Theater Classes and Play

I know I am way, way behind on this blog...we have been BUSY! In addition to everything we already do, Ellie has been taking those theater classes that she won at the Wizard of Oz play. We originally thought we were going to have to wait until spring, but her teacher called and said there was an opening in the winter class and wanted to know if we were interested. The only thing, is that the winter session is two days a week vs. one in the spring. So, for the last 5 weeks, Ellie had theater class every Tuesday and Thursday from 4-5. She LOVED them! One the last day, the parents were invited to come in and watch little plays they performed in groups of twos. Ellie's part was a mouse from the fable "The Lion and the Mouse". She did great!

A copy of her lines... They were not all that simple for a 5-year-old but she had them memorized in one day!



Not only did she memorize her lines, but she memorized the WHOLE thing. Here she is doing all the parts:


The play. She got a little intimidated by the Lion who was in costume for the first time...


The finale.


Pictures







Ellie and her awesome teacher Miss Holly.

Pumpkin Patch

Yesterday, we spent a beautiful day at Russell Farms in Noblesville. There was so much more than pumpkins at this wonderful place! One of the many activities was a kid friendly corn maze that had hidden "treasures" (different seeds in wooden boxes) to collect and turn in for a prize. We all had fun searching and searching! Other activities included peddle tractors, putt-putt, farm animal encounters, music, hayrides and lots and lots of fun things for the kids to climb on or play in. Of course, we visited the pumpkin patch, too, where Ellie and Josie both picked out their pumpkins all on their own. Ellie picked a nice orange one just her size and Josie went right for two unique white ones- one big and the other a cute little one that she could carry all on her own. They had so much fun!

Click here to view these pictures larger

Strawberry Festival

Ellie got to attend this year her first ever Strawberry Festival- held annually in my hometown. She had a blast! It was fun for me to see a festival that I grew up attending, now through her eyes. She played games, got her face painted, ate festival food, and danced to music playing on the stage. She got to meet the festival "queen" and was completely star-struck! She exclaimed "I can't BELIEVE I got to meet a REAL queen!". She also saw a magic show and when the magician turned a scarf into a real carnation, he picked her out the audience, asked her name, and then gave her the flower. She just beamed! It was a really fun afternoon...


huge slide



Ellie's first ever pony ride


festival games


rainbow star face paint



with the Strawberry Queen


with the magician (holding her magical carnation)


festival food (in the rain)


Ellie's famous dancing!

Christmas Dance Recital

Ellie did great!





waiting...



third from left
(I only had my regular camera so a few seconds are missing from when I changed it to zoom in.)



practice

Catching Up

Here are a few more miscellaneous pictures and videos that I thought I would share.


Ellie pretending to "eat" Josie's fingers...always makes her laugh!



a really cool ship that Ellie built with Tinkertoys.



A couple pictures Ellie colored of her new love: Strawberry Shortcake


Ellie playing Mary Had a Little Lamb without the music.



A cute little tap dance by Ellie while dressed as Fancy Nancy.



The girls having fun in their boat.



Josie on Ellie's big wheel and calling for her to show her. She says Ellie like Eh-eeee.



Josie playing "peek-a-boo" after we saw a toy that said it.

Festival

This weekend, Mom and I took the girls to the Covered Bridge Festival. Even though there is not much for kids there, the girls did great! They rode in the wagon most of the time and just enjoyed all the things to look at. Ellie kept filling the wagon with rocks "to throw into the water" so on the way home we stopped at a boat ramp for her to do just that. It was a really nice day!




At the boat ramp







The highlight of the whole festival: Ellie dancing!

Dancing Dr. Ellie

I want this kind of energy! (Even having a cold doesn't stop her!)

New Ballet/Tap/Tumbling Class

Ellie took a short session of a new ballet class this summer. This class also does a little tap and tumbling. I (and Ellie too) like this new class so much better than the other one she was in so this is where we will stay when it starts again in the fall.




On the last day of class, the girls surprised us with this cute little tap performance. I love it!

Even More Dancing

I searched forever to find who sings the song "Gooey Gooey Gum Drop" after Ellie heard it once on Sirius Kids and then never stopped singing it. I've learned to actually look at each artist for every song, now, so I can save the agony when the next "must have" one is heard! Anyway, here's Ellie so very happy to finally own the CD (who by the way is a girl named Dawnie).

Always Dancing

Jumping Dance

A typical moment in the Veggie house. How can you not smile at this?