Recital Pics

I was able to get a lot of nice pictures at dress rehearsal last week and I'd love to share a few favorites. This year's recital had a "restaurant" theme - you'll catch the drift by the names.

One of Cami's jazz pieces, Chili Sauce:

And her ballet, Champagne:

50's Diner - Banana Split was one of the tap classes I taught:

a solo performance:

My niece Lillie's (center) ballet piece, Chamomile Tea:

fun shot of Chop Suey:

Cami's Lyrical piece, Catch of the Day:

Another one of my classes - just loved the costumes on stage!

You've Gotta Eat Your Spinach, Baby:

a jazz piece of Cami's, Picky Eaters (Eat It):

My adorable preschoolers' debut, Teddy Bear Picnic:

Lots of work - and it all paid off. The kids did a wonderful job pulling it all together and they felt great about it. My favorite moment was when one of my kindergarten-age students was exiting after her ballet piece - with a cute little ballet run straight to me backastage to tell me with a huge grin, "That was FUN!"

Having Too Much Fun

In the past week we have attended 8th grade recognition, Camp Stella Maris, dance recitals, horse camp, 6th grade graduation, 6th grade field days, soccer game, and tomorrow Kaylyn leaves for Washington DC with her Girl Scout troop. Holy Moly!

Is this much fun even legal?

However, I will not discuss the physical state of my home and yard. This weekend I pledge to be a dometic diva...

Still Here...

Just poppin' in to say hello. I took this picture of Cami & Bindi (now 11 months old) last night before we left for 6th grade graduation, one of many festivities this week.



I miss my blogging friends. I'll be back soon.

Oh, June

One thing that's so nice this time of year is the fact that getting up in the morning (and waking the girls) is so much more pleasant that say, oh, in yucky old February. The morning sunshine and singing birds are so much more encouraging. I usually take time first thing in the morning to water my flower pots and peek over the deck to see what's blooming.

Here's one that Bindi didn't get to:

And these irises are what stand out this week. The weeds are still taunting me since I haven't gotten to this bed yet, but I'll ignore them for now. So there.

One thing that's not-so-nice is the frantic pace. My family is involved in many activities, both in work and play. The school year is coming to an end and that means lots of end-of-year special activites and celebrations such as student council breakfast, 6th grade Camp Stella Maris, field days and graduation, 8th grade recognition, 7th grade parent orientation, rehearsals and recitals, summer soccer practices, registrations for summer activities... Whew! My calender is filled with hastily scribbled reminders that keep me awake at night.

This is the kids' calendar on the fridge:

On the other hand my kitties, Pearl & Bagheera, know how to take it easy and just enjoy their favorite patches of morning sunlight in the dining room:

Monday, Already?!

Wow - I feel caught off guard. Not only am I waking up, surprised by a sneaky, new week, but we're already in June!

My to-do list is bullying me:

• finalize summer reading schedule and plans for library
• dream up some decent meal plans and craft a grocery list
• catchup on laundry, dusting, cleaning bathroom and all that jazz
• weed and mulch, weed and mulch...
• make a time plan for upcoming, crazy dance rehearsal week and recital (stomach clench)
• sew/alter Cami's costumes
• Finalize tweaking on new Dream Street designs

Saturday morning I turned into insta-grouch when Brian cautiously informed me that the pup, Bindi, while left unattended on our deck got into the flower pots that I planted the weekend before. The stinker dug out my petunias, sweet alyssum and verbena. She chewed up my coleus, pansy and portulaca plants and scattered potting soil everywhere. I felt pretty sorry for myself since a gift certificate to Spring Valley nursery was a birthday gift from my sister. I tried my best to put the salvageable plants back together in containers. But let me tell you - they look wimpy and SAD and were much prettier before. Sorry you missed them.
After dance classes, I took Cami to Bailey's slipper shop for new dance shoes - a last minute run before recital. She ripped through her jazz shoes, ballet slippers and lyrical shoes in the past few weeks so they needed to be replaced. I took the time on Sunday to sew the elastics in her ballet slippers, but did so that they fit too loosely. Tore out stitches and tried again... This time on one shoe I accidentally sewed the elastics together (hard to explain without seeing this mess) in a twisted sort of way that - again - had to be ripped out and started over. Ugh!

I spent my entire Sunday tweaking designs and converting all the PSD design files to PDF files and sending them off, wishing them luck on their cyber-journey to Arizona, home of Dream Street Papers. Because of this time consuming task we "have no food in the house" (a common complaint around here yesterday).

I'd love to just go back to bed and hide! I need an attitude adjustment.

Growing

Sometimes when I think about my not-so-little girls I am stopped in my tracks by the fact that much of their childhood is already behind them. Kaylyn will walk by me and I do a double take because she has grown so tall! Almost as tall as me. Where did my silly, little blondie go? I have to admit that I unintentionally cling to the notion that Cami, the baby, still needs babying. I can't help it! I never thought I'd be that mom, but somehow it happened.
I took some pictures at the dance studio this weekend, where recital season has everyone excited. Crunch time.

I see this image and think, that's my girl. But how did she get here? Where did my little one go?

Something else I like about this picture is that this is a side of Cami that many people who know her don't see. Her determination inspires me. She is stronger than she looks. Yet, she has a tender heart. She is a jokester, who loves to laugh. She is a lay-on-the-couch-with-a bowl-of-ice cream kind of girl.

My trouble is that when I look at her now I still see that sticky-handed girl with a grape juice mustache and footie pajamas. Of course those sweet things are long gone, but I do still have to get after her to brush her teeth and that wild hair. And the sticky hands still come into play now and then. : )

A Hamster Makes a GREAT Gift!

This is the kid you never want to invite to your child's birthday party.

She attended her girlfriend's party this weekend bearing this critter as a gift.
I asked her more than once:

Are you sure?

This is OK with her mom?

You're sure, right?

Really? Because we're NOT keeping it.

Yes, it really was OK. She and a friend collaborated to surprise the birthday girl, who turned 14.