Charity's Crazy Beautiful Life

Proud Mary -- I mean, Proud Momma

I feel like this week has kept me rollin', rollin', rollin' on a river...or maybe it was goin', goin', goin' to the pool. Which has made me one proud momma! Here's why:

I signed my younger two up for summer swim team about a month back. They haven't swam in almost two years. So on the four mornings a week that they swim for two hours, they have been a bit hesitant. Not quite "in the game". And when last Tuesday rolled around, the day they had their first summer swim meet, they were a bit nervous. Which was completely unwarranted because...

they killed it! Colby came in first place in two events, and second in his third. 

(I thought this picture was pretty funny...Colby's head.) He even set a team record in one if his events. GO COLBY, YOU ROCK!!! (I have to laugh, because that is always what he asks me to write on his back...giggle, giggle.)

And my girl...

she was afraid that she would no longer have what it takes to swim with the kids her age that have been swimming for years. Well, I know I'm a little bit biased, but I think she still has it, and she can bring it too! She was the only girl in her age group that volunteered to swim the butterfly, so here she is, swimming with the boys! (She's on the right in the white swim cap.)

Needless to say, my awesome daughter also kicked bootay in the swim meet. She made first and second in two of her events. And then two days later, Allyssa, (who also still likes to get "sharpied up")...

found out that she did so well on her times that she got to move up two lanes.  I don't know much about swimming, but I've heard that that's kind of a big deal. It means that she's doing really well, (which doesn't surprise me). She'll be swimming with some of the older kids... kids who have been swimming a long time. And now, she's completely "into" swim team again. She's talking about it again with excited anticipation, which shows me that I was doing the right thing when I coaxed her into swimming this summer. And Colby has said a few times lately that "swim team is fun...and it's good 'cause it'll help me get in shape for football". Heh, heh, priorities. So, this is all affirmation for me...that I'm doing the right thing to wake my kids up early four days a week during their summer vacation, to go to the pool.

Summers spent swimming -- it's a good thing!

Have a splashingly fun Saturday!
~Proud Momma

I hope this makes you laugh...

I don't know about you...but in our family, we joke, and poke fun, and play around... ALOT!! We call each other nerd, geek, loser and dork -- and we know it's all in fun. And we're joking! No one walks away with hurt feelings. Sometimes I think we probably joke like this alot more than most families. That our family is probably filled with more pranks than most familes. I don't think it's bad. Actually, for us, it makes our family fun. We laugh. We think it's funny. But sometims I wonder, if others would think it's a little over the top.

Tonight, as I was doing the last of my Sunday evening routine with the kids, Craig started chuckling as he was on the computer checking emails. I asked why he was laughing. He read me this, an email from his daughter. (Yes, she is his daughter when she does things like this!) And, yes, I am talking about the same daughter that I just posted about in my last blog. Which is, yes, the same daughter that I sill picture in my minds eye, as my sweet-smelling, cuddly baby...who is usually considerate and kind. And I really can't believe that she even knows HOW to send an email. But what amuses me the most is that she would send one like this...

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From: allyssa

To: craig and daziel

Hi you guys. I noticed when I first met you that you guys are complete NERDS!!!!!!! I don't care what you say. Daddy- We need to have a tickle fight. Daz- You should practice hitting home runs on the Wii.
 Allyssa

P.S. I don't mean to be mean but you need some Listerene. Not a swallow but the whole dang bottle. (I am joking with all of this, so don't get all emotional.)

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Now, I laughed. And thought it was pretty stinkin' funny! And Craig obviously did too. And I think it's funny that she plays on her winning batting streak on the Wii and uses that angle with Daz, as she knows he'll probably be a little "sore" about it. Smart girl, I thought. Hey...I have brothers. I know how sibling rivalry goes. And it was all in the name of fun and laughs. That little P.S. thing that she said, by the way, came from a playground chant that she learned years ago...which we've already discussed is not that nice. But apparently, she has learned that being that nice with her dad and her brother does not apply? To which, again, I laughed.

 

Then I started to feel a little guilty. (And by the way, when I say "little", I mean little.) And then, I had to ponder my parenting skills for a little bit.  I started to wonder if my child was going to end up being one of those, you know, mean girls... which again started to worry me, a little.

 

To make myself feel better, I made her go do a chapter in her Sunday School book, say two Hail Marys, and apologize to her brother. (Her Dad? I think mybe he had it coming.) Ok, maybe I didn't make her do that. How could I, I laughed about it!?! But should I? Or maybe it is I who needs to be reading chapters out of Sunday School books and saying Hail Marys! Yes, indeed, I do!

 

Good night all!

 

Allyssa's 10th Birthday Bash! (A Hannah Montana Movie Party)

Almost two weeks ago, (I know, I know...I won't be winning the queen of up-to-date blogs anytime soon), we had Allyssa's 10th Birthday Party.

Allyssa is a fan of Miley Cyrus (aka Hannah Montana). Does anyone else have a daughter between 3 and 13? Is she into Hannah Montana too? Because my Allyssa really likes this Little Miss Cyrus girl!! And since the movie had just come out on DVD, we decided to throw a Hannah Montana movie party. Makes sense, right? Right!

She sent out invitations to the girls in her class and a few neighbor girls inviting them to show up either "dressed up like Hannah Montana", or "dressed down like Miley Cyrus". Her invitations let the girls know that that prizes would be awarded for *best dressed up and *best dressed down. The girls were to show up at our USO on base (which we are really lucky to have - and it has a super cute little movie theater room that you can use for parties) to watch the Hannah Montana movie, play a few games, and have some Hannah Montana fun!

 And the girls all showed up dressed to impress! Cute as can be, I say! First, we started off by giving them a Hannah Montana bracelet. See Allyssa and her friend both wearing them here? This was their "concessions pass".

Then, we asked them all to take a picture with Allyssa in front of a backdrop. (Pictures that we ended up giving to each girl in their thank you cards.) I'm telling you - these girls were adorable!

You agree? Yeah, I knew you would! Cute, cute, cute!! And don't you just love, *love*, love those glasses? I do!

Along with all the girls, Allyssa had her brothers (and they each invited a friend) at the party too. Because... what would a Hannah Montana party be without a few boys among the crowd? And I'm that mom that always makes my kids be at each others parties. Even if you're a brother...and the party is all about Hannah Montana.

Lucky for my boys, they each had a friend (who had a sister coming) that was willing to tag along, hang out for a few hours, and pigout on some popcorn!

So once everyone was there, Craig and I got busy getting everyone their concessions... popcorn, candy, pizza or hotdogs and drinks. Yep...the way to a kids heart. Junk food! Lots and lots of junk food! 

The kids got settled in, comfy and cozy, and enjoyed Hannah Montana: The Movie. (Which, if you haven't actually seen...it's a pretty stinkin' cute movie!)

Can you tell that Craig and I are "dressed down" like country bumpkins, while most of the girls are "dressed up" like rock stars?

After the movie, we of course had to award the "best dressed" prizes. And then we played a few Hannah Montana Movie trivia games where we asked a question, and the first kid to stand up got to answer it. But they had to wait until the ENTIRE question was finished.

Get the question right? Move to the front row!

Then, once the front row was full, there was a final question to find a winner. This was so much fun...I'd draw out the questions and it was pretty funny watching the kids squirm and wait for the question to end so they could answer. The kids really got into it...even the (gasp) boys!

Prizes were awarded...

** On a side note - this is our neighbor, Alison. Does she not look like Winnie Cooper from The Wonder Years to you? She sure does to me! And I think she's just adorable!! (I always loved Winnie Cooper. I wanted to be Winnie Cooper!)

  Ok, back to the party...

Yeah, ok, so please excuse me funky grin on this next picture. I was obviously not posing for the shot. And my glossy forehead? Wow! Next year, Craig is in charge of lighting the birthday candles. Apparently it stresses me out a bit, sheesh!

And, no, that's not a box of popcorn. Those are mini cupcakes made to look like popcorn...

which I'm glad I made the night before as extra's...because I ordered what was supposed to be a super cute cake from a girl on base. And then she called me THAT morning and said she was sick and couldn't make it.

I was so relieved that I'd prepared! And I think Allyssa was just as happy with her mini cupcakes! HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALLYSSA HOPE!! 

Then, she opened her gifts...

and then we sent her guests home with their Hannah Montana goodies.

 This was a fairly easy party to do...but it was super cute, and the kids all had a great time! And most importantly, it made my very special daughter feel very important on this very memorable day.

And me? I still can't believe my baby girl is TEN!!

Because in my mind, she still looks like this...

when she was tiny and cuddly and cute. When she slept all day and I wanted to do nothing more than hold her and cuddle her and smell her sweet baby head.

 

Allyssa's Room: Before and After

Before.  This was what Allyssa's room looked like before we got here.  (Pictures taken by my wonderful husband, Craig.)

 

 

 

 

Inspiring? Makes you want to just dig in, right? No!?! Well, me neither. But my daughter must have felt differently. Or, she was just sick of not having her own room...of living out of suitcases...she wanted to feel "at home". So, she started unpacking and putting things away before any of us did. And because of that, I decided that her room deserved to be the first to be painted and unpacked. So, without further ado, I present to you the After of Allyssa's room. (Pictures taken by my excited daughter, Allyssa. She couldn't wait to share the pictures of her room with you. She is so proud of it!)

 

 

  

 

 

She loves that poster she made in 3rd grade, so we had it framed before we moved here. As for the rest of the room, its pretty much done. We have some finishing touches, but that'll have to wait until the rest of the house looks more like this room.  I can't wait to show you more -- because that means I'm closer to being unpacked and settled in!

Haircuts and an Update

So...do you ever do something drastic when you need a change? Or when life gets too mundane? Or stressful? Or because you're tired and hot and PMSing? (Sorry guys!) Well, yesterday, my darling daughter, Allyssa, and I went and got haircuts. Not a trim, either. Like, newer, shorter cuts. Read into that what you will...

And because I knew you'd ask to see -- I went ahead and took some pictures. (Really, I'm ONLY showing you the pictures of me because my hubby will want to see them. You know I'm not a big fan of posting pictures of my big ole melon head on here.)

  

Ok, yeah, so...trying to take my own picture in the mirror -- yeah, not so good at that. On to Allyssa's cute new do.

 

Oh my GOSH doesn't this make her look grown up?? Why'd I let her talk me into it? Why?

 

Because she's turning ten this year, so I figure I'd better start letting her have a say in these types of decisions. But I won't let her have a say in how many pictures of her I will take.

 

Even when she covers her face and says "pleeeeaaaassssseee stop, I think you have plenty"...nope, not me. I don't stop taking pictures of my kiddos. Even when they beg! I like to torture them like that.

 

She does, however, get to have a say in what pretty little things she gets to put in her hair.

Ok, ok, I know you want a better shot of me and my new haircut. I knew you'd ask. So, I talked the kids into taking pictures for me. Here ya go.

 

Wowza!! So I wasn't even planning on getting it cut yesterday. But I was hot. And it was driving me nuts. And...look how dang short it is!?!!!?!! I think I'll like it much better when it grows out a bit. I might even decide to get it angled a little bit. Or...not. 

And just for good measure...not that the kids aren't good at taking pictures...I asked my sister, Ange, to take a picture of me when she got home from work.

 

So now, for the update. Yes, we FINALLY have Daziel's passport. (Woo hoo, woo hoo. I actually did a happy dance when we got it last Friday -- my sister's dog started howling because I was making such an uproar.) We had booked a flight for this week, but now we ARE NOT flying to Japan this Thursday, the 21st as originally planned. We have to take a flight that has room for our beloved, dog, Nicholas who is much a part of our family. That flight didn't have room and we found that shipping him unaccompanied is going to just be way too expensive. So, I'm looking into a flight date of next week that will have room for the dog. So, we won't get to spend Daziel's Birthday this weekend with Craig, but we will be able to spend it with family. The poor Daz man...he is going to have to fly back to the states in about a month for his summer visitation with his Dad. I hate flying!! I hope he doesn't mind it as much as I do. I guess he'll be a pretty seasoned international traveler at the end of this assignment to Japan.

So, that's that for now. I'll update more when I know more. We're at my sister, Ange's in Cheney, until then...enjoying our new haircuts, which really means, wondering "what the heck were we thinking!???!??"

Tomato, Tomahto, Bacon, Bakin', let's call the whole thing off!

This is my brother-in-law, Darold.

  

He likes to cook. And he's good at it! We like to talk cooking.

 

This is my darling niece, Sarah Grace. She looks adorable in blue and she loves to bake! She's good at it and makes sweet, yummy treats! She wants to grow up and be a pastry chef. I'm sure you recognize my daughter, Allyssa Hope. She's usually pretty game for about anything, especially when it involves her cousins.

The story:

(Setting) The girls were in my sister's kitchen, looking like they needed something to do. Uncle Darold was in the kitchen too... surprise, surprise!

Darold: "Hey, Allyssa, do you like bakin'?"

Allyssa: "Yeah, I LOVE it!!!"

Darold: "Well, then would you girls like to bake a cake?"

Allyssa: "With BACON!?!???"

Sketch the Sky Winner

So we've been busy with fall -- Craig is home, lots of homework, blah blah blah...but we have good news today!! Two weeks ago after she finished her homework, Allyssa disappeared to draw. She came back to show me a picture of the weather that she had drawn for a contest hosted by our local tv stations -- WSFA.  This was all her idea. She asked me to look up where she had to send it to online. So I did, she addressed the envelope, put a stamp on it and walked it down the block to put it in the mailbox all by herself. (She knows at a young age that her mom is bad about mailing things.) 

So... It was announced this morning on the news that she is a Sketch the Sky winner and will be among the October winners who will get to go to a party with the news crew. She is so excited!!  She also thought it was super cool because it was announced in the morning announcements at school, lots of people saw it on the news, and her teacher brought her a rose...too cute.

If you'd like to see a clip of our local weatherman announcing her and showing her picture, go here. On the right side of this page you'll see Sketch the Sky winner and her picture. You can click on the link on the right if you want to watch the news link.

Congratulations Allyssa!!

Don't Blink

My baby girl is officially nine today.

This year, because Craig is gone, we decided to do low-key Birthdays. The kids each got to choose their "Birthday Breakfast", they got a few gifts, and they got to invite one friend to dinner and dessert (whatever they chose for dessert) and to sleep over.  And to prove how unique and different all of my children are --Daziel chose s'mores around the campfire, Allyssa chose ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery and Colby chose to wait and have his cake with Daddy when he returns.

 

So, Allyssa was the last of these summer birthdays. And...she was actually invited to a sleepover last night. I almost said no. Why? Well, ummm...because I'm like that, I suppose. I have a hard time giving my kids up. And, it was her birthday. And I felt that she needed to be with family. With me. But then, I thought again...and...aren't you supposed to get what you want on your birthday?

So, I let her go. It was a slumber party with four of her friends, and then one was coming back here with her to celebrate her day. I was going to pick them up early...early enough to do her Birthday Breakfast.

But when I called...she laughed and giggled and told me "Mom, I'm having alot of fun...can we be picked up later?" (gulp) "Sure, sweetie..." I said "it's your Birthday, you get to do what you want."

 

This is the first time she hasn't had her Birthday Breakfast. It didn't bother her, though, she's been happy all day. She had a great night last night. A great day with friends. A fun dinner at her favorite restaurant with one of her best friends. She got the camera she wanted and took pictures all afternoon. .

       

And now, she's in bed asleep, and I'm sitting here wondering how the time has passed so quickly. How did she grow up so fast? It seems like just yesterday Craig and I were bringing her home from the hospital.

     

Another mom has been coming up to the school and volunteering lately and bringing her baby girl who is four months old. This baby is so adorable and sweet. She reminds me so much of Allyssa. I miss that. Her as a baby. Her as my baby.

 

I couldn't imagine this nine years ago. How bittersweet it is to see her grow. And she has...she's grown into such a wonderful young girl. A young girl that I am so very proud of. But when did it happen so fast? She's gone from loving Dora to wanting a cell phone. (Which, is NOT going to happen, by the way!) But...ummm...didn't someone have to consult me about this growing up fast business?

I mean, all I did was blink!

And can someone tell me, since when does NINE mean "grown"? I mean, she's still innocent. She still likes to play babies. But, she also likes to go into her room and giggle and whisper and put on makeup. She's as cute as can be and before I know it, I'll blink again, and she'll be sixteen. It has put a lump in my throat all day. For now, I think my solution is, as Kenny Chesney advises...DON'T BLINK.

*Funny, I'm realizing, I had the same kind of experience when Daziel turned nine. Hmnn...I wonder what it is about me and the number nine!?!

Why me?

I was looking through pictures of this summer and happened upon this...

the photo of her that made me throw that dress away, get her hair cut off, and make her promise to not ever look at a boy. Ever. 

We were downtown Montgomery sight-seeing with Mrs. Kelly.  This is a monument at the Capital building and I had my zoom going on.  I was at the bottom of the steps...

And then I caught her standing there like that. I zoomed in. And...this is her at eight. I don't even want to picture her at twelve, or, oh, don't make me say it...eighteen! She's so poised, and smart, and beautiful.  She's natural and great.  And I want to keep her in a cocoon for the rest of her life. I want to make sure that I am the only one who will ever see her that way.  Well, me...and maybe her dad.  But, I have a feeling that it won't work that way...oh...why me?

Relay Proud!

Have you been watching the Summer Olympics?  I have, and it has been exciting!  I love the Olympics, but especially the summer games! I get a little obsessed every four years during the two and a half weeks that the games are aired on my television. I don't think I turn it off! I love watching it with my kids, keeping track of the medal count, researching the athletes, the sports, and the countries.  We love sharing in the excitement of the games and the pride of our country; we think it's so exciting!  And, if you hadn't already guessed, my favorite events in the Summer Olympics are in the swimming pool.  And they are even more so this year since we spent a good portion of our summer in the pool.  My kids loved being on the base swim team and I loved to watch them love it!  We loved the team, we loved the meets, we loved our coaches!  We love the sport and the excitement; and what we love even more was that it was the perfect introduction to the 2008 Summer Games.

So...what has been your favorite part of these Olympic games so far? Mine?  Hands down, no questions asked, it was the Men's 4 x 100 Meter Free Relay that Michael Phelps began and Jason Lezak finished to win gold for the US! 

  

Did you get to see that? If not, GO HERE NOW! When you get to this link, click the "Play Now" button, and spend a few minutes watching the most amazing relay, and what I think is the most proud US moment in these Olympics as of yet. 

Now, as I'm sure you can guess, I'm proud for "our boys", our US team, for Michael Phelps who still has a chance to get 8 gold medals, for Jason Lezak who set a world record, for this whole relay team who was so calm and collected, but still kicked some hiney and beat France...who deserved to get beat for talking some smack.  (Gotta love that!)  But it also made me proud because my kids got SO excited about it!  They loved it so much too!  And, in some small way, they could relate.  They swam relays this summer on swim team.  And they "got it"..the importance of the race.  And I love watching the passion my kids have for this sport translate into their excitement to watching these Olympics.  That, mixed with their pride for their country is so fun to watch...

and it reminded me of another relay this summer!  Allyssa's Girls 7-8 Girls Freestyle Relay in her City Championship Swim Meet.  And now, in the spirit of being proud, I'm going to spend a minute bragging up my girl and talking about her last relay of the summer...if you don't mind.

Allyssa has always loved the water. Has taken to it like a fish. And this summer, she found out that she not only loves the water, but the water loves her...she is a pretty talented and athletic swimmer.  She is great at the backstroke...

And she really loves the breast stroke.

 

But what she's best at...is being part of a team.  Her girls relay team came in first place all summer long!

But at the City Championships, the little girl on the right couldn't swim in their relay team.  So they had to put another little girl in there. One that is a good swimmer too, but hasn't been on their relay team all summer.  And, for the first time, at City Championships, they weren't sure if they'd take first place.  Now, you see, I get that this wasn't a gold medal.  I also get the value of teaching my children good sportsmanship, and that winning isn't everything. I think that my children are quite good, and have pretty much mastered those skills, actually.  But I also know that in a competitive sport, for a competitive person, that drive to win comes out.  And my daughter is competitive.  She's a perfectionist...in short, she likes to win; but most importantly, she likes to do her best!  As her mother, I try to keep a handle on that "want to win" and "need to be perfect" part of her, because she is only eight-years-old...and I know that only so much of that is healthy, but I also don't want to sell her short of victory.

So...it was the City Championship Swim meet, and the last race of the evening.  Allyssa and her relay team were getting ready.  Her coach told her, "Allyssa, I know you haven't been swimming as long as these other girls and this is new to you, but I put you in as our anchor.  You're going to finish up this race.  And we might be behind this time around, but I know you can do something about that! You're a very strong swimmer.  For now, do what you do well...you cheer the other girls on and get them pumped up, and then you can finish strong. I believe in you, I know you can do it!"  (Her coach was awesome, by the way!)  After I heard him tell her that, I just gave her a quick hug and whispered in her ear, "You can do it girlie! Give me a good story to tell Daddy when he calls tonight -- make him proud!"

And oh, did she! We started out the first leg of the race with the other little girl that got thrown into the relay team last minute.  There were eight lanes, and they were in 7th place as she finished her leg.  Now, the other two little girls that were swimming have been on the year-round swim team and are fantastic!  And they were the second and third swimmers to take to the water...each passing a swimmer, catching our team up to 6th and then 5th place.  A huge feat and very exciting!! And during that time, our whole team was cheering and yelling, knowing the potential of our little girls!  Knowing that our base team has never been looked at as "a team to be reckoned with", but this time around, we want to show them what we can do.  And the last four swimmers in the relay were fairly close, and we were right behind them!  And then, it was Allyssa's turn... 

(*Note - this picture is from a different race. I was too busy yelling and screaming cheering during this last relay to take pictures.)

So, she busted off the block -- dove in the water and took off.  Perfect form, perfect determination, and my little girl swam that leg of that race so perfectly!  She passed not one, not two, but three swimmers!  I was yelling, the boys were yelling, her coach was yelling, and it looked like she almost had it; her and the the girl that was in first place were neck and neck!  And...

Allyssa didn't make first place.  The other little girl beat her by some tenths of a second.  But when she slapped the wall, that didn't even matter. What place she took was far from my mind.  What mattered to me was that, even though they didn't win, it felt like they did! Because really, for her, she did win! She swam the best race..one that she will forever be proud of! The last race of her first swim season, and it was awesome! So awesome, that after she climbed out of the pool...

the guy that runs the year-round swim team got me a brochure and encouraged me to have her come try out for the "Barracudas" swim team and do this year round!  Exciting! She wants to do it.  And after watching these summer Olympics, she asked me the other night, "Mom, could I be in the Olympics some day?  I mean, would I be allowed?" I smiled and told her, "Yes, you'd be allowed.  But you'd have to be really super good...and...you just never know, Allyssa.  You have to be the best of the best.  But it definitely is a dream worth having!"  I think I'll encourage it. I think it's a good thing! A good dream, and she makes me proud! Her determination, her drive, her love for what she does.  And the other night when we were watching Michael Phelps and his relay team barely beat France, we remembered...I remembered...that last night of City Championships when Allyssa made me proud, really proud, relay proud!

Can You Believe...

The new school year has begun already?  Can you believe that these kiddos are so stinkin' cute?  (*Please don't let them know that I called them cute. They'd totally gag, roll their eyes, and then moan, "Mommmmm!")

 

Can you believe they have such cute haircuts?  Can you believe they have such cute teachers?!?!

Can you believe I drove them to school and made asked them nicely to take a picture with their teacher in the doorway to their classroom? (To which they each replied "Sure, we'd love to!" *smile*) Can you believe that these kids look so grown up!?!? That they ARE so grown?  That I officially have a 6th, 4th and 1st grader?  I remember when I used to do home daycare and I'd take care of "School Agers"...and they seemed so big to me. So old.  That was back when I had a Kindergartner, a Preschooler and an Infant. Now, I'm the one with the School Agers that are so big. So old. Back then, when Daz started Kindergarten, I couldn't believe he was old enough.  That I already had a kid in school. And now, Colby, my youngest, is past Kindergarten.  It's kind of hard for me to wrap my brain around.  That my kids are getting so big. That summer flew by so fast and another school year is here already.  That my kids are growing up so fast. That...Wow. Sniff. Sniff. Pout. Tear. Breath. Sheesh! Can you believe I'm getting so sentimental over the first day of school? 

Adorable Entrepreneurs

 

Allyssa and Colby spent pretty much all day outside hanging out with some of our back yard neighbors. 

My friend and neighbor, Kristi, was great today!  I had such a sinus headache and she had my kids over to hang out and play with her kiddos on her big blow up slide for a good portion of the day  She's got four; and all of our kids get along fabulously!  And today, Allyssa and Kristi's two youngest daughters decided they needed to make some money. So...they set up a Lemonade stand and "went to work"... 

chanting "lemonade for sale, only 50 cents, lemonade for sale, only 50 cents, lemonade..." all afternoon. So much that it drew me out of my house enough to get a little fresh air and a glass for myself. 

I must say, Kristi is a great neighbor to have!  She was such a life saver today.  Because my kids would have been so bored and bummed since I was really not feeling that great.  We have been spending alot of time with her and her family because her husband is deployed right now too.  Another good thing about living on base, we have each other to lean on.

Meet Leah, she is sweet, and adorable and such a princess girly-girl. 

And here's Tony.  She's the rock star -- all attitude and sass!

They're both great kids and Allyssa really enjoys playing with them. I think because they adore her so much and let her boss decide what they're gong to do. 

And of course, you already know my Adorable Allyssa.

So today... the girls decided the lemonade stand would be fun.  They were so cute!!

And when a big Suburban pulled up filled with tons of big kids getting back from an afternoon at the pool (Kristi with a load of neighborhood kids which included my Daz man, her older two, and most of the other older kids in the neighborhood), the girls had a line of enthusiastic customers. (What good big kids to come home chanting "lemonade, lemonade, lemonade") and making the girls feel so special!

So they went through their line of customers, and made quite a bit of money.

What Adorable Entrepreneurs!!!

 

A House of Home Run Hitters

Now, I know a couple of night's ago, you heard me brag tell you about Colby, and how he hit Two home runs in the same game.  Well...

This little girl has caught the ball fever too (to the delight of her ancient mother, who at one time, back in history --as she says-- played ball too).  This is her first year playing softball, and because she is SOO good at soccer, I was unsure if she should try.  Why?  Well, because Allyssa is alot like me.  A perfectionist, and she gets down on herself if she can't do something well.  And I figured, if she does soccer so good, lets just leave well enough alone.  Granted, there was a little bit of my selfish side that wanted, really really wanted, to get to see my little girl play ball.  Softball.  But, on the other hand, I didn't want her to try it and not be as good as she's used to being at soccer.  Get my drift?  But, this spring, she begged and pleaded, and we talked about how you can't be great at everything you try, but how if you try with all your might and practice, practice, practice you can be good at anything.  And she agreed that she wanted to commit almost every single day to playing ball. 

And, she's probably not going to make the All-Star team.  Not this year, anyways.  You have 8-year old girls who have already been playing half their life!  But, she IS learning alot, playing her hardest, and proving me wrong!  She's going to be a fabulous ball player!  It's her first year, and she's already in the infield.  (Meaning, she's not stuck in the outfield picking daisies.)  She usually plays 1st or 3rd base.  And she's doing a fabulous job, and learning more and more with each passing game.

And she's proving that she's a quick learner, a true athlete, and packs a pretty mean swing, because last night she hit her first TO THE FENCE HOME RUN!!  Go, Allyssa!! Her team didn't win (which, I'm afraid will be a trend this year)...but she went home bubbly and happy about her hit.  Yipee!  She's so stinkin' cute.  And even if you don't love ball the way we do, who can resist that uniform?  And she's SO cute at bat, her stance is what I'm calling CLASSIC CRAIG!  I'll have to share a picture of that another day, I haven't gotten a good picture yet. 

So, we have a house of home run hitters!  A very exciting ball season to watch. (Who needs major league ball when you've got this?)  And can't you tell, I just hate to drag my sorry bum to the ball field day after day and watch my kiddos?  It's just torturous, and I know you share my pain! Just teasing!  This is one ball loving momma! 

And, just because I can, (because it's my blog and I can brag talk about my kids and share as many pictures of them as I wanna)...and because she's so stinkin' cute...

Hello attitude (please don't grow up, don't be a teenager, don't date and have boyfriends, please, please, please).

And another I adore...

Clean Closets and Child Labor Laws

I was putting her to bed last Saturday night after we spent the day cleaning her room and reorganizing her closet.  You see, it had gotten to be quite a mess!  Usually Allyssa is quite a neat little girl.  But this Saturday, it was untidy... and her room, especially her closet, desperately needed some help.  Not to mention, her clothes needed to be gone through, and we needed to just vamp things up a bit.  Allyssa was pretty eager to help since she was also told that she wouldn't be joining her friends outside until her room got straightened out.  And, although she does like playing with her friends, she also has a bit of her mother's outlandish love to organize!  So, that's how we spent our rainy Saturday.

So, as I was saying, I was tucking Allyssa into bed and went to close her closet doors (which is how she usually sleeps) when she asked, "Mom, can you leave the closet doors open tonight?"  "Really?" I said as I sat down on the edge of her bed. "Are you sure?"  "Yeah" she replied, "I want to be able to gaze at my nice clean closet."  To that I chuckled and nodded in agreeance.  "I can't believe how nice it looks!" she continued, her voice sounding more and more excited as she went on.  "I love all the new bins that we used, and that everything is so organized, and..." now bursting with excitement, "It’s going to be so much better and make my life so much easier, I just LOVE IT!!!"   To which I just started laughing.  Belly jiggling, eye watering, laughter. A girl after my own heart!  And really, how hard can her life truly be?

I hugged her and teasingly said, “Hey, you were in trouble because your room was such a mess.  Cleaning and organizing wasn’t supposed to be fun, it was supposed to be a punishment...your consequence for letting your room get so messy!” To that, she smiled a wry little smile.  Then I said, “Maybe when you’re older we can go into business together and do organizing.”  She smiled and then paused with a very thoughtful look on her face.  “Why do we have to wait until I’m older? Why can’t we just do it now? We did it today!?!”  “Well,” I replied, “for starters, you have school, my dear.  And, there’s this thing called Child Labor Laws…” and as I continued on and explained all about Child Labor Laws she broke in and said, “well then, does that mean I don’t have to clean my room any more? So you don't go to jail for making me work?"  And to that, we both had a good laugh!

GREEN GLADIATORS

Allyssa had her first soccer game of the season this morning.  She's playing on the same team she played on in the fall.  It was actually pretty chilly this morning, for here.  Well, it didn't help that her game was at 8am.  But we bundled her up, and away she went to play...she loves soccer so much!  She's on a 10 and under co-ed team where the boys are pretty rough and aggressive.  She's only 8, and could be on the 8 and under team.  But last year, her coach thought she was good enough to move up.  She does good, she holds her own.  The coach had her play the ENTIRE game today. She was the only one that played all four quarters - two halves - what ever it is in soccer. Pretty impressive! She's getting so good... I know Soccer pictures don't compare to getting to watch the game in person, but she's so darn cute running and keeping up with those pushy boys. (She's #5 - you can click on the images to view them larger.) And look at those neon green uniforms. They definitely wake me up at 8am!!  GO GLADIATORS!!!

Three Cheers for...

1.) A really cold morning, and a really cute girl waiting for the bus.  It's cold...Hip, Hip, Hooray!

2.) A husband who ran his first half marathon last weekend...the First Light half marathon down in Mobile.  Let me tell you the scoop.  Craig has been injured for the last month or so.  He was told to stop running for a while back in the end of November because he has Iliotibial Band Syndrome.  What is that you say?  Yeah, I said it too!  It's where the ligament that runs down the outside of his knee starts rubbing on the bone, causing inflammation and pain.  It's caused from many things; in Craig's case, alot of running - he was training for this race.  His Doctor and Physical Therapist told him he could still workout on the elliptical and the bike to keep his heart healthy. But no running for a month.  Well, that meant that the whole entire month prior to this race, he was not able to run and train.  He finally got the "ok" to run in the race about a week before, but was told to take it easy.  If any of you know Craig just a tiny bit, you know that "easy" is not a very good descriptive word for him.  That he always does his best, that he's a "go big or go home" kind of guy.  So, it made me proud when he decided, with an injury and doctor's orders to "take it slow", that he'd still run the race.  He took his time and finished the 13.1 miles in 2 hours and 15 minutes. (That's an average of a 10.3 minute mile.)  Of course I can believe he finished 13.1 miles, he's Craig.  But 13.1 MILES?!?!??!??!!!! 

I was proud because I know how hard it was for him to take it slow.  For him to keep from attempting his normal 6.5 minute/mile pace and injuring himself even more.  Because he knew if he would have ran at his best speed, he would have been close to finishing at the front.  But he held back, listened to his doctor, and "ran it slow".  Yes, those are his words, "slow"...not mine!  I'm glad he still went and had the experience.  It was a good experience for all of us, actually.

The kids got to run in a "fun run" (1 mile), while we were waiting for him.  And the whole hype and excitement during this type of event is worth going to.  It's inspiring.  I'm still feeling the way I felt during this post, inspired by my family and wanting to get healthier myself.  I guess it'll have to start with the first step.  If you'd like to see more about the race Craig ran in, you can go here.  So, for Craig's first half marathon, even at "slow" speed...Hip, Hip, Hooray!!

3.) A dad who takes all four of his kids camping, in January, all by himself.  Craig took the kids all camping for a night the last weekend we had Killian here over Christmas break.  It was hilarious, how packed he had that van.  For one night.  Don't you even think for a minute these pictures will escape my memory the next time you tell me to "pack light", ha!

   

They were loaded down like the Clampitts or the Lampoons.  And yes, you know it had my OCD doing all sorts of crazy things.  But after nine years of marriage, I have learned, that some things have just got to be left alone.  Craig took all the usual camping supplies, plus loads of extra blankets and sleeping bags (it was actually pretty cold), all of their bikes, fishing gear and stuff to play baseball.  They were loaded down and ready to have a good time!  And they did.  A blast!  Camping in the Cold with Dad over Christmas Break.  A memory, I'm sure, they'll remember forever!  Good job Craig, and thanks for the day off!  I was cozy, snug in my bed with movies and books galore!  Christmas Camping and a night off...Hip, Hip, Hooray!!!