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!!

Her Last Day of Elementary School

I can't believe it!  I'm finally blogging....and it's about an important subject.  Sweet Cheeks is done - that's right D-O-N-E, with elementary school.  Please tell me it hasn't already happened.  Those precious years are gone and Middle School is just around the corner.


Here she is in Kindergarten...May, 2005.  Who wouldn't love that little smirk!

And, here she is graduating from Kindergarten...

She won 1st Place for our Reflections Program...Kindergarten, 2005...

The Category:  Photography

Her Title:  My Favorite Places
She took pictures with her best friends.

She has experienced many lost teeth...

Lots of Daisy, Girls Scout and Juniors activities...
Here she's bridging from a Daisy to a Brownie in June, 2006.

And, here she is bridging from a Girl Scout to a Junior Scout.  She earned her Bronze award that year which is a high honor.

Here is one of the campouts that she enjoyed with her fellow scouts...

We had a Mother-Daughter field trip to Sea World with her Troop where we slept with the Manatees.  June, 2009

This was a Field Trip to the Aquarium with her class...Here she is feeding a special bird some nectar.  2nd grade.

We have Watched her blooming personality...

Also watched her performance is her 4rd Grade Chorus...
Who is that cute little doggie?  The play was called Sorta Cinderella.

Loved those hats for Crazy Hat Day...

Doing her hair for Crazy Hair Day...

She rocked at at her first concert with with her 2 besties...

She had some awesome teachers along the way...

She went to many school carnivals...

And participated in the 5th grade softball game against the teachers...

And, the day finally arrived.  Her 5th grade promotion ceremony.

Now, this beautiful girl is officially a Tween and entering Middle School in September. The adventure will be full of "newbies".  New friends, new classmates, new teachers, new homework, new attitudes.


She is such a great girl!  Full of energy, compassion, and drive.  Funny, talented, smart and kind.  We love her and are so proud!

100th post - a celebration of my Man!

In honor of my 100th post, I'd like to tell you a little ditti about a guy named T-Bone.
I don't talk about T-Bone in much detail.

But lately, I'm feeling so blessed and want to put it down in black and white.

We just celebrated our marriage of 13 years.

WOW!  Hard to believe that 13 years have passed.
Our celebration was a some great indian food and a quaint walk afterward.
A night of celebration wouldn't be complete without a trip to Target and Home Goods.
I mean, who doesn't hit a few retail stores as part of a romantic date night?

Looking back at our lives, I feel so lucky to have him as my hubby.
At 10 years, we renewed our vows.

You should try it!

It really re-creates the romance we felt in the beginning.
You know what I'm talking about.
As time goes - so does that lovin' feeling.
I mean - really....how can it stay all touchy, feely when you're raising kids and all the chaois that comes with that.
It takes effort.
Commitment.

Renewing our vows kept our hearts close and connected.
It brought some romance into the picture...
Planning the date.

Inviting close friends and family.

Finding the right setting.

Shopping for a new dress.

and the best part....

including the kids.
You can read more about that here.

I digress....now back to our lives today.
T-Bone makes me laugh and smile.
He's smart and sexy.
He's always on my side, protecting me and supporting me...
and putting up with me.

T-Bone works from home, like I do.
That was an adjustment for me.
He creates nutritional consumer packaged goods (products sold at retail).
He's an ideas man.
A great marketer.
A researcher.
An awesome spreadsheet maker.
A wonderful provider.
In addition to his grade "A" work ethic, he's an awesome husband and dad!

I am so blessed.
I feel so loved.

(not the most romantic kiss but good enough for the camera)

We look a little stiff....but I just love the girls reaction.

I thank God everyday for him.
He's the greatest husband!
I love you, T-Bone!

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.