Quite the week, Caroline

Our Caroline is a girl of contradictions . . . terrified and freaked out by ladybugs (really, she screams and runs for cover if one gets near her - we've even seen her in tears if she finds a ladybug crawling on her shirt), but is fascinated by those huge, furry bumblebees and even tries to "pet" them. That's just one example that hopefully won't embarrass her, another example is the family blog . . . she doesn't want anything about her in full public view, but then complains that Liza is getting all the attention on the blog - go figure.

So, in celebration of Caroline we'll highlight her great week. First, she began pointe in ballet. For those of you not familiar with little girls and ballet class, getting your first pair of toe shoes is HUGE - so exciting. Caroline isn't one to talk about herself, but she couldn't help but tell grandparents, aunts, and good friends she was starting pointe. She was fitted with her first pair and began working in class at the barre with her new shoes . . . "ouch" is all I can say! Mom finally figured out how to sew in the ribbons and we're getting them broken in, so hopefully Caroline will stop coming home from ballet with the revelation that "pointe shoes hurt." Um, ya, could have told you that :-).

The same week she was taking care of ballet business, she entered her first girls' 12 tennis tourney. She competed in the 10s earlier this year, but has been a little wary of competing against the older girls since she aged up. After a discouraging loss in the semi-finals, she came back to play a great match and win the consolation finals - YEAH Caroline! She was grinning from ear to ear and now has the confidence to continue competing. We're so proud of our sweet daughter.

This picture about sums it up - pointe shoe fitting after a tennis match . . . the ballet store was on the way home from the tourney. The funny part was that her friend from dance class showed up for her fitting in her soccer uniform. Gotta love the girls!