Ballet & Tap

This fall, Olivia and Grace both participated in ballet and tap classes through the Art Haus.  They both enjoyed their classes (separate ones), and it was fun to see them practicing their skills the last few minutes of class each Saturday when it came to pick-up time.  This was Grace's first year participating in this particular program, and I think she was the most "into-it" of the girls; Liv did just fine too, but she's just shyer about performance in general than Miss Show Queen Grace.  :)  A few weeks ago (yes, I'm behind in this post), was their dance concert.

Grace's consisted of showing off the various skills they'd learned and two short dances - one ballet, one tap.  Liv's was about the same with longer dances.  Gracie did a really awesome job - she'd come and give us high fives (the performance was just in their regular room with a lot of extra chairs all around for parents) after various parts, and she didn't seem to mind having all eyes on her! 

 

 

 

 

 

While Grace was all about it, Liv, definitely is not one for performance (hence only one picture of her below).  Art Haus is a pretty small place for a dance concert; Liv was definitely not feeling the over-crowdedness, and, unfortunately, spent most (basically all) her concert standing next to me.  (This was the second time she's done that actually.)  It's hard to know how "to parent" Liv when she goes through moments like this...this time, part of me sympathized and didn't want to force her to do anything, another part wanted to make her do it, and the other part, I have to admit, was a bit embarrassed and/or irritated.  This, however, I realize, is ridiculous because none of her performance was really about me and my job is just to support but not force and to be positive about what she does and positively constructive about how she can improve.  I felt sad too because she was sad; I think she really wanted to perform but just couldn't do it - this is what I gathered through the mumblings and tears after it was over.  Olivia's teacher was wonderful though and came up and gave her a great big hug telling her how great she always did in class and how she can try again at the next concert or can just keep coming to class if that's what she likes.  Another little girl in class (Olivia's dance partner who ended up dancing solo), also came up after and told her that she didn't dance the first three concerts either - I thought that was pretty sweet of her and very empathetic.  Seeing the sympathy a peer could extend made me realize that shyness is not something I should get irritated about; I might as well embrace it and help Olivia learn to overcome it as she's ready...I have a feeling this is what my mom might have had to do with me as well.

 You an see the shyness in Liv's posture...

especially the hand in mouth.

And, despite the performance issues (for lack of a better word), Olivia said she wants to sign up for the next session and so did Grace. This spring, the concert will officially be in an auditorium.  When I told Olivia this, I think she understood (as they danced in Luther's gym last spring) and was comforted by it.  She told me she liked it better when she wasn't so close to everyone (the audience, I'm assuming).  So, we'll give it a go, but my attitude this time is a bit different - no pressure, just have fun.  If Liv performs in the end, it'll just be an added bonus...and, I'm not too worried about Grace - pretty sure she'll have fun and perform!  :)

Thanksgiving Recap

Before it gets to be Christmas, I thought I'd better get a Thanksgiving post written!  To give an excuse...I was waiting for "The Annual Huinker Family Turkey Trot" press-release to be written, and as I noticed this morning that my sister-in-law Beth had published it on her blog, I figured I'd better get myself into action.  But first, a little re-cap of  the weekend activities...

Thursday - We spent a nice lunchtime/afternoon at Pat and Roger's enjoying delicious steaks and tasty pumpkin pie.

Friday - After a relaxing day around the house and visiting with good friends Scott and Meleah, we headed out to Brian's aunt and uncle's house.  It was quite the gathering that included the Browns (Tara's husband's family - both parents + siblings + kids), the Kruses (Brian's aunt and uncle + kids), all the Hodens, and all the Huinkers.  Tony and Tara were definitely missed and were the subject oftentimes....in case their ears were ringing, they now know why.  After coming home and getting kiddos to bed, the adults (as in, our-age adults) all gathered at our house for conversation and games while the various grandmas and grandpas took on babysitting duties.

Saturday - A day at Pat and Roger's which included The 13th Annual Huinker Family Turkey Trot, more delicious food, lots of playing amongst the kiddos, a little shopping for Beth and me, and a sleepover for Olivia and Grace.

Sunday - Time to catch up on sleep - everyone took naps, and I took two!

And...here it is - the Turkey Trot Press Release brought to you by Beth Hoden...

Turkey Trot 2013

As most of you know, the turkey trot has not been one of my favorite traditions.  Every year I start thinking about it mid-October and every year I do nothing other than think about it!  Other than year 1 (2001) when Brian was still recovering from his broken leg, arm, foot, etc. and the year that Amanda was 7 months pregnant with Grace (2009), I have gotten last place. So basically, I have never beaten a legitimate competitor. Until now. Thus...I am doing the recap this year. I told myself years ago that if I ever beat someone, I would write it! So here goes...

The tradition we all love to hate continues for a 13th consecutive year. Rules remain the same. You run it no matter where you are in the world. Never did we think this would actually mean someone would be running it on another continent!

Unbelievable weather in Decorah on race day (Saturday November 30) It was a bit windy on the straight away, but overall we couldn't have asked for a nicer day to run!

Runners started the race at 10:30 AM...just in time for us to recover slightly from the night before, for Grady to be up from his nap, and to allow the kids to eat lunch and be at the free movie matinee with Grandpa Rog by noon!

Kiddos were fabulous this year. All 4 of the big kids (Max, Mya, Olivia and Grace) gave it their best shot. To see those little legs moving around the track was awesome. At the 3/4 point of the first lap, Chris was yelling at Max to slow down. He was keeping up with him step for step. Olivia, Mya and Max all finished the race and got a recorded time! Grace officially completed 3 laps, but we could count it as 4 considering how much running (just not on the track) she did.  Looking forward to watching these guys grow up together and continuing the tradition.

Everyone really enjoyed not being lapped this year. Spirits were much higher at the end of the race, even if times were down a bit.  :)

Yellow shirts were in full effect. It took some digging, but we found our old "Go Tara" shirts from 2007 and made some homemade "Go Tony" shirts. It was sad that they weren't there to run with us, but we wanted them to be with us in spirit!

Twenty two days after giving birth, after completing lap one at a walk, Amanda was out jogging around the track while pushing the stroller and finishing with a respectable time all things considered.

Rog and Pat were on kid patrol and timing duty. I fully expect Rog will be back in action next year. A certain 2 year old was a handful this year.  :) She wanted to continue the tradition that one kid has to start bawling as soon as everyone takes off. Next year my bet is on Grady.

Overseas runners didn't quite get the trot in on time even though they are 15 hours ahead of us. Tony had to leave for mainland Japan, so they were a little late on the run. Don't worry though...we did not reveal our times until after they ran. I didn't want them having an unfair advantage! (like they need it, but hey..)

Times for 2013 are as follows:
#1: Anthony Brown: 5:54
#2: Chris Hoden 7:48
#3: Tara Brown 8:20
#4: Max Hoden 9:02
#5: Beth Hoden 9:04
#6: Brian Huinker 10:35
#7: Mya Hoden & Olivia Huinker: 12:55
#8: Amanda Huinker: 13:35

                                                      proof that Tara ran one mile:)

4 Weeks Already!

 

Today, Grady is 4 weeks old...where has the time gone.  Our little guy is doing great!  This last week in particular has proven that Grady is...

* Very cooperative, calm, and easy going (We shopped together for 2 hours today with not a peep out of him!).

* Transitioning out of the "I'm sleepy all the time" newborn stage - he likes to be awake now for at least an hour at a time, sometimes more....but, there's also times during the day that he wakes up, eats, and then goes back to sleep too.

* A big fan of a nice morning and afternoon nap and an early bedtime...perhaps a schedule (of sorts) forming already - that would be very nice!  Grady also drifts off on his own if I lay him down for a nap and just the right "sleepy but still awake" stage.

* Not sensitive to the noise the girls make and comforted by them - especially since they've mastered helping him get a hold of his paci if necessary.

* A strong little guy who's determined to learn to hold his head up as soon as possible - thus, he does pretty well at tummy time, likes to sleep on his tummy during the day, and likes to look around when propped up against your chest (when he's not ready to cuddle in, that is).

* Big enough that newborn diapers are starting to look a little silly on him.

* Starting to smile; today (even though it's a bit early), I swear he smiled at me after getting all warm and cozy in a fleece outfit after his bath!  One of the pictures below has a "smile" look to it, I think!  :)

* An excellent eater who's still on (approximately) a 3 hour schedule all the time...with some longer stretches at night (a whooping 4 hours!) which leave me feeling like I won the lottery in the sleep department.  You can tell from the pictures that he's starting to fill out.

* Both a cuddler and a baby who's content to have a little alone time too - he's really liking his swing right now and watches the mobile attached to it.  He seems to like the music it plays too.

* Starting to like his baths - if only it wasn't cold coming out!

* A very sweet little one who's already growing too fast for my liking!

Enjoy a few pictures of our expressive "little buddy" (as Olivia and Grace have started to call him)!