Baby Dedication, Recital, Relay, etc.

• Henry's dedication- Henry's baby dedication was May 13 at our church.  It was such a special day, committing his life to Christ, and a big responsibility!  He was all smiles at everyone and then I guess he had enough, so he cried during the last prayer the preacher did.  He is truly the sweetest baby!  Always happy and smiling unless hungry.  He wore the same white outfit Carson wore for his dedication, which I will try to get his picture taken in soon.  We had a lot of friends and family there- Meme, Poppy, Tori, Abbey, Madison, Alyssa, Nanny, Pa, Boo Boo, Papa Blake, Dale, Kristen, Morgan, Dylan, Papa Beanie, Gail, Nicole, Eric, Great Aunt Debbie.  I am going to get a video of the service from church, as the preacher spoke a lot about Henry and everyone's responsibility to him during the message and I'd love to have that for years to come.  Afterwards, we all went to our house for lunch.  It was really nice, and I had prepared everything ahead of time.  Tori & Abbey set it all up and everyone ate and visited, and the kids played.  Carson caught a "baby dinosaur" that he kept catching and releasing.  It was really just a lizard but Emmy did not like it.  Then our cat ate it.....drama at the cookout!  Haha!  I love having everyone to the house, even though we may not have the biggest house.  It is fun, happy chaos. We are blessed to be such a close-knit extended group!  :-) 
• Dance recital-Emmy's recital week was very busy, but I think we've recovered!  We had to go for a run-thru one night, a dress rehearsal, and then the recital.  And it was at a school an hour from our house...but that's okay.   I took Henry with us to the run-thru and realized that was not going to work for dress rehearsal.  Henry was fine, Emmy was busy and hard to keep up with during the waiting in between dances.  Friday night's dress rehearsal was better because I left Henry with Dustin and she and I took the pick-up truck to dress rehearsal.  I left her with the dance mom for her class (one mom had to stay in the back with all the girls and keep up with them in between numbers, which wasn't me! I got a break! ).  I was able to order her video, pick up her pictures, buy her new tights from the boutique that was there, and visit with my friends.  It was actually fun.  I wondered before hand why you had to go through all that trouble of dress rehearsal, but it made Saturday go so smoothely.  Saturday's recital was great, it was 2 hours, start to finish, with intermission and awards.  Others had told me recital horror stories of boring, LONG, recitals.  Ours was not at all like that and everyone enjoyed it so much, myself included.  Thanks to all the practice, I knew exactly what number to leave during to change Emmy's costume.  During her first number, she froze and did not move!  She just stood there holding the plastic tub she was supposed to get in for the "Rubber Ducky" number.  The second dance went better.  At first she stood there, then she started tapping her toe, then it was on, she was dancing!  I was so proud of her!  She got a medal for her first year of dance, and perfect attendance!  I am most proud of perfect attendance because they just don't know what it took to get here there some weeks!  I came home with Henry a couple hours before dance and got her ready to go so Meme could take her.  There was also the week she ate silica gel, among many other things that tried to keep us away.  So yes, I am proud of that attendance award! Ha!  She also got flowers from Amanda and Poppy/Meme after her show.  And a ballerina Barbie doll that she loves from Amanda.  She tells us when it's hungry, tired, etc.  Her first Barbie I might add.  First of many I'm sure.  So, dance is done till the 19th, when we start her summer class.  Cousin Morgan is going to be in the class too, which is so exciting.  I think we are going to loan her some dance gear so they won't have to buy it until they see if she likes it.  Since September we have accumulated 4 leotards, 3 pair of pink tights, 3 pair of pink slippers, 1 pair of white slippers, 2 pair of white tights.  So, yes, I think we can spare an outfit!  LOL.  I actually got some things at yard sales or consignment, so it's really not been too expensive of an activity for us.  Other than optional things that I of course have bought-pictures, t-shirts, etc.  I have to say, her dance school is really great and I love how professional they are for the cost.  Her teacher is amazing and has so much patience, kindness, yet she is firm when she needs to be.  She has a lot of experience and really loves the beginner students.  I had debated which school to let her take classes at, and I know I chose the right one for us.  I have made a lot of friends myself and really enjoy the other moms.  We have plans to do some playdates this summer since most are teachers, so we'll see. 
• Relay For Life is Saturday-so I have a busy week ahead.  I am in charge of survivorship, along with Amanda, my side-kick.  haha!  We get into more stuff!  :-)  Actually, I love working with the survivors.  It has been a huge blessing to me to hear their stories and get to meet so many new people, brave people.  I am looking forward to the brunch we are doing for them.  It is bittersweet because Dustin and I have talked at length and decided I won't be on the committee next year.  I will still be on our family team and do fundraising though.  It's just too many meetings to be on the committee and it was always the same time as dance this year so I'd have to rush from dance and be at least 30 minutes late, drop a kid or two off with my mom, take a kid or two with me.  I actually committed to it before I knew we were expecting Henry, so it's been a lot going on this past year.  I will be back on the committee at some point in the future, when the kids are a bit bigger.  But for now, I'm just going to enjoy Saturday....which is going to be crazy busy!  The twins will stay with Dustin, and hopefully get to come to Relay at some point.  They have a birthday party to go to for their cousin Olivia though.  Henry will go with me, and I'm sure get passed around between my sisters, or be in his pouch, and if it gets too hot, he's going to my grandma's house...so I'll have to run him up there.  Because all 3 is too much for Dustin to take to the birthday.  A lot of running around, but for an awesome cause! 
• We are walking every night as a family, and have been for going on 3 weeks.  It is really nice and we all feel so much better.  Actually, Henry rides in his pouch with me, the twins ride in their jogger stroller with Dustin pushing.  So, we are getting a great workout!  Every day except Sundays.  We are also eating at home more.  We've both decided we only like to eat out Mexican, because I can't make that as good at home, or Papa Johns pizza.  Anything else, we can live without!  Haha!  
• Carson is doing great with his potty training!  We've even had some number 2s in the potty.  Sorry-TMI!  Emmy is coming along as well, but she doesn't like to stop what she's doing to potty.  We'll probably start with big undies soon and see how that goes.  I'm sure we'll throw a few out!  I'll be glad when we don't have 3 in diapers.  Not so much for the cost (that will be nice though to not have to buy so many diapers), but for the convenience of not having to change 3 different size diapers and keep all that straight.  It can get chaotic.  Yes, they are all 3 different sizes.  Emmy is thick and solid, Carson is skinny and thin.  I actually have to check the sizes of his and Henry's shorts when I wash them, I can't always tell them apart.  I have a feeling Henry will catch him and pass him within a year or so.  Just a mother's prediction......
• Vacation Bible School is coming up in a couple of weeks.  I am not teaching this year, just taking a year off with Henry.  The twins are going though, their teacher has bought materials and is enthusiastic, so we'll see! 
• Well, I'm off to bed.  It's late and I'm tired but thought everyone might want an update on our busy, busy happenings.  Maybe things will slow down soon.  Maybe.  :-)