Mud Bath

Talk about funny.

This girl comes up with some crazy ideas.

She wanted a mud bath because it would make her skin soft and silky.

Watching too any commercials, I guess.

She made up her mind.

She put on her bathing suit.

Marched out to the front yard.

Turned on the hose and started making mud.

Check out the background.  Major construction = big mess!

I'll blog about that soon. 

Mud everywhere.

Arms, legs, face, hair....

and even some splatter on innocent by-standers.

Cars that were driving by were even slowing down to take a look.

Nothing to see here but pure joy on her face.

Silly works for her, don't you think?

It's back

They started school today!

I wasn't ready.

Another 3 weeks off would have been fantastic.

It's unbelievable to me that my girls are in 4th and 6th grades.  Middle school for my oldest, and that's just crazy for me to wrap my head around.

Sugar Nugget is 11 and started middle school today.  She is so pretty.   Talented.  Funny - in a crazy, fun, silly way.  Loves to do her hair pretty.  Super witty.

Loves to sing and dance.  Wants to be a Christian singer.  Loves fashion.

She is truly becoming a tween.

Sweet Cheeks is already 9!  She's adorable.  Cute personality.  Kind heart. Sensitive.  Funny.  Loves to sing and dance.  Loves to play with her electronic toys, dolls and is into acting out in her own videos, like applying make-up, or performing a dance number.

Couldn't be more proud!!!

They are becoming such lovely young ladies.

They know what's important and love Jesus.

I thank God for them everyday.

Go get 'em, girls!!

Camp Cre8

It's funny how even though I realize that I'm not good at crafty things, my daughter had to give me a blunt reminder today.

Both of my girls went to Camp Cre8 where Nancy and Kristy have some adorable crafts for the girls to make.  You can check out their posts here and here.  These two ladies are brilliantly crafty and I'm proud to call them my friends.

On the ride home, Sweet Cheeks says "Mom, you should start a camp like this sometime."

I paused and looked at her with a mischevious grin as if to say "are you kidding me?  I'm not crafty."

She quickly figured out what my grin meant.

Then, she said "well, maybe you could do some type of cooking camp for kids."

I paused and, again, looked at her with a questionable grin.

Oh, yeah, she said.  You're not a good cook, either.

So, we left it at that.

Mom's not the greatest at everything....but she still tries her best and keeps a smile on her face!

Here's some of the cute stuff they made...

She did not want her picture taken.

Oh, well....mama needs her picture.

Great crafting by great Ladies.

Thanks, Kristy and Nancy.

You've made this summer camp a blast and a half.

2010 Recital

The girls had their busy recital weekend and performed beautifully.

I really was amazed as I watched them on stage.

Both smiled from ear to ear.

They did some serious bootie shakin' and keep the beat.

So proud!

Here are their gorgeous ballet outfits.

Sugar Nugget (L) performed to Sleeping Beauty while

Sweet Cheeks (R) performed to Bach Orchestral Suite.

And, then there was tap performed by Sweet Cheeks.

I absolutely loved these outfits....

and it was my favorite dance of hers.

Get ready for Jail House Rock.

And, if you ever see me dancing, it'll definitely be my personal favorite....jazz.

Jazz hands!

Sweet Cheeks performed to My Doggy ate my Homework.

They had folders and stools as props.

Super cute dance!

Sugar Nugget danced to Party in the USA by Miley Cyrus.

Grandma E came to visit from AZ.

And, Papa and Shirlie M were here to watch, too.

Next year will be even busier with both girls joining in JTR (jazz tap rep), which is the performing/competing group.

Sweet Cheeks will take 6 classes of dance and

Sugar Nugget will take 3.

Hey, why not?

I was a dancer so I'm glad they're enjoying it, too.

Flashback Friday: 8 years ago

Well, to say that these pictures brought both smiles and tears to my eyes is an understatement.

Many emotions and memories came flooding back to me.

They were 2 years and 5 months in these pictures.

Ahhh, sweet baby moments are the best.

These girls are my life.

They keep me on my toes.

They make me laugh.

I love them so much!

Miscellany Monday

Here we go....

#1

Why can't I get a simple blog button to work on my blog?

I'm not a complete idiot.  I know how to work a computer.

You know - the basics seem pretty basic.

So, why can't I figure out these simple blog things?

Monday frustration will turn into good once I've had my coffee.

OMgoodness....it worked!
Don't quite know how but I like it!

#2

I'm having a bit of a mom funk lately.

Girls not getting along.

Realizing I'm not the greatest wife, mother, cook or housekeeper.
Nothing that a little coffee won't cure.
I think I need to switch to the real stuff....decaf ain't cuttin it anymore.

#3

#3 fixes #2 because Saturday was the B-E-S-T day I've had in a while.

Went out with this chick and did some damage while shopping.

I ended up with 4 dresses, a jean jacket, 2 pair of summer capris, 1 cardigan, 4 shirts, 1 adorable lightweight jacket, an outfit with leggings (yep - that's what I said) and 2 pairs of snazzy sandals!

I went W-A-Y out of my comfort zone and shopped for a some stuff that actually looks good on me!

#4
Went to a blues festival with some friends.
Thanks!
It was a good day.
I realized that my life now is much different that BC (before children).
No more just sitting enjoying the music and sipping on a beverage of choice.
My kids saw a lot of stuff that was out of the ordinary.
Lots of tattoos, tank tops, volumptous-ness, smokin' and tokin' kind a folks.
Yeah - that happens.

#5
Only 4 weeks until summer.
CANNOT WAIT for silly times and fun in the sun!

#6
I'm madly in love with my husband.

That makes for a great day!

And, the winner is.....

Sugar Nugget was just crowned Little Miss Southern California USA.

We are too proud for words!

First, let me say that at rehearsal on Saturday, she didn't even want to go on stage without someone walking with her.

I told her that she would have to walk on by herself at the pageant the next day.  She did it!

She danced a jazz dance for the talent competition.

Great smiles.

Good moves.

She had a private interview - behind closed doors - with 7 judges.

She strutted her stuff in her casual wear.

A bathing suit, cover up, towel/bag and of course, these flipflops.

She was elegant and graceful while modeling her full-length gown.

She competed and won the title!

Here's the moment when she was crowned.

She is now commited to a year-long rein.

The court will contribute their time, effort and passion to 5 wonderful charities.

It's going to be a great year of learning to give back to the community.

Great job you sweet thing!
We love you!

8 year old perspective

Check out the picture that Sugar Nugget took recently.

While I wasn't looking, of course.

I looked at it and laughed.

Have you ever thought about a kid's perspective?

This is what they see.

Take an eyeful of that everyday!!

For the love of piggy piggy

If you're like me, you have waaaaayyyyy too many stuffed animals in your house.
Can I hear an "amen"?

You try to be discreet by stuffing them into the black trash bag and dashing quickly to the garbage cans to get rid of the goods while no one's looking.
(Maybe that's just me....but doubt it.)

You probably have your kids go through them to select which ones to say the big "good-bye".  A good lesson in "giving", right?

You've probably sold them at garage sales.

Well, let me tell you a little ditty about this chickie.

She loves pigs.

Stuffed pigs...

pictures of pigs....

living pigs....

webkinz pigs...
stories about pigs...
making up songs about pigs...

you get the picture.

Here's the history lesson behind her love of pigs...

Grandma gave her big sis a stuffed animal collection (beanie babies - I'm sure you remember those cute little things) and it included lots and lots of goodies.

Big sis ended up giving little sis a few select pieces, including this little pig.
It was love at first oink / sight.

The pig was named Piggy Piggy.
It used to be a much cleaner.
A brighter pink than today.

She's been through many life experiences...

countless nightmares...

runny noses and nasty coughs...

bad flu bugs...

nightime heaves...

trips to Maui, AZ, Las Vegas, San Diego, Palm Springs...
camping in the wilderness...
and sleepovers...

Each night, Sugar Nugget gets Piggy Piggy ready for bed.
Mask on eyes.  Check.
Piggy Piggy in her sleeping bag.  Check.
Piggy Piggy carefully placed to the right of her pillow.  Check.
Then, she places her own mask onto her eyes.
Sugar Nugget got these masks with some pajamas about 3 years ago and has been sleeping with hers ever since.
Isn't that strange?
Ready for bed!

Piggy Piggy, and a slew of other stuffed animals have gone through...

baths...

a trip in the clothes dryer...

tossing contests...

ear piercings...

tea parties...

You get the picture.

Based on this love affair, she has a conviction to avoid bacon and anything made from a pig.  No pork.  No bacon - ever!

Check out the sign in her room.

It's all good.
Her love affair with Piggy Piggy is a special one!
I'll be sad when it's over.