Gym girls

Soccer is almost over for the summer and we decided we didn't need swim lessons in the winter, so we enrolled the girls in tumbling classes since Anna won't be able to take dance / tumble at her school (they come in the morning when she'll be at Kindergarten). They are loving it!  We're avid Olympic viewers and the girls were literally jumping off the couches and bouncing off walls anytime gymnastics was on, so this is a natural fit : ) 

Diver girl

The girls have loved our weekends at the pool, as have Mom and Dad, especially a very pregnant and hot Mom : ) We went to the same pool last summer and love it because of the many kid-friendly features; last year Charlotte and I hung out in the zero-entry area while Mike and Anna were able to bop around the pool and the water slide. This year we're all over the place, bopping around the pool, in the deeper (5 foot) area, on the wall of stairs, the slide, and after this past weekend, the diving board. Anna has done GREAT at swim lessons and has more confidence than I ever imagined after just a few months of lessons and decided she was ready. She did great her first time off the board, swam to the edge by herself, and showed no fear. I had a mild heart attack, but that's to be expected : )

Perfect timing to get her swim class ribbon for swimming the length of the pool!

They don't' give ribbons for just being crazy, sorry, Charlotte : ) 

Busy Bee Boogie

Anna performed in her second dance recital this year and did a great job in the Busy Bee Boogie! We had a little snafu and booked an evening flight for vacation the same day as her recital, so I made sure to get good video the evening of the dress rehearsal to send to her fan club that couldn't make it to the recital a couple of days later. Anna is third from the right in the video below, or, the one that knows most of the dance moves : )

She loved performing and for a little girl that has a shy streak, was very happy to be on stage! She told me after the rehearsal, very matter-of-fact'ly, that "you know, when you get nervous on the stage, I just remember that everyone in the audience is really nice and happy to see our dance!" ; she then asked me why "Gigi and Paw Paw didn't come to watch me and no one has given me flowers?" Mom of the Year then got to break the news that only Daddy would be at the actual recital, but it seems that if you pepper anything with "but it's because you get to fly on a plane to Disney World that night" all is forgiven and forgotten.

The program she participated in came to her daycare and she had a blast, so we we'll have to explore local options to keep this busy bee boogying in the Fall!

Finale practice!

Anna and Audrey = BFF

The star and her fan club

Daddy was in charge of her pre-performance picture, apparently she's making wings : ) 

Swimmin' laps

We loved going to the pool last summer and decided it was time the girls had some official lessons under their belt to ensure they were comfortable in the water. Also, Anna's pediatrician is sure she will be great at sports that tall girls play since she's 90% for height. We're not sure where her tall and skinny gene came from, but we are positive that both sides contributed to her lack of coordination, so her gold medal status in any future sport remains a little shady. Regardless, the girls had a GREAT time and we lucked out in that there were no other students in their class and they basically received private lessons for the week, each tailored to their skill levels. They had so much fun that we decided to keep them in weekly lessons at least through the summer, making pool time on the weekends even more fun!

Ready to swim!!
(Anna has a butterfly painted on her face here from school that day)

The swim school we attended awards ribbons for various milestones and the girls were a bit spoiled the first day, each receiving a couple. Then Charlotte totally got a "pity" ribbon the second day when she threw a total tantrum after Anna received one and she didn't. From that day forward I kept all ribbons in the bag, just in case one needed to be recycled. Here they are showing of their swag after a week of swimming ...

Put me in coach!

Randomly during a regular trip to Target, Anna asked me if I'd buy her a ball and bat so that she could play baseball. Off to the sports aisle we went where she selected a bat, ball and glove, and I bought a tee for good measure. Turns out a metal bat isn't the best idea for our girls, so Daddy came to the rescue and found a pink whiffleball bat that fit the bill. Clearly she's a natural and Mike has loved spending time teaching her America's pastime.

Here we go Steelers, here we go!

Anna had the pleasure of experiencing her first Steelers game in Pittsburgh after returning from vacation ...and what better crowd to cheer with than her Grandparents!  Unfortunately her attire didn't bring a win to the team, but she made up for that by looking extra-cute and putting on quite a show for family friends visiting that day.  In the meantime, she's doing her best to perfect her somersault skills so that she can carry on the tradition her Dad started in his youth.

Clearly she's still shocked she's wearing colors other than pink, purple or yellow : )

Ready for some Fooooottttbaaaallll??!!

I married into the "dynasty" of Steelers football, so it's only fitting that Baby Kelly help cheer on the team to victory starting early.  The picture below was taken before the AFC Championship game two weekends ago (22 weeks) and because of the win, we'll have to sport the shirt again for good luck on Sunday.  Thanks to my MIL for keeping me somewhat stylish while building my yellow and black sports wardrobe ... and for picking a shirt with enough give that I didn't have to buy anything new this year to show team spirit. 

Here we go STEELERS!

Go Big Blue!

Mike and I lucked into the most beautiful weather for a November football game that I can remember. Way back in the summer I purchased tickets through the Alumni Association for the Vandy game thinking "it'll probably be cold and miserable, but at least we'll have a good shot at winning" ... boy was I wrong (about the weather, luckily not the winning!). We popped down Saturday morning, parked at a friend's house that lives within 10 minutes walking distance and had great seats. Also through the Alumni Association, we were able to get two sets of lower level seats for this coming basketball season.

Go Big Blue!

As an added bonus, we found naming inspiration should Baby Kelly be a boy (we aren't finding out the gender, btw) ... In case you can't read above, Shipwreck Kelly played for UK 1929-31 ... I think it has a nice ring to it : )