My Awesome Princess

I was so proud of my awesome Princess today!

You all know that she has been working on her Girl Scout Gold Award and her project was teaching 6 dance classes to 2 different age levels. She has worked with over 50 kids for the last two weeks. She made up all the dances herself and the she taught each level two different dances. She also wrote a solo for herself made programs and fliers, and arranged to use the studio. That's a pretty hefty project!

 

 We reserved our church for the performance because it has a nice big stage with curtains and colored lights and everything. Princess was pretty terrified about being in charge, but she did a beautiful job and I was so proud of her! 

Hey! I know that guy!

Her recital had nine numbers in it including the four with the kids, and a duet done by Prima Donna and Crafty. Then there was a fun boys' number with Curly and Sport and four other boys. (They mostly fought with swords and then all fell over in the end. I was mostly afraid one of them was really going to die when the fight got too close to the edge of the stage!) Luckily it ended with all of them intact. Mostly because I was standing backstage whispering loudly, "Don't get too close to the edge!"

Princess's solo was a wonderful highlight, but the other thing the audience loved was the Dog Walker's solo. He performed a self-choreographed version of Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean." He really is a fine dancer. Most people aren't as uninhibited as he is.

And last but not least, three of my girl scouts including Crafty did a fun hip-hop number.

One of these things is not like the other...

All in all, the kids were so excited and so cute and the parents were so nice and appreciative. I couldn't have dreamed for a better result. And Princess is terribly relieved that it's over.

We also celebrated Cow Day at Chick Fil A today. The kids love dressing up like cows to get a free meal! My sweetie doesn't love it, but we do. Our total ticket was over $67 and it was all free.

Then we spent the rest of the evening packing the van and getting ready to leave at some ridiculous hour tomorrow morning. This trip is going to be so awesome! Senator Hatch's office called me again today and they have arranged the White House tour for us. He says that it's pretty unusual...

He also said,  "You don't have an audience with President Obama, but that doesn't mean it won't happen!"

We have a 14-hour drive tomorrow, so I'd better drag myself to bed. If I'm not too tired, I'll try to update you tomorrow from Lincoln, Nebraska.

(Sorry about all the recital pictures! It was just so hard to decide what to include.)

Things Just Keep Looking Up for the Dog Walker!

I guess I spoke a little too soon about the Dog Walker's toe. Turns out that he has a little infection now. I called the doc this morning and he ordered antibiotics and it looks much better already.

Senator Hatch's office called us again today. The "least" they can do is get us a tour of the White House! We are so excited about that! When I tried to make those reservations myself, I was told they were booked months in advance and we were way too late. They also requested information for a security check...does that sound promising? Maybe I'm over-analyzing things, but it did to me.

The Dog Walker also got another phone call today. This one was from Utah Dave. Now I know everyone in Utah knows about Utah Dave, but just for the benefit of all the rest of you, I will explain. Remember when the kids were in the Countryfest parade? Well, after they finished the parade route, they loaded their bikes into the Drama Queen's truck and they joined us on the curb. It didn't take long before the Utah Dave truck came along, blaring some awesome rock 'n roll.

Utah Dave is a realtor here in the south end of the valley and every summer he has a dance contest during the parades and then he and his staff choose the finalists. Those finalists get all their friends to vote on Facebook and the winner gets $1000. The Dog Walker just couldn't resist that. He loves strutting his stuff and he has no fear of the camera. Watch the clip from South Jordan and maybe you can see him. (It will be much easier to get you a real link on Monday.)

They were calling to inform us that the Dog Walker was chosen as a finalist for the South Jordan parade! He is thrilled to be a little famous again. So the videos will be posted on Monday and I will give you all a link so you can vote for him. He could sure use the money for school this fall. He got a scholarship to cover his tuition, but he still needs money for books and fees. That $1000 would be perfect!

You guys are awesome!

Thanks.

Stadium of Fire

Upon Arrival

About a week ago, we got an email from the Girl Scout council. I happened to be sitting at the computer when it came in. Since it is the Girl Scout's 100th Anniversary, they wanted 100 girl scouts to sing the national anthem at the Stadium of Fire. Now that might not sound like that big of a deal to you, but the Stadium of Fire is the largest fireworks show in the United States! It is broadcast around the world to all the military and the cheapest seats are $25.

I have never been before.

OK, that's not exactly true. When we were first married, my sister and her husband were attending BYU. They showed us the best places to watch the fireworks...outside the stadium of course...and for free. That was about all our budget would allow.

This was a chance for Princess and Prima Donna to see the show for free! The show also included a couple of other exciting things. Alex Boye was the announcer and the bands were Scotty McCreery and the Beach Boys 50th Anniversary Tour.

Sorry about the cell phone pics.

Now I know I'm old, but I couldn't believe it when the girls decided they didn't want to see this awesome show! So I headed out the door to the grocery store. I was angry! I turned up the music...loud!

After a couple of minutes I turned the music off and called my sweetie. "Sign them up!" I demanded. He wasn't quite so enthusiastic. If they didn't want to do it, he didn't think they should have to. I guess I'm not as nice as he is, because he grudgingly put their names on the list. And then he insisted that he wanted to buy tickets for the two of us to see the show.

Prima Donna came around pretty quickly and Princess relented when I brought home new khaki capris and cute white shirts for them to wear (that was the required uniform and they didn't have anything like it).

Scotty McCreery

On Tuesday night they had a dress rehearsal. My sweetie and I drove them down to Provo and then we went first to Kohl's (I've finished the back-to-school shopping, btw), and then out to dinner. We pulled out our Happenings book and found a little Thai place we thought might serve awesome food.

We were so wrong.

It was awful! My medium rare meat was more than well-done and the salad I was supposed to get turned out to be sticky rice. When I sent it back to the kitchen, the server brought it back and said, "Sorry, we don't have any more salad." I got the same response about the spring rolls.

But the girls called shortly afterward and we picked them up and headed for ice cream and then home.

On the night of the show, we arrived at 6:00 and parked blocks away. We threaded our way through the side streets until we got to the stadium. They had just opened the gates. The girls took off for their section and we found ours.

It was hot and miserable but at least we were in the shade. My sweetie was starting to regret his decision to buy tickets when the show finally got started. The girls did a great job although it was difficult to spot them from such a distance. They had a "flyover" from Hill Air Force Base and then the show began. I had never heard of Scotty McCreery, but Prima Donna had. He did a good job and after their little American Idol thing, the Beach Boys took the stage.

Beach Boys

I love the Beach Boys and their music! It was difficult to see them looking so old. All of them are about 70 now. The audience loved it though and it was fun to watch all the little grandmas just rockin' out...not me, I'm about ten years too young.

Then it was the fireworks. They were amazing! I've never seen a show like that before. They were shot off from inside the stadium, so we had thick smoke and ash falling on us, but I didn't care, it was so cool!

When we finally caught up with the girls outside the stadium, they both admitted they had enjoyed the show, so even though I was the mean mom that made them do it, they both built a memory that will last a lifetime.

And in the process, I made one too.

Spring Dance Recital and Giveaway Winner

Princess is third from the left.

Scout is second from the left.

So after we got trounced at the Countryfest Pinewood Derby (not to be confused with the Cub Scout Pinewood Derby...not that it matters, we lost there too), we piled in the van and headed for Chick-Fil-A.

They were giving all dads a free chicken sandwich between the hours of four and eight, Since we didn't have any other supper plans, I had grabbed all the free chicken soup coupons from the calendars Baby Doll gave everyone for Christmas. We fed the whole group of us for $17 although it could have been free if I hadn't sprung for fries.

Crafty (I like her in the Max costume better).

We rushed back to the house just in time (actually she was a little late) for Scout to get ready for the recital. She quickly pulled on her costume and the Drama Queen did her hair and makeup in record time. We arrived just as they were making the welcoming speech and hustled to find somewhere to sit. Scout did an awesome job as usual and when she was finished we ran home again so the kids could get their wiggles out for 30 minutes before the recital for the older kids.

Sport

The recital was awesome, as usual. I love watching my kids dance! I know I showed you some pictures of the small stage a couple of weeks ago at the Riverton Arts Festival, but here is what they look like on the big stage. And this time you get Scout and Sport too. Have I ever told you that Sport takes an all-boys ballet class? They have so much fun and they get to use swords and everything.

Prima Donna is second from the left.

       *********************************************************************

And since it's after midnight, I'm announcing the winner of my 500 post giveaway.

Ever since I learned to count and maybe even before, my favorite number has been the number 8. That's because you have to be at least 8 to get baptized into our church. It's also the age of accountability...the age when babies become responsible children.

At our house that means that girls can choose to have their ears pierced. Kids also have to start cutting their own toenails and fingernails when they turn 8 (unless they are so disgusting I just can't stand them anymore, in which case I am perfectly justified in helping them out). It's the age they can start wearing them long if they are girls and they take care of them. It's the age they can choose their own hairstyle (within reasonable boundaries), and the age they start learning to cook. Yes, for us it is definitely a turning point.

So no one else actually chose that number, but Becky and Steve did choose the number 7 and they are the winners of a $50 surprise package crammed full of Tupperware. Please email me your address and I will get it in the mail right away.

Thanks for playing everyone and thanks for being there for me. Have a terrific weekend!

The Cookie Party

Sport and Scout bouncing.

I told you a couple of weeks ago about Scout and Teach going to the special cookie party for 1000-box sellers. Well, yesterday was the party for all the rest of the girls. We used to attend this party every year, but we haven't been there for about the last five years because the girls have normally danced at an arts festival this weekend, but for some reason, the festival is next week this year.

The party started at noon and went until three. We got there right after the gates opened, but the lines were long and the sun was hot. By the time we got in, I was starting to wish we had just stayed home. But the kids were so excited to see the giant bounce houses and we found a table with shade for those of us who were just watching, so it was OK.

Drama Queen and Sport doing Crafts.

After some bouncing and a little dancing, we got our box lunches and filled up on sloppy joes, chips, and cookies. The sun was still beating down on us, so we went inside to play carnival games. Lines were deep, with at least 10 people in each line, but the prizes were pretty good so we settled in to wait. The Drama Queen took Baby Doll and Sport to the craft lines. They were shorter and there were plenty of supplies. I was surprised how quickly the lines moved. My favorite game was the basketball shoot and I really wanted to win. Princess and Prima Donna liked that game too, but it was not the hoops they were looking at. The guy running the booth was cute!

Scout on the Tightrope

Their third time through the line, Prima Donna asked him for his phone number (for Princess, of course, he was a little too short for her). The deal was that if Princess made three baskets in a row, she could have his number. Honestly, I was totally surprised by her efforts! A couiple of time she made two baskets, but she could not sink that third one. After their turn, both girls just went to the back of the line and started over.

After about 10 times through the line, Princess was about ready to give up. She was pretty sure he was interested in her (what red-blooded teenage boy wouldn't be???) but she still had no success. At ten minutes to 3:00, I told the girls we were heading outside so Scout could have a turn on the tightrope before they shut things down. I asked them to join us when they were through.

Twenty minutes later they joined us, laughing and giggling. "What's up?" I asked. "Did you get his number?" Princess blushed and smiled. "No," she admitted. "I gave him mine!" I congratulated her for her persistence and good job flirting and we headed for the van.

Baby Doll and Prima Donna

Not sure what she was thinking, but she moped around for the rest of the afternoon. I think she was expecting to hear from him immediately. I assured her that he was probably running another carnival and she would have to be patient.

 About 6:00 she got her first text and over the last 24 hours they have shared a couple of dozen sentences. It sure is different from when we were kids. Without texting we actually had to talk to a crush on the phone or use snail mail. Of course back then I probably could have made three baskets in a row...

A Little Exercise

You know, I've been a little depressed this week. Maybe it's this sugar challenge thing. In all my 47 years, I don't believe I've ever been four weeks without a single sweet treat. I thought by now I should have dropped at least a couple of pounds, but standing on my scale still doesn't make me smile.

I thought eating more healthy might make me want to exercise more regularly. And it's working for some of us. Teach has suddenly been inspired to try to run a 5K.She ran two miles on the treadmill yesterday! I run a quarter of a mile and I'm huffing and puffing. Even the little ones are excited about exercise.

I was sitting at my desk earlier today and I heard giggling from my sweet little Baby Doll. She and the Dog Walker and Scout were playing Just Dance and the song was Cotton-Eyed Joe. For some reason she thought that was so funny! I snapped a few pictures of them for you. They like exercise.

I'm just having a hard time getting myself motivated. I read an article by the blogging queen, C. Jane, in the newspaper today and, get this, she woke up early in the morning because her body told her she needed to go for a walk! The only kind of walk my body wants to take at that time of day is a quick trip to the bathroom!

Seriously though, any suggestions? I love basketball, but I can't play every day. I know it sounds dumb, but just going for a walk feels like such a waste of time when I have so many other things demanding my attention.

You remember TV back in the 60s? When some of those women wanted to exercise, they stood on on a machine where a huge rubber band shook their entire backside? I want to know if those work. They look way more fun than the treadmill and all of these women look pretty skinny. I couldn't possibly wear the little hat though...

Pic Credit

The Awesome Sleeping Beauty Production

Princess as Carbosse (or Maleficent if you are a Disney fan)

This was the weekend we had been looking forward to for the last three months... South Pointe Ballet's Production of Sleeping Beauty. Auditions were in November, the cast was chosen in December, and weekend rehearsals started shortly afterward.

If you remember from last year, they put on Swan Lake and Sport pretty much stole the show with his antics. He was NOT invited to participate this year...

So their opening night was Friday and we attended that show with the Girl Scout troop and all the kids. We spent the majority of the time chasing kids around. It's amazing how difficult it is for 11-year-old girls to stay in their seats!

Prima Donna on the left as an angry minion

Baby Doll was so excited to see the kids on stage she would just randomly squeal! When Princess came on stage, Baby Doll yelled out her name loudly enough that Princess actually heard her. Thankfully, it was a family-friendly show and nobody got too angry with us.

Crafty on the left as a Garland Dancer

So when Saturday rolled around, my sweetie and I left the little kids with Teach and we headed off to see the show by ourselves. And we brought his new camera with the awesome lens. So enjoy these fun pics! Wish you could have all been there in person. This proud mama loves watching her kids dance!

Dog Walker (in blue) as a young prince wooing Aurora.

Crafty's second role as a cat (left)

Princess handing Aurora the spindle.

Oooo, I've seen that look before...and she wasn't dressed in black!

More Dog Walker...he's a pro!

Prima Donna (second from left) as a Vine Dancer

The Dog Walker in the Hunting Party - flanked by cute girls.

Princess

Guest Blogger: Being in the Ballet by Prima Donna

There's me right in the center!

Scout is growing up into a beautiful ballerina!

I love to dance!! I have been dancing since I was three, doing two performances a year one at Christmas and one in spring. It becomes really fun when you turn nine because then you can participate in the ballet. They do an annual ballet every year and it is so fun!!  I have been in Sleeping Beauty twice, Coppelia, Swan Lake and now I’m in Sleeping Beauty again. A ballet is a dancing play for those of you who aren’t familiar with dance. I’ve never had any main roles, but Princess has. In Coppelia she was Swanhilda’s scaredy-cat friend, and in Swan Lake she was a princess the prince could have married (I guess that’s not a main part, but it was a solo). This year for Sleeping Beauty she has the best one though. She is Carabosse!! (Maleficent if you are familiar with the Disney version). She even gets to be on the advertisement poster!

Princess in the middle in her tutu.

   
The ballets aren’t just fun and games though, for 3-4 months we have practices almost every Friday night and Saturday afternoon. Normally practices are 2-3 hour, with most of us sitting there dead silent for half of the time. We have to be SUPER careful with costumes and props since they use the same ones year after year.

Sport is the second one from the left.

The ballets are so much fun too. We get three more performances a year, and we get to hang out with our dance friends every weekend. We get to buy candy from the vending machine in the school we perform at when we aren’t on. I mean we stay in the dressing room * sheepish face* and we get to character dance. Character dancing is cultural dancing with ballet mixed. It is the most fun thing EVER! I don’t have a character dance this year though. We get to do solos! We don’t do solos during our recitals so this is our only chance. We get to act, especially with Princess’s Carabosse figure, she has to act tons! She even gets to do a silent laugh!

Ta-Da!

We do the ballets as a family thing. Princess, Crafty and I do the normal dances. Dog Walker  is in it too. He is part of the Rose Adagio this year so he gets to flip and turn Aurora. Last year Sport was in it as a trumpeter. Mom always makes costumes. She made a BEAUTIFUL queen costume this year and is still working on the king costume.

 I love the ballets. I would do them twice a year!

Christmas Lights

Princess and Prima Donna

Teach forgot her camera so you get cell phone pics, sorry!

You have probably guessed by now that my sweetie and I have a slight obsession with Christmas lights. Since we both grew up in small towns during the ‘70s, we believed that anyone with a single strand of lights had to be either rich or Santa Claus himself!

My parents used the same set of lights for as long as I could remember. It’s amazing they didn’t burn the house down. They burned too hot to touch, in fact I remember being burned more than once when we were moving around the Christmas ornaments on the tree. And rather than put water in the tree stand, my mom weighed it down by filling it from our huge can of marbles.

My parents always bought a live tree from the neighbor across the street from Grandma’s house. They would cut 50 or 60 trees every year on Thanksgiving weekend and then just sell them in their backyard. We were good friends (their son, Mike, is the one who saved me from drowning in the irrigation ditch), and they always saved a little 4-foot tree for me. I’m thinking I paid between $3 and $5 for it, but that was lots of money in 1975.

Drama Queen and Princess

Dazed or dozing, can't tell which...

I hauled that little tree up to my room and created my own Christmas. It bugged my dad to have to come upstairs to open the gifts from me, but Mom always managed to get him to come. He likes to run things when it’s time to open packages. There was no ripping and tearing at our house…gifts were opened one at a time and in age order. We aren’t quite so strict with our kids, although sometimes I’d like to be. Occasionally I miss seeing someone open something that I was really excited about.

Anyway, back to the Christmas lights. Last night we headed down to Temple Square in Salt Lake City to see the display. It was amazing as always! We try to go every year and the kids love the time together. I wish I had pics of this one, but we got just inside the gates by the south Visitors’ Center and we were waiting for Bossy and her family to show up.

While we were waiting, we heard bagpipes belting out a Scottish tune. The Drama Queen and Princess started and soon I had six kids dancing a little Scottish jig…at least they thought it might be a Scottish jig…There were hundreds of people around and suddenly we were the center of attention! It was pretty silly.


The weather was nice as we wandered the grounds and out by the reflecting pools. Curly was so tired he could hardly keep his eyes open. We ended our evening at Menchie’s, enjoying frozen yogurt with the free coupons the kids earned in the PTA Reflections contest. Such fun spending time together…and the sights were way better than a single strand of lights.