Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker

Isabelle has wanted to be in The Nutcracker since she could talk...or dance, so when we switched dance studios this year we opted for a classical Russian ballet company which would allow her to live her dream. Olivia followed in her big sister's footsteps like usual and this past December they performed three times the parts of a Bon Bon and a Mouse.

The girls practiced for weeks and knew their dances well. They both loved their sparkly costumes and took their hair and makeup seriously. I worried that they wouldn't hold up performing three nights in a row and late, especially little Livi, but they danced with grace and I think I was more run down from the event than they were. Isabelle loved being on the big stage with a large crowd and was so proud to be a jump leader, and Olivia felt beautiful and bowed carefully when it was her turn in the grand finale. Ben was in love with his little girls and I was just thrilled that they were learning real ballet and manners at the same time.

Isabelle loved carpooling with two friends of the family who are both 4th graders all semester and thought she was so grown up hanging with Audrey and Sophie. Lucky for us, their were little sisters too so Olivia had fun dancing with Elle and Annie all Fall/Winter long. They exchanged little dance-friend gifts before their performance and had a great time waiting backstage with their buddies.

The girls were fortunate to have three different friends from school buy tickets to come watch them perform and a special treat was having the entire Christensen family at their Saturday matinee. They loved the flowers Max and Leo brought to them and Livi asked me if they had all yelled Brava!

The Nutcracker was a special holiday treat this season and I loved watching the girls have fun. I selfishly hope the girls always love to dance. Wednesday nights and Thursday afternoons are currently my favorite days of the week. Brava! Brava!

And that was November...

I hope that we were so busy being GRATEFUL this month that we forgot to take many pictures?? Usually when I look back at my phone, I am reminded by many events and moments that I quickly snapped a photo of, but this month there is not much there. I guess we were too busy enjoying the cooler weather, getting our Christmas decorations out, finishing soccer and starting basketball and celebrating Thanksgiving to fit much extra fun in. Either way, I am thankful for so many things and am especially grateful for this time of year when we get to slow down, at least for one day, and remind ourselves just how fortunate we are. There is a special magic in the air this time of year and November is a month we wait for year round. Happy Fall Y'All!

There is a great big turkey down on Grandpa's farm...

Thanksgiving is always a beloved holiday in the Christensen Cosby home. Not only do we look forward to the Turkey Trot and the pumpkin pie, but we wait all year to kick off the Christmas season and go Black Friday Shopping!

This year both girls got ready for the holiday with Feasts at school. Isabelle was lucky to have Leo to share her meal with and I loved seeing Olivia in her turkey hat with her classmates. Both girls liked the idea of the meal better than the actual food, but anything out of the ordinary seems special and festive. Thanksgiving morning we woke early and zoomed to Coles Crossing for the annual Turkey Trot. Olivia had been congested and on antibiotics for a few days so she and Ben made it the first mile or so but then peeled off for home. My mom, Tara and I jogged beside Belle and were all shocked when she ran the whole two miles without taking even the quickest rest. She is a good little runner and loved being a part of the race with the big girls.

Grammie made a yummy traditional meal with all of the trimmings and we had eaten and cleaned up by early afternoon. We were all full and excited to make our shopping lists and plans. We quickly bundled up and before most people were sitting down to their turkey dinners, we were spending money like wildfire. We had a great time shopping Thursday night and then also well before sunrise on Friday morning. Both girls bought each other gifts and loved finding steals in the dark dark night. In between stores, I stopped by the doctor and picked myself up some antibiotics and joined Livi in feeling pretty yucky. Germs didn't keep us from having more fun though, after a quick rest on Friday we were back out again and went to the movie Frozen. We all loved the story of the two sisters and were more than exhausted and ready for bed Friday night.

We had one more Thanksgiving holiday plan and that was to kick off Christmas downtown at the Houston Zoo Lights. Sadly Livi and I both had fevers and after yet another doctor visit found out that we had Type A Influenza, but not until after we saw millions of twinkling lights at the Zoo. It was a quick and sickly Thanksgiving this year, but as usual we loved being with my parents and Tara and missed our other loved ones who were away. We are so grateful for families and this time of year when we get to spend a little bit of extra time together. We are blessed.

RUSH Soccer

We spent our Tuesdays and Saturdays this fall once again at the soccer fields. It was Olivia's first season on her own soccer team and Ben dusted off his coaching hat to lead the Blue Zoo to victory. I think Olivia liked the idea of being on a team more than she actually liked playing soccer, but every once in a while she really felt the passion and went for it. She loved going to practice with her "Daddy Coach" and was proud when it was her turn to bring the snack. She scored her first goal while I was out of town and sadly missed it, but Ben promises it was awesome and she was very pleased. By the end of the season we were all glad to hang up Livi's tiny cleats and cheered when she received her first medal. I think we are going to take the Spring season off from soccer but predict more soccer in Olivia's future.





Ben and I made a tough parenting decision regarding Belle and her soccer team this season. She was invited to play in the U9 league (a level up) with an advanced team who happened to be coached by a good friend of ours. We worried that she would not be able to keep up or would get too discouraged and get turned off from the sport. This team would practice for 2 hours a week and would attend a mandatory hour long professional practice as well. We decided to leave the choice to play on The Dream Team up to Isabelle and ultimately she chose to accept the challenge.


Belle put on her tough face (does she have one?) and pushed herself harder and harder each week. Ben and I were shocked at her progress and she just seemed to get better and better. She loved her two hour long soccer practice each week and was excited for the games on Saturday. She had a great time playing with Abby and Karly and made some other good friends on the team over the weeks. Coach Jason and Coach Chris took a special interest in her and by the end of the season she was one of their go-to defensive players. She understands all of the positions and you can see her quick mind always thinking as she rushes around the field getting into the correct spot for each situation. We were so proud of her season, her bravery, her commitment and her attitude and she definitely rose to the challenge. Belle always wishes to be more athletic, and maybe her wish just might come true. She is already registered with the same team for the Spring.


Go Olivia! Go Isabelle!

October Happenings

October is always a fun and busy month. Not only does it kick off the holiday season, but the weather almost cools down and Fall sports are in full swing. Between ballet, soccer, church, school, pto and homework we hardly have any free time. But we always find a few moments each day to let loose and have some fun. I really am enjoying both the girls at age 7 and 3 and know I sound like a broken record when I say that I wish I could freeze them in time right now. They are my best little pals and I love being their mom...even most mornings when they want to play at 6:00am. Happy October!