Pick your brain...

So, when I teach ballet classes we always read a short picture book (or shorten a longer book) at the end of class and then "dance like our book."  Since last year I used most of my favorite books, and I want to have a two-year curriculum to keep boredom at bay, I need your suggestions.

These are the topics we discuss in ballet:

The 7 Movements of Dance (to twirl, to jump, to stretch, to rise, to bend, to dart, to glide)
High/Medium/Low
Movement through Space - Patterns
Emotion
Tempo
Energy (sharp, soft)

Example of books I've used are:

"Going on a Bear Hunt" - Dancing like swishy grass, getting stuck in mud, etc.
"Waiting for Wings" - Dancing like butterflies
"Barnyard Dance" - 7 Movements
"Room on the Broom" - High/Low

Sooooo, do you have any favorite children's picture books that have good images for children to dance like?  I'd appreciate hearing all your good ideas.

Squished In Between

Here are some fun things we did between "big" things on our trip back West.

... played in the back at Aunt Becky's.  These are the three cousins born in the same year on my side of the family.  Are we surprised that E is the shortest?  They had definitely had some fun in the mud before the photo.

... GQ slept.  This was after a car-nap.  I didn't think he'd transfer, but being on vacation wears a guy out.

... feeding the ducks (and obnoxious pigeons) at the park in Vegas.  We were so attacked by birds we actually had to kick them away.  Not a good habit to be teaching GQ, but who wants birds pecking your feet?  The pictures really don't do justice to how many pigeons were there.  In Iowa we're "not allowed" to feed the ducks.  Apparently bread is not their "normal" diet.  So, the kids had fun getting to feed the birds again.

... getting rocked by Dad before the Las Vegas sun drove us to the pool at Grandma C's.

... walking around the Las Vegas Temple.  You'd think being out west would give us a chance to go to the Temple without a 2 1/2 hour ride each way.  But, I was lazy in Utah - definitely NO excuse there - and both the Vegas Temple and the San Diego Temple were closed for cleaning while we were in town.

That is not sweat on GQ's shirt.  He poured water on himself.  Actually, he drank water and then spit it out on himself.

Almost perfect.... except for that tongue.  Do you think I could photo-shop it out?  I mean, if I were talented at photoshop or something?  Which, I'm not.

Swimming at Grandma Duck's.  E couldn't quite manage to jump off the diving board, although she insisted on trying several times.  GQ did jump off... and definitely regretted it.

The sun was definitely in their eyes for this picture.

Yes indeed... GQ did have a Birthday...

While we were in Utah, GQ had his birthday.  2 years old!  We had given him a bike in Iowa - that he couldn't quite ride by himself - so there weren't any glamorous presents from Mom and Dad.... BUT, he did get a cake.  And it did have balls all over it, courtesy of Laura and her excellent skills. 

Cousins Cody and Andy saved the day by bringing a present to the party.  GQ has been obsessed with this train ever since.  And I am more than happy since it has magnets that work both directions - instead of idiotic hook and eye contraptions, and I no longer have to put his train together all day.

Little things make me very happy.

A toast to a wonderful birthday.

I was surprised how much GQ enjoyed saying "my birfday, my birfday."  Maybe if I'd known how pleased he would be, I would have planned something more exciting. 

But probably not :)  After all, M didn't get a "real" present until she was 3.  So, GQ is definitely ahead of the game.

Happy Birthday GQ!!!!

Look Daddy... I took my white dress pictures...

Look Daddy.... I'm a Moviestar

And yes, I have been wearing these plastic sunglasses too, since I forgot mine at home.

Look Daddy... We Went to Annie's Birthday Party...

Definitely enjoying the ice cream.

Our Beauty Pageant Queen.

Look Daddy... We Went Bowling

We were lucky M didn't pinch her fingers while bowling.  She really liked hanging out at the ball rack.

GQ loved bowling.  Except for when it wasn't his turn.  And for when it wasn't his turn.  And when it wasn't his turn.  Then, he screamed.

M liked bowling until she didn't.  And then she didn't. 

E liked bowling better at the end.  She really wanted to get all the pins down.  Unfortunately her mother was bad at lining up the ball shoot.

M pushed so many buttons on the computer it went to Chinese.

Is it coming yet?

Look Daddy... We're Having Swim Lessons

M usually stays near the edge when crossing the pool.

E thinks putting her head under is a BAD idea.

But splashing Mom is a GREAT idea.

I couldn't believe she actually blew bubbles.  Although she often tells me that she doesn't do it even though her teacher asks.

Meanwhile GQ plays on the splash pad.  He likes to eat the water and spit it in the drain.