Merry Christmas from the Baileys!

Winter Showcase 2012

This year, for the first time, the girls were in the same dance class.  Their Acro I class performed Tuesday night at the Winter Showcase, and I'm not exaggerating when I say they ROCKED IT!  They were by far the best performance of the night!  :)

It was especially fun to see Aubrey in a mixed-age class.  She was the youngest, at 4 1/2, and the oldest was 12.  She was stoked when she got to be "the top of the pyramid," which I guess is a good thing, because chances are she'll always be the top!  The academy director was grinning from ear to ear as she watched the girls, and said to me afterwards, "I'm not sure we've ever had such a tiny acro performer!  What an amazing job!"

Waiting to perform...

 Tallest to smallest...

She may be little, but she's big on attitude!

Heading into a handstand...

Heading down into position for bridges...

Note the tiny crawler under the bridges...

Diving forward rolls, into high fives...

Waiting to be jumped over...

Cartwheels...

Forward rolls...

Pyramid!

Bow!

SANTA!

Recently, the girls wrote letters to Santa, and then delivered them in person to the big guy.  In all honesty, they've asked for some pretty outrageous things this year, and I'm not quite sure how Santa is going to respond. 

I wish I could give him some parental input.  Share some insight with him, into the musings of our girls.  Some background.  Some reasoning.  Some explanation.  But alas, (sigh) he hasn't asked me.  So instead, I've translated their letters into what they *I* think they *really* meant.  Just for some context.  Just in case he asks...

 Translation:
Dear Santa,
I think I have been a very good girl, but my parents would argue otherwise lately.  I'm currently having a tough time deciding whether I am a little girl or a tween, and I vacillate back and forth between the two daily.  All this uncertainty has also made me a little bit moody.  I am certain that I want/need/deserve a computer, though my parents don't think you will deliver.  I still believe wholeheartedly though, and put my faith in you. 
Love,
Your Spunky Little Elf,
Camryn

 Translation:
Dear Santa,
I have been extremely good lately, though I've had my moments this year.   I am still only four years old, but I try desperately every day to do all that my older sister does.   I said I really want an American Girl Doll, because it's something my sister wants, so it must be good.  (Wanna know a secret, though?  I'm not so sure I really understand why those dolls are any more special than the 4,000 I already have!  Shhh!)  To be quite honest, I will be ecstatically happy with anything that you bring me.  I'm just so darn excited that it is Christmas!
Love,
Your Happy, Bouncy Elf,
Aubrey

Acro Pics

This fall, the girls were in the same class at SDA for the first time ever:  Acro I.  Essentially, they were taught basic gymnastics, flexibility, tumbling, and movement skills.  They have learned to do cartwheels, head stands, hand stands, bridges, candlesticks, and other crazy things.  :)  The girls have loved it, and it has been fun to watch them interact in a class made up of 4-12 year olds. 

As usual, we seized the photo op during Fall photo week.  Unfortunately, their individual shots really didn't turn out all that well this time.  :(  Luckily though, their sister shots did!  Hooray!

Playroom tree

Last year, at an after-Christmas sale, we found a killer deal on a 6 foot artificial tree. Though Brian and I are both adamant supporters of the real thing, we thought it would be pretty fun to have another tree upstairs, that the girls could decorate as they wish, in all the bright pinks and purples their little hearts desire.  So it's been stashed away in the garage for a year, and when we pulled it out, it truly was "like Christmas" for the girls to piece together, and decorate "their" tree, which now adorns the upstairs front window.  Fun!

Goin' on a tree hunt...

Quick!  It's not raining!  Put on your boots!  We're goin' to find a tree! 

 Tromping through the tree farm...

 This is fun!

 Why are they always more interested in picking weeds than picking a tree?

 

 Daddy, the tree hunter!

 

Our 8 foot Nordmann, all decked out.  :)

Where did November go?

Where did November go?  Well, that's a good question.  Although a "short month" on educational calendars, with plenty of days off, we found ourselves over-booked, and under-rested.  I'm not quite sure I have it in me to go into the details here, nor do I think it would be wholly appropriate, but let's just say we've spent the majority of our "free" time over the last month or so trying to ensure the safety of ourselves, our home, and most importantly, our girls.  And it's been exhausting.

The good news is, that we made it over the hill for a quick Thanksgiving trip to Bend, where we got to visit Mimi, Papa, Rob, Jenn, Mikayala, and Grandma and Grandpa Carter.  Our visits there are always too short, and we look forward to going back soon.

We are currently gearing up for the holiday season, and are hoping this month takes a turn for the positive, with a definitive reduction in drama.  Here's hoping I can fill our blog in the near future with tales of fun adventures and holiday spirit.  Happy December!

 This may be the only photo from Thanksgiving (or the whole month, for that matter) that turned out halfway decent...)