December was full of so many exciting things to share, but never enough time to get on the computer and type it all out. Now. Now I do.
Caitlin has always enjoyed doing a little boogie and after almost a year on the waiting list for hip hop dance classes she got the call and started getting her groove on in November. With a few dance lessons under her belt, her dance class did a little dance performance in the Kadena Tinsel Town festival earlier this month.
A couple hours and a costume change later, super Caitie turned into cutie-patootie girl scout brownie and joined her troop in the Tinsel Town parade.
After her hard day's work she was treated to a funnel cake and a couple expensive ($3.00 a pop) carnival games.
I know you are probably missing Chloe in the pictures. She was with us for Caitlin's dance performance but had to rush away to her friends birthday party that started the same time as the parade.
The girls brought down the house with the school play, "A Martian Christmas". Every Tuesday and Thursday since October, my two yawning girls had to be at school an hour earlier for drama rehearsals. For the performance, Chloe played the part of a student (she seems to have that role down pat) who, with other "students" was trying to convince the martians not to zap the earth into a dust bunny while explaining our planet's Christmas traditions.
Caitlin was a singing martian. There was only one part in the play she wanted to be, Rover, the robotic dog that said bow-wow. There were four other kids who wanted to be Rover and unfortunately Caitlin didn't get the part she wanted. A week or so later, she was offered a speaking student part but turned it down. Darn it, I think it would have been so cute to watch. I could see her during the shows twiddling with her costume looking a little bored. I think if she has a speaking part she would have been a little more alert. Oh well, she told me next year she wants to have a speaking part no matter what she plays. I'm already looking forward to her next play. I'm not sure if Chloe will have another chance at a school play in middle school next year. If not, she ended her school performances as a super star.
There were a few fun festivities here and there, one of them was Marcus' group kids' Christmas party.
Chloe took a shot at making Ruldoplh's nose glow but it was guiding her the wrong way.
Caitlin made an adorable reindeer craft provided by Marcus' fabulous squadron.
I was pleasantly astonished to see all the guys and girls from his squadron, who don't have kids, volunteering their time on a Saturday to assist children with this craft. Totally sweet.
My favorite was the girl's piano recital. They never practiced their recital music at home but they'll spend hours figuring out the keys to the songs they heard or making up their own music. I guess going from a real piano then trying to come home and practice on our little electric piano just isn't the same. Shame, shame... I need to invest in a real piano but, I had been assured they were doing amazingly during their lessons. And their recital, on that big grand piano, was breathe-taking. Caitlin did the lead in a duet with Chloe playing Jingle Bells. Chloe played the Entertainer.
They both played smoothly and flawlessly. Their music was much more complicated than the one finger key tapping I was imagining in my head. We had talked about getting Chloe an iPod for Christmas. Especially since she frequently informed us we don't play enough classical music. She even threw in a few comments about how classical music is supposed to make you smarter. After hearing her play along with the older pianist playing beautiful piano sonnets and harmonious melodies, we bought that much contemplated electric purple iPod and loaded it up with "The 50 Most Essential Pieces of Classical Music". She's been listening to it almost non-stop. It's important to us to try and make sure the kids have all the tools they need, even if it's just music.
Caitlin's girl scout troop shared the holiday joy with their Japanese sister troop.
The American girl scouts brought the traditional Christmas foods to share, ornaments were painted,pretty holiday bracelets were put together and new national policies were passed. Some of our world's next future leaders...
In between Marcus and I have been able to sneak in a few dates. We have a fabulous new babysitter who the girls adore, making going out and trying new restaurants a relaxing, stress free experience. Marcus's squadron Christmas party was this past Tuesday, best work party I've been too. Lots of fun energy.
There's just a bit of what we've been doing this month, it's been nice having a break.
