With all the ballet going on around here, the girls have really gotten into dancing. They love listening to music and just dancing around (usually doing something approximating ballet). Here are the two of them just having fun dancing around on Christmas morning before and after breakfast.
Last year at our annual Bible study Christmas party, I snagged an Envirosax Reusable Shopping Bag. I love that it rolls up and fits into the side pocket of the diaper bag. So, when I saw this tutorial to make a roll-up tote, I knew I wanted to make a few.
I made one for my grandmother.
The snap in action…
I also made totes for Molly's preschool teachers because really, what teacher doesn't love a new tote! One was identical to the above tote. These were the other two.
Here's a bit of Christmas morning this year. I'm not sure why Molly was confused when she came out as to whether she was allowed to go over to her stocking or not. Silly girl. My favorite part is definitely Leah at the very end.
One Fall afternoon, the girls and I were Skyping with my mom. She informed me that she had a couple of ideas for Christmas. One was to make her a new Spring purse. She really liked the previous one I made her, but wanted one more Spring-like. So, like a good daughter, I obliged. :)
This was our first Christmas Eve service without Molly by our side. This was because she and the rest of her Cherub Choir were very involved in the service. This video is of the song they sang towards the beginning, Mary Had a Baby. Note that Molly appears to be the only one doing the hand motions they were taught. Later in there service they briefly appeared again as reindeer and then appeared as angels singing Gloria toward the end.
This year, I again handmade several holiday gifts for my family and friends. I'll be sharing them with you over the next several days.
The first was this ruffled romper for my niece, Emmie, from the pattern I tested last year. I bought the corduroy fabric to make a jumper for Leah last winter, but then she got too big for the pattern I had picked out. Oops! So, I made use of it another way.
My sister took a picture of Emmie in her outfit. How cute is she?!
While the performances may be over, there's still a lot of The Nutcracker in our house. The girls frequently want to listen to the soundtrack and dance (usually the Waltz of the Flowers). Here's Leah being a little ballerina. Note the tutu, the medal around her neck, the headband across her eyes (which makes her a superhero, of course), the wand in her hand (because she's a fairy), and the lifted left leg.
Not to be outdone by her little sister, Molly insisted that Chad get a picture of her dancing as well.
Molly's last Nutcracker performance was in the Great Room in Historic Savage Mill. It was a much fancier venue than the first 6, as it is typically used for weddings and receptions. Molly's ready to go for the Children's March with her two compadres.
Promenade two by two.
One smiley mouse ready for the battle between the Nutcracker and the Mouse Queen.
One small victory…
followed by a bit of rest...
and a different mode of transportation.
Molly smiles so much during her performances. She really enjoys it.
It was another great show,
followed by flowers for all the ballerinas. Molly was thrilled!
Molly kept up her regular ballet class in addition to her Nutcracker rehearsals and performances. The last class before Christmas was Visitor's Day, so Grams, Pop, Aunt EA, and Aunt Caroline joined Chad and I to see what they did in a typical class. I believe this was their Superman stretch.
They definitely work on balance and posture. Here Molly is balancing a bean bag on her head while standing on one foot.
Molly loves ballet and has fun at every lesson.
