The last dance. At least for now.

Warning *** LOTS of pictures *** It has been a full few days with lots of documentation.  

1. Ballet Recital

As I walked away from ballet tonight, tears were streaming down my face.  You see, about two years ago Eloise started ballet.  My sister enrolled her in a mommy and me class.  Erin was only able to attend a few times before the accident and after the funeral my mom and I started taking Eloise to ballet.  It was gut wrenching.  It was hard and devastating.  Eloise was 2 and a half.  As time went on -- we made it our routine.  Thoughout chemo, surgeries, babies -- the works --- my mom and I brought Eloise to ballet.  It was not easy.  It was really hard.  It was hard emotionally and extremely taxing on the soul.  I drug my feet while at the same time feeling honor and privilege to be able to share this little part of her life.  Today was my last time with Eloise and ballet for awhile.  Soon Jess and the kids are moving to Denver and I won't have my Tuesday evenings with this crazy girl. 

Erin would of LOVED the show tonight.  Eloise fell during her performance but stood up and kept dancing.  She did absolutely fabulous and I was a proud proud aunt with a huge smile ear to ear.  

I feel so grateful that I could help these past two years and so sad to see something else regarding my sister coming to an end.  

After the recital Eloise and I took a selfie.  She is wearing her new necklace that I gave her and proudly holding her trophy

Volunteering with the little ones during the performance

2.  Camping
It was all very thrown together at the last minute but we finally made it camping!  And by we I mean Mike and the boys.  I drove up separately with Jack so that way he could come home and sleep in his crib.  I did spend the afternoon at the campgrounds playing and enjoying the weather.

The Abels and Gurchieks also came for the night.  All three boys had an absolute blast.  We don't have many pictures because most of the time was spent hiking, fishing and playing.  They got home at noon today and everyone was exhausted.  It was a beautiful weekend AND we might actually buy our own tent for the next trip!

This is a picture that Mike sent me since I had left before John and Kara got there.  Mike borrowed a tent from Jess -- it's the one in the center.  In the far back is a 10 person tent (Josh and Laurie) and then on the left is the Gurchiek tent.  They crack me up.  I think that this was the first time that they used it.

Brushing their teeth at the car.  The twins were in heaven.

Playing ALL. DAY. LONG.

 3. Fiesta
Since I have been going backwards throughout the weekend...I will just keep it up.

On Friday night the twins and I went to their school event, Fiesta.  It didn't start until 6 and we didn't get home until past 9pm so Mike and Jack decided to stay home.  It was great to see my kids be wild and fun and wonderful with other kids.

4. The Thursday BEFORE fiesta.
Thursday I took the morning and volunteered in the classroom, ate lunch with the boys and then hung signs in the hallways for the Fiesta. It was another full day at Forest Glen.  This time my mom joined us for lunch.

I need to document my new favorite classmate of Cameron's -- Katie.

Katie and I always interact when I volunteer (she wanted me to take this picture during art).  During the Fiesta we ran into Katie and we were with her almost the entire night.  She is a ball of fire and absolutely FULL OF LIFE.  I got talking to her dad and she sounds like an true handful and has no care in the world.  At. All.  This would be insanely difficult as a parent.  BUT since I am not her parent--I think her wild ways are inspiring.

Anyways -- I don't know why I felt the need to document this but I did.  She always makes me smile when I am in the classroom and she did all night on Friday. 

5. The normal days

Now that I have reviewed small tidbits of Sunday, Saturday, Friday and even Thursday....here are some pictures of our moments in between.  .....at least moments in between that involve Jack.  (Since he is only one he has to be at my side ALL. THE. TIME.)

He chooses to be on my hip most of the time but for the rare moments that he wants freedom I am always in sight.  

6. The bathroom starts tomorrow
I needed to add some of the before pictures of our master bath.  Be forewarned....it is a bit scary.  We haven't cleaned it in a long time knowing that it will be ripped apart tomorrow.  Yikes--and the burned out light bulb -- we are pretty ghetto.

I must note** Mike can't see himself in the mirror.  Oops. 

7. Dried Mango
I have an obsession with these little sugary gems and today at SAMS Club I could not resist.  I have eaten almost half the bag.  A.MAZ.ING.  ....and yes....this is why I don't lose any weight.