Pink and Black

Isabella loves Ballet but decided to ask Mrs. Christi, her ballet teacher, when she could start moving her body more and not wear pink. 

Mrs. Christi asked her to explain what she meant and Isabella proceeded to show her some moves. 

After Mrs. Christi and I gained our composure, we laughed till we both had tears, she told me it was time to let Isabella take a jazz class. 

So now we have 3 hours of dance a week, she wants to go everyday but 3 hours is enough for mom. And she can wear pink for ballet and BLACK for jazz. 

She loves it.

At class this week we had Isabella show us some of her moves again so I could take pictures. Here are a few. But just imagine these poses flowing from one move to the next. 

She is so funny.

Locker WHAT?

So, this is my first year with a girl, Victoria, that has a locker. Why is that important you might ask? Well, let me tell you, it is WAY important. Because apparently your locker is an extension of your personality these days, at least for girls.  It no longer is this place to store your books and junk, it shows who you are. WHAT......

So after a run to Hobby Lobby, a changing of the guard from Me to Rob.  (Rob helped her decorate, he is way more creative and patient. Also, I thought this was a great Daddy Daughter Date) Here are the few meager supplies to begin Victoria's transition from bland to posh.

Yes it has wall paper, disco ball thingy hanging from the ceiling, metallic thingies hanging, feathers, magnets, mirrors,  tassels, shelves (made from wood and duct tape) absolutely VICTORIA and precious. 

Victoria had so much fun opening her locker at open house and showing everyone. Lots of oohs an ahhhs.

And we found out that now the kids keep all their books home. They have a classroom set of books. So their lockers truly are for fun not storage. I guess back in our day they didn't care that we were breaking our backs hauling a ton of books back and forth. CRAZY..... Welcome to 2008.

Houston Ballet

Isabella has said for the last 2 years that "Dance is in my heart" and that she wanted to be Clara in the Nutcracker.

 So today we went down to family day at the Wortham hosted by the Houston Ballet. It was incredible. We were able to go into dressing rooms, backstage, see props and costumes and the best part to actually meet and talk to the company dancers. 

This has just reconfirmed to Isabella that she wants to be a Ballerina. But now she wants to be Odette in Swan Lake when it is not Christmas and Clara when it is Christmas. That could work.... 

The interesting part was that she was fascinated by each dancers toe shoes. She wanted to touch every pair and then asked to see them on toe. I wish I had of taken pictures of all the shoes. They were incredible. Some shiny and clean, some very worn. 

Isabella and Odette from Swan Lake. The actual dancers name is Ari. She was so kind to both girls and told Isabella that she also started dance because she felt it in her heart when she was 3 years old. 

This was the huge dragon from Swan Lake. Its eyes open and close, blows smoke out of his nose and his sides move like he is breathing.  

Also, If you look at the far back wall you can see the 50 plus curtain and scene ropes that weigh any where from 300-3000 lbs. Victoria really enjoyed pulling on the ropes and watching what she moved. 

Finally we got to meet Clara (before she becomes the Sugar Plum Princess).

And of course what is the Nutcracker without the Rats. They also wear toe shoes and yes Isabella asked the Rat to go on toe. And the Rat did.

la, La, LA, LAAAA

This was CRAZY. 

It is the Opera Car in the museum district, downtown Houston. It is the image of a women, mouth wide open (it even has an epiglottis) singing,  wearing a viking hat with horns and long blonde braids. (And yes it actually sings opera)

The top of her head is hollow so the opera singers can ride inside.

Good Bye Summer

Wow, This concludes our crazy, busy, fun last month. Lots of travel, lots of family and lots of friends. 

It was nice to start out by welcoming my brother, Mike, home from Iraq, wishing my nephew, Thomas, a happy birthday and adding our sweet Johnnie to our family. Oh, I love you too Lil' Glade. 

Then heading to Missouri to spend time with my brother Daniel and his family, Kathe, Mateo, Anthony, Lucas and Lola. (Lola we will miss you)

Visiting my bestest friend Lisa and her family (hello Toni, Troy, TJ, Tori, Tyler). And saying hello to all my great Missouri  friends. That means you too, Glennis. XOXOXOXO

Then on to Nauvoo for a little church history and Seth and Mery's wedding.

Wrapping it up with a trip to Galveston with my brother Glade and his family and my other nephew, Adam. 

Now that I am totally exhausted from just recounting our events, I will end this summer chapter of the Johnston's and open a new one with the new school year. Which I might add, I have a freshman in HIGH school, a 6th grader in Middle school and a pre-schooler. CRAZY, when did everyone grow up?

Galveston 8/8/08

Johnston's in Nauvoo

Wedding #2

Many Adventures of the Johnston's!!!!

This last month we have had a very busy month. I am finally rested up and ready to catch up on my blog. So I will start posting some of our trips in date order. There are 3 below so far. Hope you enjoy.....

Trip to Missouri

Glade & Johnnie 7/18/08

Zoo Fun 7/17/08

Ears

Today was a big day for Isabella. And oddly enough she has been excited to drink loopy juice, take a ride in her hospital bed, be put to sleep, and see the tubes that have been in her ear. All this because we have an amazing doctor that answers every question that she asks and then makes it fun. She wanted to know everything that would happen and he told her. 

Basically, she has had tubes since she was 6 months old and this past year she has had continuous ear infections and ear drum ruptures. This last week we found out that her ear has permanently attached to the tube and their was infection inside the tube not on her body so her antibodies could not kill it. So today he took both of the tubes out, did a little work on her inner ears and then patched the holes from the ruptures and the tubes.

 

Every night this last week, before bed, she has grabbed her special pajamas (the cheetah ones below) and asks if we are going to the hospital yet. Since she had to be there at 6 am this morning we thought it would be good to just pick her up asleep and go, so we let her pick out special pj's and they totally fit her. Don't you think? 

However, she woke up all night long and asked if it was time to go, she didn't want to be late (oops that is my obsession, that I think I might be passing on, oh well, at least she will be prompt).

"Oh, I didn't know that I was getting jewelry too." yep that is what she said

Probably the most expensive bracelets she will ever get. (ins. didn't cover this)

This is when the coloring book started to come alive after the loopy juice.

She didn't want to come home. 

Showing off her tubes, after a nap and feeling much better. 

Yep, gross, she asked the doc for her tubes and because she was his first 4 year old patient ever to ask for them he put them in a little jar for her. 

What Team???????

This last week Marshall has been trying out for the Atascocita High School (yes high school, tear, tear...) swim team. There is a Freshman team, JV team and Varsity team.  Last night we got a call that the teams were posted.  Marshall has been a nervous wreck all week, not eating or sleeping very much. However, he would never tell anyone that, but he has. 

I never miss a photo op and so after we gained our composure from the excitement of him making the VARSITY team we took some pics. This picture shows no emotion but I tell you there was water in both of our eyes. And yes Marshall slept like a baby and ate like a hog last night. We are so proud of him and excited that he will get a chance to show off to college recruiters this year.

P.S. I promise this next week I will give you some highlights of our families last 3 weeks of travel and 3 weddings. Love ya.......