More Ballet

They acted out the first part of Cinderella this week. Here is Callie pretending to clean. If only I could get her to do this at home . . .

Connor Williams Superstar

We had a basketball hoop in South Carolina, but we sold it when we moved. We decided it was time to replace it and give Connor some coordination practice. He has tried basketball at various places, but between the regulation size ball and the high hoop, he hasn't had much success and so we wasn't very interested in trying again. After we put the hoop together and lowered it down to 4 1/2', he had enough interest to give it a shot. He decided it would be a "show" and set up old coolers as bleachers for us. He put on his light-up shoes and we turned off the lights and sang the Bulls introduction song for his introduction. He thought that was pretty cool. Then he ran around and slam-dunked the ball a bunch of times. He was really excited that he could actually make a basket. We haven't convinced him to step back and shoot yet, but I think he will eventually.

He made sure Callie had a cheerleading outfit and noisemaker.

After the "show" was over, he told us he was the "master" and that he was good enough to join the Packers. Poor boy--so confused!

Ballet Begins

Callie started Fairytale Ballet on Saturday. They start off with a warm-up and then they read a fairy tale and dress in costume. This week they read Lilo & Stitch and did some hula dancing.


We are taking the class with Callie's BFF Isabelle. Here are the two ballerinas after class.

Baking & Exercise

Callie is my little baker. Every day she asks to make something, usually banana pie. She doesn't actually know what banana pie is, and she definitely wouldn't eat it. The problem is that I am really the only one who eats whatever we bake. Which leads me to the next picture.

This is my pre-exercise photo. Don't I look excited? We have some weight equipment, and we just got an elliptical. So, my exercise routine has begun.

Christmas

We spent Christmas Eve in Baraboo at the Beckman's house. We had a very special visit from Santa, who sounded suspiciously like Grandpa. Fortunately, his hair and beard were so full, we couldn't really see his face.

Connor was very excited about his Spiderman suitcase from Aunt Pattie and Uncle Mike. Here he is with my brother (a.k.a. Grizzly Adams). Trent is wearing the original "Doody" hat, which is what my Grandpa called him when he was little. My other cousin was "Howdy." Seriously.


Wow, I was so surprised to get the gift that I wrapped up for myself a few days before. Can't you tell?

Callie really liked her dollhouse. So did Connor.

Connor the Sheep

Connor was cast as a sheep in our family Christmas service at church this year. He was very excited to put on his wooly pants and hat. He found another sheep friend to hang out with during the rehearsal.


On Christmas Eve Daddy and Callie watched from the front row.



Of course, he squirmed around on stage. We thought that was kind of embarrasing, until we saw another kid doing the "robot" and then we didn't feel so bad! Here he is attempting to make a run for it--call the sheep dog!


Isn't he just the cutest little sheep ever?

Callista Ballerina

Callie has been wanting to take ballet classes for a while now. She is signed up to start "fairy tale ballet" with her friend Isabelle in January. A few days ago, we went to the dance studio to pick up her outfit. She spent the rest of the day twirling around doing "a ballet."