Last Day of Preschool 2013 and Dance Pictures!

I haven't posted in FOREVER! Sorry about that! I've composed hundreds of posts in my head (really good ones, too!), but just lacked the energy to get them done! It has been so hectic around here! I have SO many things I NEED to write about, but I'm going to put that off (again!) and just write about today!

I resolved myself to sitting down as soon as I got home today to write this! I wish I would have.... instead I went outside with Emma to watch the family of geese that hangs out behind our house. They've been gone for about a week so I was surprised to see them there today! So out I go and I'm looking through my phone trying to get a picture of the Mommy, Daddy, and FIVE babies, then OUCH! I was standing in the only ant mound in the whole yard! Took me forever to get those bastards off me, too! So I'm sitting here scratching my dang foot. Nothing hurts like an ant bite! Hope y'all enjoy this picture of the geese, knowing how much pain I'm in from taking it.

And of course, you can't really see them. So goes my life. Argh!

Anyway, today was Emma's last day of preschool! She has completed the 3 year old class at Central, and today was, also, her last day at Mother's Day Out!

First Day of MDO 8/31/10

First Day of Preschool 9/4/12

Last Day of Preschool 5/30/13

As you can see, I didn't have it together this morning to do a cute sign. Sigh.

She is growing up so fast! That MDO picture is really getting to me! She has learned SO much this year at Central with Ms. Hiner. I can't wait to see what she learns next year! She will, also, be going to a different "after school" program at Episcopal Day School. Well, that's what I'm calling it. She went to MDO in the afternoons after Central and will be going to EDS in the afternoons this coming fall. She'll be going there this summer when I work, too!

Today was picture day for dance, too! We had a group pictures done on Tuesday, and let me tell you... it was cray-cray! Thank God I have no photography talent! No way would I be able to handle taking 14 2-4 year olds picture! Yikes! But the results are pretty dang cute, outtakes and all!

 Em's individual pics were today. Since today was a work day, I wasn't even going to attempt to do her hair and make-up! My nerves couldn't take it! Tuesday was a disaster! So my good friend, Regan, did it for me!

Em's hair has been an ordeal, let me tell you. The child's hair won't hold a curl!! Oh well, she will still look pretty!

This is after pics, getting our Sonic fix!!

 Tomorrow is another busy, busy day so I'm going to go now and get whatever rest I can get! Toodles!

Mother's Day Weekend

I have to say, I had a fabulous weekend. I feel like it was a perfect combo of fun, getting things accomplished, and relaxing. Makes me almost giddy just thinking about it!

Thursday at work, Clinton surprised me with a bouquet for Mother's Day & our anniversary (tomorrow)!

Friday, Clinton spent the day working on my mother's day gift and I spent the day alternately working and relaxing! Didn't even have to cook because Clinton smoked a pork butt on his smoker! Yum!

Saturday, we had a little Mommy & Emmy date!

Cinnamon rolls at Cinnabon

Fun at the art fair.

We came home for a couple hours, then headed to Cuthand with Clinton for some family time!

Emma, Kinsley, & Nakota at Nakota's 3rd birthday party!

We visited with some of the mothers in our lives, my Memaw, my Mom, & Clinton's Mom. We still got home early enough to relax a little before bed!

Sunday, Clinton and Emma took me to brunch.

When we got home, Clinton and Em helped me clean up the whole house (my request). Then, we spent the afternoon hanging outside. Me with a book, him working on my gift, and Em playing. It was glorious. And things got even better! Clinton took Emma with him grocery shopping (double yay!) while I took a nap!! When they got home, he cooked me a great steak dinner! It was an amazing day!

Today, he finished up my gift!

He built me a porch swing!

Little mess wouldn't look!

Thank you, Clinton for making me feel so special! I love you!

My Tiny Dancer

Emma is now on a dance competition team... think TLC's Dance Moms... that kind of team! I think. I have no idea what we are doing! Ha!

This has been a whirlwind kind of thing. Let me break down the timeline for you...

Last Thursday (4/18), I approached Emma's dance teacher, Miss Danielle, about a private lesson. I just thought it would benefit her for the upcoming recital. Plus, Emma LOVES dancing and if she's good, I wanted to know so we could pursue it appropriately. Danielle briefly mentioned that she'd evaluate her at the lesson to see if she could try-out for the team (Em is still a little younger than the other girls trying out).

On Wednesday (4/24), Emma had a 45 min private lesson with Miss Danielle. After the lesson, she told us that she thought Em could try out. I point blank asked "If she were your kid, would you do it?" She said "Definitely." Then it dawned on my, the auditions were in 3 days. Let the stress begin. I started making calls to get Em's headshot (Thanks so much, Jennifer!), and went to get the right color tights, etc. At home, Emma didn't want to practice, so I started having my doubts on whether we'd be able to do this in such a short time. But wait, 30 min. later, she was ready to practice, and I felt better about it.

Thursday (4/25), Emma had her regular dance class.

Friday (4/26), we had another private lesson with Danielle. 10 minutes in, Danielle came and got me. She said that she didn't think she needed to go over everything for an hour. Emma knew it. Ohh-kkay. I know nada about dance, so if she says so...

Yesterday was the day! We had to be at the studio at 9 for practice.

Sorry for the poor quality of this pic!

When we got there, Em was nervous. She was expecting the girls from her class to be there, and didn't know any of these girls! She finally felt comfortable enough to get out on the floor and start playing around. Good thing about Em, she makes friends fast!

The girls started warming up and stretching, then came the "Ok Moms, see you at 11!" What! I wasn't expecting to leave! I waved bye and headed out. Talk about a pit in my stomach!

I had been trying to eat healthier, and cut out cokes! Forget that...

Stress eating.

I just sat in my car and read my book until it was time to go back in! Ha!

That's when I got this video! This is at practice before the audition. No, it's not technically perfect, but it's pretty cute!

Don't forget, Emma has only been dancing a couple of months!

We went home for a lunch break and rest. We had to be back at 1. This is where the blogger in me failed and forget my phone and my camera. Sorry., the mom in me was too stressed.

She was #1 at the auditions! She did so good! She remembered how to do all of her dance terms! And while doing the dance, y'all. She is such a ham, doing the "face" as I'm now calling it! Such attitude!

And she made it! Danielle later told me she got Best Stage Presence! Imagine! Ha!
So begins our new adventure as a dance family! Emma is on the Mini (5-7 year old) Dance Competition Team!
Sorry, this was so drawn out!

Newest Family Member

We went to visit our new cousin last Wednesday! She was two weeks old already!

Welcome to the world, Abigail Elizabeth Bell!

Emma loves babies! Especially, Baby Abby! 

Clinton and I had forgotten how to hold one so little!

Loved how she was holding her pacifier in!

Oh, and we got to see Mommy Allison, T-Ma Terri, and Poppy Mike, too! Ha! Don't you love the grandparents names I gave them! ;)