Goodbye dance class

Maybe this sounds bad to admit, but I'm happy that our 6-week dance class experience is over. Through this experience, I got a small taste of the busyness for parents of teenagers, who spend each night carting their kids to and from sporting events, dance classes, gymnastics, youth group, or whatever else their kids are involved with.

Time to get on my soap box for a minute... we are so busy and rushed as a society. In our effort to overplan our lives and keep up with the pace of our society, we don't always stop to "smell the roses" (sorry, that was VERY clique). As a high school counselor, I see this busyness unfold on a daily basis with high school students. In addition to being constantly "wired" by their cell phones, text messaging, the internet, facebook, I-pod, etc... kids are very busy with jobs, hours of homework, and intensive involvement with sports and extracurricular activities. Gone are the days when most kids could play a variety of sports throughout the year. Unless you are a stud athlete, most kids have to pick one sport and dedicate their entire year to improving in this one area. Many kids have personal trainers, club teams, year-long workout regimen's and so on...

Before I got too off topic, I admit that life will be busy no matter how much I resist. However, I try (and mostly fail) to live in the moment and day to be at peace with all of the good and bad that happens. Over time, even the things that seem bad can have a silver lining. We learn from our mistakes, learn humility, and we build character. It's my goal to emphasize God, family, and friends in all that we do. How does that look? I'm not sure. If you have read this entire blog, congratulations getting through my ramblings. I know that God is in control and that he will give us peace if we put our trust in Him. This is important in this crazy world we live in.

Enjoy the pictures below. We took them on the last night of Kennedy's dance class. The bad news is that I need some new blog material in the near future. Any ideas?

A weekend in Ft. Lauderdale

Let me break this down to you... it's 9:30 on a Sunday night and Molly has been in bed for an hour. The kids were in a bed at least an hour before bedtime, and I am fighting to keep my eyes open as I type this blog entry to finish my day. Do I have pictures? Unfortunately, no.

However, Molly and I just spent the weekend in Ft. Lauderdale. Her company graciously invited me down to accompany her on her work trip (thanks AmDoc). In addition to spending 3 nights without the kids, we also had a chance to hang out with Molly's brother Joe and his wife Liz. It was great to spend time with them and we found out that Liz is now pregnant (just kidding). We had a blast hanging out on Joe's boat, except for the fact that I got seasick and we didn't catch any fish (it was still a blast). Another highlight included the Seafood Extravaganza buffet at the Ft. Lauderdale Yacht Club (again, thanks AmDoc). It was incredible.

I could talk about more stories from the weekend, which include a harrowing sprint through Charlotte's airport to make our connecting flight, losing our luggage today, Molly leaving her driver window fully down in the long-term parking lot, our complete inability to follow the most basic directions, Molly almost getting a ticket for a U-turn on the interstate, my lack of proper etiquette (according to Molly) on airplanes and in basic society, and the interesting / disturbing passengers we always seem to meet.... however, I won't. I'm tired and it is now 9:45. I also don't have any pictures for which I apologize. Thanks to our parents for watching the girls and giving us this weekend together... it was much needed. It's good to be home and back with the girls. Adios for today.

Pumpkin Patch

Last weekend, we made our 2nd annual visit to the local Hancock Country apple orchard and pumpkin patch with the Hitchcocks, Landwerlen's, and Murrays. It might have been the last day of 85-degree weather of the year.

It was a great day to catch up with old friends and find the perfect pumpkin.














Molly and Kennedy find the perfect pumpkin.





















Kennedy and her buddy Elias get cheesy for a minute.















Group photo of the kids and a few parents. Brookie was a little tired...





















Ansley's first wagon ride.

Sharing an "Icee" with Kennedy

The warm days of summer seem to have passed us by for the year. Two weekends ago, I had the priviledge (insert sarcasm) to paint the treated wood part of our composite deck (Molly wants it all gray). Anyway, the best part of the process was taking a 10-minute break to devour several small Icee's with Kennedy.

This might seem like a random or insignificant moment, but it represents the types of activities I enjoy the most: the sublime, simple, personal, eating food, and spending time with my family. Besides the "brain freeze" I gave myself, it was a great moment spent with Kennedy.














Kennedy eats my purple Icee.















Is she eating my Icee or kissing me? I vote for the 2nd option.















Kennedy catches mom taking pictures.

Surprise Visit from Aunt Cassie (and Lauren)

This past weekend, Cassie and her buddy Lauren journey several hundred miles for a surprise visit. The main reason is that my dad is attending a spiritual retreat weekend, and she wanted to surprise him during part of the weekend. Cool huh?

On Saturday we went to my parents for dinner. The pictures below were taken as we enjoy the "outdoor fireplace" and made Smores. Have you ever wondered what happens when you give a 2 and 1/2 year old lots of dark chocolate after her normal bed time? Craziness... and non-stop talking from the moment we left until we pulled into our driveway. So much for her falling asleep and letting us simply drop her in her bed once we got home.... oh well.





















Here is my shout out to Lauren. Thanks for coming home with Cassie this weekend. It was awesome meeting you.





















Kennedy enjoys eating her smores and also holds a stick with marshmallows in the hopes for future smores. (And don't worry... she was at least 2 feet from the fire.)




















Cassie and Ansley














A rare Applegate family picture. It's rare... and not the best photogenic picture ever, but we'll take it!

More Dancing (Rainbows and Butterflies)

First, a quick "shout out" to our friends Chris and Heather Landis for the birth of their recent daughter Anna (see new pictures on the friends link). We're glad that she is happy and healthy.



Secondly, you've guessed it... the theme for Week 4 of the dance Class is Rainbows and Butterflies. Last night was great, except for the following things: both kids were hungry, we forgot Kennedy's diapers, Ansley's bottle of water leaked badly in Molly's purse, and we forgot anything resembling a diaper cloth. Besides that, the class was great.



The video I get from this class is truly special. You will often see Molly dancing with Kennedy in the videos on the blog. She has accused me of taking video of her, but I vow that she just happens to be in the video. So, I decree: Molly, I am not trying to embarass you. I think that you are a very good dancer, and you definitely represent the Applegate dance moves better than I do myself. So with that said, please enjoy the following videos:

Kennedy follows Miss Kellie's dance moves (the "kick" is priceless).

Kennedy displays her ribbon-waving skills by waving two ribbons at once.

The best part of class.... running to the drinking fountain and back.

More Michigan City

In a surprising turn, we found pictures of other people besides Kennedy and Lucy from our Michigan City trip. Yes, I'm slacking a little on my 3 - 4 blogs / week output. Please enjoy more pictures from this weekend. And the wierd thing? I couldn't find any pictures or video footage of Jenny from the weekend. She must have escaped my lens. :)
















Kennedy on the swing. We did some funky editing with this picture.




















Great picture of Cody, his son Finn, and daughter Lucy. He's a great dad.




















My girls pose for a picture.














Yours truly and little Ansley. She is blocking my SpongeBob shirt.

The Kennedy / Lucy Post

First, I would like to register an apology for not having a blog post in 8 days. I blame this on 3 factors (I refuse to take personal responsibility): 1) I threw my back out again (yeah, I'm old); 2) Molly uses the computer too much; and 3) we were in Michigan City with our good friends, the Shultz's, this past weekend.

Secondly, the Michigan City trip was a blast. We are blessed to have such great friends like Cody, Jenny, Lucy, and now Finn. Thanks for your friendship and hospitality. It's always fun....

Third, one of Kennedy's best friends happens to be Lucy Shultz, a very sweet girl who sadly lives a couple hundred miles from us. Anyway, I devote this blog to them. They were sooooooooo stinkin' cute this weekend. I'll be sure to post pictures to prove that our other daughter was with us over the weekend (or anybody else for that matter). Highlights from the weekend included: running fast, jumping on the bed, playing with the babies, bath time in the jacuzzi (don't ask), running naked (don't ask), going down the slide, and searching for guacamole treasure (I'm leaving this explanation for Cody... maybe I'll expand on this in the future).

Enjoy the pictures and videos. It was good times by all... with only a few meltdowns (not bad).















Kennedy and Lucy love babies.















Kennedy and Lucy will be thankful I cropped this picture. Let's just say they weren't encumbered with heavy layers of clothing.





















The girls pose at the beach outside of the house we stayed in.





















The path to the "big" beach (Lake Michigan)

Which daddy is tougher? (there was no prompting here)

Week 2: Dancing Bears

In our week 2 analysis of Ms. Kellie's dance class, we find very little dancing (at least in my pictures). Although the weekly theme was different, it was another entertaining night. I have not yet built up the confidence to dance with Kennedy around the room, but I am sure my male pride will be further eroded in the next couple of weeks. Watch for future videos of me embarassing myself.

Molly shows her dance moves. Anybody else impressed?

Kennedy shows her Dancing Bear moves.

Week 1: Beautiful Ballerinas

Tonight concluded week two of the social experiment known as "Ms. Kellies Dancing Dolls" class. Okay, it's not really a social experiment... it is a "dance" class for 2 - 4 year olds. I use the word "dance class" very liberally because it is a 45-minute block of time filled with girly songs, follow the leader games, coloring, story time, dancing with pink ballerina bears and dolls the size of 2-year olds, and learing a few dance positions. Even better, this class has given Molly the chance to break out dance moves I have not seen for years (see video in "Week 2" blog). Although Kennedy is mostly stone-faced and quiet during the class, she doesn't stop talking about the class throughout the week.

More fun times with the Applegates...

Week 1 - Beautiful Ballerinas














Anybody want to name this dance move?















Ansley can't WAIT to dance.





















Kennedy shows Noni a new dance move.

Tutu extravaganza

Me and My Buddy

With Molly working part time, Kennedy and Ansley typically spend three days per week at the babysitter's house, which is located 3 houses away (convenient eh?). Not only is it a great location, but the other kids and our daycare provider (Dondee) are awesome. In the pictures below, Kennedy is pictured with her buddy Ryan (who is another neighbor on our street).

It is the perfect friendship (and in a strange way it reminds me of my own marriage). Ryan is a friendly, well mannered, and easy going kid who doesn't mind being bossed around by an opinionated, well-intentioned, and motherly peer.

Anyway, we're thankful that our street is full of many young families. After moving a few times in our 7 years of marriage, it is my goal to live here for at least another 20 years (although who knows what plans God will have for us in that timespan). Enjoy the pictures below. Of course Kennedy was holding Ryan's hand to ensure that it was a safe situation.

Next blog: Dance Lessons

Trouble

If you read the headline to this blog entry, you might wonder: "Why is this good fellow in trouble? Is it because of the several hundred thousand daughters he will need to save to pay for their food, dance lessons, shopping sprees, education, and other miscellaneous expenses? Do these two girls present discipline problems?" Good guess... but no.

In fact, there is really no major trouble at all. The trouble is that I am already a "sucker." That's right, I said it. Being the macho American male that I am (no laughing), my daughters (and wife) make me melt. I'm guilty... I'm a softy and I love being a dad. As much I look forward to having a son at some point in my life, my own dad has described the relationship of a dad and his daugher(s): "There is something special about a daugher." Simple, sincere, true.

In earlier years, I imagined myself attending my son's first football practice and listening to the crunch of pads on a crisp fall day, along with engaging in wrestling matches and boy-ish activities. So in a sneak peak of my next blog entry, I recently found myself at a "dance" class for 2 - 5 year old girls in a room of pink, glitter, princess wear, and satiny outfits. And you know what? I was missing the start of Monday Night Football but was having a really good time. Who would have known? More info to come...














These pictures were taken as I was getting out of my car after a workday. What a nice way to end a workday.














She would have never kissed me if I hadn't washed my face today.