Karate

Karate...wish we had found this years ago.
Here are the details:
Twice a week
Two different do jos
Two rotating teachers
Soo Bahk Do (Korean Karate)
Discipline
Focus
Respect
Diversity
It's good...really good for them.

Horse Camp

Horse Camp

9-12

Monday - Thursday

As if she did not love the barn / horses enough

This sealed the deal...

And she learned so much!

Trail riding

Mane Braiding

Bare back riding

Posting

Saddle cleaning

Bridle cleaning

Nutmeg

Driving a mini horse

Parts of the saddle

Parts of the horse

Visit from a horse dentist

New friends

Old friends

Kittens + puppies

Music is Magic

We took a Music Together class called "Music is Magic" at Bethel Woods Performing Art Center this Summer. It was every Friday and absolutely amazing. Not your typical kids music class. Being that it was held at the site of the original Woodstock festival made it extra special. The music included all the originals with a kid spin on them. The girls left with a new appreciation of the "oldies" and tie-dye. They got to dance on the "big stage" where Taylor Swift once sang, which made BP's Summer. They spent time with friends, ate chocolate chip cookies, and celebrated peace and love in true Woodstock style.

Swimming Lessons

BP wrapped up a Summer of swimmng lessons with Miss Danielle last week. She and Daddy went to the last lesson together and said good-bye. She took two lessons each week for a half an hour and made major progress. She went from clutching Danielle around the waist and neck to confidently moving about in the shallow water by the end. In the beginning she refused to get her chin wet or even kiss the water, and in the end she would dip her whole head in. She learned to float on her back and stomach and kick solo with the kickboard. She started to paddle and kick alone in the last few weeks. By August Danielle would say after each lesson, "I cannot believe it is the same kid in the water!" This was all we wanted to hear. We did not sign her up to be the next Michael Phelps, but to gain confidence and some basic swimming skills. Next year Danielle is unfortunately leaving us for med school (what a slacker!), but both BB and BP will take swimming lessons at our town pool. On a side note...I loved this pool this Summer. BB and I would swim during BP"s lesson and then for about an hour after we all would. It was warm, but refreshing, and it miraculously cured the morning sickness for the couple hours we were in it!

If You Give a Moose a Muffin...

After reading Laura Numeroff's 'If You Give a Moose a Muffin' last night BP asked to make her own muffins today. She chose Cranberry Orange at the grocery store this morning. She stirred the mix with water and spooned the batter into the muffin pan. Fifteen minutes later we shared warm muffins and milk.

The Barefoot Musical Munchkin

Today was The Barefoot Princess' first music class for this semester! We haven't seen her teacher Miss Andrea in a little over a month, since the summer session ended, and BP really missed her and the fun of Musical Munchkins! I personally love the uninterupted 45 minutes I get to spend singing and dancing with my little BP. This is definitely one of the perks of being a stay-at-home-mom! And yes, Miss Andrea requires that all the moms sing too! I also love the way BP watches and listens to her teacher play the guitar with such bright-eyed amazement. There is nothing like live music for little ears to hear. The Barefoot Princess enjoys shaking the maracas, dancing, singing, jumping and clapping to the music. She was excited to see two of her friends, Gavin and Grace, in the class, and ran to the door to greet them with a big "Hi!" when she saw them enter the classroom. At the end of the class, BP gave Miss Andrea a big hug and said "Bye!" We promise to take some pictures next week of all the fun at Musical Munchkins!