Just cried in front of the girls

I don't cry...hardly ever...especially in front of the girls, but they did talk me into watching Marley & Me. Therefore, now I have cried twice in front of them. A story for Tate to tell. She remembers me crying at the old house. She thinks I was sad to go when really it was because the realtor told me to paint the kitchen and put in a new chandelier.

We rented some movies yesterday, and I had planned to watch it alone last night but I gave in. It was so good. Perfect dog lover movie. Having just lost Scout I waited to watch it and thought I was ready. I guess I would have cried no matter what but watching them say goodbye to Marley made me crumble. Tate crumbled with me just like the oldest child in the movie. I think it was good for us and I don't think I have harmed them for life. It made us remember Scout's toilet drinking, endless eating if the dog food was left open, and inability to drop the tennis ball. It also made me think about Jackson who has racked up hundreds of dollars in vet bills because of a horrible ear infection in the last two weeks. I even have a prescription I need to get to the pharmacy today to hopefully get her well. In the end the movie reminded me that I need to go pick up Scout's ashes so we can take them to the beach with us over the fourth.

The newest member of the family, KC--Krazy Cat, is doing great. He is all energy and we all have the scratches to prove it. The girls have quickly learned to close their doors at night so their feet are not attacked. He is the cutest thing ever. A great addition to our family!

I've been off a week from work and feel busier rather than like I am on vacation...lots of fun stuff! If computer problems stay out of my way and I get an extra hour in the day I'll try to update more. Paige went down the huge slide on her own on Friday for the first time. Tate has a week left of Second Grade and will have Mr. Tricino next year--her first boy teacher. Paige starts camp tomorrow at her new school. It will give her a chance to see the place and get ready for September. Both girls are three weeks into their summer gymnastics session having loads of fun on the bars and balance beam--a nice break from dance.

Here she is...

Here is our new bundle of energy. For now we are calling her KC (Kitty Cat). Isn't she a cutie!

She joined us on Friday after living for three days in the bushes outside of a Spanish teacher at my school's house. We took her in to surprise the girls and now she has Scott wrapped around her little paw. Let's hope that he is not allergic to her because I know he likes her now.

Here she is playing in a tunnel I got her yesterday...

It is fun! Now we need to introduce her to Jackson. Wish us luck! We'll head to the vet this week to make sure she is a she.

Tate's Recital

Tate had her dance recital on last Saturday! I was the class mom this year. Yeah me! It actually wasn't too bad except for the girls asking me every second how many songs until their turn. They were after intermission so it was quite a few, but they never gave up asking. Here are some shots of the class hanging out before their number.

Here they are right before going on stage.

They danced to "Carolina on My Mind" by James Taylor. It was beautiful. I am so impressed by her studio. At 14, they take them to dance in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. I will live vicariously through her if they are still doing that when she gets that old. How fun!

Here we are having ice cream to celebrate afterwards.

Her recital closes out our activities for this school year. I signed them up for swim lessons and Paige up for gymanstics for the summer. A change of pace for the summer....

Thursday and beyond

Yesterday was Tate's dress rehearsal. It is so fun to watch them get excited about a big stage and see the awe in their faces when they watch the big girls dance.

Today I help in Tate's class and clean for my parents arrival tomorrow night. When will Jackson stop shedding so my vacuum with not blow up from use?

Two days until Tate's recital and my first go as a class mom backstage.

Four more days of school for Paige until she is done for the summer.

A week until Tate's Me party at school...sounds fun. Scott is going since I have to work.

Six days before I head to Wilmington for a girls weekend with Courtney.

Six more days of work for me and then I'm unemployed until further notice by the school system.

Five more weeks of 2nd grade for Tate.

Five more weeks until we head to the Outer Banks for July 4th week.

Seven weeks until Scott and I have been married 10 years! We are headed to Tybee Island, GA to celebrate. Just made reservations. Nana and B will babysit.

Two months a a week until Tate is eight! Say it ain't so.

Three months and two weeks until Paige is 5! I know it can't be so!

Three months and three weeks and Carmen will turn.....the computer has stopped working.

And if we really want to think ahead....8 months until we take the girls to Disney again! This time we will do Sea World.

Thata a girl!

Why am I so excited that Tate got her first hole in a pair of jeans? Crazy I know, but it is like a right of passage during your childhood. She thought I would be mad, and I just smiled. Poor girl was so confused.

Went almost two months without a microwave, but we have the new one in after calling in Dave and Darren to help us realize we had not taken the bracket off. Duh!

Got a haircut! It is surely a thata girl day!

Paige's First Recital

Another first has come...Paige had her first dance recital on Saturday. She danced (yes, in the neon green costume that had no connection to the beautiful song) to "Barbie Bandaids," a sweet sentimental song about your little girl growing up. Can I say tears? Whew! I got her out of school early for dress rehearsal on Friday. She was excited, and I was nervous to see what she would do when the curtain opened. She danced...that is what she did. She was even smiling. Afterward, she told me her teacher promised them a treat if they smiled the whole time. At school, she doesn't really participate when the class sings to the parents, so I wondered how an auditorium of parents would make her feel. She was awesome!

Here she is right before the recital...

On the way there, she asked me if more than Mommies would be there this time. I told her yes...that Moms, Dads, Grannies, and Granddaddies would be there. She didn't say anything more so again I waited with baited breath to see what she would do with the auditorium full. She twirled, pointed, and so graceful! On the way to lunch, she said "Mommy, I didn't even have to take their clothes off." At first I was thinking What? Then I remembered that I had told her if her belly felt a little funny and she was nervous to think of the audience in their underwear and that she would think that was so silly her funny feelings would go away. I loved it! I won't forget that one!

Chalk family

The girls are obsessed with drawing pictures on the driveway with chalk right now. They are getting quite good at it. Tate has a house, girl and garden with watering can going right now. Good cheap fun!

Yesterday, Paige wanted to trace us all to have a family in her picture. I humored her and laid down on the cement while she traced me...even each finger. What an eyeopener when I got up. I'm a pretty small person but you should see the hips on the chalk me. Ha! It was hilarious. Now there is a chalk Tate, Paige and Mom greeting our neighbors as they walk by. We are even holding hands. OK, rain come help me out!

Tate tracks back in today....5 more weeks and I'll have a 3rd grader. Can that be right? Paige is done at her school on June 5. We'll have the summer together and she will start at her new school in September for Transitional Kindergarten.