{This Moment} Wednesday In The Strawberry Field

{This Moment} A Friday ritual. A bunch of photos -no words- capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you are inspired to do the same leave a link to your moment in the comments section below. Wishing you a lovely last day of June and a wonderful first weekend of July. To all those celebrating the 4th of July we wish you a wonderful (and safe) celebration! xo 

Some News

For those who didn't know, Grace and Emma auditioned last week for the dance team. For those who did know, and who have been wondering how the girls did, we finally have some news to share.

After a long couple of weeks, and a busy auditioning week where lots of girls participated, we were  thrilled to learn that Grace will be joining the junior team and one of the three musical theater teams! She was determined to land a spot on the junior team and we are so proud that her hard work, determination and dedication has paid off!

We are, however, sad to share that it wasn't meant to be for Emma this year. We wish that things turned out differently, but  as with all good teachable moments, she has already decided to take the info about why she didn't make the team this year, learn from it, improve and audition again next year. I'm not sure that my mama-heart is going to be able to make it through auditions next year as it barely made it through them this year, but our girl is determined and so I shall be right there, along with the rest of our dance family, cheering her on every step of the way!

It's a strange emotion that I've experienced since learning the results. I am so very proud of both of the girls for auditioning. It's a very brave thing to put yourself out there like that, and goodness knows I don't know if I would have been able to do so at their ages! While I  am so proud of both of them, and very happy for Grace, at the same time my heart just aches for Emma. I don't think there's a name for this emotion of simultaneous happiness and sadness but there really should be.

Emma's doing fine. It helped her a great deal to hear from Miss Lauri about why it didn't work out. And while there were definitely some parts that Emma could have chosen to do differently, there are also some parts where she just needs to learn that slow and steady really is the better option. It's a hard lesson to learn when things don't work out the way you'd like them to, but one that she's learned so much from already and one that we know she will learn even more from over the course of the next dance year. xo

Wordless Wednesday::Sunday Sisters

A Visit To Pickity Place

On Saturday, while Dave and his dad were repairing the ceiling in the sitting room, his mom, the girls and I journeyed to New Hampshire to have lunch at Pickity Place. I had heard about Pickity Place from my friend Eleni and have wanted to go ever since.  We knew we were in for a lovely day, but we didn't realize exactly how enchanting the day would be until we arrived! 

Each month they have a set menu. For the children they can either choose a half portion of the monthly menu or "grandmother's basket". Both chose "grandmother's basket" this time but Grace has already said that while she loved her lunch she thinks she'll choose the monthly menu next time we go. She had some of Grandma Joan's salad and some of my soup (which she absolutely loved) and dessert so she really had the best of both worlds in the end! 

 The sweet and spicy plum chicken was delicious (as was everything)! 

 Dave's mom loved her choice of fresh vegetables over polenta. 

 This dessert was the perfect way to end such a delicious meal! 

 "Mama, I really wish we lived here!"

Heading into the drying shed. It was full of flowers and herbs hanging from the ceiling to dry. I really wish I had taken a picture. It was such a sweet little space. 

 Spending time with the resident cat. 

Before we were done with our first visit to Pickity Place the girls were already asking when we can go back and I can't say I blame them! It was as if we had found a bit of heaven on Earth! The food, the grounds, the gardens, the beautiful energy of this place- like Emma said "I wish we could live here"! It's such a very special place, and located so close to home, I have no doubt this will become a place we go frequently for years to come! xo

{This Moment} A Girl And Her Doll

{This Moment} A Friday ritual. A single photo -no words- capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you are inspired to do the same leave a link to your moment in the comments section below! Wishing you all a lovely last weekend of July! xo

A Summer Solstice Adventure

Yesterday, along with our friend/fairy godmother Mrs. Fadden, we celebrated the Summer Solstice at Tower Hill Botanic Garden. It was absolutely glorious out and the perfect place to welcome the arrival of summer! 

At the Wild Rumpus. The girls absolutely loved this!

This butterfly totally posed for this picture! 

Walking the grounds on such a glorious day truly was the perfect way to welcome the Summer Solstice in! Thank you, Jane, for such a wonderful adventure. We had a wonderful time and cannot wait to go back again soon! xo

Scenes From Recital Day

Best. Rectial. Ever.

Thank you, Lauri, Cindy, Nicole and Christina, for an absolutely amazing year for our girls! We are so very grateful to be part of such an amazing dance community and so complete;y blessed to have such amazing teachers inspiring our girls to reach for the stars each and every day. Thank you for all you ladies do. We are eternally grateful. xo