dance mom

A few weeks ago I had a post titled, 'Soccer Mom'. Remember? It's what I've always wanted to be. Well, I may have lied. What I really have always wanted to be is a dance mom. So when you combine a weekend full of dance and celebrating moms...it's like my dream come true. Add in some Diet Coke, Justin Timberlake and Sun, and it's been like the best weekend ever. (Ok, so I didn't actually get Justin, but his music will do)

Saturday was the big day. The day Paisley has been waiting for all year long-- it was her big spring recital. Her dance studio isn't 'traditional' per say. It's to get girls ready for high school dance team. Yes, Craig Berg and you other haters, dance is a sport. Period. The teams perform in a gymnasium, just like the high school teams do for competitions.
Anyway, Paisley performed a pom routine to "Jitter Bug" and a Funk routine to "Timber". We are so very proud of her. And what's even better...she's proud of herself. After rehearsal, she told me, "Mom! I did a toe touch and my hands almost touched my toes! It made my heart so happy inside!"

Paisley is on the center line...

She's pretty darn proud of her leg extension. She practices every day. She nailed it.

Funk. Oh, funk. Her showmanship was great (and funny!). To say she got into it would be an understatement. (she's on the center line)

Cousin Kyah is on the competition team, so it was super fun to watch her too. She's grown into a beautiful dancer!

Dance moms and our girlies.

 

The grandmas came to watch too!

I'm not sure why I even try to get the kids to look and smile. It really never works. Some day (like when they're 15), maybe they will cooperate. Families that dance together, stay together. :)

Paisley and her best dance friend, Emarie.

 

And a little sissy who looks up to her big dancing sister.

 

Today, I woke to a poem being read to me, cards, pictures, a gift, and breakfast in bed made totally by Paisley. Complete with coffee...the girl knows how to run the Keurig now. It's great. Paisley also took $1.00 from her piggy bank to give to me. She's so sweet. And thoughtful. When I told her what a great day it was she said, "Next year, I'm going to make you even happier." I said, "I don't know if that's possible, I'm really happy!" She said, "I didn't have time to give you a back rub or brush your hair, so I know next year you'll be even happier." She's probably right. A back rub and someone brushing my hair is like heaven. But even without that, it was a perfect day.

 

Being a mom has a million wonderful things about it. It's the one thing I've always known I've wanted to be. I've been a mom for six years, and my six favorite things about being a mom are:

1) Getting big squeezes and pouty-lip smooches.

2) Teaching them new things about life

3) When they are sleeping :)

4) Laughing with them

5) Rocking them

6) When they give me a running hug after being gone

 

Being a mom is uber hard. But that's okay. It's the best, hardest thing in the world. I love being a mom more than anything else. The three best days of my life...

 Today, Craig and I spent the day with both of our moms. (and grandmas)

We are grateful to have wonderful mothers who would (and have) done anything for us.

Look how cute my mom and her hair (!!!) are.

Happy Mother's Day, mama!

 

Special women in my life. Grandma, Auntie and Mom.

My crazies.

Bonnie and her baby...

You know what else makes me happy? This. They are all so close. Love. I scream, you scream, we all....

 

Chocolate Kisses. Hey, I take 'em.

Great Grandma Marian, Bonnie, and the kids. Check out Madden in the bottom right corner. It had been a busy, no-rest day. And it shows.

 

Thanks to my family for a wonderful day. I only hope when they are in college writing reflection papers about their family that they forgive me for all I have, and will mess up on...and remember how I do my best, and how much I love them.

 

 

One last note. Although today has been a great day, I've held back tears several times (until of course this very moment in which now I'm bawling).  Anytime I needed my mom and she didn't answer the phone, I called Londa. She was like a second mom to my kids, and to me. She could calm me, make me laugh, and was always there for our whole family. Last Mother's day we spent the day with Craig's Godmother, Denise, and Londa, Bonnie's two best friends. Oh how I wish this year we were doing the same. Miss her more than words can say. I know today she was looking over her girls in Texas, but I hope tonight on her way back, she stops to say hello. XOXO