Dance

Hard to believe that dance season is coming to a close already. Emma had her dance recital at Pathstone Nursing home today. It is a great way to let all the girls perform before the big performance. I haven't been able to see her Jazz dance yet so I was so excited! Mitzi at Dance Express always does a great job. We also got to see her hip hop dance. Hard to watch your 6 year old swing her hips like that. She has come a long way from the first dance recital!

I also found this really cute video of Emma from awhile ago! Look how much she has grown.

Week in Review

This week was a whirlwind week for some reason. I think it is always hard to come home from vacation. Monday I found out that I am allergic to my contact in my right eye. The eye that is a pain in my side! I have to wear glasses for the next two weeks while my eye heals. It was physically rejecting my contact and has developed bumps on the inner part of the eyelid. Appetizing I know. Talk about a bummer deal! After my cataract surgery my eye developed astigmatism which presents problems for obtaining contacts. I not only have astigmatism but I also have still have a high power correction. There are only a few companies that make my prescription and I need it in a smaller diameter now. Most astigmatism lens are 14.5 but my eye didn't like that so we have to find a 14. Ah the joys. Honestly I was pretty ticked off about the whole ordeal. This too shall pass but I am ready for the hurdles to stop.

On another note my business is growing pretty quickly this year. I have 30 weddings booked and 2 more consults tomorrow. It is CRAZY! If you would've asked me a few years ago if I would have thought I would be at this point already I would've said no. This is more than I ever expected. I had to make some changes. My personal cell phone was also my business line. I would get calls at all hours of the night for orders. I decided I needed to switch and have just a personal line and just a business line. Nick agreed with it and bought me a new phone and number. Change is exciting! It is nice to shut off the business phone at 9 and not think about it until the morning. We have also contacted our realtor to start looking for an office or space for me to rent. Transporting back and forth to the church is fine for now but with all the weddings on the books, all my supplies and all my decorating equipment my house is filling up fast. It is time to have the separation from life at home and work. Thankfully I have an amazing husband who is helping me make some of these decisions. I also have a very supportive family which helps a ton as well. This is all so exciting and who knew this would be an option so soon.

Chicago

I just had the best weekend with Ali. It was eventful, intense and relaxing all at the same time. We had lots of laughs which was just what we both needed. I miss her a lot and wish we could do more weekends like this past one. I certainly treasure the time we get together and look forward to her time home this summer.

Bike Rider

It is an exciting time at the Otto house. Charlie can ride a bike without training wheels. We started him on a Strider bike a year ago. It is a little bike without pedals. The purpose is to teach balance first. The hope is then when the pedals are introduced they learn to pedal and off they go without training wheels. Now that the weather is nice we decided it was time to try him on a bike with pedals. He took about 10 minutes of practice and he was riding the bike. Now he can get started, turned around and ready all by himself. It is a new freedom for him and he can keep up with the big kids! It is so exciting to see it all unfold. He is only 3 and looks like such a little boy on a bike.

Birthdays and Easter

We had a fun filled weekend! Saturday we celebrated the twins 2nd birthday. I can't believe they are turning 2. They are so cute and have fun keeping their mom on her toes. They are into EVERYTHING! But they always have lots to say, hugs to give and they LOVE to smile. They can say all their Aunties names which is even more precious.



Easter Sunday was spent with the Otto's for breakfast and church. Then we headed to my parents for an egg hunt and lunch. It was great to celebrate with everyone. It is so much fun to see the kids get excited about the simple things. It was a gorgeous day and we were able to spend a good portion of it outside.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Saturday was my mom's 60th birthday. My sisters and I planned a special lunch for just the girls. We had it at my house and invited her sisters to come too. We kept her sisters a secret from her. She was so surprised. We had a great lunch. Uncle Jimmy helped me put together a poster for her well. I found some fun facts about 1952 and he found great pictures. It was so great to have some special time with mom, my aunts and my cousin Tom. Then for supper we all met at Charley's Restaurant where the boys also came. It was a fun filled day of celebrating my mom. Here are some pictures from her day: