That Reiss...

We know that Harper tends to command the blog or conversation when we talk about what's going on but if anyone was to tell you the truth, its that Reiss steals the show! She is a girl with an infectious personality who  has complete GUSTO for life. She is funny, wild, stubborn, sweet, loving, goofy, beautiful and smart. We are 3 weeks away from her 2nd birthday but I do know that we celebrate her personality a lot these days. Here are some of the perfect shots of who she is...

Sneaking up on Watson, while he napped in Harper's bed...

Yes, we wear our big sister's dance skirt with our raincoat...everyday  is dress up day!

One of our favorite things...the swings. (oh, and I'm not putting down my wand for it!)

She loves to put her head back and glide....

Wayyyyy back!

Isn't she cute!

Yet another dress up day, how could you resist how happy they are doing it! The prerequisite, dresses that touch the floor...we want to be like the princesses.

We also call her "Mike TV"...she LOVES to zone out.  Thankfully most are disney movies and signing times dvd's. 

Do you remember...

Do you remember being this little? Do you remember looking this cute in a swimsuit? Do you remember loving summers? Do you remember loving the pool? Do you remember loving moments alone with your dad? This girl does and I am soo thankful for it. 

Thank you DVF and my gap peeps for such a cute bathing suit...good work peeps!

Can someone make one like this for me?

Our favorite pose!

We are ready, let's go!

It is so sweet to watch them walk off together...

Teddy Bear Picnic

On Harper's last day of school they hosted a "teddy bear picnic" . It was so cute to see the kids sitting next to their favorite friend. Harper took her favorite friend, Yoga or Bo-ga...who Nonnie made with Harper at Build-a-bear workshop. It was great seeing how far all these kids have come in a year and we look forward to seeing them over to summer and next year. 

One more time on the circle mat...

They are so cute!

Attentive little ones, wanting to sing one more song. 

 Harper had such a great year and we know that she could not have had two teachers who cared more for our girl. School has been out for two weeks and she already is asking if we can go see Mrs. Kestner and Mrs. Spencer. Thank you to all teachers who do one if the hardest jobs, have the greatest patience and make our jobs as parents easier with your loving influences.

St. Thomas Preschool EOY School Performance

 Harper attended St. Thomas Preschool this year and to close a great year they hosted a sweet performance with both 3 and 4 year old classes combined. Here are some snapshots of the kids performing their class favorite songs.

Mrs. Rob (resident grandmother to all woodberry children) and Mrs. Jean Morris  (another WB favorite) came to enjoy the evening festivities. 

Harper and Teddy Stuart

Our friend, Hannah was in the front row dancing away, she enjoyed every second of the performance. 

A smile from Teddy before the performance concluded.

It's Show Time!

After a long year of dance classes, we have finally reached our moment! Harper had her first dance recital at the end of May and it was too cute. She has waited so long to be able to wear this SWEET little costume. Mrs. Pam has been an incredible teacher and the girls had so much fun! I was surprised Harper did not seem crazy nervous or excited about all the fan fare, she must take after her father. We were amazed at how much work it takes to pull off a show like this but man, are they cute for those few minutes on stage. We were so lucky to have our favorite babysitters Carrie Coleman and Mandi Murphy come and join us, so Harper had quite the cheering section. What was even more lucky that Dad made it to the recital on time after having to participate in Woodberry graduation. 

Anxiously awaiting their turn to rehearse "Let's Go Fly A Kite"

Backstage before our show! We are pumped to be able to wear makeup today!

In the Pre-Ballet corral with the other kiddos.

Making sure the lips have plenty of gloss.

As always, watching one of our bestie's Addison...who she also watcher during her entire performance!

One plum tuckered little sister at "lunner" (lunch and dinner) after our performance. Kat was not going to turn away this moment. 

Harper playing with her new ballerina barbie...

We had a great year and hope that Harper wants to continue but the choice will be hers. We have an action packed summer of swim lessons, tennis camp, zoo tours and beach trips so we will see what she would like to continue with in the fall. We did have a great year watching her learn to leap, twirl and tap. 

Graduation 2012

It is hard to believe that year #4 has come to a close already! Our first year living on dorm and the last advisee from our "original" group graduated. It was a perfect Woodberry day, the campus looked beautiful, parents were very proud and boys excited for the next step. We feel very lucky to have had such a great year on dorm and very lucky to have had a fun loving group of young men on Dowd House. This weekend we were joined by Hunt's parents to help navigate the bustle from graduation to dance recital following...

It is so hard to get 4 people to all look at the same place...

Almost! Just a little dark. 

#3, don't know if there was a winner but "A" for effort!

Papa and Kat with the wiggly, wiggly girls.

Listening to the band and dancing.

We love the bag pipes!

Charles Setzer, our exemplary advisee...

The boys...getting the final shake!

This was how we began at Woodberry, one brand new baby girl and  4 teenage boys. ..now we have  2 baby girls and  9 advisees, my how time changes things.

The big girl gets her last look at the boys...

Back to our normal spot, on a blanket under a shady tree for the remainder of the ceremony.

Reiss, one sweet girl with her favorite "pretty shoes".