Tonight's the Night

Recital night was super exciting!  Both Blake and Taylor got to perform.  It was on Sunday, so Billy was at church and the kids and I were home, getting rested and ready for the big night!  Taylor got her hair curled and her make up done...she didn't really want pictures, or a big fuss made.  Blake just showered, got dressed, and then helped me with Tay.   

even Daddy pitched in to help!

it's hard work....being a star!

Aunt Sissy, Aunt Susie, Billy and I, all piled into the auditorium to watch the show. No sooner than it all began, I started to cry...happy tears. It was so adorable and emotional, knowing how many months that has gone into this one 3 minute performance. 

I dropped her in the dressing room, before the show,
with all the other performers...she was cool with
it and happy to stay there.  They got to watch
the show on a tv, as it went along!

Right before Blake's act, just like last year...I got shaking nervous.  I really can't believe that he, with only two other boys, can get up on stage in front of hundreds of people and dance!!!  I was so proud of him, that I just watched him and cried.  I asked him after the show, if he was nervous up there, and he just said, "no...why would I be?"  Really!??!?!? 

Jake was one of the hip hoppers and his sis, Katie

Before Taylor's dance, I panicked as well!  I saw her little shadow walk out on stage and couldn't breathe...she just lined up and danced her dance...for the first time ever in front of all these people and without the teacher to que or the mirror to see!!!  My little dancer girl did it!!  I am sooo proud!  When she came out from backstage, she was so worn out...she didn't say a word, just showed me her trophy and was ready to leave.  I think we were all ready to go...so many emotions can wear ya out!

Dance Rehearsal

This was the last dance class of the season.  This was also picture day, dress rehearsal, and dance rehearsal.  There was so much to do beforehand. 

1st time doing make up and curling hair! 

She will not take a pic without her kitty cat

in full costume!

Blake was a huge help with all the stress before this big night!  He is in the recital as well..i have to admit...I have been more consumed with Taylor's 1st dance than Blake's. He has done this before and, not that it makes it any less important, but he is a boy and is just kinda like, "yeah yeah, so what".  He only has 2 other boys in his hip hop class and he gets to dance to his very favorite song, "DYNAMITE" 

Blake, Spencer, and Jacob...our 3 little hip hoppers :)

"with my smilin face and my tappin toes, don't ya
know...I'm gonna steal the show"

her little dance class

I watched these kids rehearse and bawled my eyes out at the end.  These little girls have practiced each week, are so tiny and cute, and such good little dancers...happy tears!  The show must go on!!!

It's Circus Time!!!

Aunt Sissy brought us tickets for the circus on Tuesday night...and even though we were still exhausted from the weekend...we took the kids.  We are soooo glad we did!

the kids loved the petting zoo...it's the first thing we did!

I forgot how amazing some of the circus acts can be...some were super dangerous...like the motorcycles going upside down in the ball cage.  Some acts were adorable, like the "my little pony parade".  Others were almost unbelievable...like a man balancing a 35 ft metal pole over his head while a girl did flips and turns on top of it...but the craziest one included a little motorcycle inside a turning wheel while still being balanced on the mans head!!  CRAZY!

Blake got in the ball and got on the motorcycle with the
pro rider!

Taylor wouldn't let go of Daddy for a bit...when she got done, I asked her
if she was scared being on that pony, she says, "no Mommy...I wasn't
scared being on it...i was scared of being OFF it!" lol!

Tay loved petting the zebra

We all loved the circus...Taylor keeps bringing it up
days later..."wasn't that sooo much fun at the circus?!?!"

Memorial Weekend

This was our first free weekend to celebrate being out of school, so...we had movie night on Satuday night.  We rented the movie HOP...it was really cute.  We had popcorn and candy to make it official.  I bought 3 of the movie style boxed candies, then Taylor and I put out little sample cups on a tray for everyone to get an assortment.

On Sunday, we went to church and then just hung out by the pool and got ready for our bash on Memorial Day.  Billy rarely gets extra days off, so we have to really take advantage and have some fun!

On Monday, we had some friends and family over for a pool party.  It was the best way to spend a super hot Memorial Day!

started out healthy with red, white, and blue vi shakes for us all!!

the only dessert I made was fruit pizza

vodka bar...check!

Aunt Sissy bought the coolest pool toys ever!!

Blake's neighbor friend came over to hang with us

And then the party began...no more pictures cuz we were too busy having fun!  Aunt Sissy brought over enough vodka and tequila for an army and so many toys for pool that we could get lost in them!  We played with the kids in the pool and made sure to have fun with them!  They are still talking about what a great day it was.

Aunt Susie and cousin Cheryl came over, along with Mat & Christa, and as the night went on...the neighbor's started swimming with us too!  The party went on into the night...it was fun and I can't wait to do it again!

Cub World Camp

This weekend was the camp at Beaumont.  Blakes graduation from Wolf Cub to Bear Cub took place at Cub World.  This camp is absolutely amazing!  The kids and I went early on Saturday morning, we missed the pack hike, but that gave us time to explore the camp, and oh my goodness, it was the coolest camp ever.

A small trail led us to a beachy creekside.  It was perfect depth for kids to play in, but not deep enough to get hurt.  There was a huge 3 story pirate ship built into the bank and other play areas around that reminded me of Swiss Family Robinson's!  This entire area was filled with sand, jungle gyms and tunnels that led underground all around the play area...we loved it!

We went through wooden mazes out in the woods and then had a picnic lunch.  After lunch, both kids got to build "Water Bottle Rockets"...they filled them with water, took them out into the middle of the field, blew them up with water, and  BOOOM!!  They shot up...way up!  It was awesome!

Billy came right after work and got there just in time for dinner.  They grilled out and then made all different kinds of cobblers for dessert.  Taylor and I were worn out from the long day, so we headed home while Dad got to stay for the Council Ring Graduation Ceremony.  Blake is now officially a Bear Cub!!  I'm so proud of my little guy! 

the elder scouts help with the graduation

he's a bear cub now!!!

the den...with the best den leader ever!!

Marching out of 2nd grade

I always start this post with the same sentence..."I cannot believe another year has gone by..."  Time just moves so fast, my little guy is finished with second grade already!   This has been the best school year ever, his teacher was amazing, he made some really good friends, and he learned soooo much! 

He took Mrs. Hakenewerth a handmade card, some flowers
and some chocolates

On the last day, the entire school forms a parade to march around the neighborhood. This is such an awesome day!  Second grade was supposed to wear purple but Blake decided the night before that he wanted to walk with the cub scouts and help carry the flag.

My friend, Karen met me at my house, and although we were almost late...we walked to the parade...it was a beautiful day!  We packed umbrella chairs and found a shady corner to watch as another year passed!  I love that the school does this, so fun!

Taylor thought she wanted to scooter her way to the parade...

the streets are filled with kids, parents, emotion, and excitement!!!

Proud to be a
PROGRESS SOUTH EAGLE !!!

Mother's Day just keeps getting better!

Just when I thought the big Mother's Day weekend that the family showered me with, was actually over...Blake brought home the most adorable "thank you" card.  It thanked me for coming to the "Muffins with Mom".  It was adorable!  Again, his teacher put so much thought into every little detail. 

notice the envelope...looks like Halmark to me!

"Dear Mom, Thank you so much for spending Mother's Day
with me.  I will never forget it. Love You, Bye! -Blake S.
your the best...
MOM
Ever!"

Mrs. Hakenewerth took pics of us as we came in for the
Mother's day even!  She is the most thoughtful
teacher ever!