A Mobile, a Moon and Push Ups

Chloe was excited to take her mobile into school that she made after reading a Junie B. Jones book.

She worked hard at drawing the different characters, writing their names and then writing out parts of the plot to hang on her mobile.

Owen wanted to get in on the early morning pictures, if only to try to sneak in some bunny ears.  But I snapped a photo before he got them up behind Chloe.  Momma is too fast for this boy!  Sometimes.

The moon was still out before we left for school.

In the afternoon, Chloe had tennis lessons.

Thought she looked pretty cute wearing her purple and black dress with Owen's black tennis shoes.

She didn't make all the hits and had to do push ups at the back of the line.

Curly Girl

She was loving how curly her hair was this morning after we took out all the twisties!!!

Three Hikes in One Day

The day started early.  I texted Cristina and woke her up so we could drive out to Red Top Mountain and see the sunrise on Lake Alatoona.

Look close and you will see the moon out over the trees and more clearly in the reflection in the lake.

We photographed some of the resident geese.

They had lots to say about it.

Then we came home for breakfast.  And walked down to the nature trail with Chloe.  She led the way.

And showed us how she could jump fallen trees.

And tested the waters in her boots.  In spite of multiple warnings, she went in too far (shocker) and came home with water sloshing in her boots.

Such a gorgeous day!

Then we left the kids at home with Todd while I took Cristina to Sope Creek Farm where we had our family photos taken last year by Tyler of Blue Lily.

The river was higher than last fall, so we had a harder time walking across.

Karate Tournament

After the first karate tournament, Chloe knew she wanted to attend another.  This time, she was a year older and a little more aware of her abilities and how well she did in performing.  The tournament started off with the 4th and 5th degree black belt instructors being introduced.

Then Grand Master Soon Ho Lee and his wife were announced.  She always wears elaborate dresses and big smiles.

We watched the demo teams from each school perform and then this student who just earned his 2nd or 3rd degree black belt.  He did all kinds of flips and really had the crowd cheering for him.

It was another hour after the opening ceremonies before Chloe was called to staging and then put in a group to come back out to the gym floor and compete.  

She did really great and never got stuck in one spot trying to remember the next move in her form.

Chloe's kicks were high, too!

Once she was done, the judges scored her performance.  She got 9.7s and one 9.8.  Go Chloe!

After all the girls in her group finished their forms, it was time for sparring.  Chloe won this point.  And the next one.

Then her opponent won the next five points.  She was a bit disappointed over this loss.

It was a very long day.  We were all bummed Todd was not with us to watch and cheer on Chloe.  She had a great time and left with a medal saying she wants to sign up for the next tournament.  :)

Valentine Craft - Part 2

Chloe had finished painting her box pink and started decorating it.  With more paint and long animal-twisty balloons.

She had me paint a few hearts on the box for her because she wasn't happy with her hearts.

Then she started painting in my hearts and making them larger, which was equally frustrating for her.

Hard when your hands won't do what you want them to do!  Although she was quite pleased with herself for taping on the long balloons.

Good thing this girl is determined.  It didn't take long before she was back up and painting more hearts again.  

We had a little chat that art is sometimes better when everything isn't perfect.  Because then there is room for designs to be more unique.  And it's just too hard to be perfect.  It's better to just be ourselves.  :)

Chloe's First Tennis Lesson

Ever since her birthday when she got some new tennis gear, our girl has been excited about playing tennis.  She was thrilled when we asked if she would like to sign up for tennis lessons this spring.  The first week/lesson got rained out and there were tears.  We were all thankful when we had sunny skies the following week and could go to the lesson.

Although she was excited about the lesson, she was not so excited to pose for me or my camera.

This isn't a blink.  It's shutting out the view of Mom and her camera.

See?  Total avoidance.

Chloe always has to be closest to the action and this tennis lesson was no exception.  She was front and center, listening to what Coach Michael had to say.

Coach Michael is fabulous with the kids at holding their attention and keeping them on the straight and narrow.

Chloe was a little pushy to get to the start of the lines for drills.  She's good at that.  We had a little chat afterwards that it's ok to let others go first.  It might be a good way to win friends and she will still get her turn.  

She did really great at making contact with the tennis balls.

As well as her follow through with the racquet.

She was all smiles.  The whole hour.

Look at that flying pony tail!

She already hit the ball here and giggled to no end about it flying up high.  Coach Michael makes all kinds of comments about swings and hits and where the ball travels.  He is awesome at making it super FUN for the kids!

Chloe looks like she is using her karate middle stance.  :)

Coach Michael tries his best to wear out the kids.  He makes them run laps throughout the lesson.  Or to the far fence and back.  And over again.  At the end of the lesson, he made them all run to the fence and back (twice) before they could receive a piece of candy.

Owen got to participate since he also helped clean up balls off the court throughout the lesson.  

He's so fast.  Always a blur in comparison to the other kids his age, no matter where he runs.

Chloe is our little slow poke.  Almost always the last.  

But she finishes and we talk about that's what matters the most.

We drove home after the lesson to get ready for karate and Chloe was just beaming from ear-to-ear.  AWESOME!