~Thoughts~

I had to stop and reflect this morning as I sit in our quiet home among the loads of laundry, a kitchen that needs to be cleaned and the floor that needs to be mopped due to the spilled lucky charms this morning.

I usually dislike our home when it's quiet, but today I am grateful. I know that sounds crazy, but we have had a crazy month of sicknesses here, so a quiet home means a healthy home.

First, Raychel got a bad case of strep. It knocked her flat for 5 days. She had the sore throat, a cough, fever and the sore body the whole time.

The day she got better Jolene came down with a rash, a crazy head to toe rash.

She suffers from allergies so I thought maybe it was due to them. I took her to the doctor on a Saturday and he thought the same thing. At this time it was on her face and a little on her neck. By Sunday night it was every where.

I took her to our doctor on Monday to learn it wasn't because of allergies so the prescription I bought and had used for the 3 days wasn't helping. Our doctor got all excited because she hadn't seen this rash in years. Kids get vaccinated against it but every once in awhile a case comes around she said.

Jolene had Fifths Disease.

I know your asking yourself what???

It starts out kind of like a cold, cough, stuffy, low grade fever, sore muscles and headaches. I just put it off thinking allergies and she had sore muscles because they did the fitness jog, and she is training for her 5k. Now comes the pink cheeks, I thought sunburn until they didn't getting lighter they got brighter, but by then the rash appears.

The rash lasted about 10 days along with the aches. There isn't anything they can take it just runs its course.

The day the rash disappeared both girls got the flu! I couldn't believe our "luck". I guess if the flu is to come around both at the same time was good.

Today both girls are back to school. And for the first time in over a month I get to pick them both up from school and come home!

I know before I get to comfortable, I am so grateful for our "ordinary days" that tend to get "extraordinary" around the end of the school year.

With only two weeks left, we can do this!

~Gifts~

We have had so much fun making these little gifts for birthday friends. They are so fun and can be made to each birthday girls taste. The are a fun little craft that the girls enjoy making and giving a little bit of themselves away.

~Girls on the Run~

What an amazing activity for young girls, Girls On The Run.   These amazing young girls 3&4 graders train, learn about their bodies, how to be healthy, how to stop bullies, and just be happy with themselves.  At the end of the training they are ready for the 5k run.  Jolene trained hard, and had so much fun.  When Raychel did the run in 4th grade Jolene held signs on the sidelines and cheered us on, she was looking forward to do the run.  The week before she broke in a rash that is aggravated by the sun, heat, and of course stress.  She missed a week of school and was unable to run.  We went to the race and cheered all of her friends on.  We covered her in sunscreen, stood in the shade and under umbrellas but by the time we got to the car she was covered from head to toe with the rash and itching pretty bad. She was glad we were able to watch but she was pretty sad she couldn't run.

~Thoughts~

Promise me you'll always remember:

You're braver then you believe, stronger then you seem, and smarter then you think.

Christopher Robin (Winnie the Pooh)

~Pre-Recital Fun~

Before the recital starts there is so much going on behind the scenes.

Hair, make-up, costumes, and of course hanging out with friends.

This year not only did I do Raychel's hair but our friend Nicole's as well.

(I forgot to get a picture, but she is pictured with Raychel below)
It's always fun to come up with new, fun hair ideas that will hold up for the night.

The girls looked so beautiful.

We took lots of backstage pictures to capture all the fun with friends and other dancers.

Raychel and Sierra

Raychel and Sydney

Raychel, Sydney, and Sierra

Raychel hanging out behind the scenes

Raychel, Sydney, Jazzy, and Emily

Raychel and Nicole

~Spring Dance Recital 2012~

With Spring in the air it means dance recital time.

This year Raychel was in three dances and was able to dance on her Pointe shoes.

Raychel has dreamed of dancing on Pointe since she started dance class when she was 3,

she was so excited to achieve her dream.