Natalie's first lesson at Hawkeye Gymnastics

Natalie was so excited to get on that leotard and get ready to go to her first gymnastics class on Wednesday. This was the best picture I snapped in the moments before getting in the car...all others were blurry because she was hopping all over!

They started off with some stretches and leg splits that made my inner thighs say "ouch!" It was a visual reminder that I was much more flexible as a child than as an adult!

Next it was off to the lower balance beam. Gymnastics balance beam might be Natalie's natural apparatus. If you've ever watched Natalie run around, you'll notice she's constantly on her tippy toes. For the longest time at the advice of her pediatrician, we've tried to encourage her to walk flat on her feet for fear she'll end up wearing "special shoes" to help correct it. Well, at her lesson, the instructor told her to walk across on her tippy toes. I could tell by her face, Natalie wasn't sure if she should because "she didn't want to wear special shoes." I ensured her that in gymnastics, it's ok to walk on your tippy toes. After that pep talk, she was happy as a clam!

Don't you just love her dismount?

Among many other demonstrations, the instructor showed Natalie what she should look like when she hops onto the spring board.

What it should like:

This is Natalie's first attempt:

Regardless of form (and the extreme heat and humidity in the gym on the hottest day ever), Natalie had a blast on her first day of gymnastics and can't wait for next Wednesday to go back!

Goo-Goo for Gaga

Moments like this occur on a daily basis these days:

Jackpot!

Elaine hit it big with her 2nd birthday present from us: her first Loving Family dollhouse.

When I bought this dollhouse, I must admit that there was a bit of guilt (a continual, unexplained guilt) over Elaine and her birthday. It's gigantic and over the top relative to most toys in the house. I justify it by pointing out we have 2 girls and one small dollhouse:

Apparently, Beach Polly Pocket, Hot Wheel cars, and a giant dog share this house!

Along with the guilt part, I also could not pass up the deal I found on it. The dollhouse (which is almost as tall as Elaine), dining room and patio furniture sets, and the family minivan for under $75.

Not to mention, the dollhouse and minivan are pretty cool. I was even getting excited opening it up. Some advice for those who plan to buy this dollhouse: assemble before the big reveal. It took me almost 30 minutes to put together, 20 of which was spent unwrapping plastic off of all the pieces.

All three kids love playing with it. The greatest thing is that it's big enough for all of them to play at the same time. Elaine seems partial to the baby girl, Natalie is attached to the dog (which she swears is a girl, despite its blue collar), and Peter is just all over the place. My favorite part has to be one of the songs the minivan radio plays. It always puts me in a "bouncy" mood!

Now, they just need to make an Asian Mommy doll, and we're set! :)