You Go Little Girl 2013

In September Morgan and I both participated in the You Go Girl race in Tacoma.  My race was a 10k which is about 6.4 miles.  But the big deal of the day was Morgan ran her first race.  She participated in the 1k - You Go Little Girl.  Her race didn't start until later in the morning but she was so excited for the day she came early to see me start my race.  I'm glad she did!

This race had the craziest of starts.  The weather looked a little dreary as we drove north but we've ran in the ran before, so no biggy, right?  As they announced 5 minutes until starting we could hear thunder in the distance.  I quickly decided to wear my hat for this race and as I was putting it on another big rumble hit - OH MY!  Morgan had a look of fear on her face and luckily mamma and Miss Darcie were there to swoop her up for comfort.  With only minutes before the start there's no time to back out, we MUST run.  I gave Morgan a big kiss and an "I Love You" and off we went.  Running in the rain and laughing.

I finished my run, and now it was time to cheer on Morgan.  The rain had passed and left only gray skies - phew!!  Morgan's anxiety was building and the race couldn't start soon enough for this little gal.

Time for a hair check.  A little spit never hurt anyone, right?  We don't want any loose strands.

Now, we know where the posing comes from!

Lookin' good ladies!

We are all patiently waiting for the race to start.

It's time to line up!!!

See Brooke on Grandpa Doug's shoulders?  

And they're off - YOU GO GIRL!!!

Here she comes to cross the finish line.

And she did it.  She finished her first official race.

This was a very proud moment for me.  When I started the journey last year to be healthier I was worried about neglecting my daughters.  Taking time for myself meant taking time away from them.  What I didn't realize is that seeing me exercise and running would make them want to run too. Seeing me participate in races, made Morgan want to run a race too.  I was the girl that always came in last in P.E. and always thought "I'm not a runner."  Turns out I am a runner and Morgan wants to follow in my footsteps.  It makes my momma heart happy.   So PROUD of you Morgan!

3rd Grade? Are You Sure?

How is it possible my little kindergartner is now in 3rd grade? Seriously?  I remember my first day of 3rd grade and Mrs. Patten asking the class what we were looking forward to most that year. For me, it was cursive.  Morgan was also excited about learning cursive this year.  She was also hoping to get Mr. F. as her teacher.  Lucky us, she did!

Here's a couple of pictures from the open house.  Morgan's first year with a "real" desk - woo hoo!!!

The next morning Casey and I both stayed home from work to wish Morgan luck on her first day of school.  For Morgan's breakfast she chose a "one-eyed egg".  Thanks Grandpa Tom for the tip, she's hooked!

Brooke isn't a fan of eggs, but this morning she was willing to have some scrambled eggs.

With the bellies full, she is off to catch the bus.  Not before we could take a few "front door" pictures.  The poses this girl does, cracks me up. 

I love this one with Brooke photo bombing the picture.

Not only was it Morgan's first day of school.  September also means a transition at daycare.  Brooke gets to move across the hall to the Robot Room.

 

The first day of school was a success and everyone had a great day!

Stage Presence - Spring Showcase 2013

Another Spring Showcase in the books (our fourth to be exact)!  I truly love show week.  It's filled with lots of energy.  Pictures one day, rehearsal another and finally the performance.  Morgan really gets into it too.  She loves getting her costume on, and ready for the show.  Now that I have mastered the technique of the "ballet bun" it has become less of a battle between her and I.  Hooray!

Rehearsal is the only time we can take photos and videos.  The girls always enjoy watching the others do their routine.

And then it's their turn to step on stage.  Please remember this is rehearsal so the teacher is also on stage with them, but you'll get the idea.  Morgan is on the far right!

Here's a little video I was able to capture on my phone.  You can tell by the way they move, they really like this song.

Morgan's class is half ballet and half tap, here's a video of their ballet dance.  Morgan is again on the far right.

It's SHOW DAY!  

Of course we needed to take a few pictures before we left the house.

Morgan is all about the sassy lips these days.

The performance is held at the Washington Center for Performing Arts.  If you've been their, you know it's a big theater, especially for little kids.  We check her in at the back of the theater, take a few pictures, a kiss, wish her luck and off she goes. No hesitation, no fear, she knows the drill and just goes for it.  She recently told me she was made to dance on a stage. 
 

After the show, all the parents dash for the back door of the theater to pick up their child.  Morgan has a great group of friends at ballet and a wonderful teacher.  Thank you Mrs. Marianna for another great year.

Check out the smile on this girl.  She's just glowing!

All the grandparents were there to see Morgan perform and of course they showered her with flowers.

 

 

Now that Miss Brooke is a little older, she got to join us for the performance.  She was super proud of her big sissy and even yelled "YAY MORGAN!" after their performance.  Wish I could have taken a picture or two, it was precious.  Brooke was following sissy's routine in the aisle, I suppose all those Wednesdays hanging out at the studio she's picked up a thing or two.  Who knows maybe next year we'll have two little ladies on the stage???

We've been through a couple other performances and it still amazes me that or little lady walks out on that stage with all that courage and confidence.  Looking back at the past two performances HERE and HERE it really shows how much she has changed.  She is growing up way too fast but turning into quite the lady.  We love you Miss Morgan and couldn't be more proud of you.