It's beginning to look alot like Christmas

Yesterday afternoon after we got home from the dance Christmas party the girls ordered me to take a nap (who was I to say NO!) so they could surprise me with something! I had a fair idea what it was, but played along anyway! After a little while I got up to the tree decorated for Christmas and plenty of photo's! The girls know me very well!

Dance Xmas Party!

Kate & Ella sit up high to chat with their friends

We met today at a local park for a sausage sizzle, icy poles and cool drinks to finish off the wonderful year. Many families turned up to wish each other a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Year. Some games were played. Christmas cards were handed to friends. Kid sat and chatted together about their plans for the summer holidays. Smaller kids made new friends. Bigger kids pushed the younger ones on swings and merry-go-rounds. Parents chatted. A great time was had by all.

Jonah makes a new friend

End of Another Dance Year

Kate with her singing class which sung songs from the musical "Annie"

The two nights of concerts left us exhausted but so happy and proud! The girls performed beautifully. Ella was awarded the trophy in her singing class which she was super thrilled about. It is her very first trophy and it was her first year of singing, and out of twenty six kids that was a great achievement. I haven't got a photo of her with her trophy yet (there wasn't time late at night) so when I do, I'll post it for you. Kate got the singing trophy last year in her class which is the same level Ella is in now. Kate went up a level this year. They sure don't get their singing talent from me!
So after a huge year of festivals, competitions, workshops, exams and concerts it's time to enjoy the Christmas party tomorrow and enjoy the well deserved break until February!

Pink Sky

Late in the afternoon yesterday, the girls' and I sat outside and watched a massive storm blow in! Thunder, lightning, strong wind and hail followed by lots and lots of heavy rain. The sky after was just gorgeous, so pretty!

Dance Rehearsal

Last night the girls' had their dress rehearsal for their upcoming end-of-year dance concert! There was a professional photographer there last night and in all the chaos I only managed to get a couple of photos myself, and none of Kate! She was too busy with her friends and changing five times!

Ella in her jazz costume - "Can Can We Party"

Ruby in her ballet costume - "Glow"

Jonah wanted a photo with the girls too!

The Countdown

The girls are pumped. Concert time is nearly upon us. Two stage rehearsals are out of the way. Tonight is dress rehearsal, yay, finally a chance to wear these beautiful costumes on stage! Concert nights next Tues and Wed, can't wait to see our beautiful girls shine and doing what they love best!
Six costumes for Kate, Five for Ella and Two for Ruby!

In the Backyard

It's a busy time of the year around here leading up to the end of year concert for the girls' dancing school. Extra practices, stage and dress rehearsals, bits of sewing to be done, accessories to buy, naming to be done. Lots of naming. So it's nice to be able to take a breather and get out the back. While I was picking from the garden for a salad, the girls played nearby on the trampoline, the chooks wandered and had a dust bath, even Gordon the Cat came out to join us. Happy times!

Let's Go Fly A Kite!

 The girls had a 'kite maker' come to school today, talking and demonstrating different kites from around the World. The kids then got to make their own kites, and parents were invited to come and watch them fly them! The weather was perfect for it!

Kate with her kite

Ella and her kite

More Eggs!

 Our biggest egg yet! We thought the 79g one a few weeks ago was big, they just keep getting bigger! Which chook will top this?

Cheap!

Ruby at School

Ruby with her classes work

Tonight the girls and I headed down to Rubys school to check out their Italian Exhibition. There was lots of beautiful artwork to see from each classroom. Every year level also put on a singing item, all in Italian of course! Very beautiful. We then shared pizza which was made by WA fastest pizza maker! A very enjoyable time!

Rubys lovely drawing!

Waiting patiently ...

Some of the Year Twos sing!

The kids play on the beautiful oval with Rubys friends while waiting for the pizza to cook!