The Nutcracker

One of our family traditions we began when Christina, Rhyan, and I were children was going to see the Dallas Ballet Company's production of "The Nutcracker". Mom would purchase these giant, matching Christmas dresses and dress us up. All three of us were mesmerized by the music and graceful way in which the dancers moved across the stage. There is something so captivating with the art of ballet. We decided this year would be a perfect opportunity for Kayla to attend her first performance of "The Nutcracker". The Moscow Ballet's performance was on Sunday, November 24 at 3:00 in the afternoon. Of course, the Shirley family showed up fashionably late, but we enjoyed what we saw.

 Kayla and Aunt CiCi playing a game on iPhone during intermission.

 



Reagan (3 mos. and 2 days old) and Aunt CiCi

 

The first thing Kayla wanted to do once we got home was put on her pink tutu and twirl. I took a video of her twirling, but it wouldn't upload. Suffice it to say, she now wants to be a ballerina!! She starts ballet in January, 2014.

 

 

Princess Tea Parties, and Other Mommy-Daughter Things

I love being the mother of two girls! It is so much fun and Kayla is at the age where we can do things together on the weekends. We have these days we've aptly named "mommy-daughter" days. We'll go to the farmer's market, or walk around Lake Bella Vista, or Barnes 'n Noble, or the movies. I love getting to spend time with both of them-although it is nice that Kayla can walk and talk!!

Here are some pics from some of our most recent adventures:

Every time we have a Princess tea party, Kayla has to have everything lined up perfectly. She also does this with her bath toys. Can we say, "Like mother, like daughter?"



 

Riding around Lake Bella Vista.

 

 



Checking out the fish tank at Cabella's.

Photo of Reagan (and her three chins) taken by her big sis Kayla.

 Horse shoers working down at the Farmer's Market one Saturday morning.

 

Pretty fall day on the Bentonville square.

 Walton's Five and Dime - AKA the first Walmart

 



Kayla loves to play with the trains in the kids' section of Barnes and Noble.

Kayla's iPhone version of her self-portrait.

 

 Playing at the playground during Owen's fifth birthday party.

 

 

 Outside our favorite movie theater at the promenade. We went to see "Free Birds" this past Saturday.

 



She always wants to throw coins in the fountain.

 

Kayla insisted on wearing her princess shoes to church this past Sunday.

 



 

Every time one of our mommy-daughter days have ended, I ask Kayla what her favorite part of our day was. She always responds, "Getting to spend time with you, Mommy." It makes my heart melt.

"Toyland, Toyland..."

I absolutely LOVE where we live! Northwest Arkansas is such a beautiful area and there are many perks to living in Bentonville where Walmart originated. One of those perks is an event they have the first weekend of each month called "First Friday". The theme for November's first Friday event was "Toyland". At this event, different venders for Walmart came in and set up tents. Each tent had a different theme-Legos, Disney Princess, Hello Kitty, Tonka, etc.- and the kids could play with all of the toys inside the tent. After playing with all of the toys, they could go tell Santa what they want for Christmas. GENIUS!!

 

On our way to the tents, we came across a pony.

 Look out!! We have a four year old on the roads!

 



"Mom, I just want to play with these cool cars! Stop taking my picture."

Making a crown for a true princess...

On our way back to the car, we ran into a horse-drawn carriage. It was a good day!

 

McGarrah Pumpkin Patch

We've made it a family tradition to go to a pumpkin patch that is on the other side of Pea Ridge called McGarrah Farm. We've taken Kayla the past couple of years, but this was Reagan's first time there.

 

Kayla made it a goal to climb to the top of a hay pyramid.

 

Out in pursuit of the perfect pumpkin...

Of course, we HAD to stop by the princess carriage!

 



 

We found one!!

 

 

This was Kayla's first hay ride. She loved it!

 

 

The hay ride took us around the perimeter of the farm. There were a couple of HUGE mud puddles I was sure we were going to get stuck in.

 

Once we finished the hay ride, Kayla hitched a ride on a plastic horse train pulled by a tractor.

 

Our big helper is helping daddy put the pumpkins in the trunk of the car.

I'd say it was a very successful trip and we'll be coming back next year!

 

 

Beauty and the Beast

On Saturday, October 19, Mom and I took Kayla Grace to see the Broadway version of "Beauty and the Beast". Kayla received a Belle dress for her birthday this year, and was so excited to wear it for the big event!

After the show was over, Kayla said, "It was the best show ever!!"

 



 

This was Kayla's second musical, and Reagan's first. Even though Reagan won't remember the experience, we can tell her she got to see a travelling Broadway show before she was two months old! 

Reagan's Birth-day, August 22, 2013

When I was pregnant with Kayla, my gauge for when it was almost time for her to come was when my stomach was touching the steering wheel of my Honda. I took this picture of Reagan the day before she was born. I was at a stoplight on the way to the hospital for my pre-op appointment when I took this picutre with my phone.

Every night, Kayla Grace and I pray together. During my pregnancy with Reagan, after every prayer, Kayla would kiss her sister goodnight.

 

 

 

I took this video the morning Reagan was born.

 

I'm happy Mom likes to take so many pictures. She took this photo of me in the lobby of the hospital while we were waiting to go in for final paperwork before the surgery. It was Reagan's last photo in Mommy's tummy before we met her for the first time.

Just two and a half hours later, at 12:34 p.m., Reagan Paige Wicker came into the world. Dr. Amy Sarver delivered her.

 

Reagan was small in comparison to big sister, only weighing in at 8 pounds, 9 ounces. She was 19 inches long.

 

She was holding her face in her hands. It was so sweet.

 

Here's a close-up of her hands on her face.

 

While I was in the post-op portion of the hospital, Brian and our parents were watching Reagan in the baby nursery. She's holding Brian's finger in this picture. Mom said she was very impressed with how alert Reagan was already even though she was only a few minutes old.

 

Since I had her by C-section, I couldn't hold her until we got into our room. She was so light and small, and stole my heart immediately.

 

Dad is so proud of his newest granddaughter!! He also had the knack of bringing out the many faces of Reagan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kayla holding Reagan for the first time.

 

 

Since I hadn't eaten since 10:00 p.m. the night before Reagan's birthday, these fajitas from On the Border were the best tasting I'd ever had!

 

It was a great room for the first two days of Reagan's life.

See the resemblance? The one on the left is my newborn picture from the hospital. Of course the one on the right is Reagan.

 

James says, "Every good and perfect gift is from above." My girls are perfect and I love them oh so much!!