Wiinter Formal

Since the princess and Andrew go to different schools, she got to go to his winter formal tonight.  She already had the dress and shoes.  It only cost her a flower and some breakfast money.  Tonight they were going to the dance with several (5) of Andrew's cousins.  It was a big group, and they all seemed very relaxed and ready for fun!  You'll see how much more relaxed it was with the last 3 photos.  

 The princess and Andrew.

 Several of the girls were going w/o dates.

YOU GO, GIRLS!

 Hiking up her dress to cover her cleavage. 

(Wouldn't have seen that at the last photo session.) 

Helping her get her heal out of the soft grass.

Posers!

Hanging the Lights

Today was a gorgeous day and perfect for hanging the Christmas lights.  I didn't get a photo of the prince up on the roof this year, but did get them finishing off the mailbox!  Thanks, men.  They look GREAT!  Let the holidays begin!

About "The Art Forger"

I gave "The Art Forger" by B.A. Shapiro 3 stars.  I saw this book reviewed in a magazine and thought it sounded good.  It was.  It's the story of a young, female artist who is very good are reproductions of classic works.  She is asked to reproduce a painting with possible illegal reasons behind it.  She accepts the job and thus begins the interweaving of the story of her painting this, a  story of a series of events that happened to her 3 years earlier, and  a story of events 100 years ago that are tied to the current painting she is working on.  The author does a great job of tying the 3 stories together.  I found it a bit difficult to follow at times but only because I was unfamiliar with the art terms that were used regularly.  This was a good read.  I recommend it.

Choir Trip

I wish I had a photo!!!  The prince headed north to his annual district music festival.  Several choirs from around the state met and worked under a guest conductor.  The stories are many, but one of the best was this:

He packed his tux, shoes, socks, white undershirt.  Somehow he forgot the white tux button down shirt.  Oops.  An hour before the big concert he's getting dressed and realizes this.  No time to shop.  What to do? He improvised.  He had a couple of girls pull his white t-shirt up high.  He tied his tie around it.  Then he made two paper triangles (like the footballs we made in school when we were bored) and taped them to the collar of the t-shirt so it looked like a button-down collar!  He was sure he'd get busted by his choir director, but she didn't even notice.  Whew!  He admitted his error in class when they got back.  She just laughed.  Whew, again!  But I sure do wish I had a photo!!!

One more story:

They stay with kids from the host school.  He and 3 other boys from his choir stayed with a nice family.  When I checked in with him Monday night he said, "Yeah, they're nice.  They're Mormon.  But I'm going to prison for murder before this is over!"

"Why????"

"I'm going to kill one of my roommates.  I am staying with the 3 kids I dislike the most from my choir."

Ever the sympathetic mother, I replied, "It'll be good practice for college dorm life."

He didn't kill anyone though he did end up leaving the bedroom and sleeping in the living room because one of the kids was snoring so loudly.

"Louder than your dad," I asked?

"At least Dad's snoring is rhythmic."

I beg to differ...

Girls' Cruise!

The post I'm sure you have all been waiting for is now here!  I got back Friday from our totally awesome trip.  This trip was full of fun and surprises at every turn.  We left last Monday and flew to LA.  The weather was warmer than expected, which was a great surprise, and we had no problem getting to the boat or onto it for that matter.  Our dinner reservations were a bit messed up, so Shelley and I promptly went to find the maitre d' (not our first cruise rodeo), who was able to fix the problem but did manage to drop my Sail and Sign card behind a podium, never to be found again.  Ever.  And for those of you who have never sailed, your Sail and Sign card is like your heart or brain on a cruise.  It opens your cabin door, it's how you pay for everything (except the casino, though you can do that now too) on the ship, and it's necessary to get off and on the ship.  So Guest Services hooked me up with a new card, and we were on our way!  Here's a peak at some of the fun.  There will be more posts to come because I got some great shots here and there!

 Carnival Inspiration

This cruise line will get it's own post one day.

I have much to say, and most of it is good!

Catalina, CA

 Me and the sisty.

I have no photos with the besty, and it was her trip!

 In Ensenada, Mexico Tina and I toured a winery.  

At the winery they had a bull fighting ring.

 The winery was beautiful, 

and the wine tasting was great!

 Just in case you thought I stole the boat photo off the internet, 

here's proof I really was on a cruise ship--towel animal!!

 When the boat docked Friday we had time for a tour of LA.

Hollywood and all the touristy sights.  

It was great.  

Thanks, MB, for inviting me on your birthday trip.  I had a GREAT time!

(Protecting herself from the sun with her drink umbrella!)

Review: "Pitch Perfect"

The princess and I went to see "Pitch Perfect" Monday.  It's a college version of Glee, and stars no one really famous, but it was still a pretty funny movie.  It's rated PG-13 and full of sexual innuendos, but parts of it are very funny, and the song mash-ups are great!  Maybe the princess will get this soundtrack in her stocking for Christmas!  

Happy Birthday, Lynelle!

Happy Birthday, Lynelle!

Here's wishing you a wonderful year full of delights.

Enjoy!

Cheer Poster

Here's a sneak-peek at this year's cheer poster.  They actually photo shopped the JV and Varsity together.  I'm not in love with the slogan on the bottom!

State Volleyball

The girls' volleyball team headed to the state tournament Thursday, and  they brought the cheer team (Varsity) with them.  So the prince, as ever, was up for a road trip.  The state volleyball title dream ended pretty quickly, but the kids had fun.  Today he's off to a choir festival for two days, and they only have 2 days of school next week.  Lucky dog!

Movie Review: An Unfinished Life

As luck would have it, after reading "An Unfinished Life", the library had the movie available to rent.  So I checked it out and watched it.  Major disappointment!  SLLLOOOOW moving.  I didn't feel that way reading the book, but the movie was slow.  Not only that, but it had great potential.  It stars Robert Redford and Morgan Freeman!  But they couldn't save it.  My advice: don't bother with this one.

Thanks to the Veterans

Best. Parents. Ever.

Last night the BEST PARENTS EVER let the princess have a little get-together to finish out the birthday celebrations.  12 girls and 2 boys came over for food, sledding, s'mores, and Nerf wars.  If the noise level was any indication, they had a great time.  The boys left at 10 pm and then is was time for the sleep-over portion of the night.  Sleep is a relative term.  I put ear plugs in at midnight!  

I fed them breakfast--18 eggs/cheese, 18 waffles, OJ, and milk later...at about 9 AM, and they headed home shortly after that!  

Like I said: Best. Parents. Ever.  Don't even try to compete with us!

TWIPR

The TWIRP gods smiled on us tonight, and we were able to get to both kids' photo sessions while it was still daylight and reasonable warm.  This whole photo think is a BIG deal.  I have many more photos of various poses and with other props, but I think you get the idea.  I may post a few more later, but for now...this will do.  As I type this they are each out to dinner with their friends.  The princess and her group went to an Italian restaurant, and the prince and his group are eating Italian at someone's home.  The dance starts at 8:30.  In both cases they are going to well-chaperoned homes afterward for movies.  Wahoo!

 He did that whole, Catholic, "Hail Mary" hand signal thing 

before she came at him with a stick pin!

 The princess and Andrew

 All of these kids are freshman with the exception of Andrew.

She cheers with 2 of the girls.  

The kids on the left...he's in sneakers, and she's in sequined sneakers.

Smart!!

 She's not really taller than him.

It's just how they were standing on the hill.

 JoAnne and the Prince

 The prince and his buddy are the only seniors in this group of juniors.

The girl 4 in on the left was his date to TWIRP his sophomore year.

And now...just for fun!

 Work it, girl!

Travis and the prince

About "An Unfinished Life"

I am giving "An Unfinished Life" by Mark Spragg 4 stars!  Yep, 4 stars.  I really liked this book.  It was a page turner for me, but not in the sense of a thriller/Grisham type novel.  

This is the story of a woman and her daughter escaping an abusive relationship.  They head "home" to a place the woman left before the daughter was born.  She lands at the home of her deceased husband, and the story really becomes about her and her father-in-law trying to get along.  There is another old guy living on the farm, and I loved the dynamics between all these characters.

This writer really gets it right, describing the Wyoming landscape and farm in good detail, but not too much detail.  And he slips in and out of third person in strange and odd ways, but not in confusing ways.  

This book was made into a movie in 2005 that starred Jennifer Lopez, Robert Redford, and Morgan Freeman.  I have no memory of that, but I'm hoping it's on Netflix.  Good read.  I highly recommend it!

Happy Birthday, Mariah

Mariah will be turning 18 while I'm away next week.

Happy 18th birthday, Miss Mariah!

Quit making us all feel so old!

You are beautiful.

Have a great year!

Happy Birthday Mark

Mark will celebrate his 18th birthday while I'm gone so I'm posting this now!!

Happy 18th Birthday, Mark!

Enjoy your senior year.

And nice animal you've got there!

Congratulations!

So true!!!

Halloween Fun!

Oh my!  That's kind of scary, really.  A door bell, a "gulp" cheerleader, and a baseball player.  Check out the ribbon on Andrew's cap.  Best accessory ever!

A note about the door bell.  Earlier in the evening, she was in the car with the princess and me.  At that time she was wearing candy cane striped tights, the orange headband seen here, and face paint.  We were killing time, and the princess was showing us that the best way to keep your neck skin nice and tight was to tip your head back and make fish lips.  So the princess and I were practicing this when Christian said, "Wow.  This is the first time I've been the most normal person in this car!"  Hilarious!!!  

Oh, Becky!

This is how cousin Becky and her roommates handled Halloween this year.  Can't believe it worked!

Surprise!

It's hard to turn 15 and be so busy!  The princess had a busy day yesterday, and this weekend will continue to be BUSY, so there was no time to celebrate!  Wait!  Me to the rescue.  With a little quick planning, and an offer from Grandma to bake her favorite cake, and generous moms who were willing to let their kids stay out a little late on a school night, we were able to pull off a surprise party!  Mary Beth kidnapped her and Christian from dance, her friend Madi came over, and a party was born!  She was surprised and happy.  Thanks to everyone for helping us pull it off!  The cake was great, but the company was better!  

Is this a great job or what?

Yesterday one of my students brought cupcakes to class.  Aren't they cute?  And they were tasty too!  This is a great job!

Happy Birthday Beautiful Princess!

Look who is turning 15 today!  Our baby is sure getting old!  Growing up!  Getting on with her life!  It's a little sad, but we sure are proud of her and love her so very much!  Have a great day, little girl!  

Happy Birthday, Sparky!

This post is a day early so that tomorrow I can focus on the OTHER birthday around here!

Happy Birthday, Dear Sparky!

Hope that turning 100 is great for you!

Oh, I mean 7!

Have a wonderful day, and tell your mom that 

the thing you want most is

CHOCOLATE CAKE!!!

Poor Princess

On Wednesdays school doesn't start until 9:20 for the kids.  The princess just stumbled out of her room, asked if it was Wednesday, and stumbled back to bed when told it was!  She set her alarm too early.  The beauty is she's probably already back to sleep.  Kids are like that!

Pre-Halloween Fun!

Last weekend the cousins had a big Halloween party to attend.  Their mama bought a bag of costumes at a garage sale, and now it was time to figure out which one to wear!  That's a smart mama!

 Mariah

 Ariana

 Sparky!

What the heck?

That's not a very attractive Snow White!

Once the costumes were worked out, it was time to go to the party.

 Mariah got to be a costume contest judge.

Can you spot her?

And here they are with their chosen costumes.

That's a much happier Sparky!

They had a great time!  

Gilligan's Island

On Friday, I hosted a game room for the last 45 minutes of the day as a reward to students with no "F"s.  They didn't all come to my room, but it was one of the options they could choose from.  The school has a lot of games, and they hang out with friends and play. (I did have some 7th grade girls trying to drum up some drama, but I promptly put a stop to that.  There is no drama allowed in my room.  I have zero patience for it.)

Anyway, a group of kids were playing a trivia game.  I'm not sure what it was called, but they were having a good time.  There would be a question with multiple answers, and they got points for each answer.  They were doing pretty well until they got to this question...Name the people on Gilligan's Island.  They were stumped!  They are far too young to have watched it originally, and apparently it doesn't re-run on any of the channels they watch.

So Jeanette and I came to their rescue.  There are 7 of them.  Can you name them?  We got them all and got them quickly!  The answer is below...

Gilligan

The Skipper

The Professor

Mr. and Mrs. Howell

Ginger

Mary Ann

Good times!

Last night J took us to dinner at a local Mexican restaurant.  We hadn't been there yet.  The kids didn't want to go, so we promised to bring them back something.  This is the burrito they each ordered.  I put the glass next to it so you could get an idea of how huge this thing is.  I'm pretty sure it was about 10-12 inches long and filled with chicken, lettuce, beans, and rice.  Wow!  They both managed to snarf it down too.  No worries there!  Thanks J!