Father's Day

We enjoyed a low key Father's Day. The boys went to the barber shop for a trim - the first one in at least 7 months or so. The top pictures are the After shots, and I had to laugh at how much Owen's new cut made him look like Justin Bieber (or Justin Beaver, as Natalie says, which also makes me laugh). His Before picture also made me laugh - he was so serious with the paper around his neck. He sits very still and very seriously during hair cuts. At the end, the girl used a massager on his shoulders and neck, and he kept his eyes closed and tried really hard not to giggle. It was very cute. I think Liam's hair looks better now too - much more even. He wasn't sure he wanted it cut, but I think he really needed it shaped up a bit.

It seemed fitting for the boys to go to Jim's barbershop on Father's Day. Following in their father's footsteps. They do love being like Daddy. I'm so thankful that they have Jim to guide them into manhood. I couldn't ask for a better role model for all 3.

The bottom picture is from our trip to Best Buy for Jim's present. Also following in Jim's footsteps, Owen gets that manly look of concentration on his face while playing video games. This one was Lightning McQueen, and he loved it. He is very excited because we've told him that he will get to go to the movie theater for his first movie in a few weeks when Cars 2 comes out. He squeals in delight to talk about it, and he'll count on his fingers: "All of us will go? Mommy, Daddy, Liam, Natalie, Owen - all five!" Though sometimes he adds in Tigger and we'll have to tell him that Tigger won't be coming to the theater. He seems to be maturing every day, so I think he'll be fine sitting in the theater that long. All my boys are turning into big boys around here.

Tiny Dancer

Sweet Natalie had her first real dance recital this weekend. How far she has come in a year! Last summer she took a little week-long dance camp. She enjoyed it, but on the final day when it came time to do a little 5-minute performance for the parents, she froze and just stood completely still while other dancers bumped into her. She told me afterward that she was "tired from practicing so much," but we knew it was stage fright. She can be so shy sometimes, and she can get quite self conscious - not even wanting to do her dance moves in front of her Daddy at home. But she's been taking this dance class since the Fall, and she seems to enjoy it a lot. Still...I was worried. This recital was going to be on a huge stage, one where real musicals and plays are performed, that can seat 3,400 people, complete with a balcony. Just the thought of it made my own stomach churn. I honestly don't think I ever could have been convinced to go on that stage.

Natalie did fantastic! They danced to an Ariel the Mermaid song, Under the Sea, and waved little ribbons like seaweed. She was bouncy and full of enthusiasm, and looked like she enjoyed herself so much. She said afterward that she couldn't see people at all, because of the lights, and that was probably a blessing. She heard the applause at the end though, and smiled from ear to ear when she was done. My sweet, tiny dancer.