Elly's visit to Santa (22 Dec 2012)

One thing I have loved about being over here is that we've had the same Santa Claus for every year. I think I mentioned last year that he's a older gentleman that lives here and just volunteers his time to be Santa throughout the holiday season. I love that they offer pictures free on a cd too.

Elly has never liked Santa and this year she still didn't. Every time we walked by his chair in the mall I would ask her if she wanted to get a picture with him and she always said an adament NO. Finally, on his last day at the mall we tried bribing her. Yes, sometimes I resort to that method :) We told her that if she would get a picture with Santa that she could have some ice cream. She would still only go stand by Santa....and only if Daddy went with her...but at least I got a couple of pictures.

Here is this year's attempt at Elly's pictures with Santa.

Recently, Elly's been telling me that maybe next year she will sit on Santa's lap.  We'll see...but I'm not holding my breath :)

A Princess Party (4 December 2012)

In early December, my friend Kim thought it would be fun to have a "Princess party" with all the little girls. Of course, I thought it sounded fun. Elly was really excited about it, especially since she could wear her Cinderella dress. I made cupcakes and some plain princess themed sugar cookies that we thought the girls would enjoy decorating.  Like any playdate, it ended up being a bit chaotic. Here are a few pictures ~

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the end of the day, I think Kim had more frosting to get off the floor than what made it onto the cookies, but it was fun and the girls had a blast.  One successful princess party done!

Elly's 1st Ballet Recital (1 December 2012)

Elly has been in ballet classes since September and I was so tickled to find out they have a recital in early December every year.  Miss Helen's Mom makes all the little costumes that were handed out the week before the actual recital.  We were all very excited and Elly couldn't stop talking about it.

I was concerned that she might not make it to the recital because she had been pretty sick for a few days prior and even that morning I asked her if she wanted to go.  She was just not feeling well and I maybe should have kept her home, but I just couldn't do that to her.  She had so been looking forward to this and I wanted her to experience it. 

We had to be there earlier in the morning for a rehersal.  It's so cute seeing all those little 3 and 4 year olds trying to follow along.  Elly had a little trouble, but I can't help but think it had something to do with her not feeling well. Not to mention she's only been doing this a couple of months.  It was adorable none the less though. Here we were waiting for her rehersal time to come up. 

 

After rehersal, we walked over to Sam's office to hang out and get Elly ready.  It was the first time I was putting Elly's hair in a little bun.  Miss Helen said just to use lots of gel and hairspray to hold it in place. I think it turned out pretty well.  Looking back at these pictures I can see that she didn't feel well.  She wouldn't have missed it for the world though.  She loved it.

 

 

Is there anything cuter than little girls in tutus??

 

The lighting was terrible  so I didn't get very good photos of her recital. There was an older ballerina that performed with them so they could kind of follow her.

Elly and Miss Helen :)

 

Happy, but tired little girl. 

Local circus and a birthday party (Late Nov.)

In late November we had a circus family move into our town and take up residence in a field on the outskirts of town. We've seen them there other years and thought about going, but we just never actually went. Our opportunity came this year when one of Elly's friends (Maddie) was having a birthday and invited us all to come to the circus prior to having cake and ice cream back at their place.

Elly was so excited about going to the circus though I'm quite sure she didn't know what it was other than driving by and seeing the big tents set up. I guess even that looked exciting to her. So the evening of the party we walked to their house, which happens to be just down the street and we all walked to the circus together. It was a fun evening, even though I felt a little sad for the kids in the show. It seemed as if they were the show. It is a family and three of the four children were performers. The older little girl (about 10 I think) did a lot. I felt sorry for them. What kind of life must they have? I'm sure the majority of the time they are just travelling from town to town. The little girl said they have a tutor for school. She seemed hungry for attention. Anyhow, it was a nice evening and the kids loved the show.

After the show we walked back to Sam and Kristal's place and had Maddie's birthday party. Of course the girls had fun with that too. Here are a few pictures from our evening.

Just before walking to meet up with our friends Elly wanted a picture.

 

Sammie, Maddie and Elly waiting for the show to start.

 

And Sydney...

 

 

 

 

The oldest little girl performing with hoops.

 

 Sweet little Lizzie is just over a month here.

 

 

 

The oldest boy doing a balancing act.

 

 

 

The camel stopped right in front of the girls.  They loved it!

 

After the show the kids could ride the horses...for a price, of course.

 

 

Elly and the oldest little girl.

 

Back at Sam and Kristal's Sydney was "holding" baby Lizzie.

 

 

 

 

Time for the cake!