Dress up

When Grace was around 18 months old she really enjoyed playing dress up.

And that trend continues with Faith.

She, too, enjoys hats and fancy clothes.  Both my girls are like pretty dresses, long necklaces, hats, and makeup.  There's no doubt about it, they are two very feminine little girls.  And they both captivate my heart.

Fairhope children's consignment sale

The timing of finding out we are expecting a little boy this May couldn't have been better.  Just a few days after we discovered we were having a boy, Fairhope had their semi-annual children't consignment sale and I really racked up.

 These are just a few of my favorites for our little boy.

 And of course I bought both the girls stuff, too.  Here are Faith's clothes.

And these are Grace's.  One thing I've really noticed about these consignment sales is that a ton of stuff can be found for kids in sizes 3T and under, but once you get bigger than that the pickings becomes quite slim.  I guess soon I'll start having to buy Grace brand new stuff.  Regardless though we are set for this summer I think.  Especially since I went back on 1/2 price day and bought a whole lot more...+

Piggy tails

My girls have a lot in common with each other.

 But they are also quite different.  Take their hair for example.  Grace's hair is so curly I can't tell which end is growing out of her head.  Surprisingly enough it's halfway down her back now when its sopping wet.  But as soon as it dries it curls right back up next to her scalp.  Faith's hair, on the other hand, is as straight as can be and constantly stays in her face.  I've tried everything:  gel, helmet head hairspray, you name it, but her hair still falls down in her eyes.  So we've taken to using hairbows.  Which is a challenge in of itself since Faith likes to pull them out.

 Recently, I've tried piggytails in Faith's hair.  And I must admit that I love this look on her.

 And thankfully, Faith seems to tolerate it.  At least for a few minutes at a time.

 Of course, Grace didn't want to be left out.

So now both my girls are wearing piggytails.  At least until they pull them out again.

Wishing for rain

This morning Grace woke up and wanted to know if she could go to another parade today.  She was pretty disappointed for a while, but then she put on a rain jacket and boots and said she wanted to play in mud puddles instead.

The only problem?  Zero chance of rain.  Of course, I didn't have the heart to tell her that.

Christmas party

After we got home from Christmas parade, David and I rushed to get ready.

Tonight was his company's Christmas party at the Bragg-Mitchell Mansion in Mobile.  Considering this 4 month pregnant woman got ready in just 15 minutes, I'd say we look pretty awesome. 

Grace's Christmas parade costume

Today I picked up Grace's costume for the Christmas parades.

Grace's dance class marches in both the Daphne and Spanish Fort parades.  

Grace is very excited about the parades and her new costume.

Doesn't she look darling?

Look! It's Peter Pan!

How adorable is this costume?  MeeMee made it just for Grace and she absolutely adores it.  Thank you so much MeeMee for taking the time to make something so special for her.  I can see her wanting to wear it to school everyday as she pretends to fly around fighting Captain Hook.

Going to church

While in Charlotte for Thanksgiving we were able to go to church with our family.

All the big cousins had a wonderful time together.

And they all adore their MeeMee!

Dress up party for the girls. Date night for us.

Tonight is date night for me and David.  Meaning parent's night out at our local gym.  They watch the kids, entertain the kids, and feed them from 5:30 until 11:00.  We're excited!

Since Halloween is right around the corner, the gym is having a Fall Festival for the kids.

So Grace wanted to wear her princess dress.  Faith just wanted to be comfortable.

Both girls are really excited to go party at the gym.  And David and I are excited to have a real date tonight!

A pony in her tail

Grace's hair is getting so long!

Long enough to "put a pony in her tail" as Grace would say.

Although some curls still manage to escape.

Piggy tails work a little better.

Of course, I think she looks darling both ways.

It's hard to believe my little girl is four years old now and her hair is long enough to pull back.  Sigh.  Somedays I wish I could just slow it all down for a few years...

Grace dances at the Jubilee Festival

Today Queenie and Seth came with us to the Jubilee Festival downtown.

Grace was performing at the opening ceremony with her dance class.

She danced ballet.

And sang along with the music.  That was a little something, something extra for us.

Don't you love her plies? 

Grace is very focused when she dances.  Ballet is her favorite.

She also tap danced at the festival.

My baby gets her moves from her Momma. 

But she did an amazing job.

And even bowed at the very end.  Here's a darling video of Grace dancing.

These boots are made for walking

When we got home Grace saw my boots and tried them on for size.

She loves them almost as much as I do.  I think my little girl may need a pair of boots to call her own.

Dancing makes her heart so happy

Today is Grace's first day of dance class!  She was so excited and wanted to put her dance clothes on as soon as she got home from school.

First she put on her tap/jazz outfit.

I can't believe how growny she looks!

Then Grace tap, tap, tapped across our tile.

And proudly exclaimed, "I just LOVE to dance!"  That she certainly does.

Next, we put on her ballet clothes.

And Grace showed me how a ballerina dances.

I think Grace may have gotten her dance skills from her Momma.

She definitely got my coordination.

After dancing for a while, Grace plopped down at her desk slightly out of breath and pronounced, "Momma, you make my heart so happy."

 "You see, Momma!  My heart sees you!"  And my heart just melted.

Before we knew it, it was time for dance class!  Grace had so much fun and came home full of excitement.  She told me how they started with running around in a great big circle and then they jumped on a "Jump-o-lene" (trampoline).  Next, they danced and danced and danced some more.  Unfortunately the parents aren't allowed to watch the classes.  They don't want the students distracted.  But I did stay for the first half hour and the director peeked in the class and told me that Grace was "dancing all over the place" and was obviously having a great time.  

I just knew from all the little dance parties we have here at home that Grace would absolutely love dance class.  I'm so glad she enjoys it.  Seeing Grace so happy dancing around in her tap shoes and ballet slippers "makes my heart super duper happy."

Faith's 1st birthday party: Cake, family, and decorations

Faith had a "Sweet as can BEE" birthday party.

And as usual, I went all out making her cake.

The little bees are a cookie version of a cake pop.

And of course Faith gets her own cake.

She also had lots of presents from her aunts, uncles, and grandparents.

Before the festivities began, Grace opened a present from MeeMee.

And Faith helped.

Grace got a baby she can play dress up with!  She loves her and takes her everywhere.

Faith wasn't too interested in opening her present just yet.

I had ordered bee-themed monogrammed shirts and matching tutus for the girls.  And they arrived just in the nick of time.  Literally, an hour before our party.  Grace adored hers.  Of course...

Then I got my picture made with the birthday girl.

And so did her Daddy.

We took a festive family picture - Chloe included.

Then Faith had her picture made with her MeeMee.

MeeMee and Pappy were certainly in the  party mood!

Here is everyone ready to cut the cake and celebrate Faith's first birthday! 

MeeMee and Pappy, David, me, Queenie, Seth, Granddaddy, Aunt Hope, and Grace and Faith