So, no vacation for us this summer, but it's been nice all the same. I can't believe the girls are getting so much older and all the things they participate in. It's such a crazy life. Actually when they all danced - minus Landry of course - it was much crazier with all the dances, practices, competition, hair and make-up perfectly done, blah, blah, blah. Now it's dance for Landry - although we took the summer off - so it's been swimming lessons for Landry, swimming lessons for MacKenzie and Sydney, volleyball, cheer, diving.... Candi takes them to Six Flags - which Landry has decided she LOVES this year. The Texas Parachute is her favorite. Last week we went bowling, saw the movie "UP" did a lot of cooking - Mackenzie is destined to be a great cook.

...And I started walking/running again. It's been years since I consistently worked-out or took care of myself, so I decided with a week off, I was going to get back in the groove. So I went to the gym (Bally's) and guess what? They were closed. Not just closed, as in "we'll be right back" but the huge neon sign was removed from the building kind-of closed. Not a good sign for someone that had to take months to motivate herself to get there. They say 75% is getting in the door, and now the door was LOCKED. So instead of going home and spending the day complaining about the gym being closed, granted we can still drive to Irving, but getting there is 20 miles and I'm just not that motivated - yet. I went to the middle-school track and walked/ran three miles. I did some sit-ups and push ups and spent some "me" time. It was awesome. Then guess what? I continued on that trend for five days of the week. The last few days I got very discouraged because my knees hurt horribly. I'm hoping they are just in complete shock and nothing is really wrong. Lord knows, I don't need any excuses. But today they feel better and I plan on testing them with some walking/running tonight.

So in some ways it wasn't a very productive vacation. But in some ways it was the most productive I've had in a while.

Can you belive it's almost August??

Labels: dancing, gym, summer, volleyball

I love VBS week! It's been so fun to have Sydney, MacKenzie and Landry all at the church, watching them work and play. It's crazy loud, there are people EVERYWHERE, the teachers are stressed, the children are endlessly full of energy and all the while everyone is thankful and learning about God.

MacKenzie and her class...


Sydney and her class...



Sydney and Landry being goofy...



And more goofy...



It was an awesome week. I'm so proud of my girls and how they have become little VBS counselors.

This week MacKenzie starts the summer volleyball league and continues tumbling and Landry continues swimming lessons. She's gotten pretty brave in the water. We have to watch her VERY closely now because she thinks she's a better swimmer than she actually is!

What a GREAT summer!

Why is the end of the school year SO full of things to do? Cheerleading activities, volleyball wrap up, register for this - register for that, can the girls go on this trip or that trip, oh and don't forget to study for 100 finals... Katy's school year at UNT ended in mid-May, which was a month before Sydney and MacKenzie. I guess that was a good thing, but it included moving Landry to MacKenzie's room to make a room for Katy to move back in. NOW that it's all done, it's no big deal :)

They are definitely busy - hopefully - happy girls this summer. Katy's already been to the river with friends. She's working her third year as a lifeguard at NRH20. She works a lot of hours, but I don't think her partying is suffering too badly. MacKenzie had a trip to NASA the week before school got out. Sydney's been on an RV trip with a girlfriend and her family (which Sydney politely calls "wussy-camping". MacKenzie went to SMU cheer camp the day after school got out. This week MacKenzie's gone to Galveston with Danny and the boys. It's also VBS week, Sydney is teaching and Landry is attending. Next week MacKenzie starts the summer volleyball league - and oh yea, last week she attended a volleyball camp all week. Landry started swimming lessons yesterday and those will last four weeks. I'm hoping to get MacKenzie and Sydney to take a couple of weeks of lessons as well, although to a 14 year old, swimming lessons are pretty LAME.

That sounds like a ton of stuff, but with four girls it's not too bad. I'm thankful we are able to have them participate in various activities. Hopefully the older three will get to visit Grandma Janet at some point and spend a little quality time.

Landry had her dance recital in June. She was a hoot. It was a long day, so there aren't many pictures - she was a pretty tired little girl at the end of the day.



Of course our Angel family, Candi, Larry and Fawn spoiled her rotten - as usual. We are SO blessed to have them in our lives.



We saw many friends from all our years at the dance studio during the recital. It was great to catch up and hear how all our "little" dancers are doing, where they are attending college, etc.

It's been a great summer so far.... It's getting plenty hot, but we should be use to that, right??

Keep in touch and let me know how you are doing this summer!

Labels: camps, recital, summer

Happy to report we survived Spring Break.

MacKenzie didn't get a part in the play, but made the crew. She was happy, then backed out due to a cheer try-out time controversy. She DID make cheerleader, as did her two best friends, so all is right with the world - when you are in 6th grade.

We had Landry's pictures made the day before the tooth fairy came. Funny how that worked out ;) The first try didn't go so well, but the we tried again in the afternoon and she acted like a model at her 100th photo-shoot. Crazy girl.




The dentist went well. She wasn't too happy the same day, but has bounced back with a vengeance! She didn't understand why she couldn't SEE the tooth fairy, but happy she got $3.00, since of course, she's three years old.



We're now into Spring and ready to start cheering, volleyball, going to baseball games - Woo Hoo!! - and getting ready for the summer.

We had a great St. Patty's Day, complete with corned beef and cabbage. We all wore our green and talked a little about our heritage. It was a good day.

I'm going to start some courses in social counseling, I'm excited to be doing something for me - other than being mom.

Bob and I are looking forward to a weekend in Austin full of Longhorn baseball in mid-April. It couldn't get here soon enough! We need and deserve a little Mommy/Daddy time.

We may do some backyard remodeling work the next few weekends depending on the weather. Bob wants to enlarge the patio, so we'll be leveling and moving rock. Hope our backs aren't too old to handle it!

Not much else to report. Katy survived Padre and needs to make the most of school for the next few weeks. She's having withdraws getting back into the swing of things. Sydney - well - she's just "Sydney". Not much else to say if you know her.

More to come. Happy Spring!

Many months ago I wrote about baby teeth. I don't remember if I shared the traumatic experience of Landry falling down the bleachers at a football game and knocking the two front teeth into her gum. None broke and I'm certain it was more traumatic for me than her. Until now.

After three visits to three dentists this week, two have come back with the same conclusion, the right front tooth needs to be pulled. First of all, just let me share, I was "in shock" with the first visit. I think if the doctor could have pulled it right then, he would have. They say the gum is infected and therefore could cause the permanent tooth, which is forming, to become infected.

After the initial shock, we got two other opinions and have become more comfortable with the thought of having a snaggled tooth little girl for the next 4-5 years. BUT the thought of being there and watching, doesn't appeal to me at all. Having her *somewhat* asleep is four times the expense of not -- however, it may just be worth it. Another mom story from hell, if you ask me.

On to the older ones......

MacKenzie is trying out for the play at school this week. She's really nervous, but I think she's SUCH an actress. I've been the source in talking her into the audition so I'm hopeful it's not a horrible experience and she makes at least SOME part.
She's trying out for cheerleader the week after. This has been the current source of our money and time sucker for the last month with extra cheer practice and the big motivational speeches. I'm certain Daddy is secretly hoping she doesn't make it, due to the funds. However, it's such a huge honor and ego boost for an 11/12 year old. I think she needs it as much as she wants it.

Sydney's name on her Facebook for the last week has been "Sydney no phone :(". She decided I wasn't warranted in the fact I asked her for her phone after a particularly smart elect comment... So we had it turned off. Surprise, surprise, she's decided who is the boss after a week of no cell phone.

And then there's Katy... Why is it no matter how great your life is when you're eighteen, you think it's horrible?? Never until you look back years later, you decide, wow I had it pretty good then. She has a car with insurance and paid cell phone, plus lives in a dorm with a meal ticket, plus comes home every weekend to be a crazy party person, but still, life sucks. I would love to have her problems. She's doing great in school (Can't imagine why with Tuesdays and Thursdays completely free to do whatever). Anyway, her lucky boyfriend comes home this weekend from Pennsylvania, so life will be good again until a day or two before he leaves. Then she's off to Padre with her girlfriends. Life should suck so bad for the rest of us.

They are all wonderful girls with truly different personalities. We're so very blessed to have them and all their problems.

Labels: baby teeth, cell phone, cheerleader, College