Christmas Photos

Hoping that everyone has a wonderful Christmas this year!

Merry Christmas!

The Full Photo Session

Not President Washington, But...

Even though Katie was holding out hope that President Washington would find some way to write to her, she was still happy when she heard from the next best thing. Someone from Mount Vernon responded to Katie's letter to President Washington. She was excited that they suggested some books for her to read, and she was thrilled that some Mount Vernon flyers were included with the letter.

It's always fun to get a letter back - even if President Washington didn't write it! 

I'm excited to read the books that they told me about.

I was excited about the letter too!

I loved opening the flyers! 

I looked at the map of Mount Vernon, so I'd know where I was when I travel there someday!

All Dressed Up

Katie had been asking for a My Little Pony dress, so when one was on sale online, I decided to get it for her. I was completely unaware of all of the extras that came with this dress - glitter, a bow, and yes, built in wings because I chose a character with wings. Katie was thrilled when we opened the package. I was a little horrified at the just how much was shoved into one dress. Once she saw it though, there was no going back. The first time she wore it, she dressed herself. Just in case this dress didn't have quite enough details for someone, Katie added more!

Not only did I put a pink clip in my hair, I put my sun hat on too! 

I thought my lion needed extra accessories also. 

My favorite part of the whole dress was the wings!

Holiday Dance Perfomance

Katie had her holiday dance performance the week before Christmas. It's a pretty low key performance. Friends and family are invited to sit in the studio for a short dance class, and at the end, the class performs a short dance that they've practiced together. Then the kids get treats after the class. Katie loves it!

While I waited for my class to begin, I was very serious!

Once it began, I was ready to smile!

My class starts with warm-up exercises.

We got to stretch our legs...

…by reaching for our toes.

We also practice our ballet arm positions.

We've learned a lot of them this year.

After warm-ups, we do our barre work.

When I do my plies, it's hard for my mom to get a picture of my face.

We have to make sure we have the correct foot position.

This is my favorite pose.

 I like to do this, but it's hard to keep our balance!

We practice a lot at the barre!

Some of our work is done in front of the barre.

I love doing floor work, but there's a lot to remember!

This was our Christmas dance.

I have fun dancing with my friends!

A New Fairy House

When Katie wanted to create her own fairy house, I bought a bird house kit at the dollar store for her to assemble. After it was put together, she put her own personal touches on it and found a place for it outside the front door.

My markers were the perfect tool for decorating my fairy house. 

I know most fairies like flowers, so I had to draw one of those before anything else. 

Then I added a princess and some more colors. I can't wait for a fairy to move into it!

Another Item Added to the Wish List

As Katie was out shopping, she squealed with glee when she saw a nail polish display. Right away, she exclaimed that she wanted the glittery polish for Christmas. What a girl!

I really liked the pink, sparkly polish!

A Season of Giving

This year, we decided to take Katie shopping with us to choose some toys to donate to the local toy drive. At first, Katie thought we were asking her to give some of her presents away, and she wasn't thrilled at that idea. However, things finally started making sense to her, and she had fun choosing some fairy dolls and Play-Doh toys for some other boys and girls. When she went to deliver the toys with Jennifer, the news camera was rolling, but they didn't make the cut for the evening news.

It felt good to get toys for some other kids!