KAR Nationals in Biloxi

Gabriella, Nonna & I spent a week in Biloxi, Mississippi, for Kids Artistic Revue National Finals. It was a great experience and Gabby and her team were amazing! Below is a review of all awards and titles:

Gabby's jazz solo I'm Trouble placed first place in the jazz category and second overall out of 59 entries. Amazing!

Gabby & Cate's jazz duet (photo on top), Baby, I'm A Star, placed first in category and first overall! National Champions!
The large group jazz number (below photo) Dive in the Pool placed first in category and first overall. National Champions! This dance was one of the few invited to compete in the National Finals on the last day. Awesome! 

Gabby competed in the Petite Title competition on Thursday night. She did wonderfully again! She received first runner up!

This is a photo of all the title winners and runner-ups. So proud! 

The lyrical small group, Story of My Life, placed first in category and first overall. National Champions! I loved this dance and will miss watching it on the stage. 

The group production, Jocks, placed second overall. This is a photo of the group together with their Dancer Against Cancer t-shirts. The KAR organization provides thousands of dollars each year to dancers and their families affected by cancer. They do this through their fundraising year round. We were proud to be part of it this year at the regional and national competitions. 

When she wasn't dancing, Gabby had fun with her dance friends and with Nonnie and me. :)

We are so incredibly proud of Gabriella and her commitment to dance. She was simply unbelievable at nationals (and all year-long at regionals, too). The last few years at South Tulsa Dance Co. have been amazing and we are so sad to close this chapter. She received stellar training and support and formed special friendships as a member of THR!VE, and it was well worth the commute to Tulsa for her to finish her mini "career" at STDC this last year. We couldn't have asked for a more successful nationals experience before parting ways with Ms. Keally and the phenomenal instructors and dancers at STDC. But, we move forward with excitement and look forward to new experiences at her new studio in OKC. 

Happy 4th of July!

Happy Birthday, U.S.A.! We are fortunate to live in the greatest country in the world.

Christina's got some bling!

Today Christina got her ears pierced! She has been asking for months to have this done. We told her we would have them pierced if she became potty trained. This bit of "bribery" helped with this milestone immensely, but even after a couple months of no accidents, I  stalled, like I did with her older sisters, to make sure she really wanted to go through with it. And she liked to remind us every time she sat on the potty that she was potty trained so she wanted to get her ears pierced. She has been persistent. So, while her sisters were at our church attending a summer educational program, Christina and I spent the day together, which included a stop at the pediatrician's office to have the piercings done. And here she is:

She was incredibly brave. She was excited even though I warned her it would pinch and hurt a little. After the first piercing she didn't make a peep but big crocodile tears formed in her eyes. The nurse quickly held up the mirror so Christina could see the sparkling earring. I gave her a big hug and then she sat still for the other ear's piercing. Then we had her glance in the mirror at her new look. She loved it but still had tears forming. It was bittersweet for her.

I treated her to an ice cream sandwich and candy from the pharmacy on the ground level for being such a brave girl. I'm going to admit that I cried, too, for 3 reasons 1) It hurt me to see her surprised by the pain even though I had been warning her for months that it would be uncomfortable 2) She was brave. She tried to hold back the tears and did that silent cry that gets me every time. She didn't resist the second piercing for one second. She knew she committed to this and she had to follow through. It didn't take any convincing from me or the nurse. That is big girl stuff 3) She is my baby and there's a very likely chance that was my last first ear piercing experience with one of my daughters.  I am so blessed I have 3 daughters I got to experience this with. All 3 were brave and beautiful. My heart is full.

Summer Happenings

It's summer time and we're loving it! Our days are full of some activities and camps, a lot of swimming and lazy days, too! We're loving it! 

Pool time with my bathing beauties

We went to an OKC Dodgers game and had a lot of fun despite the rain delay.  

After the game we got a picture with one of the mascots, Brooklyn. It was a humid night (if you didn't notice by my hair)!

Christina is taking her first tumbling class this summer and loving it. Here she is on the beam.

The other day I was in the kitchen getting lunch ready and the three of them came down to surprise me. So sweet! They love matchy-matchy. 

Adriana had her last t-ball game the other night. It was a really fun and successful season. She did great! Pink Flamingoes are awesome!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy 10th Father's Day to this guy! We love you, David! Thanks for being the best father to our little ladies. They are so fortunate to have you in their lives! 

Adriana's Surgery

Adriana had laparoscopic surgery today to repair a hernia and she handled it like a champ! I discovered something wasn't right a few months ago and after talking with her doctor and the surgeon we decided to schedule the surgery after school let out for the year.

She was incredible brave. I was able to go back with her to the OR (in scrubs of course) and wait with her until she went under anesthesia. She got up on the operating table like a big girl and let the nurse put the mask on her. I, of course, cried a little because I was nervous, but also I was so proud of how she was handling all of it. I have never been under anesthesia before (neither has David) so not being able to relate was difficult for me. After she counted backward from 10 and inhaled enough root beer flavored gas to fall asleep, I left the OR and waited with the rest of the crew. Her surgery was about an hour and a half and went very well. The pediatric surgeon did the standard repair on one side. We didn't know how extensive it would be until she could look with the camera during surgery. We were relieved at this news. We even have keepsake pics of the procedure. I'm sure Adriana will enjoy analyzing those when she gets older. 

She is home resting and big sister Gabby is sleeping with her tonight "to keep an eye on her." It's rather cute! Once we got home later this afternoon, Adriana started to feel better. She complains of a little tenderness at three small incision points (she was glued her back together). Adriana received several get well deliveries of candy, fruit, flowers, stuffed animals and balloons. Thank you to everyone who made her feel special today!

Get well soon, Adriana! We love you!

Last Day of School!

It's truly hard to believe the school year has closed. Our first year in OKC and at Christ the King went very well. All 3 girls did very wonderfully with the adjustment both socially and academically. We are very fortunate and it's a true cause for celebration! Below are their first day and last day of school pics side by side. Love them!

Adriana has matured and grown so much this last year. She's reading and enjoys learning. First grade is just around the corner! 

Gabby's maturity and growth is so obvious in this collage. Tween phase is just ahead along with 4th grade!

Our baby girl is ready for pre-school. She cannot wait to to go the big school with her sisters next year.