Talents and Praises

I am writing this Monday morning while listening to the girls play Barbies upstairs.  We are officially on Spring Break and I am so happy.  It is nice to have them around just playing with no set schedule or demands on our time.  We ended the school week with the Talent Show. 

Audrey sang with her friend Trinity to Katy Perry's "The One that Got Away".   The song choice had been picked before I had a say and I decided to just sit back and watch this year.  There were quite a few acts before hers that were...um, intresting.  Doubt in my daughters ability started to creep in when she stepped on stage but dang I was so surprised.   She sounded great.  She likes the stage.  She likes microphones.  She is a born performer. 

 I tried to tape it.  Turns out I hit the off button 28 seconds into the act.  So you will have to trust me... she did great!

Justin's Grandparents are in town from Louisiana.  We spent the day at there place and acquired a new toy (another post for another day).   The girls love visiting because they have a room with mirrors along a whole wall.  Oh the possibilties!! 

We were honored guests that evening to a Plumber's Union Event where Justin's Grandfather received a pin for 60 years in the Plumbers Union.  It was quite impressive to think that Justin is doing the same trade that his grandfather was doing 60 years ago.  That is a legacy that should be cherished.

 Justin's Grandparents had 5 children who went on to have 17 kids (give or take) and those kids had (are having) 14 kids and here are just a few celebrating Madee turning 5 at her birthday party.  These kids have no clue the history that comes with them.  The people that made up the lives that brought them into this world.  They are keepers of some great stories and we need make sure we tell them. 



Tortilla Flats

Arizona is 100 years old which makes me have the nagging feeling to teach my girls a little Arizona history.  The Grand Canyon was out because that place just gives me major anxiety thinking about it, so this weekend we choose the Superstition Mountains and headed out to the Apache Trail.

Our first stop was a restaurant called Tortilla Flats.  It is known for the dollar bills it has on the wall.   Legend has it that the Gold Miners used to put dollar bills on the wall when they ordered a drink and they just never took them down.  There are bills from all over the world everywhere.  The food was great and the beer (Superstition Mule Oil) tasted mighty fine. 

It was really hard for some people to resist touching EVERY dollar bill that was at their eye level.  But I guess that is what you would expect. 

Our lunch conversation consisted mostly of explaining what theft, stealing, and jail meant.

We finished the day visiting the Ghost Town on the Apache Trail.  We ate ice cream with homemade waffle cones that were still warm - so yummy!  We sat in the corner and covered our ears for the gun fight.  We were 15 minutes late for the gold mining.  The train ride looked fun but they only took cash - we had none.  The Bordelo was off-limits for obvious reasons but I was able to take this really cute picture and make it look like it was the olden days so all was not lost!

We had one of those really great weekends that make my heart happy!

Super Bowl XLVI

Probably being a Dad of 2 girls your would think your chances of getting to enjoy a Football Game would start to diminish.  But think again. 

Football happens to be a great time for:

1 - Wearing Cute Clothing.  There are shirts designed just for the event and you better believe we each had one (some with coordinating hair accessories).

 2- Dressing up your American Girl doll.  There is no better reason to create a customized tee for your sweet doll and have her wear her sneakers that have been hiding in the back of the closet for so long.

 3 - Party, party, party.  Every girl loves a good party and especially one with a THEME!  Banners were sewn, napkins and plates matched and the food was delicious.

4 - Cheering. You will never find better cheerleaders for you team then the girls in your life.  We wanted to the Giants to win so bad.  We talked trash and cheered louder then all of NY... just for you.

All in all, I would say if you were a Dad of girls, you are the lucky one.  Your love of Football just moved to a whole 'nother level!! 

Way to go Giants.

Companions

At some point I realize that it is going to be uncool to hang out with your Mom.  But this past weekend I really wanted some buddies.  I got the girls and I tickets to see With Two Wings at the Tempe Center for the Arts.  The story was about overprotective parents who didn't want their child to get hurt experiencing the real world.  Well duh? 

 You give birth to these 2 little angels and love on them and then you are just supposed to let them grow up?  Seriously?  What cruel person came up with that plan? 

We had a good time.  The day before I pulled them around a quilt show, we ate overpriced hot dogs from a stand and sang loud in the car.  I will be thinking up more fun ways to disguise my hovering, overprotective instincts.  I plan on getting so good that they won't even know they are hanging out with me.   They will be begging for more Mom and me time!!! 

Lost a Toof!

Carissa Lost Her First Toof!!   For some reason I have become the official tooth-puller in the family.  Which is really odd because I get queasy just knowing someone is feeling queasy.  The only thing I can attribute me getting the job is the fact that I have smaller fingers then Dad. 

This particular tooth was kind of tricky.  From the outside it appeared to be just hanging there.  I kept thinking it was just going to plop right out.  But when I got ahold of the thing it was a different story.  The tooth was a bleeder - it held on for life and (cringing as I write this) I could feel the gums ripping away.  UGH!!  She was brave though (as usual - didn't cry).  Sometimes I think that is just not normal not to cry when there is pain... kids.

 This week also marked my first ever experience as a "Cheer" mom.  Hmmm.  Not quite how I envisioned the path for my daughters but - who am I to judge?  They worked there tails off for four hours during the week learning high kicks and dance moves.  I was impressed at how much they learned.  Mostly I was impressed that they can walk into a group of 50 girls and be part of something they don't know anything about. Then have the guts to get out and perform in front of a crowd at a High School Basketball game.  

Where did they get there their confidence?

"But blessed is {the Girl} that trusts in the Lord and have made the Lord {her} hope and confidence." ~Jeremiah 17:7

It has been a wonderful week.  I was able to sew a mini table runner and keep up with my work.  I feel accomplished :)

Twenty 12

We rang in the New Year in Flagstaff after a day of playing in the snow and swimming in the 'coozi.   I must say, it is pretty sweet just hanging out with my little family.  I would pick these guys over anybody else, any day.

Oh the RESOLUTIONS!!  On December 30th I had a list a mile long of things I wanted to accomplish, change and embrace in this New Year.  I am a girl who loves a goal. But wouldn't you know it?  On January 1st I couldn't remember a single one? 

For Christmas I got a Piano (well a 61-key keyboard).  I used to play when I was younger and I have visions of learning again and just sitting down and making beautiful sound come out. 

Except for I am really not sure, when exactly, I am supposed to accomplish this moment?  It feels weird to just drop the girls off at school, come home, drop my purse and start hammering the keys.  Do I wait until 11am after I finish that load of laundry and the house is really quiet?  I can't do it when everyone is here running up and down the stairs asking me if they can eat another string cheese. I have considered playing at night and turning the volume down really low... But anyways, for now, it sits, staring at me like a dare.

So onto Twenty-12.  The year is in full swing.  Back into Dance Classes and memorizing Multiplication facts (Audrey not me), saving money and menu planning.  Maybe I will write a little more this year.  You know, like I used to. 

I liked that.  It was good for me. 

Christmas Day 2011

I can not just pack up everything that is Christmas and not post about the day.  Because the day was wonderful.  The girls woke up and were so excited.  I don't think there is a better feeling when you can do that right.  Cinnamon rolls from Grandma, a warm cup of coffee on hand, and great anticipation.

The afternoon was spent in the warm Arizona sun.  Audrey "layed out" and Carissa and Daddy took a relaxing nap in the hammock.   We overspent on Christmas dinner but it was a good thing because Kris & Jarett and the girls joined us along with Grandma and Granpa. 

The night ended around a campfire, lots of cookies, and good glass of red wine.  ~ Perfection!