My Tiny Dancer

Our graceful ballerina has worked so hard in her ballet class this year, and her dedication culminated beautifully Sunday evening in her end of year recital. Since she decided to drop soccer after the fall season, ballet has been the only organized sport or activity in which she participates. I worried a bit whether she would miss soccer, but ballet seems to be her true love, even though she does miss her soccer buddies. Last year, she took a ballet class along with two friends from church, so there was built in camaraderie already established. This year, Mallory chose a new class scheduled in the middle of the day, filled with girls she had never met before. Most of the girls attend a private school together that has half day classes for second grade, which is why they can take a class in the early afternoon. Stepping out of her comfort zone is often hard for our sweet girl, but she has impressed me this year with the way she embraced this unfamiliar setting and made some new friends.

 

Mal told me the other day, "Everyone at ballet has a buddy, and Alexandra is my buddy!" I'm so grateful for Alexandra! She and Mal have already made plans to be pen pals. 

This girl is such a treasure! She and I had fun just spending some down time together between rehearsal and recital on Sunday.

Good pictures are sometimes hard to achieve during the performance, but a got a few during rehearsal. The recital was titled Happy Trails, and her group were the Indian Paintbrushes.

We also got to see a couple friends perform. Here's sweet Nora...

and Miss Caroline!

The SMU campus provided a nice backdrop for pictures after the performance.  Nana & Papa came to support our pretty little flower.

These two sometimes roll their eyes about having to sit through girly dance recitals, but they love their sister dearly. They even sat nicely through the two and a half hour performance!

Mallory, we've never seen a ballerina more beautiful than you, inside and out. You have a heart of gold, and we love seeing you shine as you share the gifts God has given you.

Beau Harrison at 5 Years

 

Our sweet and spunky Beauman turned FIVE this month! After discussing many party themes with him, he finally settled on a Lego party to celebrate with his buddies. My favorite part of the party ended up being this Lego photo booth backdrop my mom set up, complete with wacky props. As you'll see, some kids in came back quite a few times!

 

Cool families take awkward photos together on purpose.

Ella and Mal must have tried every prop we had. They are such sweet friends!

The Johnston crew, looking sharp!

Lillian & Nora

Laughing Hillary & cool cowboy Jackson





 

 

My kids rounded up every basic Lego piece we could find, along with a bunch of wheels. Thanks to the genius of Mr. Justin Chamblee, a car ramp station was constructed! Several boys never seemed to leave this area.

We've used our church fellowship hall for most of the kids parties over the last few years. What a blessing to have a great space to use that doesn't involve twenty kids running wild through your house!

This may be the saddest looking Lego cake ever constructed, but Beau was pleased. Orange cake & orange icing for my orange loving boy!

Five-year-olds playing Twister is just greatness!

Even better when an adult joins in!

Car construction concentration (say that five times fast!)

Funny girls!

We'll save this for their wedding slideshow! ;)

We've used our bounce house at Beau's last three birthday parties. Recycling at its best!

It's a shame that this child is so uncomfortable with being the center of attention. He directed the chorus as his friends sang happy birthday to him.

Birthday joy!

Precious cousin friends!

Payton adores Mal, and this picture made me laugh!

Papa in disguise

Me & my favorite brother

Brody & Papa

Pinata time - stand back!

Aaand they're back!

My kids have such fun grandmothers!

Sherriff Mal

Nice look, J!

Aubrey couldn't get enough! She even convinced her big brother to join her.

You're never too old for Legos!

Mimi & Pops

 

As a big five-year-old, Beau continues to have a huge personality for such a little guy. He seems to have limitless energy but still loves to snuggle and gives unsolicited hugs and kisses often. His vocabulary keeps expanding to include lots of grown-up words that make me giggle when heard coming from a preschooler's mouth. His memory is sharp, and he holds us to anything we say.

 

Beau loves just about everyone he meets and adores his brother and sister. But as high as any of us in his family may rank, we know that his favorite person - hands down - is Nora. She is probably the biggest reason he's sad about leaving Texas. Thankfully, she loves him too and is planning to visit us in Georgia. Our gregarious little man never meets a stranger and is happy to talk to anyone who will listen. He seems to say at least twice as many words in a day as other children, and much of what he says is hilarious!

 

Beau Harrison, you are pure joy. Your daddy and I love you dearly and know that God has great plans for that winning personality of yours. Happy birthday, sweet boy!