Redemption

So I teach 3 dance classes here in Flagstaff.  It's super low-key.  All 20 of my students are from my ward, I do it out of a couple people's unfinished basements, they put together their own costumes, and our dance shows are in a school's gym.

I refused to let Emma come to my class when I did one in the Spring.  Who can teach their own child?  Not me! But after they had their show, Emma was in tears that she didn't get to do it.  SO...I let her be in the youngest class during the Summer session.

To say that Emma was completely uncooperative during class is a gross understatement.  When we practiced the dance, she would roll her eyes at me, sit there, try to talk to me, or try to get the other girls to not do the dance.  Therefore, I was very reluctant to let her up on the stage.  I didn't want her ruining what the other girls had worked so hard for.  I was stressed all day today trying to figure out if I should let her do it or not.

While at the grocery store today buying all my students flowers, Emma sees a Minnie balloon that she HAD to have.  (Side note: her dance was to the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse theme song "Hot Dog Dance".  You would probably only know it if you have a toddler.)  I laughed because at her last recital, she couldn't care less about flowers either, but wanted a princess balloon.  Apparently this is our thing now: balloons for recitals. So, I told Emma that I would give her the Minnie balloon after the show IF she followed what I did.

I'll let the video explain what happened...

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...who is this kid???

P.S...I made the Minnie Ears.  Yes, I am bragging, but are they not the cutest??   :)

I might be in the middle of saying something?  hahaha idk, but I had to post this because Emma is too cute!

Trying to grow out my bangs...what do you think?

There's my little Minnie Mouse in all her glory!  She was SO proud of herself! The only thing she cried about this time was that she didn't get to do the other 2 classes' dances too.  :)

California

Our Brown Family Reunion was in Newport Beach, California this year.  It was way too much fun!  Ammon was in the middle of a trial (that will be posted soon), so he only joined us for like 48 hours.  It's hard being a single mom, but I wasn't about to miss out on a vacation!  :)

"Why is the beach so cold, mom?"

"Oh well, let's go!"

She spent the entire time running in and out of the water.  It was freezing, but she loved it!  Here she is with Uncle Logi and Melly Bear.

Aunt Jessi is 28 weeks pregnant, but I bet you couldn't tell! :)

This is what we call a "Perma-wedge"!

If only the water were a LITTLE warmer, I'd be joining her instead of taking pictures with mega zoom!

Luckily Uncle Logi was brave enough to take Emma out deeper.  As you can tell, she's LOVING it!

Emma is obsessed with her cousin Cam(bryn).  Luckily Cam was fine with Emma constantly needing to hold her hand.

We went to the Aquarium of the Pacific.  It was amazing!  Here are SEA HORSES!!  I've never seen them in real life and up close.  They are one crazy animal! :)

Emma's favorite fishies...the hot pink ones!

Whenever there were 30 seconds of down time, the kids went crazy.  This is pretty typical: Emma and Cam running and screaming while Mel and Andi wonder what on earth is going on.

More beach time!  Grandpa even braved some waves to hang out with the girls! :)

When Emma was not "swimming", she was busy surrounding herself in pink accessories...

...and bonding with her fellow beach babes!  :)

My brother Ty made this awesome Brown Family Vacation shirts.  On the back we wrote our birth order number and our nicknames (which are essential to our family).  Here is a pic of everyone in them (which only lasted a few minutes).  From right to left (front row): me holding Parker (the only grandson) who is Tyson's, my 16-year-old sister Madi, Tyson's Andi who is almost 2, Tyson's Cambryn who is 3.5, Gramma, Emma, Jess (Logan's wife), Logan's Melody who is 18 months, and Jenn (Tyson's wife).  From right to left (back row): Ammon, Logan (my younger brother), Grampa, and Tyson (my older brother).

The girls in the family...FAR outnumber the boys!  :)  I, and my younger brother, will be adding to those girls by the end of the year.  So far the trend among families is girl, girl, boy.  It will be interesting to see if the trend continues!  

What's a California trip without Disneyland when you have a 3-year-old?  Emma's head pretty much exploded the moment we entered the park!  She loved every second of it (from open to close).  As you can see, Emma HAD to wear her Cunzel dress as she walked through the castle.

"And then I'm going to see Belle, and Mickey, and Minnie, and I love princesses..."

Waiting in line to meet the princesses!

Mulan.  Scared Emma to death!

Ariel.  Emma only liked her because "their hair matched".

Belle, who told Emma that she was her very best friend!  I got all teary-eyed (I'm pregnant, remember?) because Belle spent so much time with Emma.  She twirled her around and made Emma feel really special.

Okay, so this isn't a good picture, but Emma was ecstatic!  She still tells everyone (when they ask her how Disneyland was) that Belle is her best friend!  She LOVES her.  THANK YOU, BELLE!

Driving the bumper cars.  Emma was pretty much the only one who enjoyed ramming her car into the others.  She could not stop laughing!  Look at that determination on her face as she tries to hit another car!  

SUCH a cute picture!  Sometimes I get so jealous that Emma doesn't look like me.  I mean, seriously...are they not sooo cute??!?!

When we were walking from attraction to attraction, Emma had to walk a few feet behind us, holding her wand, and waving at passers-by.  As you can imagine, she got QUITE a few compliments on her dress.  Yes, I let her wear this dress whenever she wants to, but mainly because she actually acts like a princess and is super sweet when she has it on! :)

Emma, Cam, and Andi all happened to wear the exact same dress on the same day!  What are the odds?  Thanks again, Karen (Ammon's mom) for buying it for her.  She clearly loves it! :)

This trip wouldn't have been possible without a generous grant from Grandpa Brown!  Thanks for all you do for us!  We LOVED every second of the trip...including the 6 hour drive with you.  We're hoping you enjoyed yourself too!  :)  We love that families are forever!