Ashlyn's Dance Recital

I just wanted to post some pictures of Ashlyn's dance recital. She had so much fun and was so cute in her costume.


Waiting backstage for her turn to dance.

Touching Base.....

It's been a while since I've blogged anything and I didn't want to neglect it, so I'll just let you know what's been going on for the past few weeks. First off, school is over, officially for Ashlyn, but Braydon is still working on Math. He had decided through the school year not to work as hard on it and so now we are both paying that price. I keep thinking he'll want to just sit down and get some of it accomplished so he can enjoy the nice weather before we start school up again sometime in July. You know how boys can be and mine is no different.

Ashlyn has her last dance class on Tuesday and then it's Recital time. On Saturday will be her last recital of the year and to be quite honest, I'm really looking forward to it. She will pick up swim lessons next week and then sometime in August she'll be taking a Dance Camp she is so excited about.

I've got some exciting news to share with you about Braydon. His baseball team finished in 2nd place this year. We are all so proud of all the boys. It was a tough season and they all came together in the end. Anyway, after the season ended we were contacted by the first place coach and he is heading up the All Stars for the rest of the summer. For those of you who don't know what this is it's nothing but tournaments through July and if they have done well, they continue playing in August. Not every boy gets picked. Only a few selected from the top teams and they form this "All Star" team. My son and two others off his team were chosen to go and we are so excited for him. Our first tournament is scheduled for the week of June 22. I'll be giving updates and pictures of how they are doing.

Wow, it has been a crazy few weeks. I feel like for the first time in a while I can actually sit down and not have to think of the next thing I need to get done. I will fill everyone in on what's been happening just in the past few days. Thursday was Ashlyn's last day at Little Red. It didn't hit me until Wednesday evening that my baby is going to be a 1st grader. I starting feeling sentimental and getting a little down. Partly not only because she is going to be a 1st grader, but we have completed our time at Little Red. This school has been such a great part of our lives over the past four years and it's sad to see it come to an end. Ashlyn has decided she wants to homeschool next year so while I'm really excited about it, I'm also feeling really bitter sweet about the decision. Friday I made my nephew's birthday cake so I spent a good part of the day doing that. Also, shopping at Costco to get ready for a school fundraiser on Saturday. Saturday was so busy I couldn't tell if I were coming or going. To start off I baked another cake for someone else's birthday for Sunday. I then attended my nephew's birthday party and then had to leave early so I could get things ready for the fundraiser, which by the way was great. After spending several hours up at the church for the fundraiser and taking advantage of it because I used this time as down time, I came home and had to really get started on the cake. I stayed up until 3am to get the majority of it done. On Sunday morning I finished the cake and got it delivered. We then set off to far North Dallas to pick up a keyboard. I've bought two in the past two days. My kids are loving them, by the way!!!!! We spent the rest of the afternoon visiting with my mother in law who we met up with and shopped and had some awesome food at Rosa's. So, now that we're at home now I thought I'd get caught up on my blog. Hope everyone has a wonderful Memorial weekend.

Ashlyn's turning 6.....

Today was Ashlyn's birthday party. It's not her birthday yet, but her last day of school is this Thursday and I wanted to have her party before school let out. So, she has been so excited all week long and couldn't wait for today. She had her party at ASI Gymnastics which she has been planning for a year now. She had so much fun with all her little friends. I made a princess cake with purple and pink icing and tried for the first time a chocolate tiara. It worked out great and I was so excited everything worked out. I even made 20 king sized cupcakes with a pink tiara for the kids party favors.

So, it's time to leave for the party and we loaded the cars up and took off. Braydon and I went in my car and Thomas and Ashlyn followed in his truck. We were almost at the party and my cake fell and the tiara broke. I was so upset so I hurried to the party, unloaded everything and went as fast as I could back home. I spent the next 20 minutes making another tiara and praying it wouldn't break. So, this time I pack it up in a tub surrounded with tissue paper. I made it back to the party 30 minutes after it had started and ran to fix the cake. Luckily, it wasn't as noticeable as I thought. Here are some pictures from the party.

I Love Baseball......

Last weekend my son's baseball team played in a tournament. The weather was a little iffy, but the weather man said most likely the storms would be in after midnight. So, we all were looking forward to the hour drive and watching some good baseball. As soon as we walked in the park there started a light drizzle. Ok, it wasn't bad and there was no lightning around so we could just suck it up and play ball. 2:00 was our first game and then the rain came at a much steadier pace. It still wasn't bad, but I start to notice all the parents are all under the covers and the only ones out are our poor boys. I didn't feel quite bad for them yet, only because I know how boys are and they would give anything to play in the rain and on top of that they are playing baseball. Suddenly dark, luminous clouds were approaching and we started to think that maybe the game would not get a chance to finish out. I pulled out my nifty new phone and pulled up the weather radar. Well, we were definitely in for it. All the parents kept looking around just waiting to see the first lightning strike. As the game progressed, we all noticed that there was no more rain and all of a sudden those stormy looking clouds had some how gone around the entire ball park. I had made the comment that God must have put a bubble over the park so the boys could finish this game. One of the fathers heard what I said and he also made the comment that if it was God why are we still losing. LOL!!! I thought, "good point". Anyway, we were able to finish the first game and even take a small break and start a new game. Before the 3rd inning even hit the lightning started up and rain came pouring down. Then the game was called. You may have heard about the Cowboys practice stadium collapse, well, this was the same storm.

I've added a picture of the boys after the game was called. We all sought refuge inside the snack bar area. I couldn't leave without getting a picture of the dirty little boys. They all looked so cute, but wouldn't have it any other way. While the picture is not well taken(also taken from my new nifty phone). I'm still learning how to use it and there was so much going on at this time I'm surprised I was able to get all the boys in without being interrupted from everyone else.

Surprised.....

Ok, I woke up this morning later than usual and realized my daughter was already at school and my son was already working on his school work. My husband was doing what I normally do in the mornings. Just to let you know, today is my birthday and it was nice to kind of take the day off. My family took me to lunch at Texas Land and Cattle and my sister and nephew also met us there. It was such a beautiful day eating out on the patio under the umbrella and watching all the sailboats on the lake.

Just wanted to end this day with saying how nice everything was today and yes a little surprised....

I'm still here......

Ok, so it's been forever since I've blogged anything. I have actually been on twice to write something and both times something has called me away, so I never got back to it. I'm hoping that this time I can at least get this little bit out just so you know I'm still around.

We've been busy with playing baseball. Between Braydon's practices, games, pitching lessons and now Thomas is playing Softball once a week again, I feel like I am living baseball. Don't get me wrong because I love baseball and I love that my son loves it sooo much. He is rather good at it and that is why he is taking pitching lessons. He has an awesome pitch. He has been clocked at 55 mph which to some of us don't mean much, but to understand that this is coming from an 8 year old or excuse me, he just turned 9, that is something to talk about. He is pitching as fast as 11 year olds are clocked at and most kids his age are pitching at 40-45 mph. So, we have him in lessons to be sure he pitches correctly because there is a right and wrong way to do it and to be sure he improves his pitching. So, enough about baseball.

Not too much to say at this time. I've missed many occasions and pictures to write about but I'll include those later on. I just wanted to say I'm still here and checking everyone else's blogs too.

Old Friends.....

Ok, so I don't know if everyone has found Facebook yet and if not I warn you, "it is addicting". This is such a fun website. You're able to log on and locate old classmates/friends. I have been in contact with so many people I never thought I would hear from again. I have talked to old friends that I haven't seen since high school and some I didn't remember(that's how long it's been since high school. LOl!!! Anyway, I have found my childhood friend. We haven't been in contact since 1989. It was Christmas of our Senior year. I can't believe it's been that long. So, through the years I've tried searching for her on Classmates or Reunion, but no luck. Then about a month ago I thought I'd try Facebook and what do you know she was the first picture that came up. I couldn't believe it!! So, we have been in contact since then and caught up on the past 20 years:)

Yesterday morning I received an e-mail from an old friend who I haven't seen or talked to in almost 9 years. I had tried locating her on Facebook before, but never had any luck. So, when I read my e-mail that she had found me I was so excited! I confirmed she was my friend and then sent her a note. We were instantly connected. After 9 years of not knowing where she was and what she was up to and then all of a sudden there she was. I felt so happy and had a smile on my face and in my heart. So, since then we have caught up, somewhat, and chatted online. It was so good to hear her voice and the great thing about it is everything she was saying about "friendship" hit me so true. You see, she and I have been friends since we were 14 years old. So, we know so much about each other. It felt like I had found my sister again. Someone I had shared so much with and not even realized how much we missed each other. We have missed births of our children, birthdays and 1st days of school. We couldn't believe how much time had passed before we found each other again. It made me realize how we all live our lives one day at a time until one day so many years have gone by and it is so hard to account for them. Time is so precious and we can't take any of it back. I spend a lot of time with my children because I know how time flies and I don't want to miss a thing. I look at my eight year old and still try to cuddle him like when he was a baby. The great thing is is that he still lets me and I know one day it just won't happen anymore. So, my question is "Why does time have to go by so fast? Why can't we slow down and really enjoy the best time of our life? One day we are all going to wake up and it's all going to have passed us by and we will say, "Where did the time go?".

Daddy's Little Girl

Yeah!!! It's Daddy/Daughter Dance time around here. Ashlyn and Thomas love this time of year so much. She looks so forward to having her daddy all to herself and on the dance floor. Two of her favorite things. They had so much fun last night and danced all night long. Thomas said they only took one break and that was to get some punch and a cookie. I just wanted to post some of my favorite pictures of her. Hope you enjoy!!

Sick Daddy...

Ok, so I was looking forward to today to do some things I've been wanting to do by myself. Mainly, just to have the house to myself for a couple of hours. I got up all ready to get Ashlyn dressed and ready for school. One down! Then I get home expecting to see Thomas and Braydon getting ready to leave for their big day. Daddy had promised Braydon he could go work with him today. Only to come home and find Thomas in the bathroom making these awful noises. Braydon says, "Dad is sick and needs some medicine". I didn't let me hopes fall yet. I kept thinking...he'll be okay. Nope!! He soon returned to bed with more "dying noises"(you know how men can be). I ask if everything is okay and he moans...Iii Don't feel well. Well, there goes my day. So, I'm babysitting my husband to make sure he is okay and none of my plans are happening. Just wanted to share that. I'm a little frustrated right now:(

Let Us Eat Cake!

So, I thought I'd share some of my cakes I make. This weekend I had a birthday cake and a cupcake cake. I had fun with both of them. The first cake was for a 12 year old girl who is into the American Peace sign. The second cake was a Strawberry Cupcake Cake for a 4 year old girl. Her theme for the party was Strawberry Shortcake. I'll be posting more cakes as I make them. Hope you enjoy!!!

My Cheerleader

My daughter has had her second Upward cheer game. She absolutely loves it!! She is so excited going to practice and even when we have to get up early Saturday mornings to be at her game at 7:45. She is always the first one up and ready to go. I just wanted to share some pictures of how much fun she is having.

#1 Mom

Ok, so this year one of my resolutions is to teach my kids the importance of RESPECT!! It seems they respect and listen and on their best behaviors for everyone else except for mom and dad. I guess it is just like that, but since I homeschool it is very important for me to teach this to my children. I am not only their mom, cook, chauffer, maid, etc, but also their Teacher. It is sometimes difficult for them to distinguish between the two. So, this year we are working on that.

I'm usually a softy when it comes to discipline. I will punish, but not always follow through. I know and have always known that it is very important to follow through or the children won't take me serious and therefore get the respect I deserve. So, we were in the grocery store only picking up a couple of items and my daughter really felt like she could carry more than just a 5lb. bag of flour. Well, I thought this was plenty. I explained to her if she dropped it the seams could bust and flour would be everywhere. My son had a couple of items and she wanted to be just like him so she starts her pouting. As we are walking up to the cashier to get in line Ashlyn is really starting to cry and being the dramatic kid that she is, I tried to calm her down before she exploded. While doing this she drops the flour and what do you know....there is a seam that busted and flour started to come out. So, I calmly picked up the flour, walked out of line and headed back down the aisles to put everything up we had in our hands. I told them to not speak to each other or myself until I calmed down and made them sit completely away from each other in the car. I had to go by the bank and let me tell you it was the quietest ride ever. They had no idea what was going on and they knew how upset I was. Once we got home, I told each of them to go to their own rooms and not come out until I told them they could. It was about 30 minutes and Ashlyn tried to come out, but Braydon stayed in his room until we had to leave again. When I told him to come out, he handed me a paper. I wasn't sure what it was and he was looking down so I thought it might be some type of apology. As I grabbed the paper and flipped it over I noticed how colorful it was and then read the only thing he had written.... #1 MOM..

I just wanted to share this with you. Braydon is a very sweet boy and is so smart and he knew how upset I was. It made me tear up for a moment as I was hugging him. These are the times I absolutely love. It's been a few years since he has told me I am The Best Mom Ever....

Happy New Year

Recap of Christmas morning: my kids said it was the best ever!!! Santa was totally a hit this year. Yeah, for Santa!! Anyway, my son is getting older and although he thought he was old enough for a cell phone(yea, right!), that is not what Santa brought for him. He didn't ask for too much this year so it was really hard. I guess the main thing was the Wii and, of course, all the games Santa brought with it. Not to mention, the games Nana got for him and Guitar Hero III his uncle gave him. That really made his Christmas.

Ashlyn, on the other hand, was so easy which I guess girls are just that way. She was also very happy with the Wii and games, but most of all was her American Girl Kit. She absolutely loves her. When she didn't see Kit under the tree she automatically assummed Santa forgot to bring her, but Santa left her as a wrapped gift so it took her a little while to find her. She takes Kit with her everywhere now. Her Nana also got her Kit's bed which she was wanting and her aunt bought her the Cupcake Maker. She said she would just be happy with those items and believe me she was.

Ok, a little late, but we've been busy the past two weeks and been enjoying our break. We took the Christmas tree down yesterday and all the inside decorations, so it's time for 2009. My husband is still in Christmas mode. He hasn't taken the decorations down on the outside yet. It probably won't happen for a couple more days because the weather is so nasty now. Anyway, we're back to school and trying to get off to a good start this year. I hope everyone else's holiday was as peaceful and rested as ours!!