The audition.

I like taking Ally to auditions. Partly because I like watching her show her true self and how uninhibited she can be. The other reason is because I love watching "theater" families.

Last nights audition for "Mulan Jr." was no exception. And I have a witness this time. I won't mention her name here, but she can verify what I'm about to tell you is true and accurate. She didn't get to see it all, but what she did see was enough. Right Julia?

The audition was at a small theater known for their musicals. It is a children's musical, so there were lots of kids ranging from 5 to 17. They grouped the kids into 3 groups: young, middle and older. Ally was in the younger group of 5 year olds to 7 year olds. They were all called up front and the student director randomly drew their names. Ally was first. She sang her song and then chose to do something "spontaneous" with the director. I know that I am prejudiced, but she did great. We are not singers. However, she was smiley and showed a lot of character for her age.

Within her group was a little girl that I think was 5. She gave her music to the pianist and prepared to sing. The pianist started and the little girl stood there. "Is this the wrong speed?" asked the pianist. The mother stood up, shook her head disapprovingly, and booted the pianist off the piano. "Let me just play it for her." Ok lady, you've got my attention. The little girl sang her song and did something next. I can't really recall because I was trying to remember if this was the same lady that was in that Lifetime show about the cheerleader thing in Texas. You know the one where the Mother was jealous that the other girl got on the squad and her daughter didn't so she killed the other girl. Something like that . I don't watch that channel, I just remember some commercial about it.

After all the little kids finished they were sent to the back room to learn a dance. The director made the statement that the girl teaching the dance could use one Mom back there to help with crowd control. Guess who jumped up. Well I've gotta see this. So I jumped up too.

Once back in the room the girl started teaching and the Momma started dancing. She was learning it too. After a couple of run thru's, the Momma wanted some clarification on some of the moves. Was it the right foot first or left? Do you punch on Queen or dancing? Do you lean over 45 degrees or 52 degrees? Then she proceeded to correct her daughter. Did I mention her daughter was 5? They had all of 5 minutes to learn it. They had to wait 20 minutes to perform it. They are nervous too. I'm just guessing here, but all they can possibly hope for is a little rhythm and for the kids to not fall on their faces.

The kids finally went up to perform and all went well. I know there were 2 disappointed people in the crowd. Me, because I really wanted her to jump up and dance with her kid and her, because I know deep down she really wanted to jump up and dance with her kid.

Don't mess with me and my trash.

I love a lot of things. My camera is one of them. As I have admitted to my small "counseling" group that I meet with once a week at various restaurants, I have, in the past, used my camera to give proof to the things in life only pictures can prove. Yes. I have ducked down behind the steering wheel in car rider line and snapped a shot of people and activities I find humorous. It's all about sharing. I want to share with others those things I find funny.

Along with that, I want to share with others those things I don't think are very funny at all. I've become one of those people and I really don't care.

Case in point: my street after "Christmas" garbage pick up. It has become a tradition for us and a family down the street to race to our "vacationing in Florida" neighbors trash can and cram it as full as possible with all our Christmas boxes, wrap and Barbie twist ties. It was perhaps a little too full since it was as tall as Ben. However, I'm not sure how you manage to dump trash on the ground of 4 out of 5 cans on our street?

Never fear! We sent this little picture to our sanitation department and county commissioner. They were out within an hour to check it out. Unfortunately, one member of our family was worried what the neighbors would think and cleaned it up prior to the visit.

Ok, so maybe I do care that I raised a stink.

Can't wait to see what our garbage man does with us next week!

Our Christmas

I love Christmas. I love to buy stuff for my kids and see them light up with excitement. I was a little worried this year since it seems like the older they get, the more expensive the items on their list get. Therefore, the fewer items they get. Also, the one item that Hayden really, really wanted was really, really wanted by half the planet and we did not procure one.

I must say the kids were really excited about their gifts. Well, maybe not Ally with the clothes. I was surprised to see that the boys didn't really care for the talking truck, but were so excited to get foam swords and shields. So much for the toy of the year award.

Here are the before and after pictures from the morning. And yes, we are having cake for breakfast. It was a Birthday cake for Jesus with exactly four candles. Do I really need to explain?

Who doesn't smile when there's cake for breakfast?

Hayden's loot

Ally's loot(except the dog)

Caleb and Joshua's loot

After

Shopping with my sweetie.

Better late than never.

Ben and I have been trying to find time to go out together and shop for the kids. Much to my chagrin, we have done a lot of divide and conquer. He did the books, Bibles and devotionals and I did, well, everything else. I'm not complaining. I love searching for the best deal. I'm not above buying it and then returning to the store if it goes on sale. I've been known to get other family members involved in my price haggling. I'm also an internet researcher. Do you know how many deals there are at Target online?

I'll get back on track. We finally decided to get a kid sitter and spend most of Tuesday shopping. A couple of nights before our shopping trip, we laid out all the purchases and tried to figure out what was left. We also started wrapping. And by we, I mean me. Ben started releasing Barbies and trucks from their secure wrapping. Our plan was to 1. Not stay up until 2 am wrapping Christmas Eve and 2. Get the most of our neighbors trash can. Success on both parts by the way. After analyzing our purchase, we discover that what is missing is clothing. Ben's favorite.

I will say he did really well on our trip. I eased him in slowly with a trip to Target to purchase a Venti coffee and some cars for the boys. Then we hit Bridge Street. A trip to Old Navy and Justice and we finished in time to grab some lunch.

What we did after lunch will shock the world. Are you sitting down?

We took the Big Blue Truck through the Goo Goo car wash.

Still there?

I even cleaned the car mats and vacuumed my side.

I win the wife award for sure.

You snooze, you loose.

Colonial Christmas

Whew. We made it. In fifth grade at Westminster, the last week of school before Christmas break is a big deal. It is Colonial Christmas. You don't really get an idea of how big a deal until you've been through it. I'll be better prepared for Ally's turn . . . maybe.

They start in November by selecting an occupation and begin the process of gathering information for a "research" paper. They also draw names to see for whom they will be making a home made colonial gift. Of course you also have to make "tools" of the trade to display during your presentation to the class and then again, to the entire school. And if you are going to be the part, you also must look the part. One colonial school teacher dress coming up.

Closer to the date, the parents are sent home a list of foods needed for the lunch and ways to either help or provide supplies for the activities. I needed a colonial bread and would be sending in supplies to decorate gingerbread people. Easy enough.

The week before the big event, Hayden did her research and wrote her paper. A couple of proofs later, she finished the paper and was ready to make her tools. And the dress was in process. Her teacher sent an email out soliciting more help. Sure, I can make 2 dozen gingerbread people.

Thankfully, the dress was completed on the morning of her oral presentation. Next up the gingerbread people. Oh, by the way, nobody else wanted to mess with the cookies, could I just make all 4 dozen. My exact reply: "What's 24 more? Sure."

By Friday, I was strung out on ground ginger and we had barely finished the sleeping cap for her gift. However, Hayden did a fantastic job with her paper, her tools and her presentation. It was worth all the sweat, sleepless nights and poked fingers to see her smile in her dress!

Our Christmas Beast

I love going to cut down our Christmas tree. I've rubbed off on Ben, and now he loves to go cut down the tree. The kids, well, they tolerate our insanity.

This year we were directed to a new section of trees with long needles that would be tall enough for us.

I think we overdid it.

. . . But it looked so small out in the open.

Oooooohhhh, I'm tellin'

Sadie is gonna be in BIG trouble when Caleb sees this!

The weather outside is frightful . . .

Well, not really. It was so pretty to have a light dusting of snow. The boys were super excited and just had to get outside. They stayed all of 15 minutes.

And where are the girls, you ask?

Still in bed. This all happened at about 6:30 AM on a Saturday morning.

I'm a sucker . . . but I do have my limits.

I'm sure you are wondering what happened when Hayden arrived home.

"Well everybody else got to make their gingerbread creations, what about me. I know I have a big social studies test. Yes, I have math homework. My catechism and memory verse test is tomorrow. Spelling too. She was sick. She should have stayed in bed. I have to stay in bed when I'm sick. It was just a stupid trip to the Aquarium. She's been there before. You didn't do anything special for me when my Montgomery trip was canceled last year"

I decided that she probably wasn't in the best "creative" mood and directed her towards her school work. Field trip or not, she had to wait until today.

I'm a sucker for . . . my kids!

Upon the boys arrival home from school, they noticed a "new" decoration up on the mantel. Yep, you got it - Ally's beautifully decorated gingerbread house. Of course this must mean it is time for them to make their train. Well, why not?They didn't get to go on a field trip today either.

I'm a sucker for a sick kid . . . that has to miss a field trip.

Ally has bronchitis. Ben took her to the doctor yesterday(thanks honey)! After the doctor made his diagnosis, he explained that she could return to school tomorrow, as long as, she didn't have a fever. He also just happened to mention that she shouldn't travel out of town. Hmm. How 'bout that $10 field trip to Chattanooga tomorrow. Nope, not a good idea.

Ben explained it all to Ally over pizza buffet before he brought her home. She seemed ok with the whole thing. Now I'm not saying she played me, however, there was some mention once her Daddy left to go back to work, how sad she was to miss this wonderful trip to Chattanooga and how much she had been looking forward to it and how much she would miss being on the bus with her friends. I had to come up with a plan or tomorrow would be a rough one.

Late last night, I made a trip to Walmart(sorry Mom, but I had to go). Previously I had purchased a gingerbread train making kit for all 4 kids to make. I decided I would buy a gingerbread house kit for Ally and, of course, would need one for Hayden. I am still skilled enough to get the boys to work on one together.

Now that you have the background, this morning I spent about 3 hours helping Ally make her house. Not one word was said about the trip . . . the entire day. I guess that means I created/implemented a successful plan for distraction? Or perhaps, I am just a big sucker!