Christmas celebrations

Always lots of parties to attend.  Don't get too excited for me: they usually involve chicken nuggets and cheese puffs.  

I only attended the last 15 minutes of Ally's party.  Something about twenty 3rd graders constructing their own gingerbread houses and twin four year old boys running around just didn't seem to work too well in my mind.  Ally's house looked great.  Her teacher mentioned how meticulous she was in her decorating.   She even had a story line to go with it.

The boys' party was a little more, let's see,  LOUD.  Parents each bring loads of food, they order chicken from Chick-fil-a and the teachers pass out gifts.  After waiting 20 minutes on the chicken to arrive, we loaded our plates, ate a couple of bites, tore in to the gift bags, ran a couple of laps around the party and left.  Well, Nanny, it's our last one at Mt. Zion . . . unless of course we get the urge to crash next year's party.

I wasn't invited to Hayden's party.  Well, I was, but to serve food.  I couldn't find my hairnet, so I left it up to her to party for me.  I think she was a little relieved.

We did a little partying of our own at home this week too.  I bought 2 gingerbread trains and had each girl take a boy.  We ALL felt the love.

The right boots.

Ally's Christmas program was tonight.  I was trying to decide if having her participate would be worth the effort.  I can handle the crowd and parking at the back of the parking lot.  I can handle juggling 2 four year olds in  crowded bleachers with 600 other parents vying for the best seat.  I can even handle a tween who has no desire to be there even though many of her friends are there to hear siblings sing.  What I can't handle is finding Ally clothes to wear.  So after 2 trips to Belk's, a trip to JCPenney and one to Dillard's, I finally had the clothes.  Then it took a trip to Belk's, a late night trip to Kohl's, a trip to the Shoe Dept. in the mall, a last minute call to The Shoe Dept. in the mall, a call to Nina to please, please,please run by the Shoe Dept. in the mall and a "moments before the show starts" shoe change, to get her the most perfect boots.  Not to mention the return trips to all those places to return the 5 pairs that were less than perfect and the 4 complete outfits that were not meant to be.

But after seeing her light up as she sings, it was all worth it.

She liked this song.

She was making a funny face at us and I caught it!

Isn't she the cutest turkey!

How did you know I was talking about Ally? Yep, after all the drama lessons, the auditions, the work sessions her Daddy and I have gone to in order to get more information on how to audition well and the private singing lessons, she asked to be the turkey in her class play. Am I really surprised? Well, she did look cute and BIG THANKS to Susan and Julia who left their house cleaning undone to help me make 3 tail feather accessories. I know the nursing home residents loved the play, the singing and the handbells. Ally had no trouble talking with them and sharing the handkerchief she had made. Makes my heart smile!

Day 1

Look who got Day 1 pictures!!

I thought at first that Hayden's lack of enthusiasm was nerves mixed with pre-teen Mommy embarrassment. Unfortunately, it was a virus. She's home sick for day 2.

Ally, however, is ready for the day. She even thought it would look more "official" if she was reading something. It only took 10 minutes to get that notebook back in her school supply stuffed backpack, I mean, messenger bag.

Pat the "carrot"

Ally went to acting camp this week. They started each morning at 9 with Improv, then did singing until lunch and then spent the afternoon with creative writing and drama. We chose this camp because the lady that directed Mulan Jr was teaching the afternoon stuff.

She gets Ally and Ally LOVES her.

On Friday night, there was a "showcase" for the families to see what the kids had done during the week. They started with a couple of drama exercises and then did a game they had learned during improv. Here is a snippet of Ally's part:

I pretty much knew it was a big deal when Ally received a CD and lyrics for the week. She was to learn 6 songs before Monday and then each day add more. It was amazing how much they taught these guys this week.

Here is another snippet of Ally:

Also, during the week, they were to develop a character that they had never heard of before and create a monologue. We had received a letter telling us to have them start thinking about their character and what they would look like, act like, etc. On the way to the swim meet last weekend, I told Ally that she needed to start thinking about her character. She knew exactly what she wanted to do. The only help she got from us was typing up her monologue.

Here it is:

It wasn't even close . . . she was the BEST!!!

Take it up a branch.

As I have been replaying the conversation with Ally, over and over and over, I came to a realization. It is very similar to a conversation my Mother had with one of my sisters when she was younger and on the way to school . . . elementary school. Perhaps, just perhaps, this particular sister's son doesn't necessarily have the same personality traits as my sweet little daughter, but it all starts a little higher up the family tree.

Like maybe with her. Here's to butterflies and rainbows JK!!!

The Van.

I have a love / hate relationship with my van. I love that it has been a good vehicle with few problems. I hate that it is a van. I love that it has lots of room for friends, extra family members, snacks, trash, clothing and anything else that we can cram in. I hate that it is a van. I love that it has taken us on many fun, family outings. I hate that it is a van.

That brings me to today. I'm not sure where to categorize the many conversations I've had with my kids in the van. Sometimes I love them, sometimes, not so much. I'll let you decide for yourself about the following:

Ally : "My thumb hurts."

Mom: "Where did you hurt it?"

Ally : "In the shower."

Mom: (I was expecting her to say it was from learning to dive off those dumb blocks at swim practice) "How did you hurt it in the shower?"

Ally: "You know the thing you use to get hair off your legs?"

Mom: "My razor?"

Ally: "Yes. My legs were itching from the hair so I shaved them. How are you supposed to do it?"

Mom: "I'm really not wanting to tell you until I check out your legs. Did you take the cover off the blade?"

Ally: " Well of course."

Mom: "Did you run your thumb over the blade?"

Ally: "Yep"

Mom: "Did it bleed?"

Ally: "No."

Mom: "You really shouldn't have done that."

Ally: "Well you should've come back to the shower."

Mom: "Well you shouldn't mess with grown up stuff. Did you really shave your legs?"

Ally: "Yes. Why? When are you supposed to shave your legs?"

Mom: "I guess when you're 12. I'm going to need to see your legs when we get home."

Hayden: (after feeling Ally's legs and giggling) "Yep, she shaved 'em."

Ally: "I think you should buy Daddy one of those like you have. Was I supposed to use shaving cream?"

Mom: "I'll tell you when you are 12. What do you think your punishment should be?"

Ally: "I guess not take a shower in your bathroom ever again."

Mom: "Ally, that's not punishment, that is FACT. "

Thank goodness she didn't find Ben's head razor and decide her scalp itched.

Santa's Village

After Jackie's birthday dinner, we took the kids to Santa's Village. Hayden and Ben were in Nashville for a basketball game and Robin's family had things to do.

It was a good night to go and I think everybody had a good time. Oh, and I almost forgot, the boys actually stood by Santa . . . but they did not smile about it.

And neither did Santa!

The Goodes make the paper . . . again.

We've done it again. This time the scrapbook section where activities from schools in the area are highlighted. It was really a fun day and Ally got a big kick out of the safety glasses.

Totally inappropriate.

Ally spent the night at Anna's last night. Anna's Mom took them to the mall to buy friendship bracelets and to stop in a couple of stores. They did the bracelet thing and headed to the next store; Victoria's Secret. She ran in to exchange a bra. Didn't look around for nighties, didn't pick up a pair of thongs, just grabbed the correct size, did the exchange and left. Upon exiting the store, Ally vocalized her feelings:

"That was totally inappropriate."

Her Mother called me this morning to apologize for corrupting my daughter.

I need to practice my snack and entertainment packing

Tonight was our practice swim meet in Athens.  The girls did great and the boys, well, they stayed out of trouble for the most part and only had to go potty 5 times.  I guess I should just be happy they actually went to the bathroom.  Hayden swam free, back, breast and fly.  Ally swam free and back.  Ben, of course, had to get in on the action as a Stroke/Turn Judge, so I just hung on the other side of the fence with Nina and the boys.  I was able to get some pretty good pictures if I do say so myself.  I thought it was kind of funny when Ally asked if we were done with swimming.  I mean, she's done practice and she's done a swim meet.  What else is there?  I was also informed that my snacks were no good and I didn't provide them any entertainment.  I guess I'll need to "practice" that.  However, I did notice a little girl and 3 friends running around entertaining themselves with the cold packs from the snacks.  A nine year old almost missed breast stroke because her sister's entertainment was so good.

We have tasted victory and we like it!!!

The Pink Panthers are on a winning streak!!  Ally's t-ball team beat the #1 team tonight in round 2 of the tournament.  If you recall, we didn't win a game all season (14 losses).  The girls were excited and played so hard tonight.  They held the Cheetahs to 1 run after 2 innings, while we were up 6.  At the top of the 3rd we were up 11 to 1.  Then our coach got a wild hair and shuffled our players around on the field.  Not good .. . they got their 6 runs.  We got 4 runs the next inning and held them to 4(with our returned players in their original positions - wild hair removed!).  The score was 15 to 11.  It was the last inning and we were up to bat.  If we got to 18, there would be no way for them to catch up (6 run limit).  It was 17 - 11, 1 out, Ally at third and the opposing coach moves a player to catcher position.  Typically it is more "useful" to have the players out in the field, but this was probably a smart move to try to stop the runner from scoring.  Unfortunately for the Cheetahs, Ally was still smokin' from Tuesday's game.  The ball is hit to the pitcher and she makes the throw home . . . Ally comes speeding home as if her sister is chasing her.  The ball flies over the catcher's glove as Ally victoriously stomps over home plate.  You couldn't take the smiles off the girls and their parents with sandpaper!  We were/are still in shock.  Of course no victory is complete without a snow cone.  Happy snow cone Ally, you did great!!  (Hayden gets one too for chasing Ally in the backyard and helping her run faster!)

Ally

Well, Ally had a big couple of days.  First, she graduated kindergarten yesterday.  She's officially a first grader now.  Mrs. Thomas was a great teacher for Ally, and Ally really excelled this year.  She has such an out-going personality that other kids and adults go out of their way to speak to her.  It's fun to watch a six year old work a crowd like a politician one minute and be oblivious to everyone the next.

Next, Ally's team won

 their first T-ball game tonight!!!!!  They waited until the first round of the single elimination tournament to put it together.  Ally scored a big run in the 3rd inning that kept the team in the game.  With two outs and five runs in (there is a six run per inning mercy rule) Ally was on third base.  When the ball was hit, she ran home "super-fast" and barely beat the tag at home plate.  It was so close that Ally got knocked down and bloodied her elbow.  They proceeded to pull out the win in the next inning.  We were so proud of Ally for her hustle.