My Co-Worker This Week

 With the girls away I have had a near constant companion this week. 

She usually spends time with me when I get up in the morning (around 5:30am) We sit on the couch and watch TV together or enjoy the quiet (and she purrs). But this spending time with me during work has rarely (and possibly never) happened before! 

And yet she joined me each day. Staying right next to me (or in this case, on me) for hours! 

Of course, Gretchen being ON my lap made it rather challenging. 

Today she upped the ante and decided she had to lay ON my computer. Clearly, she needed to keep a close eye on what I was working on! It's been lovely to have her company but I think it's safe to say that she is really missing the girls! xo 

Yesterday's Journey

 

When dancers go to camp (for two weeks) and need a bigger bags you break out the Rac N Rolls! 

Our trip to bring the girls to camp, was slow and long. So much traffic (and I am pretty sure we saw the entire state of New York on our journey). I have to admit, I do miss the days of the pandemic when the world (and roads) weren't so crowded. We arrived, almost four hours after we left and it was the quickest drop-off ever (due to Covid protocols). No pictures of the girls, sadly, but I did manage to snap one of the sign as we were on our way out. 

On our way home we stopped in Great Barrington for dinner (and a bit of exploring). Loving the vibe of this town (and dinner, at GB Eats, was beyond delicious)! 

After dinner, Dave and I really began our journey home. As we made our way toward the Pike we saw a sign for Route 20, and instead of taking the Pike we decided to take Route 20 the whole way home. It wound us through some gorgeous towns in the Berkshires (Great Barrington, Stockbridge, Lenox, Lee) all of which I have decided we should consider moving to followed by some towns that could use some love. With the GPS off, DMB on Sirius and the windows down on a perfect July evening, we couldn't help but feel like it was twenty years ago (when we really didn't have GPS or phones and would just get in the car and go on a drive "just to see what we could discover." It was a little piece of heaven and a lovely way to begin two weeks of "just us". xo

A Fun Filled Afternoon

 

Another week of working half days means another week of fun filled afternoon adventures with my favorite girls! Today, we got pedicures and then stopped for root beer floats at The Lost Shoe before heading to the local bookstore in town! Such a fun way to spend a gorgeous (finally non-rainy) day! xo

A Fabulous Fifteenth!

 
Grace's birthday began with cake for breakfast (something we have never done before), 

followed by family gifts. 

Opening her sweet present from the Faddens. 

After breakfast cake and gifts the girls and I went to bootcamp, where they both totally crushed it!

Love that Rachel was teaching and that Sharon made Grace a birthday sign! After bootcamp it was home to get ready for lunch at Pickity Place! 

This year, Jennifer and Abigail joined us. For those who don't know Abigail and Grace have been friends since they were three months old (we met at playgroup)! I love that they have been friends their entire lives and I hope that they remain friends for the rest of their lives, too! 

These three are such a great trio!

After a delicious lunch and exploring of the grounds it was time to get home so that we could get ready for the evening's festivities. 

But before the friends arrived it was time to open presents from Gramma Terri and Grandpa Gene!

A gorgeous fairy book and giant bubble wand (that we need to try out) because you are never too old for either thing! 

Abigail and Adelaide came over to celebrate. Grace decided to keep her friend gathering very small this year. The girls spent time outside chatting and hanging with the rabbit and chickens before dinner. .After dinner Grace opened presents and the girls watched Hamilton before it was time to make s'mores! I didn't get any pictures of those parts of the party but much fun was had by all! 

Adelaide gave grace a beautifully painted rock and journal. 

Abigail gave her a basket full of yarn and a book of adorable (crocheted) food! I am sure she'll have some of those items crocheted in no time! 

We had such a fun day celebrating Grace! Thank you, everyone, for all the calls, texts, Facebook messages, cards and gifts for Miss Grace! You all helped to make her day even more special! xo 

Happy Birthday, Grace!

 

Happy birthday to this incredible young woman! So honored to get to be here mama! It was quite the journey to becoming a mom but she (and her equally incredible sister) were absolutely worth the wait! Can't wait to see what amazingness is in store for her during this next trip around the sun! 

Today was another fabulous birthday celebration of which I'll share more pictures and stories about tomorrow! Tonight, we are full of sugar and wonderful memories of a delightful day celebrating this extraordinary soul. Sweet dream will surely be had by all! xo

Celebrating Our Favorite Guy

 

We celebrated our favorite guy with chocolate chip banana cake this morning, peach shortcake (with homemade cream biscuits) this evening, and a new game and a new mouse (so he stops stealing ours!) Happy 44th, Dave! May this next trip around the sun be your most wonderful yet! We love you to the moon and stars and back! xo, your biggest fans 

Saturday Evening

 

In which the girls relax on a gorgeous summer evening after a fantastic two week at Walnut Hill. They danced for almost 90 hours in those two weeks and have been happy to kick back ever since! xo

Last Full Day At Walnut Hill

Emma's class performed a dance from Sleeping Beauty. 

Grace's class during Progressing Ballet Technique. The girls loved this class! 
Grace is using the bright red ball. 

Today was the last full day of the Summer Youth Dance Intensive at Walnut Hill. The girls have one more ballet class tomorrow morning, and then the program will fully wrap until next summer. 

Today, to end their last full day the entire intensive came together and performed for each other. Sadly, though understandably, we parents were not able to attend (due to capacity limits) but the girls were able to record some of the dances to show us later. They did so well and we could see so much growth after these past twelve days. I mean how could they not when dancing eight to ten hours each day?! 

They had an absolutely incredible time and are sad that they weren't able to be there the last few summers as well. Both girls learned and progressed so much (as reported by them and the director of Walnut Hill's Community Dance Academy). Though they have decided to stay at Center Stage they hope that they can continue to take classes at Walnut Hill as well as it's a great way to progress and grow as a dancer! xo