Dance Lessons- Take One

Ryen was excited about her first dance lesson all day! She couldn't wait to meet her new friends and get her groove on. When we got to the dance studio, I wanted to take our camera in, but I didn't know if that was too goofy or what. I decided to just do it. I started taking pictures and all of a sudden, every single other mom broke out a camera and starting taking pictures too- unleashing a parental paparazzi like you have never seen! It was so funny. Most of the other little girls were shy and some even cried when their moms left. Not Ryen. She marched right up to the other children and starting hugging them and chatting away. Parents aren't allowed to stay and watch so I left, but when I came back to pick Ryen up, her teacher pulled me aside. "Ryen had a really hard time not talking," she told me. Yikes. I guess Ryen was chattering away the entire time and had a hard time chilling out and just listening to her teacher. Her instructor kindly asked me to work on that at home. Funny how we spend the first half of our children's lives teaching them to talk and the second teaching them not to. All in all, she had an enormously fun time and made tons of new friends. Now we'll have to see if she can learn some actual... you know... dance.

 

 

Ryen's Special Book

The book I made for Ryen about her adoption arrived today. She was so excited to read it and look at the pictures! We have talked to her quite a bit about her adoption, but I was unsure of how much she truly understood. I am so thrilled to have this storybook for her with pictures and wording that she can understand. More than anything, I am so happy to see the pride she feels as she learns about the special experiences and people in her life. It is incredible to see the love we have for her reflected in her eyes. Nothing gives me greater joy. I don't know the true depth of her understanding, but I do know without any doubt at all that she knows that she is special and infinitely loved. 

This Little Piggie

The girls LOVE splashing around in the bathtub, but the fun never stops when the water swirls down the drain. They become a piggie and seahorse and then the real fun starts!

Count Your Blessings

From the time Ryen learned to speak, she has loved to pray. Her prayers are quite touching, at times a little silly, but most often downright hilarious. Here are some things our little angel thanked God for tonight:

Barbie toothpaste (that tastes like pink)
The jungle
People not tickling her
Halloween costumes
Her family
Madelyn's toys
Quicksand
Ladybugs
Alligators (though the majority of the animal kingdom was covered)
Stories
The park
Peanut butter & jelly sandwiches
Bug spray

That about covers it. (My personal favorite was quicksand.) I love Ryen's sweet reminders to count my many blessings.

Golfing Girls

Sonny took the girls with him to the golf course tonight. They LOVED their date with Daddy! 

 

Beautiful Ballerina

 

Ladybug Chic

The minute I saw this dress, it reminded me of Ry and I had to have it. She wore it to church today and when we came home, I just had to take some pictures. She's so fun to dress up!

Imagine That

Ryen has the best imagination! We try to really encourage her in that area by asking her lots of questions and getting in on the fun. This afternoon she drew this picture of "a room full of flies." She told me the best story to go along with it! She never ceases to amaze me.

Garden Fairy

 

Ry LOVES our garden. She especially loves the tomatoes growing in it! I took the camera outside with me the other day and captured some pictures of our little garden fairy. 

A Man & His Machine

One of Ryen's favorite things is riding around on the lawnmower with her Daddy. She used to be scared of it, but now she leaps at any chance she gets to help drive and can be heard throughout the neighborhood screaming, "Faaaaaaaaster!" 

Blowing Kisses

 

The Haircut Heard Around The World

For months, I have been wondering if I should cut Ryen's hair. In all honesty, long hair on a 3-year-old isn't entirely practical. It was always getting in her food, in her mouth, in her way, and into Madelyn's hands. The problem was that the thought of cutting it broke my heart. Her hair is SO beautiful! We have all had the flu and at 1:00 this morning as I was scrubbing puke out of Ryen's hair for the third time, I realized it was time. Right there, in the bathtub, I gave Ry her first official haircut. I think it looks absolutely adorable on her and it fits her personality perfectly! And anyway- it will always grow right back. Having said that, I must confess that after she and Sonny fell asleep, I cried like a baby.