This is Not a Gap Ad

It's a little late for Easter But....

These bunny ears were too cute, not to share. Thanks mom for the Easter Basket full of treats.

I'll leave you with this video of Cheyenne running laps around the kitchen island. You can tell Dakota wants to follow her, but obviously can't walk yet. She may be 14 months before she takes her first steps...that's my guess.

Official Spring 2013 Ballet Photos

The hired photographer posted photos and I bought a few. Here are the official recital pictures.
You should see Cheyenne freestyle dance. A few months ago, she would twirl around and now she's turning and pointing like a real ballerina. I can tell her classes are helping. Technique or not....to see her dancing and having fun, warms my heart.

In June she'll be going to Abilene Ballet Theater Summer Ballet Camp. Originally, I had planned on sending both girls, but I think I'm going to keep Dakota. She was fine not seeing me an entire week ...and although I had fun with Trey every night in ft. worth....I missed Dakota terribly! Trey felt/feels the same way.

Video Submission to PBS Kids

My toddler, loves The Chica Show. It's on PBS, sprouts channel.

PBS Kids/Sprouts channel has a lot of interaction with viewers and frequently request viewers to submit videos and letters. Cheyenne asked me to help her, so I did. This was her idea, I'm glad she asked for my help we both enjoyed making this video.

If the video airs, we will know ahead of time and I'll be sure to let you guys know.

Video Instructions for Call the Coop Contest:
-Take a video of your Sproutlet asking Kelly for a costume

Here is the video we submitted...

And here are the outtakes...notice how Dakota keeps crawling out of frame. I call it a crawl, but she scoots around. 

We Mean Business

Nahhh, we don't. Hey, Trey and I have enjoyed our week going out every night. Last night, we went on another double date with Chris and his girlfriend. We ate and had drinks at the Keg and later red boxed it at home and watched this is 40. Now, we are on our way to get the girls! I'm ready to see them. Chey says she misses her room. Well, I miss her.

What am I getting myself into? A 40 Mile Trail Race

I'm 99% sure I'll be registering for Rough Creek 40 mile trail race. The race is mid-September and it will be in Glen Rose. My training begins next week! I'm going to aim, at least in the beginning to do back to back long runs on Saturday and Sunday. I'm not sure how realistic that is, but it's what I'm aiming for....I will most likely drop the second long run, towards week 12 or so of training.

2 Training Goals:
1. Build and focus on my endurance (long runs) My average running pace is about to get an ego check.
2. Weekly Hill workouts

It's not called rough creek for nothing. I've heard the trail is a constant up and down hilly terrain.

I Tell Myself, They Miss Me

The girls are still having a great time spending time with family in Abilene. They don't seem to notice mommy and daddy are not around...so I have to tell myself they miss me.

Everyday, they've been doing some sort of activity. This morning they went to Chick-Fil-A to eat and they listened to story time.

Dakota ate eggs, like a big girl.

Since the girls have been away, I've been enjoying running a little more. I still have to watch the clock, but I'm more relaxed and not as anxious to return home. Monday, I ran 8 miles and ran past the lake. Today, I ran 6 miles around the neighborhood....Usually, my weekday runs consist of 3 - 4 miles, but since the girls are not here, I get more time on the road.

In the evenings, Trey and I have been going out. Date night every night? Sure! Last night we went downtown and experienced Texas De Brazil for the first time. It's an expensive restaurant and it costs about $50 a plate. I had a buy one meal get the other meal free coupon, so that's how we justified going. It was so good and it reminded me of the buffets in Las Vegas. I'll be going back...in about a year, when they send me another coupon. :)

On my mind...

I miss Dakota!

When the Kids are Away the Big Kids Play & One More Ballet Clip

Yesterday morning, we waved goodbye to the girls ( they are in Abilene visiting with grandparents for a week). As soon as they left, Trey and I drove to Arlington and spent the day at Six Flags.

Oh, here is that ballet performance I was talking about....It's a short clip.

Cheyenne's Ballet Spring Performance (Video) & Party of Nine

You guys, my ballerina did an amazing job!!!!!



I was a little worried for her because the day before the recital, she told me she didn't know all her steps, but she said she would try her best.

Her best is fantastic, see for yourself.

You will melt, when you see the little girls in their tutus.

We almost took up a full row at the performance hall.

Party of 9!

Dakota was so good during the 2 hour performance. When she started to get wiggly we'd just pass her off to the person to the right or left. She seemed to prefer the jazz numbers more than the classical ballet performances.
 
I LOVED THE ENTIRE SHOW!

But this upper level group nailed it! I have a short video clip of them, I will post at some point.

This was a school performance, so we had a chance to see 3 year olds through 18 year olds dance.

I can vouch for Trey and say that he has plenty of hair and he's not balding...haha - interesting lighting. Also, Dakota wears shoes, (sometimes). Family pics are the best. We are all well-dressed and smiling. Yay for that!

I'm so proud of Cheyenne. She will continue with the Ballet Studio, next year, for the fall and spring semester. She will also be participating in two ballet summer camps. One at her ballet school and the other one will be with the Abilene Ballet Theater. We've heard wonderful things about Abilene BT so we are excited.

These are our friends, Kirsten and Chris. They have babysat for us several times. They are wonderful with our girls. Cheyenne was so happy to see familiar faces at her recital.

My mom is so proud (of all her girls) and I know she enjoyed seeing her grand babies this weekend.

It was wonderful having all of our family in town. Mom and dad will have both girls all week long. I don't know what to do with myself. I already miss Cheyenne and Dakota.

Pre-Spring Ballet Recital

Today, was Cheyenne's Spring Ballet Recital.
I captured video of the performance. I can't wait to post it!

When I Clean, They Play

When I clean, that means play time. They play and I clean. That's not fair!!! Well, at least I can be thankful they are distracted  and happy!

Someone has a ballet recital this weekend...
And look what she made at Mrs. Amanda's house...
She does a lot of crafts over there, this is her latest project. It's her new dance bag.

P.S. I haven't talked about running lately, but I have been running and I'm working on a blog post. I have some things to discuss - like upcoming races and my training.

My Lunch Breaks

For the past two weeks, during the lunch hour, I've been leaving campus and driving down the street to feed Dakota. It's nice having that option. The last thing I want to do is pump, if I don't have to. It's also nice that I have the option to step away from work.

Can you believe Dakota is almost one? Her birthday is June 11th. I'm soooo looking forward the day I don't have to pump anymore, but it makes me sad to know that this may be the last child I breastfeed. Breastfeeding is a special bond and I know it weirds some people out or whatever...but it's special and there really is no other way to describe it other than that.


Earlier this week, Luke had a performance at school. One of his take home assignments was to have an adult help him outline his body on a large paper and then draw clothes and color it in. There was also an "about me" form that the kids were asked to fill-out. Even though Cheyenne does not go to school, Mrs. Amanda was so thoughtful and included Cheyenne. She got extra supplies from Luke's teachers and Mrs. Amanda helped her complete the assingment at her house. A few weeks ago, the teachers at Luke's school let Chey display her work with the other kids. How nice is that???

Luke had an end of the year performance and it looks like the teachers let Chey participate in snack time while they waited. They love her! Of course they do!

Quick On-The-Go Snack & Food I Steal From my Baby

I made this Banana Almond Chia bars recipe, yesterday and it was delicious. My mornings are hella busy and I usually eat fruit in my car and later I'll eat breakfast at my desk. My office breakfast usually consists of 3 hard boiled eggs and cold sweet potatoes. Something I can eat fast while answering emails.

If you are looking for a fast snack to eat in the morning this is it! It also pairs nicely with coffee.

Banana Almond Chia bars Ingredients:
I had most of these ingredients in my pantry...
1 cup almond flour
1.5 cups vanilla egg protein powder (I used whey protein powder...got it at Sprout's)
4 tbsp. chia seeds
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut shavings
1/2 tsp baking powder and baking soda
1 large mashed banana (Next time I will use THREE)
1/4 cup nut butter (I used sunflower) 2 whole eggs
1 egg white
2 tbsp wildflower honey (I used regular honey)
1/2 tsp. coconut extract (I used vanilla)
  Here is the full recipe with directions.
 
Speaking of food...Dakota likes whole grain pasta (no sauce).

While she's eating that, I'm busy stealing her baby puree. When I don't have time to make homemade baby food, I give her puree packs, like this...The coconut flavor is my favorite. BTW this was my lunch Saturday. I had two photography events that day and there were around the lunch hour. Don't worry, I made up for the calories later that night with several helpings of brownies.

Alright, that's all I have for today. Bye!

My Mother's Day

The girls picked flowers from the garden and made me sidewalk art. Later, Trey took us all to fuddruckers for lunch. It was a great day.