BEST LIBRARY SHOW EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I must admit, this was FANTASTIC and that's an understatement. Captain Spareribs had the children roaring with laughter and the adults too... It was a show of magic, juggling, ventriloquism, jokes and just plain fun!! He is an actor and does shows for Fisherman's Wharf.... quite the talent!!

My favorite part of the show was when he was doing a magic trick and we thought he botched it. There was toilet paper in his mouth and then all of the sudden he was pulling out this huge paper chain that was full of color and at least 6 feet long. He was like, better out your mouth than your nose!! Just hilarious!!

Finally!!!

Maria finally figured out how to pedal a bike. It took her a while, but I think it was partly my fault since I never got her a bike her size. We found this lil' beauty for $3 and she's having lots of fun cruising around the backyard. Well done little pico de gallo. The cheerleader rides!

Documentation of Broken Things

It was a week to break things I guess... we're just blessed no bones were involved... especially with Joe's anorexia.

Broken also, not pictured: Playroom Door and Vacuum.

Point: Ain't nothing broken Jesus can't fix.

The Skinny Man

Hey... is that my husband?? True story. My husband was a nice size, perfect. Sure he had high cholesterol but this is coming from a doctor that smokes weed. Maybe. Maybe not.

Joe has lost probably 40 lbs now and is out "running". He works out both morning and night at least an hour each time. They are having a biggest loser competition at work and I find he's a bit obsessive about it. He doesn't eat sugar anymore and I find him bony.

I'm also completely annoyed because he's losing weight and I'm gaining. But perhaps the weight loss has somehow affected his thinking/sense of right and wrong. I figure, why get upset that I'm a tub of lard and he's male anorexia... just go get a little debbie Sofia and it will be fine.

Am I proud that he's lost weight and feels good? No. I'm selfish and wish he was bigger.
Am I happy he is happy? Yes.
Do I think this will be good for him? I don't know. If I was a doctor who smoked weed, I would know.

Missoula Theater: The Princess and The Pea Videos CAUTION: Ultimate Cuteness

This is the "Jazz Hands" number.

This is the "Peas and Thank You" number.

This is the "Water Water Everywhere" number.

Missoula Theater: The Princess and The Pea

This was Christina and Maria's first professional play!!! It was a blast and such a wonderful experience!!

The girls made new friends, learned some great life skills like being confident in front of large groups, speaking loudly and clearly... plus, they just had lots of fun!!

I was really surprised at the level of professionalism from the Theater Company. The teachers were fantastic and really just plain awesome. They were able to maintain a positive learning atmosphere and were funny to boot. I went to every practice with the girls, because Maria was the youngest cast member... but even if they were 50 I'd still go because I really enjoyed watching all the kids learn their parts and grow so much in such a short time.

The girls were dustbunnies who taught everyone about good manners. The play was not the traditional story of the Princess and the Pea, but it was perfectly planned so more kids could be involved. At first I thought all the kids made the auditions, but then I found out quite a few were cut. So needless to say, I was very proud of my lil' chitlins. My stars!! They seriously stole the show they were so cute!!!

This was one of their teachers, Arienne. The other was Greg, who you'll see in the video as the leprechaun. Really grateful the girls could have this experience!! They performed at Nightengale Hall at UNR and it was a completely packed hall.

Ready for Eli

Joe set up Elijah's crib and I'm sleeping a little better at night knowing our lil' guy is going to be here soon.

I saved almost all of Baby Joe's things. It's so sad going through them, but at the same time what can I do. I often have nightmares at night where I just wake up crying and thinking I probably need therapy. TMI?? Probably. But my therapy is God. I just pray and then I feel better. I figure no counselor is better than my Heavenly Father who knows all things and loves me. I want and hope for the best. I want Eli to live. And at the same time I know Heavenly Father knows best, so I just live in nervousness and peace. Ah, my life of conflicting thoughts.

No Training Wheels Take 2

Yes, we are not very consistent in this teaching of bike riding skills. However, Christina makes up for our lack in diligence. This was our 2nd go around.

The cheerleader brought a friend along for moral support.

Christina... the look of determination mingled with utter cuteness.

And off she goes by herself!!!! Her daddy took the time to say a special prayer with her and I think it helped out a lot. She's pretty funny because she's nervous, but not really wanting to show. She's hesitant and brave all at the same time.

Except for one minor mishap when daddy let her fall off a 2 feet curb into these wood chips, she did great. She would only go about 4 car lengths before she'd stop. Hopefully, as she gets more confident she'll go further and faster. It's a great start and we're proud of her!!

$2 Skirts

I saw this fabric and loved it. So I made 2 skirts for the girls and they turned out cute. I saw a helpful tip that if you sew above and below the elastic it turns out neater and crisper. I didn't get a picture of Maria's, but her skirt is a double layer. I really wish that I could sew better, but hopefully with some time and practice I'll get there.

Art Aggression

Kandinsky Circles and Name Art Creatures....

The other day was annoying. Christina came home and told me her teacher said she couldn't come to "Parent/Teacher Open House" night at school. Christina said her teacher said if they did come they had to play outside or in the hall.

I looked at my child.

I know my child is very thorough and rarely makes mistakes.

So, if my child says that the teacher has said this, the question lies in why... why would the teacher say this?

As a child, I loved taking my parents around the classroom and showing them my work. Boy, how things have changed.

I called up the teacher and said I need to bring my children and leaving them unattended outside or even in the hall is not an option. She told me she'd really prefer if they weren't in the classroom because they are a distraction. Really? I told her plain and simple, I won't go then. I don't leave my 6 year old to take care of her 4 year old sister. It just doesn't seem like the best decision to me. Plus, what the hell man? It's a school. It's a place for children.

Anyways. Pardon my strong vocab. Perhaps it's my hormones. Perhaps it's just the fact that I hate dealing with idiocy. We get to the school and AGAIN she confronts me at the door and says that they should really wait outside. Well, I was furious. I was on the verge of shouting but I held it together enough to snap at her, "I'm leaving then. Give me my papers and we're out of here." She was very nervous and went and got the girls some paper to color on, but I had brought stuff for them. It was a 30 minute thing. Like what? What is the big freaking deal?

Christina was excited to show me her ant colony and ant poster. She was reading to me when the teacher hushed her and said to read quietly with her sister in the corner. I was really agitated at this point. We moved to the corner where the teacher proceeded to read us a packet and my children didn't make a peep. 2 other children had come and their parents let them play in the hall. They screamed and were throwing things at the wall. It was quite distracting. I wonder if they'd been allowed to sit by their parents if there would have been less noise..... hmmmm.....

Also, I don't appreciate being read to. I went to college. I'm not the brightest, but I did get a 3.8 or something by the time I finished. I is a good enough reader I's thinkin. Perhaps not though.

Why do I document this? One day, God willing, I hope to go back to teaching and when I do.... I want a spectacular Open House. I want fun and smiles and less bureaucracy. I want activities where the parents and children can interact and learn in a fun way. I want the children to be able to show parents around, be proud of their work and just for everyone to work together as a team. A team invested in the learning and success of the children.

While I am still peeved, I am very impressed with the work Christina has been bringing home. I differ from this teacher in methods, but I can tell she respects my daughter, challenges her and appreciates her creativity. She isn't a nit picky grader and Christina is happy each day she comes home. I also think Christina will be rewarded for all her hard work she does reading.

We'll see how things go. In the meantime, when I'm frustrated, we'll do fun art projects together like the ones we did here.

Total Madness and Freakishness

Let me just say that I am completely not ready and fully disgruntled that my daughters are choosing to grow up and move on to "bigger" concepts in life.

A while back they wanted to test drive sleeping by themselves in their own room. I had nothing to do with it, but if they wanted to "try".... why not? 2 days later they were back in our room. I sighed a sigh of relief and life was well.

Then about 3 weeks ago they decided they wanted to do it again and have a "sleepover" in the princess room. After 2 weeks of them having "sleepovers" every night, I told them if they keep on sleeping in there we'll get them new beds. Well, they were super stoked and excited. They are fully sleeping on their own... no problems. No tears. No hesitation. No screaming that they desperately need me and want me by their side every moment. I don't know what that's all about. It's bizarre and wrong. It all just seems so natural yet freakishly my heart yearns to beat right next to theirs while we sleep.

However, who am I to deny them from "moving on". They have each other, they are peaceful and I just pray very hard every night that we'll be safe. Thanks Papa and Yaya and Yaya Sofia for going in thirds with us on the beds. They have pillowtop mattresses that are super comfy and should last a long time!

Just as a sidenote. I slept with my folks until I was 16 or so. I really feel like I'm being gypped... I was hoping for at least 10 more years!!!

Missoula Theatre Auditions- Artown Princess and Pea

Today my children randomly tried out for a play here. It is big. Really big. It's the theater in the Grand Sierra Resort. It's so big there is an airplane backstage.

Due to some disorganization on the part of the casino, we almost didn't make it. However, once we were there they thought Maria was cute and let her audition too. She made it. She's the youngest cast member.

It was a long try-out, but quite fun for the 1st hour. The 2nd hour was mostly for the older children, but everyone hung in there and this should be quite interesting. The performance is in a week and will be at UNR's Nightengale Hall.... another BIG stage. The theatre troupe goes all over the nation doing this with groups of children. There were about 100 kids trying out. Both Christina and Maria got cast as "Dust Bunnies". They provide the costumes and everything.

It was quite exciting. Who knows, maybe one day my kids will perform again on this stage like this woman....

I do have to mention, the girls did really well following instructions and speaking loudly. All the children there were really talented and spastic. The energy level reminded me of my hyperactive self at those ages. Certain children just screamed "Look at me!! I love attention!!"... such tenderness.

Fun memory: All State Choir, I'm 15. There are 200 teens in the crowd and I'm in the first row next to DeSean Horne. After 20 minutes, the choir director turns to me and him and says, "Can you guys tone it down a little. I love your energy but you look weird and stick out." So then we tone it down for the practices and get spastacular again during the performance. Fun times. I honestly think I made the above ladies face and hand movement at least 30 times during that final performance.

Hudson Vagabond Puppets- Artown 2011

We kicked off 7/11 by getting a free slurpee...mmmmm.... pure sugar.....

We are scabs and put our blanket down 2 hours early to save a great spot. We waltz in with our picnic and voila! Showtime!! This year they did Jemima Paddle Duck.

While it was a wonderful production, I still liked last years dinosaurs and Ferdinand the best. This was a little slow, but still very very nice!!

Our 2nd Grader

Christina started 2nd grade today. You'd think I'd be OK since she's had a full year of school but for some odd reason, I cried. I hate being away from her. She had to line up by a bunch of big kids and I was just really nervous. I'm sure her teacher will be very nice, but I feel like I was pressured into having her instead of choosing who I wanted. We'll see what happens. I'm just so glad her and Lily are together. And I love that Maria wanted to be in the picture with them.

Christina had a very nice Father's blessing yesterday that talked how she would be such a great example to those around her. She is just such a joy and she's sharp as a whip. Maria has been quiet all day and asking when she'll be done. I feel like crawling into bed and just staring at the clock. I don't know what'd I do without Maria. Thank goodness it's 2 years before she goes full time. I feel depressed. And there aren't any good napoleons in town to wallow my sorrow in. Sheesh. Because good napoleons have a rasberry gel type layer and it just isn't happening.... anywhere. I've looked.

One comforting thought is that there are only 16 students in her class. That makes me very happy. That's heavenly if it stays like that. I'll take a small class size any day. I just wish this knot in my stomach would go away.