Dreaming of a White Christmas
It is no secret that one of my most favorite movies of all time, Christmas or otherwise, is White Christmas. In fact, it is likely the movie that catapulted me into dancing. I remember dancing on my parents’ coffee table to the “boat scene” as Judy and Phil danced away to “The best things happen while you’re dancing.” And I remember being mesmerized by Judy’s tapping foot in her pink shoe as she lowered onto the stage in the “Choreography” number. So, when this year’s Christmas card began to formulate in my head, it was the perfect marriage of our season of life at the dance studio with my love of White Christmas! My oldest, in particular, was very keen to do a dance-themed Christmas card this year, since last year we highlighted the soccer players in our family. So without further ado, here’s a quick update on what our family has been up to this year, starting with….dance.
The first half of 2024 was extremely busy for our oldest in particular, with our first experience in the competitive dance world, as well as show choir and playing Betty Blast in the school musical, Footloose! Most Friday nights were LATE as we packed ourselves into school gyms and auditoriums to hear some of the most talented middle schools show choirs perform. And sprinkled in between show choir competitions were dance competitions on Saturdays at convention centers watching the team give it their all in an energy packed 2 minute dance! Our youngest also was in several dance classes, and both finished out the year with our dance concert in early summer. I, too, found myself not only spectating at the dance studio, but got back in to teaching dance last year and had an absolute blast. Seeing my students grow in skills and confidence over the course of the year to the final concert was so fulfilling. As luck would have it, I also got to share the stage with my girls this year, performing in the teacher dance right before Ellie went on for her tap number. What a special memory for me seeing her waiting off stage as I danced with the staff, then exiting off stage and staying to cheer her on in the wings. It’s been a joy to be back in that space that I love so much!
The boys continue to be all about soccer - Ron continues to coach at Sporting and while I may be biased, I happen to think he is absolutely amazing with his team and an incredible coach. This fall, he stayed with the same group of boys he’s been coaching, while our son accomplished his goal of making the pre-ECNL team in the age group and adjusted to new teammates and a new coach. He is his father’s son, so meeting new people and assimilating was no sweat at all for him. It’s been a bit strange to have Ron on the parent sideline with me, though! Little sis is also in on the action and made the club’s pre-academy team, and loves to run around the field with a smile on her face, and seems to have taken a fancy to playing goalie. “Though she be but little she is fierce.” Her coaches also are wonderful - coaching 7 year olds I’m sure is a wild ride :)
Over the summer we stayed busy with camps, including Camp Cherished, a camp I do for tween girls through my business. This camp is always so fulfilling - we spend our first weeks going through different topics in a devotional book and then end with a photoshoot. Our family also managed to get away for a vacation this summer to Michigan, and enjoyed many parts of the state - the M22, our A-Frame cabin in ski country, Mackinac Island and Sleeping Bear Dunes were some of the highlights!
The fall came all too quick, but we are again back in the swing of middle school for our oldest and elementary school for our middle and youngest. Show choir, dance, voice lessons, soccer and tumbling, dance teaching and soccer coaching….we sure know how to keep ourselves busy! But I know that all too quickly the countless hours in the minivan driving to and from will be replaced with a much quieter house and car ride. So while the season is busy, we are soaking it all in, enjoying the activities and watching our kids thrive and find the things they are so passionate about. If we were to count our blessings as Bing Crosby sings, they would in fact be too numerous to count and we certainly would fall asleep very quickly.
Wishing you and yours countless blessings and a very Merry Christmas!
Love,
The Carsons