Tiny Dancer

This year marked Isabelle's 5th year of classical ballet, tap, and jazz training with her 

dance company.  Week after week, she has strapped on her ballet slippers and perfected 

her technique, spending hours at the ballet barre.  She's a natural born performer, a lover 

of the lights and stage, and watching her grow as a dancer has made me the happiest

 mama.  When your child has a passion, a real interest in learning and growing in their 

craft, it is incredibly inspiring.  I've never pushed her or put any expectations on her, 

I've tried to just sit back and allow her to navigate her own way through her hobbies, 

delving deeper only when she has been ready.  With dance, she dove in head first, 

allowing herself to fall deeply and madly in love with the art of creative movement.  

Isabelle, we are so incredibly proud of you for all that you have accomplished this year. 

 I cried as I watched you on stage, your smile shining brighter than any star in the sky.

  You are so talented and beautiful, a true joy to watch.  I pray that you will always 

find peace and happiness doing things you enjoy, allowing your heart to grow in strength 

and faith in yourself.  For you can do anything, my sweet girl, that you set your mind to.

Here's to another amazing year, tiny dancer!! 

 

Safari Summer

We kicked off Memorial Day weekend with a trip to a local exotic animal zoo for a 
summer festival.  In celebration of a job well done this school year, Isabelle got to invite 
her cousin, Sarah, and one of her best friends, Cade, for a fun filled day.  With Brees at 
my aunt's house for the afternoon, Belle was pretty excited to have her mama all to
 herself, running from one exhibit to the next with her arm linked in mine.  It was 
important to me to have this time with her, to give her my undivided attention.  She
 has worked so hard this school year and it was a real joy to spend the day with 
her celebrating the start of summer.  We played and danced and ate good food and
 rode horses and saw lots of animals.  We met up with more cousins and some of our 
friends in the park, three women and nine children total: what a wild bunch!  And 
despite the blistering heat and the miles of walking and the huge crowds and long 
lines, everyone kept their smiles on and their spirits high.  After a stop for ice cream
 on the way home, we all ended up back at our house for a late evening swim.  Brees
 came home with hugs and kisses that she had been saving up all day and we sat back 
and relaxed.  And as I sat on my patio and watched my children play with their cousins,
 their giggling voices ringing through the warm summer night air, I couldn't help but 
feel blessed.  It was a good day with the people I love.

Second Grade Q&A

Tiny Dancer

Last week, Isabelle and her dance company took their annual portraits.  I helped
my daughter dress in her newest tutu, strapped on her ballet slippers and beamed as
she posed with toes pointed and arms in fourth position.  This marks her fifth year of
study with Motions Dance Studio and her talent has grown by leaps and bounds, literally.
I stood back and watched as Belle stood patiently in line with the other students, waiting
to have her photos taken.  She walked confidently in front of the camera, took direction
from her teacher, smiled her beautiful and enchanting smile.  My heart felt so proud as
I watched my graceful daughter, witnessed her fully alive and in her element.  She
loves dancing and performing so much and it shows in these pictures.  I am proud of
the confident and charismatic young lady she is growing into.  Dancing is her creative outlet,
it is her God given talent.  Every week, she attends dance class and gives it her all,
dedicating herself to being the best ballerina she can be.  She practices in our kitchen while
I make dinner, showing her baby sister how to bourree and developpe.  She talks of
someday performing professionally.  I have no doubt that this little girl could make
that dream a reality.

Isabelle, you are truly a shining star, inside and out.  Continue to follow your dreams
and dance like no one's watching.  Work hard and enjoy each moment you spend on stage.
We are your biggest cheerleaders, your proudest supporters.
I love you and all that you are.

Photos courtesy of the very talented Chris Brouillette.  

Field Trippin'

Last Friday, my mom and I traveled with Isabelle and her second grade class to Chicot
State Park for a spring field trip.  It was an unseasonably cold and rainy day and we
arrived at school that morning unsure if the trip would be canceled or not.  Isabelle
said, "Mama, please pray that we can still go on our field trip even though the weather
is bad!".  And so pray we did, Isabelle's teacher and all of the mothers deciding to make
this trip happen regardless.  The kids all wore their rubber boots and raincoats and we set
out for a day of exploring nature and learning about bugs.  

I haven't been to Chicot State Park since I was a kid, attending Girl Scout camp and going
on nature hikes through the beautiful Louisiana forest.  The rainy weather took nothing
away from the amazing landscape: we were all in awe as we looked up at the giant trees
and lush, green leaves.  We were led by two very knowledgeable and patient guides
who taught us the difference between insects and spiders, allowed the kids to touch
live beetles, and helped them make their own butterfly crafts to take home.  After
exploring the arboretum, we set out for a short hike: learning about native Louisiana
trees and spying a few bugs in action.  We enjoyed a picnic lunch under the pavilion before
the rain caught up to us.  It was a perfect day with a really great group of kids.  Isabelle
was so happy to have her mom and grandmother with her and I feel so blessed that the
three of us were able to enjoy that time together.  We enjoyed our time at the park so
much that I rented a cabin for our family in May before we left.  I can't wait to bring Shawn
and Brees to this beautiful place and create yet another memory for our family.