She rides!

Lainey learned how to ride her bike! Without training wheels! It took us a long time to get to this point. :) She's so proud of herself! We've been working on it for a while, but only yesterday did she officially "get it." Consistently. Over and over again!

Walker "helped" by repeatedly zooming up behind her and stressing her out. :) "Stressing her out" in the most loving and supportive way, however. As only a brother can do. :)

striking a pose

Walker took this video! :) 

Shops at Legacy Christmas Tree Lighting

Every year, the Plano City Council is invited to be part of the Christmas Tree Lighting at the Shops at Legacy. Last year, Lainey wanted nothing to do with Santa or Mrs. Claus. This year, however, she took advantage of every opportunity!

posing before the parade

Walker and I sat in the truck. It was actually warmer in there. :) My friend Jessica took this picture of us! :) 

Talking to Santa. We have come a long way. She was terrified of him last year.

She's very comfortable on stage.

Counting down to the tree lighting with Santa and Mayor LaRosiliere!

the Council and Mayor with Santa and Mrs. Claus

Once again, here's Walker and I, not participating. :) 

singing carols with Mr. Scrooge and Mrs. Claus

We ran into one of our favorite people, Carly! :) Her hair was still in a bun from the dance convention! :)

Aaaand...let's just take a minute to reflect on how wonderful this is. Lainey, reading to Walker (who is hovering under his blankie), before bedtime. :) 

First Major Dance Convention/Competition of the Season

Whew! A fun, exciting, exhausting weekend. :) Glad to have our first official convention/competition under our belts! :) 

Lainey wore her pants backwards (by accident) for the first class of the convention. I was so concerned about her little booty showing that I made her go change after the first class...only then did we find out that her pants had been put on backwards. By her own self. :) So, we put on the pants the correct way. Thankfully, that was an easy problem so solve!

the hip-hop instructor with Lauren, Morgan, Lainey, and Ava

Lainey was awarded an "Excellence in Class" certificate for hip-hop. Let me tell you. The girl has some MOVES. 

on stage for musical theater :) 

on stage for tap

A little girl and her little belly! 

While Lainey and I were at the dance convention, Walker got to go celebrate his (second) cousin Tom's birthday! :) Happy FOURTH BIRTHDAY to Tom!

eating snacks before the competition

putting on her own lipstick :-/

My six-year-old daughter's attempt at a selfie...Lord help me.

Lainey with her AMAZING big sis, Ilana. Lainey would like to just be carried around by Ilana all day. 

And, here's a picture of Lainey talking to Ilana's little sister in real life - Devyn. Lainey loves her lots, too.

Friends!

Lainey's group for "Dive in the Pool"

on stage with the sweet big girls

asleep before we pulled out of the parking garage

looking a little rough the next morning

Back at it. With sweet Kali. I love both of these kiddos! Again, Lainey put on her bottoms backwards.  We discovered it and changed it after the first class was over (again). My goodness. She's so funny. She wouldn't have noticed if I hadn't pointed it out! 

Lainey's "award" that she made at home. :) "I love your face expressions." :) Ha!

Walker's Thanksgiving Feast

Last Wednesday was Walker's Thanksgiving Feast at school! :) 

Cute boy wore EVERYTHING he made! A first for him! He never wears anything that he makes! :) 

making pumpkin bars

at the feast

He's always writing our names "Mom" and "Walker" and drawing a heart. His Thanksgiving vest was no exception. :)

Horrible Pictures...

Ok. I realize that these are TERRIBLE pictures. But I have to include them! Lainey received a certificate today because her PTA Reflections contest piece (dance choreography) is going to be judged at the district level! :) So maybe she was the only one in that category...but still. Something to be celebrated! I'm grateful that she has the confidence to enter contests! :)

And yes, it was pajama day at school. :)

This is a very terrible picture. She's waving at Yiyia, who sweetly stood up to wave to her. I was just sitting, taking pictures. :) 

Ballet Quiz

A ballet quiz on a napkin (similar to what her teacher gave her in class, but not on a napkin). I love this part that says "try this on your own" with our names listed. 

And she continued writing her quiz on an American Girl catalog. :)

Weekend Wrap-Up

On Friday, Lainey made a spaceship out of a box. :) It was cute! And she's wearing a tutu.

Lainey's dance company had their dress rehearsal this past Saturday. This is Lainey's costume for her dance, which she will perform this coming weekend. The song is "Dive in the Pool" and the girls are wearing costumes that resemble swimsuits from the 1950s. :) 

AND, on Sunday, we had everyone over for Bud's 70th Birthday! Lainey made a sign-in sheet for all of the family members. This note is translated as "Find your cup at your seat. Kids have Sprite or water. Adults have wine and water and tea. Please take your seat. Kids already have water in their cup! Please turn paper around."  (All the guests had to sign their names on the back!) 

Happy Birthday, Bud!