Thursday, March 17, 2011

She Married Her Daddy

Reagan is OBSESSED with weddings. 

She has already decided that when she grows up, she is going to be a wedding planner and bridal fair coordinator just like mommy.  She doesn't realize it, but she is already just like mommy in that she wants to marry her daddy... I used to say the exact same thing about my Dad when I was a little girl.

But here's the difference... I never dressed up as a Bride and had my Daddy dress up in a suit to go through a mock ceremony!  But this is a regular occurrence in our household.  Once every few months, Reagan will call her Daddy at work and tell him to check the mailbox for his special wedding invitation when he gets home.  He then showers and shaves once he arrives at home, and puts on his suit and tie.  I serve as the Bride's Assistant, naturally, and make sure that the Bride is stunning on her special day.  I also have to serve as the officiant for the ceremony, where I marry off my husband to my daughter!  It's the sweetest thing in the world to see!

Here's a few pics from the latest ceremony...  And yes, that is my wedding veil that she is wearing!

Just after the Groom has seen his Bride for the first time after she comes down the aisle...

Exchanging of rings...

The kiss...

The happy couple...

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Myers Chatting Away

He may be young, but this little man is already chatting up a storm! This 33 second video of pure sweetness was created on February 17th, just 2 days before he turned 2 months old. As you can imagine, he has become even more "verbal" now!

Monday, March 14, 2011

Valentine's Day

Reagan celebrated Valentine's Day this year All. Day. Long!  She woke up that morning, and asked me to help fix her hair for her big day.  It took just over an hour to accomplish, but her head full of topsy-turvy tails was a masterpiece if I do say so myself.   Once she was dressed and ready, it was time to go to preschool for an extra special day of celebrating.  You may remember that Reagan participated in a Dance-A-Thon last year at preschool, and the same big event fell on February 14th this year.   Her preschool strongly enforces the phrase, "Give to a child and you change their life. Teach a child to give, and they will change the world."  The boys and girls put that phrase into action (literally) as they raised money by jumping, jiving, grooving, and moving throughout the entire class!

Be sure to notice Reagan's super cool hair-do in the pictures above!  And you can't help but to notice that adorable face as she poses with one of her teachers and a couple of her best-buddies below...

Later that evening, her Daddy spoiled me with a big box of chocolates and then we spoiled the kids with personalized puppy sleeping bags from Pottery Barn Kids.  Trust me when I tell you that Pottery Barn Kids has become my new favorite store and that Ryan is afraid that he is NEVER going to be able to retire because of it!

It truly was a very Happy Valentine's Day!

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Her First Gymnastics Competition

Reagan's first gymnastics competition was the last weekend of January, and she absolutely ROCKED IT!  She was so excited for the event to finally arrive, and I must say that I was a basket full of nerves for her.  It didn't hit me really until we walked into the gym, but all of the memories from back in the day came flooding back for me!

Way back when I was competing in the mid to late 80's and early 90's, this level of gymnastics was called "The Profile System" and it was created by Gary Goodson.   I actually had the opportunity to train under the direction of Coach Gary Goodson on several occasions myself!!!  USA Gymnastics now calls this training level TOPs... Talent Opportunity Program.  In British Columbia, Canada, it is called GYMSTART.  Regardless of what you call it, the basic principles are all the same!

"The program is designed to put the young gymnast on a solid path toward competitive gymnastics by focusing on drills and basic skills with greater emphasis on physical preparation than the traditional competition. The gymnasts are tested on very basic skills or stages of skills and are challenged to work hard toward good physical preparation that will ultimately determine their long-term success.  The program provides a method of testing and measuring improvements in two main components: Skills and Physical Abilities.   It also provides clear goals for coaches and athletes to work toward with measurable and achievable targets.  The philosophy includes an award system that encourages hard work, recognizes quality and rewards all efforts."

Reagan's meet was a 2-day competition... Friday evening and Saturday morning.   She competed in Physical Abilities first, which was a testing of rope climbs, leg lifts, chin ups, bar hangs, bar swings, bar casts, long jump, sprinting, splits, etc.  She was as pleased as punch to come home that evening with a BRONZE MEDAL!  Her Daddy and I were pretty proud as well.  Day 2 was designed to resemble a more traditional gymnastics competition in that she performed combined Skills on each of the 4 apparatuses of women's gymnastics... 

Vault...

Bars...

Beam...

and Floor...

We were more than impressed that afternoon with the final results... Bronze on Bars, and SILVER on Vault, Beam AND Floor!

The entire weekend was an amazing experience for Reagan and all of the girls on her team.  The best part of the event was seeing all of the girls having so much fun and enjoying each other as they performed in a sport that they all truly love!

Her next competition is coming up in a few weeks, and she's ready!  She can't wait to strut her stuff once again!