Mom, I was so good!

 For the past several months Emma has been asking to take Ballet classes, just like Ruby (from Max and Ruby!)  We finally got her signed up last week, and today was her first class.  Last week we went out and found her a black leotard, pink tights and ballet shoes.  She put them on and said "Look Mom, I'm a Ballerina!" She was bummed when I told her to take them off, and that she is not allowed to wear her dance shoes at home, but happy to look forward to class.

 So we knew that Emma had one friend in class, but were excited to see that there was a second one as well.  Emma got to sit with her friend and dance next to her.  She loved her teacher, and really does wonderfully listening and following directions.

When class was over, they received a sticker with a hug and kiss from their teacher. Then Emma ran to me and said "Mom! Did you see me?  I was so good!"

Soccer Fun

 September is a month for new beginings around here.  Emma will start school next week, as well as Ballet and today, she started Soccer!  We are blessed that a bunch of families in our stake got together a few years ago and set up a soccer league.  We have a huge field behind our Stake Center, and they got permission to use it for Soccer.  It involved children ages 4 - 12 who are all split into teams.  All the teams practice and play games at the same time at the same place.  Great for parents who have multiple kids playing. Also a great way to let Emma see if she likes.

 So today was the first practice, and Emma LOVED it.  She had a smile on her face the whole time, and was actually doing a great job.  I think it would be hilarious if Glenn and I ended up with an athlete for one of our kids. He never did sports, and I was never the most graceful of people.  But Emma may teach us to be spectators as she enters this new world.

Glenn took so great photos of the first practice, and I had a hard time limiting them (and yes, they are limited here!) So enjoy the adorableness of our little one! lol

A Labor Day Weekend of ... Labor

Our original plans for this Labor Day week was to play a day, and to clean our garage on the other.   These plans got changed when it was discovered that my parents needed some serious yard work help.  We joined Joe and Meredith at my parents house to get their yard in shape.  My parents have a good size yard on a lake.  These past few years it has become much more difficult for them to keep up on the maintenance that is required by the park they live in. 

My parents have a group of illnesses that prevent them from being very mobile.  We have reached a point where we as the children need to help take care of the parents, but not too much.  After spending the whole weekend working there (at least Joe and Meredith, Glenn and I did not go over Sunday) we are putting in place a schedule for us to help maintain the place.  Meredith and I will come over monthly (each of us 2 weeks apart) to do some general house keeping, and then monthly we will work on the yard and help keep it up. 

I think this may be good for all the kids.  Pirate Cousin and Army Man are getting old enough that helping Grandma and Grandpa with their yard will be a good learning experience.  And Emma is all over helping clean right now.  She even helped on Saturday with weeding. I think this is a good way for them to learn Service and about taking care of their family.