Addie's photo shoot

Back in May I took Addie and Ella out for a little photo shoot. I already posted Ella's photos, I am now, finally getting around to posting Addie's. I love these. Addie is so easy to photograph. I think it's her age. The big girls are always so posey posey, and Carmella I have to practically chase down or pin down. But Adelaide is just her sweet self. Her real personality always shines through.

Life keeps on moving

My but life has a way of just continuing on whether you are on board or not. I feel like I can barely keep up with all that has been happening with our family. It really seems like if I don't pay better attention I will miss something.

Back in September Adelaide started taking gymnastics classes with her friend Reann. They have been so cute together, and have really loved seeing each other every monday for "nastics". As the end of the year approached her teacher Miss Marty told us about their end of the year program. I debated about whether or not Adelaide should do it. She is rather shy in a large group, but I finally decided she should do it.
 Each week the girls practiced their routines, and Addie got excited about showing Daddy and her sisters what she had been learning. Her excitement failed when she walked in and saw all the kids from the other classes there, along with all their families. Frankly, she totally chickened out. She sat on the mat screaming and crying uncontrollably until Jason finally broke down and rescued her.  Together they sat off to the side and did the stretching and warmups with the kids.
Then came the time for the actual routines. Adelaide's group started with the balance beam. She sat and watched them from across the gym. I went over to her hoping I could get her participate, and willing to try just about anything. I offered her an ice cream cone if she did it. She crossed her arms and in her best sassy 4 year old voice said "no!" I offered her TWO scoops of ice cream. She cocked her head and without hesitation said "Three scoops. I want vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry." It's almost as if she planned the whole thing, or had perhaps been waiting for the perfect moment to negotiate a triple scoop ice cream cone out her mother. What else could I say? I had paid $25.00 for this little program, and by golly she was going to perform! even if that meant a five dollar ice cream cone. I agreed, so off she went to walk the balance beam, and to perform her other routines for all to see.

In the end she got a medal, a certificate, and an ice cream cone almost as big as her. I should mention that she ate the whole thing. It took her all day, and we had to put it in the freezer for a little while, but she ate it.

Her little tantrum

Miss Marty helping her jump off the spring board

Recieving her medal and certificate

Buddy Ball

Emilie takes piano lessons. Adelaide is in gymnastics. Ivy was in need of something just for her, so along came Buddy Ball. It's like baseball, but with a special needs twist. Each player has a "buddy" who helps out with batting and fielding. Each player gets to bat twice, and field twice. Everyone scores, and everyone gets a chance to catch and throw the ball.

It was just about the neatest thing I have ever witnessed. The kids, all with varying disabilities, were so happy and encouraging to one another. All the parents were helpful and supportive of  the kids. I loved watching the boys slide into home plate just because they wanted to.

Ivy spent most her time in the outfield picking flowers and rocks, and chasing butterflies. Jason was so cute with her. Trying to teach her how to be alert and ready for the ball, should it come her way. She sort of strolled around the bases never really feeling the urgency to run from base to base. She would get there eventually.

I think she mostly just loved her pink batting helmet, and pink and black mitt. She wore the helmet around the house for days. I think she even slept in it.

All in all this was a really good experience for her and for the family. The girls got to cheer on their sister, and Ivy got to be the center of attention for just a little while.

Jason shares his baseball wisdom.

My little south paw.

What the sisters do during a game.