Reading with Daddy

This is what you'll often find each night around the Lawrence household....

The sweetest picture ever!

S I U....S I U....S I U

Check out what Nana & Papa brought Zoe for her birthday....

They couldn't have picked a more perfect gift!

S I U

Go Salukis!

Zoe's First Dance Recital

Zoe had her first dance recital and actually danced a ballet number to the song "You're Never Alone" and a tap number to "Shake Your Groove Thing" and both were absolutely precious!  She was such the performer.  I know you've seen the video I posted that Shelley took of her dancing her tap number, but I'll also have the video from her ballet number, too.  Aunt Shelley did a wonderful job shooting the video for us!  Check out the few pics I managed to take even though there was total chaos around us....

Dance Recital Rehearsal

My Zoe girl had rehearsal on May 18th in preparation for her recital on May 21st.  Let me just say that they take rehearsal VERY seriously at Hermitage Dance Academy.  I mean seriously....she had full dress rehearsal which meant full makeup, hair, costume, etc.  So, I had to take off of work a little early to get her over to Belmont for the rehearsal and to get her ready.  I was really glad that Meredith's mom, Tracie, is a veteran dance mom and could show me the ropes.  In addition to the many helpful tips she gave me, she told me that we should take the girls out around campus to take their pictures because we wouldn't have time to do it during the recital.  Boy was she right!  Check out the beautiful shots we were able to get during the rehearsal......

Shake Your Groove Thang.....

This was Zoe doing her tap routine at her first dance recital!  A big thanks to my bestie, Shelley, for shooting the video....my girl is just too stinkin' cute!

A Glimpse into Zoe's Hair Today

Zoe has full dress rehearsal tonight for her recital so I rolled her hair this morning so it would be ready and I would only have to take the rollers out.  The poor girl is going to be so mad at me one of these days.........

What's in a Name?

That is the question!  My girl has now started to become obsessed with this kid:

His name is Justin Bieber.  Do you know what Zoe calls him?

Are you ready for this?

Meet Justin Beaver!

Bwahahahahahaha!

Jack's Birthday Party & the Sounds Game

Zoe's buddy from school, Jack Stanley, just turned five and had his birthday party at Greer Stadium, home of the Nashville Sounds.  I have to admit that it was a blast and a wonderful idea for a birthday party.  The kids all loved it; however, it definitely turned off VERY cool.  We only stayed through two innings (the party started over an hour before the game actually started) because we were just plain cold.

The kids were definitely excited

Zoe thoroughly enjoying herself

Daddy & Zoe getting hotdogs

Zoe & Meredith

Ozzie the Mascot

Meredith & Ryan

My beautiful girl!

The model face strikes again

Sweet picture....sorry I cut off your head, Daddy!

Cotton candy rules!

Yum!

I think she liked it...you?

Chinese

So, Zoe was (what appeared to be) drawing today.  When I asked her what she was doing, she said, "I'm writing my friends' names in Chinese.  They like it when I write Chinese."  I wasn't aware my daughter could write in Chinese.  Check it out:

Sips 'n Strokes

Funny title, huh?  Sips 'n Strokes is a place in Franklin (they also have a location in Hendersonville) where you bring in your own booze and food and an instructor walks you through painting a canvas of some sort.  Now, everyone in the class paints the same portrait, but they obviously all turn out differently.  Shelley and I decided that we would kidnap our other bestie Becca for a big birthday celebration.  I think every parent (both Moms and Dads) should get away from the family for a night of fun and to unwind, don't you?  It totally makes me a better wife and mother because I come back rejuvenated and ready to be back with my family.  So, Shelley and I arranged this as a surprise for Becca.  We totally tortured her and didn't tell her where we were taking her.  And you want to know something else?  My sweet hubby stepped up to the plate and kept Becca's twin girls, Morgan and McKenna, since their Daddy works nights at the airport.  To me, that was above and beyond, but he did it for me.  Pretty sweet, huh?  I say it a lot, but I'm a lucky girl and VERY spoiled!  Check out the fun:

Shelley starting out the night with Cipro for her UTI!  N I C E!

But NOTHING stops the fun!

Becca giving me the crazy eyes!

Shelley, Becca & Me getting ready for fun!

We made Becca wear Shelley's "It's All About Me" pin!

Shelley & Becca

Just getting started

Apparently I was inspired by weeds

Becca & Shelley's looked way better

Shelley & Becca

Becca will probably kill me, but I had to post this pic 

because she looks like the Joker!

Shelley channeling her inner Jessica...or is it a walrus?  I prefer Jessica!

Making progress on our flowers!

Shelley's finished painting!  She did such a beautiful job!

My finished flower...not bad for someone who can't even draw a stick figure!

Becca & Shelley's flowers

Becca saying, "What's up!  Check out my flower!"

Apparently, Becca decided she needed every pillow in our hotel room!

Surely Shelley isn't that short!

And the sweetest Daddy in the world playing with the girls!