Green Pastures

Fabulous
Hello, gorgeous!

What a perfect day! The peacocks were out in all their glory. And they even hung hot pink laterns in the trees. Perfect.

Mother's Day 2010

Annual tradition of brunch at Green Pastures continued this year (thanks Gigi for getting advance reservations!). We love, love, love this Kubicek tradition and are so excited to have our girls included in this. Yummy food, great conversation and a relaxing day!

Finley, Carissa, Uncle Sean and Gigi

Charlotte with "Pineapple Punch"

Fin enjoyed the food, too!

Having fun - Charlotte said, "Let's battement in this picture!" Love my little dancer!

Andrew, Carissa, Sean and Fin chillaxin'

Catching Up

Happy Birthday Finley Claire!
First time to try yogurt at our favorite shop, Berry Austin.

Yummy!

We've been going in full gear these days and are so looking forward to summer and slowing WAY down. Doesn't this time of year always seem to be the busiest? And one of the most exciting? Anyway, I am looking forward to taking some rest and relaxation from the world of Austin Dance Company and focusing solely on my other two babies...charlotte and finley. I feel so LUCKY that I've created this life where I can explore my passion (dance) and have plenty of time to enjoy my girls.

Finley's First Haircut

Waiting our turn with Daddy. Pre-haircut, wondering why Mommy scheduled during nap time. ;)

Ms. Margo cutting Finley's hair. Finley was such a big girl!

Big sister Charlotte showing Finley the ropes. Charlotte LOVED getting her haircut. In fact, she pretended that she was "Ms. Margo" all day, giving all of her stuffed animals haircuts.

Christmas at Gigi's

Opening gifts with Uncle Seannie.
Playing outside.

Charlotte outside of her playhouse - a custom Victorian (2-story) that Gigi had constructed for the girls. It has a front porch, garden and backyard and is fully furnished inside. So much fun!

Sweet girls. C loves taking pics of Fin.

Christmas at Home

This year we celebrated Christmas at home. It was wonderful to be in our cozy new house. Even though it was 70 degrees the day before, Christmas Day brought some chilly weather. The girls were excited to celebrate and hang out together as a family. It was calm and relaxing. This was the first year in a very long time that we did not travel and we loved it! No where to go, no where to be, no plans to coordinate. Laid-back, family time - just what we needed.

On Christmas Eve we went to service at our church and then had our traditional Christmas Eve supper with extended family. This year we went to Houston's. We planned an early dinner so that the girls could join us. I couldn't believe they made it through a 2.5 hour dinner and behaved so nicely! It was a wonderful meal and we shared great conversation.

That night we left our shoes on the front doorstep for St. Nick. Gigi told us about this great German tradition and the girls love it! He filled them with yummy treats. We slept so well and woke up late (8:00 am) for Christmas morning festivities. Presents, a treasure hunt from Santa (Kubicek tradition) and stockings. Then we all took a nap together. Delightful!

Charlotte received the movie, 'Up' from Daddy. They went to see it in the theater this year together and both really enjoyed it.
Finley opening her stocking. Lots of new bath toys.

Mommy opening a gift from Daddy.

Charlotte sliding down her new slide from GBonnie and GDave, holding the bird book from GGSally.

Eating our traditional brunch together - pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon and fruit salad.

Charlotte's First Dance Performance

Charlotte participated in ADC's annual Yuletide Magic production this year. She danced with the youngest group in "I Want a Hippopatamus for Christmas" and in the grand finale, "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." Sara S. was her special buddy. They formed quite a bond. She has even asked for Sara to come over and play at her new house. Charlotte LOVES watching the BIG girls dance. Whenever I teach on Thursday afternoons, she comes with Gigi to the studio to watch the big girls practicing their competition routines. She feels right at home at the studio.

We weren't sure how the performance would go, because she cried (read: screamed!) during the entire 2 hours of the dress rehearsal. She refused to dance and cried, "I want my Mommy....and so on." It was very difficult for C to see me interacting with the large group of dancers and their parents, etc. But, the old adage held true. Bad dress rehearsal....great show! And it was fabulous.

First was the Zilker Tree Festival (aka Trail of Lights). It was more 'intimate' this year due to budget cuts from the City of Austin. But we actually enjoyed it MORE! Less headache, more fun! Our group danced on the Candyland Stage, right under the HUGE Christmas tree. We had an awesome crowd - all seats were taken and people were just pushing in and up to see all of the dancers. I was so happy for them to have such a great audience.

Next we performed at Brighton Gardens, a senior retirement home. The residents were delighted by the dancers. They commented on the lovely costumes and the overall preparation of the program. It was so much fun. The dancers used their ADC Dancer's Manners so nicely. After the performance, they shook hands with the residents, gave them homemade cards (we created at dress rehearsal) and wished everyone a very special holiday season. I was so proud to lead this group!

We wish you all a very merry Christmas!

Practicing the finale with her buddy.
Backstage at Trail of Lights 2009.