Flower Girl Lillian

Lillian was asked to be the flower girl in a friend from church's wedding and she was THRILLED.

She even went to get her hair done extra special.

 Showing off their "cupcake" skirts

 Best little flower girl!

May the Sparkles be your Happy Thought for today :)

Skating

The Sparkle girls have been asking and asking to go roller skating and winter break proved to be the perfect time to go!

Cooper wasn't too thrilled at first (he flat out refused to put his skates on initially)

 and preferred for Daddy to do the skating

 Madison has vastly improved her skills and spent the majority of her time on her skates (not her bum)

 Pausing for a quick family photo :)

 before heading off to get a snack.

 Then back out to skate some more

 Cooper seemed to enjoy it by the end...

Until our next adventure.

PS The lack of Sparkle #2 pictures is due to her speed and having too much fun to stop and let Mama take her picture :)

Sick Cooper

The week leading up to Christmas we had one sick littlest Sparkle on our hands...

 Mama even had to take her final exam with a "helper"

 But lots of relaxing with movies

 Snuggles

 and rest

and Cooper- man was feeling better for Christmas :)

Jazz Band Concert

Madison has enjoyed being a member of her Middle School Jazz Band and was excited to share her holiday music with us.

She did a fantastic job- we are so proud of her hard work.

Her concert featured:
Jingle Bell Rock


Santa Baby


Doctor No-el



Plus a combined piece with the High School Jazz Band
Rest Ye Merry Samba

Jammin' in our Jammies

Lillian loved singing and dancing in her Winter Music Program.

Feature songs included:
Jammin' in our Jammies



A Kitty for a Present



Borwn Christmas



Count your blessings instead of sheep



Small Star



Happy

Madi's Winter Band Concert

Featuring Madi on the Baritone

Playing:
Dance of the Slippery Slide Trombones
How the Grinch Stole Christmas Concert Medley

Horseback Riding

The Sparkle girls have been asking for some time to go horseback riding and this past weekend, we drove to Ohio to visit Papa and their wish came true.

They had a blast and loved every moment of their adventure.

Hoover (left) and Q (right) were quite excited to have visitors.

 I love this picture the best :)

 Posing with Q (the girls could not ride him since he his leg was hurt- Q was kicked by Hoover) but they enjoyed petting him and giving him treats.

 The girls took turns riding Hoover and although Lillian was a bit timid to meet the horses she was the first to volunteer to ride.

 They each rode around the arena and also enjoyed playing soccer with Hoover.

 Practicing trotting :)

 Now its Madison's turn.

 Madison quickly got a hang of the reins and enjoyed doing figure eights with Hoover around the cones

 And of course playing soccer.

 Miss Debbie (Hoover and Q's owner) had amazing patience with the Sparkles and made it both a fun and educational experience- teaching the girls both terms and techniques and making the experience memorable for the Sparkles.

 The Sparkles loved riding :) and look forward to doing it again (Miss Debbie invited them back in the spring)

 Papa enjoyed watching the Sparkles and petting Q.

 But of course riding a horse is not all fun and games, there is work to do too.
Madison brought Hoover into the barn, took off his saddle, and gave him a quick brush down (too much brushing is a waste since Hoover likes to roll in the dirt when he is put out to pasture).

Then it was time to go inside for some hot chocolate before heading back to Papa's apartment. 

The Sparkles were very excited and are already ready talking about their next trip in the spring.