Dance Picture Day

Picture day with dance is always crazy. Costume changes with a small amount of time, tons of girls coming in and out... and the best part one might ask? The fact that it is all done after school on a weeknight so that you are running from the moment you come home. lol. In all actuality, it isn't all THAT bad, but it is hectic.

We got ready and fortunately had a few minutes before we had to be there. So, we took a few pictures of our own and then of course Tiffy wanted to show me how much she has improved on her heel stretches.






Tiffy is a great girl- most of the time. She is funny, and happy and cheerful. She constantly cracks me up. It's amazing how much I care for this little girl.

Once we got there, she of course met up with Taylor (her BFF) and they were as happy as two peas in a pod. Kristin and I constantly laugh at how funny they are together.



At the end of the night, the pics were taken and I can only hope they turned out fantastic. I get them back tomorrow so Yea!

1st Grade Skit

Today was the skit the first grade clas put on. Tiffany's class was perrforming at 1:30 PM. So, unfortunately, that meant thatJosh would not be able to attend since he has to work. I was a class mom- which meant I had volunteered to help out with the kids to help get them ready before the skit.

I got there at a little after 1PM and helped out. Then, I went and got the skit on tape before they went on.




It was cheesy and cute. It was a play about the 3 little pigs. Tiffy was a girl wolf. Suits her well. Tiffy sat on the side most of the time and sang with the rest of the class, and then she went on at the end.



After the sit, we took some pictures. She is nothing if not a complete and utter camera poser. Funny.







It's kind of weird to think how fast she will grow up. Before I know it, she's going to be an adult and a parent herself and watching her own kids performances. Better saver it now while she's young. lol.

Nationals Dance Competition! - part 2

They went outside to get some fresh air, and before they knew it, it was time to go onstage. Tiffy makes these funny faces sometimes when she's excited. I like it- its just so goofy, you can't help but smile.



They got out there and performed and did great. Right afterwards was their awards ceremony. Tiffy won a T-Shirt in the dance contest and was SO excited. We had been talking about the dance contest at the awards ceremony on Friday and she had been telling me how she hasn't won anything at the other dance sections at the competitions. So, I explained to her that the judges are looking for talent when they decide who gets prizes. I told her to put things in like heel touches, spins, splits, etc during the freestyle section...and then she won a T-shirt! She was so happy. She came out to show us and then of course had to run back to sit with her team. It made me laugh. The girls took first place in their Jazz dance. Woo hoo! They beat out all the other teams who had taken first at the other competitions in their category. So awesome! Their production number took 2nd. It's still a great score, but a bit dissapointing as well. To be fair, the other team had a bit sharper motions in some of their pirouettes and moves. After the awards ceremony, we came out on the floor and Tiffy had to tell John (my brother in Iraq) how she did and we took a picture and (amazingly) it turned out cute. lol.




Maddie and Tiffy were glad the competition was over (for them) by then, so we took a pic to celebrate their accomplishments of the day.



We then went to dinner with my dad and Lonnie to celebrate.



We finally got home around 8:30P. Hung out for a few minutes and then we all went to bed as we were exhausted by then. All in all a busy, crazy, but good day.

Nationals Dance Competition! - part 1

Yesterday was Nationals Competition and it was held at Skyline High School. We had really good times this time and didn't have to be there till noon. So, we left our house at 11 AM to make sure we were there in time and parked and had bought our bands and were in the locker room by 12:00 as we can't be late or we don't get to perform.

We had been busy and so hadn't eaten lunch yet. Josh made a run to Cafe Rio for food for us and my friend Tamra and her daughter Maddie. The girls didn't go on until 1:30 PM, so it gave us enough time to get them ready, practice their dance before they went on and still eat a bit. Their Mickey dance (jazz) was first. They are always so cute! They made sure to practice and cheer before hand.



As they were in line waiting to go onstage, some of the girls got nervous. It's funny how people handle pressure differently. Tiffy handles it pretty well and usually gets excited a bit before she goes onstage.



They got on there and performed. Sammy (one of the girls) lost her shoe mid-dance, and taylor was not feeling well...but true to form, they kept on going and did their best. Tiffy was smiley when they got done.



After their Mickey dance, it was time to change for their cowgirl dance in the production number. I think its a cute little outfirt and she looks so cute in it.



We were about to go backstage when we were informed they were running about 1/2 hour behind due to technical difficulties. So, we hung out for a while. The girls got a chance to eat some treats and color and entertain themselves before having to go on again. True to regular form, Tiffy was nice enough to share some of her treats with some of the other girls.

Attitudes

Why do kids have to be so complicated at times? Why do the attitudes have to come out every once in a while that makes it so difficult to remember their beautiful sparkly personalities at that moment? I know life is hard, but come on! Some things are just NOT okay.

Friday night was one of those days for Tiffany. She has been going through this growth spurt and has been eating like crazy. It was about 1/2 past her bedtime but since it was a weekend, I decided to let her stay up a little linger than normal as I sometimes do. We were hanging out waiting for Josh to finally get home - Fridays are his long days at work. We had already eaten dinner a few hours before, but she decided she was hungry again. So, she asked if she could eat again. I told her she could have either an apple or a bowl of cereal. She said cereal. So, I said "that's fine, but only from one of the cereals that are open already." She didn't want to eat any of those. So, when I heard a crinkling that sounded like a cereal box, I askedc her what she was doing. She started hiding and hiding the box so I couldn't see what she was doing. I finally asked her if she was messing with a different cereal and she admitted it. By then she had opened the box, and was trying to open the seal on the plastic part. I told her since she didn't listen to me, she would have to go to bed without the cereal.

She didn't take this well. She was mad and started throwing a temper tantrum. She was yelling, screaming, and started kicking my walls and slammed the door to her room. She started sticking her tongue out at me and was just overall not being good. I was so surprised since she has never thrown a fit like this and I have no idea where she got it from. Regardless, I had to ground her and send her to bed. I was pretty angry with her by the time she was in bed. It always makes me sad to have to punish my daughter, but I have to otherwise she won't learn what behavior is and is not okay. So, it kinda shot the rest of my night. I was pretty bummed. Funny thing is, I doubt she really knows how hard it is for me as a parent to do that sometimes. Sigh.

Mandatory Dress Rehearsal for 3rd Competition

Thursday was the mandatory dress rehearsal before their 3rd and final competition of the year. This competition is Nationals so it was important to do well. We were going to Nationals because we got 1st place and so we were going to be up against the other teams who had scored 1st at the other competitions in the state. We had to be there at 5:45P. Luckily Tiffy was in a relatively good mood. It was funny, they were having fun posing for pictures on her friend Taylor's new cell phone (which her mom gave her when she got her new one- though it doesn't have service on it at the moment). They were running and skipping around during the free dance section and were laughing and having a great time. It was pretty funny to watch.





It was a long night- we finally got out of there a bit before 9P, but it was alright.

My Brother Brian

I am so sad about my brother Brian right now. He called me on Thursday ( 2 days before his birthday) to let me know that he found out that his wife Emilee had lied to him about so many things and had been cheating on him with her ex-boyfriend (who apparently was never an ex) the entire they had known each other. It breaks my heart to hear that he is not doing well. He deserves so much and he just has horrible luck picking out women. The good women he does meet, he pushes away. It really breaks my heart for him. He was finally happy and in a good place- emotionally and academically. he had 1 semester left of school. Then, Emilee makes up all this stuff and he stops going to class because he was worried about her and her friend (who doesn't exist). I did warn him about quitting school, but he was sure he could just come back after all this was fixed and taken care of. He can still go back, but it's going to be a lot more money. I haven't told anyone in my family yet. I just don't want to hear their negative comments (especially my dad's). I will tell them, but not until he either asks me to or until I think I won't totally freak out on someone for making negative comments. It's a pretty sore subject with me right now. I swear if I see her she is going to get the butt-chewing of her lifetime. I take it personal when you mess with the people I love.

I know he isn't perfect and I know he has issues, but he's my little brother and I love him. He's been through SO much- more than more most people know. It just isn't fair. He deserves to be happy and I truly hope he can get there someday. Sooner rather than later. That's all I want to say about that at this time. Sigh.