It Arrived!

Peyton has been waiting so patiently for her final birthday present.  It finally arrived today in the mail all the way from Pennsylvania!

Anyone have any guesses yet?



What can it possibly be? 

It's open and I think it's going to be awesome!

 

It is awesome!

Thank you, Mom.  You're the best (non) Dance Mom!

The timing was perfect as Peyton had her dance photos taken yesterday.  Let's just say I would definitely NOT make the cut as a "Dance Mom."  My mad skillz with dance hair and makeup are seriously lacking.  Moms like me are nuisances to Abby Lee.  I would be in and out of that company faster than a shuffle ball change.



House of Pain

Get up, pack it in, let me begin
I came to win, battle me that's a sin
I won't tear the sack up, punk you'd better back up
Try and play the role and the whole crew will act up

Jump around, jump up and get down

Jump around, jump around

Jump up and get down

Jump up, jump up and get down

Jump, jump, jump

Safety nets are a good thing. We had a couple of close calls tonight.

Lemonade Stand

Since it was going to be another gorgeous day in March (can you believe it?), the girls along with the neighbors decided to try their luck at a lemonade stand.  They've always wanted to try it, but for some reason or another never did it. 

When they started out this morning, it was pretty slow.  By noon, they had maybe had a sale or two.

Things started to pick up a bit after that.  Brilliant marketers that they are, they decided they needed to move their location to the corner--because that's where all the traffic is and do something that would attract some attention (safely). 

I could hear them rummaging around in the house and when I went outside to check on them, this is what I saw...a banana and a giraffe hocking lemonade in the neighborhood.  It must have worked, because while I was taking their photo a customer stopped by and said he couldn't pass up this lemonade stand after he saw a giraffe was selling it.  It's too bad we don't have a leprechaun costume--they'd be raking it in!

Say Cheese!

I recently bought a new camera so I've been snapping photos like crazy.  It was a gorgeous night out and the girls were playing driveway volleyball.  When there was a pause in the action, I asked if they would pose for a few pics and this is what I got...

Conspiring...

Let's pretend we're animals...this will be attractive.

I want to be the star!

Crazy eyes!  Mom loves it when I have crazy eyes!

Oh, my eye!!!

Regroup...

Let's dance it out...

and dance (with crazy eyes)...

and dance...

and dance with a shout out to Justin Bieber.

After all that...these were the best photos of the evening. 

I have a lot of practicing to do...

Dance Moms

Tonight on our way home from volleyball practice and on our way to church, Peyton told me she wanted to start her own dance studio when she was older.  I'm not sure if it's because she loves to dance or if we've been watching a few too many episodes of Dance Moms.  What a train wreck!  Don't even get me started on it--because I'm ashamed to admit I watch it every now and then Tuesday on Lifetime at 8:00 pm (that's Channel 1028 for my O! peeps).  Is it wrong of me to keep egging my kids on to ask their dance teacher (who is a fabulous lady and wonderful teacher, btw) if she's ever watched Dance Moms?

Anyway, here's a shot of the neighborhood dance troupe.  We hosted a recital at our house last fall and they're working on producing another show in early summer.  They choreograph their dances, design their own costumes, and even do their own hair and makeup for the recital.  It is a BIG DEAL!

Now the "Mom-ager" in me is coming out.  Tickets will go on sale in May.  Immediate family is free, but other price levels will include:  VIP Pass $295--includes a meet and greet with the dancers and a seat on the couch; $139 - seating on the floor near the bar; and $89 - stairway seating.

A Lenten Special

I'm back!  After a long hiatus I am going to try to update more frequently--rather than every few months or so.  I'm sure you know how it goes...new projects, new schedules, new activites...it can consume all of your time and then some. 

So anyway...we have started the Lenten season.  C decided to give up her iPod.  No more gaming or dancing for her for 40 days.  Good choice!  Much to my relief, my almost 12 y/o Pey decided to give up eyeliner.  Hmmm...does a 6th grader really need to wear eyeliner?  Nonetheless, I am thankful for her sacrifice as well.  K's plans include the generic "losing weight" while I decided I wanted to try something different.  Yes--this farm-raised, mid-western girl is giving up beef for Lent.  What this really means is that our ENTIRE family is giving up beef for Lent.  We're only a few days into it, but so far so good.  What are you giving up?

The Casual Spectator

The last few months we have attended a lot of sporting events--mostly volleyball.  It never fails, that we have one in the bunch who is not so excited to attend.  Wherever we go we always need to make sure that she has plenty of room to stretch out.



Cameron cheering on Matthew during baseball season.
I think we've seen this photo before...



Soaking up some rays at soccer.

Cameron actively watching the VB game at Gretna.

Fending off the paparazzi while rooting for Peyton.

  

Taking a breather during the final set of the most exciting match of the day!