Firsts and Lasts

I took the girls to see "Frozen" this past week.  I know, I know, I know. I am probably one of the few remaining people that I haven't seen this movie.  I think it arrived in theaters at Thanksgiving and so I was pleasantly surprised that it was still playing.

This was Little Miss M's first movie in the theater experience.

She looked so little sitting in that big seat and when the movie screen first lit up, she almost looked a little scared from the dolby surround sound.

A little sadness for me......her first movie with all the little reactions that come from trying something new and a last also because by the end of the movie she was completely comfortable in her surroundings, ready to go again.

Also in the list of firsts and lasts, my big girl danced in her first Nutcracker performance.  She was so excited (I think mostly about wearing makeup!) and did such a great job.  She was a "party guest"--there wasn't a lot of actual dance steps, it was more skipping and changing formations, but she shone like a star. 

G has a great stage presence, which I hadn't really noticed before.  I probably should have since she loves to sing, dance, and shows a flair for the dramatic in our daily lives! 

Getting ready for the show!

K performed the part of "proud Lil' Sis" perfectly!

There was a little grey tooth

January has already held some excitement here for us.

Little Miss M had her first "unscheduled" visit to the dentist.  The Sunday before Christmas she took a fall at my Mom's house (walking across the kitchen floor in her socks).  There was a little blood from where her teeth cut her lip but I gave here an ice pack and within 24 hours, the swelling was completely gone.  There was no sign that anything had happened, until last week.

G called my attention to her discolored front tooth.  I actually brushed it off thinking that she had just finished some cherry and berry fruit snacks and it was residual sugar.  A pretty thorough brushing at bedtime still didn't remove it and so off to the dentist we went the next morning.

She is now the proud owner of a "dead" babytooth.  Obviously, the fall was a little more significant than we thought.  If we're lucky, the tooth will stay in place and just remain "grey".  If it turns black or looks like infection is setting in, it will have to be removed.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it just stays in place.  As vain as this may sound, I don't want all of here pictures between now and kindergarten to have a missing front tooth.

But then again, this is an opportunity for my fav photographer to practice her Photoshop skills! (Not easy to see, but it is the top front tooth on the left.)

First Full Week Back

Just completed our first full week back in the pre-holiday routine (we really need to stay on a routine :-) and it looks like we may have some snow in the next 24 hours.  I know the girls would really like some snow but as the mom, I really need them to go back to school!

We had a crazy, wonderful holiday season in 2013.  The girls had school activities, we squeezed in some outside holiday activities, and we even managed a little down-time.  I call that a successful season!

K's Christmas program at preschool.  Her "Cinderella King" is standing behind her!

Annual trip to Christmastown at Busch Gardens.

Little Miss M was big enough to ride this year.

G and Grammy.

The girls at Mimi and Papa's house getting ready to open presents.

G's Christmas program at school.  She was chosen to be the student conductor this year!

The girls at Grammy and D-daddy's getting ready to open presents.

The Jones 5.

Getting ready for bed on Christmas Eve. 

Santa got creative this year--thanks Pinterest!

As you can see from the pics, the theme was "opening presents".  We are so blessed to have all of our family close-by and willing, able, and anxious to shower our kids with gifts!