photoshooting and jumprope

 A few years ago I asked Dave to get me a "big girl" camera because I felt like it was so hard to get everyone in picture mode at the same time.  Also there were so many times that I would wish I had a good camera because my kids would actually be in the mood for pictures.  It was a good decision.  I love that on a Sunday morning I can take my girls to the greenbelt (because Cameron was not in the mood) and take some pictures.  Now I just need to figure out how to use photo shop)

 At one point I was taking pictures of Lauryn and I turned around to find Clara climbing a tree with her violin.  Her violin is not super fancy but is worth about 600 dollars.  After my heart settled down I snapped some pics.  This completely captures Clara.  She doesn't want to miss out on anything so just climbs the tree while she plays her violin.

While I was taking pictures of Clara I turned around to find Lauryn digging in the dirt.  My heart melted because this is my Lauryn.  She loves dressing up and pretending.  She loves all things girly like lipstick and glitter as long as she can still dig in the dirt.  

and then you capture a beauty like this and you realize that purchasing a good camera was probably a really good choice.  

 Clara loves her violin.  She has really learned a lot over this last year and is becoming very good at it.  She learns fast and she practices hard and without complaint.

I am so glad these two little ladies are such good friends.  They squabble over silly things but they are there for each other and they always have each others backs.  

 Lauryn is loving ballet right now.  Its the first time she has really stuck with something.  The other day I asked her if she was still enjoying it or if she wanted to quit.  She looked at me and said "are you crazy?"

 This picture was not on purpose but I thought it turned out really cool.

 I love the tint in this picture.

 This is the picture I was really going for but Lauryn didn't give me a very good smile.  I will try this one again when she gets her pictures taken at the studio.

 Clara tried out and made the jump rope team at school.  Lauryn didn't want anything to do with it.  Clara was one of only three first graders to make the team.  She practiced a few times a week starting in December.  The jump rope assemble is all I have heard about since then.  They were raising money for jump rope for heart.

 finally the big day came.  Clara did amazing.  She has so much energy and she never does anything at less than 100 percent.  She gave it her all.

 She got to team jump with her friend, Franny.

 Lauryn was a very supportive spectator.

 Then they had a jump with your parent time.  Dave was so glad he made the effort to be there.  Maybe he will skip this one next time.

 Then it was pick a friend to jump with you.  It made me really happy when Clara went straight for Lauryn.

 maybe Lauryn will try out next year.

We have the most amazing PE teacher at our school.  She spends enormous amounts of time outside of regular school hours to have activities for the kids.  She is a blessing to many.  We love her. There are many days when Clara will come home with really cool hair.  I know she has had PE that day.  The other day I was dropping her off at jump rope early in the morning when she informed she hadn't had breakfast.  I was stressing about it and then she said "its OK Mrs.  Rogers will buy me a cinnamon roll."  Thank heavens for people  who take care of my kids when I drop the ball.