Quick Photo Op at the Gaylord Texan

The absolute greatest place to take photos is at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine. We try to go each summer to walk the resort and take a few pictures. These are a few...

Hot Air Balloon Festival

We took Elia to the Hot Air Balloon Festival this month and invited Nanna and Poppy to come along for the fun. Not knowing if Elia would be scared or not, we prepared her for how big the balloons were and how loud they may be. For the record, Elia never ceases to amaze any of us. She loved them, and loved to be close to them. She was never afraid, and was so excited to see them both on the ground and in the air. She completely understands the concept of the fire producing hot air, which causes the balloon to rise. Hot air balloons are now one of her most favorite things, of course!

Elia's Ballet Class

What a funny morning we had. Elia had her first ballet class...which she called her "hair clasp"! Sounds alike, I get that!! When we pulled up to the community recreation center, Elia proclaimed, "I see baseball! I want to do that!" I parked the car, thinking my dreams of my daughter in a tutu may be short-lived!

We got to the class, and Elia was NOT in the mood. So the teacher suggested that mommy get out there and dance with all the two year olds. Are you getting a visual? Soon Elia was comfortable to twirl on her own, and I quickly hid in a corner behind the camera. Daddy was smiling from ear to ear, watching his baby girl in her first grand performance.

You know how in a class, where all the children are doing just as they are instructed, but there's always that ONE child on the fringes of the circle, sort of doing her own thing? Yes, that is my beautiful child. The one doing the superman on the floor of the dance studio, when all the other girls are standing quietly in first position! We were so proud though. What's not to love about a girl in a pink tutu doing the superman stretch on the dirty community center floor?!?!?

As we were leaving, she spotted several people playing what she called "tuna" which translates into tennis. I guess my hopes of an indoor hobby are quickly fading.

Children

As we age and mature, so does our life focus. My focus over the past few years has been on developing, molding, and pouring out unconditional love for my children. There is no greater task, nor joy on this Earth. It is not an easy task at times, but one that makes me proud to be called a mom.