before, but now she enthusiastically initiates the lessons. She plies, pirourettes, grand jetes...all over the place. She was thrilled to find a new pretty pink leotard with a tiny little skirt that looks like a tutu in a box shipped from Aunt Sue, and she quickly told me that a pair of silver flats in the box were "ballet shoes." She wears her ballet outfit around the house a lot, reminding me of myself as a little girl. Here are some photos from the tea party with Mimi. The completely girly, sassy tutu from her Aunt Kim made the perfect outfit for the event.

Vicarious Dining

Here's a shot of Abby feeding cousin Piper back in May. I love the way she vicariously opens her mouth wide along with Piper.

Hangin Out

I am trying to catch up on my blog, which means there will be a bunch of quick outdated posts. Here are some photos from Abby's last haircut appointment as a 2-year-old, at the very end of April. Katie was taking it all in, and trying to hard to act like a big girl. Sadly, she is starting to look like one too.

Jam Session

Abby always requests her music to be turned on in the car, and lately Katie always grins, laughs and dances in her seat. Lately, Abby is hooked on a CD from our church VBS program. Katie approves too! Here's a video we caught recently.

Sisters

The girls are starting to look more like "sisters" to me, rather than a preschooler and a baby... you know, the kind of sisters that knock around together, laugh together, and "occasionally" fight over toys :-). There is little doubt that Abby enjoys being Katie's big sister, as she tells every stranger in every store that happens to make eye contact with her that "this is my little sister", and I overheard her telling Katie recently, "you are so much precious to me". Of course, if this it to remain an honest blog, I must also say that I "occasionally" hear Katie screaming because Abby tries to micromanage her, which interferes with Katie's drive to independently explore her world. And, to put it mildly, Katie knows how to scream! Here's a sample: http://daddyoleo.blogspot.com/. So, we are having lots of fun around here! Whew!

When I am a Mommy

Tonight as I was cuddling with Abby at bedtime, she randomly said, "Mommy, when you get little, I am going to be your mommy. I am going to buckle you into the car and run back in the house to get things. And when you throw-up, I am going to get you your bucket. And when you are sick, I am going to pack your backpack and take you to the hospital. OK? Let me show you what I mean... (standing up out of the bed) See, you will be this tall (as short as her bellybutton) and I will be this tall (as tall as her arms can stretch)...

Katie hanging with the Kyle boys!