Went looking for these photos after posting the ones the other day from this year’s recital.  When I stopped to think about how dance has been part of our lives for 8 years, it made me want to remember back to the beginning.

Looking back at these photos was truly a treat.  I can not believe how quickly things change (I know that’s so cliche, but it’s true.)

Note:  this is from her first year of dance.  We were just talking about this the other night and her memories of it are very vivid and very special to her.  Love that I have pictures to remind her of this time (thankful I was addicted to my camera then too.)

A good friend said to me the other day how she wished she could turn back time.  If only there was a magic button or recipe to make that happen, but I haven’t discovered it.  So in meantime, I think instead I cope with change and time by taking LOTS of photos, and use them wherever I can in our daily lives, and share as much as possible.

What’s your secret?  How do you do it?

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I have more years of photos I found to post but my computer isn’t cooperating very well and I have to get to school to watch the Talent Show.   Delaney has been in it every year for the past 5, but this is her first year at the Middle School.  But McKinley likes to just be a watcher (she told me this morning.)

I’m always amazed and proud this time of year  at how much has been learned over the school year and the growth/change we see in the girls, not only physical growth, but developmental growth.  We have dance recitals, music programs and piano recitals and awards programs and more.  While each one is always such a treat to see, it’s also something that makes me a little  teary and sentimental.

This is Delaney in her dance recital.  She’s been dancing since she was 3.  While I struggle to remember the day before we were driving to dance class, I find it hard to believe that she’s been dancing 8 years.  But watching her onstage always reminds us that dancing is really just a part of who she is and I love that.  I love knowing how hard she’s worked and how far she’s come and furthermore, how happy she is when she is dancing.  We are so proud of her.

It’s during this month, when I find that I’m longing to make sure I compile these photos in to my ongoing projects, while the emotion and the memories are freshest.   It’s therapeutic and makes me feel a little better about the speed at which it seems this part of our lives is whirling by.

May 1 is National Scrapbook Day, but I like to think of the month as National Scrapbook Month, which I find very fitting since I find myself wanting to scrapbook worse than ever right now.  So in combining National Scrapbook Month with Mother’s Day, I have a special really BIG offer to pass on to you.

Through the end of May, get 40% off (yes, you read that right) anything site wide HERE, just enter the coupon code FORYOU at the checkout.  That includes all sale items too.

There’s more!!  The first 25 people to spend $50 after discount (shipping not included) will receive an Art Warehouse hot pink terry “cinch” backpack with your order.    So cute!!

AND…

refer a friend to this special who also orders and you will receive a a free stamp set $10 value, just have your friend put your name in the comments section of your order.   Pass this one to as many friends as you wish.  Each friend that orders and includes your name, for each friend you will get a free stamp set.  There is no limit.  But be sure to be one of the first 25 to order so you can get yourself a cute Art Warehouse terry backpack.  Offer ends June 1.

Tonight we have yet another special evening at McKinley’s Gymnastics awards party.  Looking forward to watching McKinley tonight in her world of what she loves.

Delaney has named her horse Willie after Willie the Wildcat.  It’s a K-State thing.

Here I overheard her telling Willie to chew with his mouth closed.

and this was later on that evening.  Marty was leading Willie around with McKinley on him and I think the idea of having her own horse was just setting in. She was talking to herself and I heard something to the affect “boy I sure am spoiled.”   Still laughing at that one….even though she’s right.  Is that a good thing to know you’re spoiled??

I just noticed this way of posting the photos.  You’ll have to click on them to see them full size, but it’s sure a fast way to get them up with one click.  Wow.

Let me know if you prefer them each embedded or like this when I have a lot of photos.  That’s so much faster, but not sure it’s a easy to read or as visually appealing.