The Princess and the Fireworks

My little princess has officially become 'Miss Twinkle Toes'. She took a one week ballet camp at "Studio A" and now she is hooked. She pirouettes, sashays, and does arabesques everywhere she goes. She will take ballet and tap once a week in the fall. Needless to say, she cannot wait!

Afton with her sweet friend Whitney- they were in the same class at Chapel Hill this year. 

On Saturday we ventured out to Southlake for fireworks. This is a big deal for us. Our princess Afton is deathly afraid of fireworks and loud noises in general.  (We've had her ears checked- and they are fine. It is just an Afton thing. But my friend Jennifer read somewhere that sensitive hearing is a trait found in gifted children- so I am going with that!)

Our neighbors- the Grassi Family

To get Afton on board, we bought fancy popcorn from "Le Popcorn" and then brought the portable dvd player with headphones. She played happily with Bryce until the show started and then there were a few tears.

But those lasted only a minute. She watched her movie and the fireworks while wearing headphones and plugging her ears. Maisy on the other hand, thought the whole thing was amusing. She kicked her legs and made little snorting noises in approval of the fireworks.

On Sunday we went to my mom's house for a big Fourth of July party. I didn't get to take many pictures, but we swam, played games, and ate a lot of yummy food. We all had a blast.

Afton was the official "Ball Girl" for the volleyball game. 

She fetched the ball whenever it bounced out of the pool. 

Playing bocci ball with Grammy

Jeff had Monday off, so we took the girls to the zoo. Afton hasn't been in a year and it was Maisy's first time. They were both very good and enjoyed all of the animals. It was probably one of my best zoo experiences.

She loved touching the snake-so brave sometimes.  

Maisy has decided that she needs to be 'finger-walked' everywhere. 

Flamingo Pose

Afton really wanted to see the alligator, but was afraid once we finally found him. She wouldn't take a picture with him until both Maisy and Daddy joined her.

"Come take a picture with Daddy" -- "NO!"

"Come take a picture with Maisy"--"NO!"

"Come take a picture with Daddy and Maisy"-- "Okay, but Maisy has to be by the alligator!"

We are thankful to have spent the holiday with our family and friends. Our thoughts are with all of the men and women who have serve to keep our country free. Our very own Preston is scheduled to come home from Iraq on July 24th!