Alice In Wonderland, Jr.

We have a star in the family!

And her name is Allison.

About a month ago I received a call from Allison's music teacher, Dawn.

Dawn is a very dedicated teacher who truly inspires the students to love music - whether it is from a song or an instrument. Dawn told me about a musical being put together by J.P. Case Middle School, called "Alice in Wonderland, Jr.".

Allison and Simon attend Barley Sheaf Elementary School (K-4), Madison attends Reading-Fleming Intermediate School (5-6), and next is J.P. Case Middle School (7-8).

I didn't know why Dawn was telling me about this musical (since none of my kids are in 7th or 8th grade - yet). Then Dawn told me that J.P.Case was looking for a 4th grader to play the part of "Small Alice". So their music director called our music teacher looking for a referral. Dawn said that Allison was the first (and only) 4th grader that she recommended. Dawn felt that Allison would be perfect for the role of Small Alice.

(And yes - there would be singing and dancing and solos and lines!)

Of course my first response was - "have you ever heard Allison sing???" The only experience she has singing in front of an audience is the Three Piggy Opera in 1st grade and other classroom "events". The only dancing has been Healthquest (and not for a while...)

But Dawn assured me that she knew what she was talking about (after all - she is a gifted music teacher!) So I agreed to let Allison decide.

She is LOVING it! Rehearsals 4 times a week - with all 7th and 8th graders! (Allison looks so tiny next to these "big" kids - its bizarre!) But they have taken her under their wings and its been a fabulous experience for her!

Her debut is in March and we are all so excited!

Nothing would mean more to us than you coming to see Allison on stage!

More info to come...

Check this out. Its a picture of Kathy and me, holding KC, when she was only 2 months old. (Photo credit goes to John.) How time flies!!!

Family

My little Allison - 9 years old and still a little peanut.

Here is a picture of her and some friends at a recent birthday party at Cheeburger Cheeburger.

Cheeburger Cheeburger is a new hamburger joint with a 50's style to it. Its a fun place to eat! If you are under 12 years old, and you eat the half-pound burger there, then you get your picture on the wall of fame!

Guess who ate the half-pounder???

Allison - and all 48 pounds of her!


I had to throw these 2 "warriors" in...

(And no, it wasn't Halloween!)


Here is KC playing in Allison's hamper...
(There were no cardboard boxes around!)


More to come soon!

Old???

Did you ever have one of those moments when you felt "old"?

Well, I have been feeling like that today. Especially when all my kids do is chat on-line, and text their friends, and spend hours on Facebook. And when I suggest that they actually call someone on their cell phone, I get that response (like its painful to them) "Mother, paaalease...")

Of course, I don't like cell phones anyway. Yes, I think they are convenient and I take a picture now and then. But its really annoying to me how people carry them around with them everywhere. And those little headsets and ear pieces that people wear. I'm sorry - but is it really necessary to be attached to your phone all day long? Is it necessary that you need to take a call in the middle of a restaurant, or school, or show... You get the picture. Ten years ago no one carried cell phones with them - and now people can't live without them.

My kids keep telling me that I needed a Facebook page, so they made me one. Even Simon has one. Now I just have to figure out how to use it...

Well, maybe I am "old".

On 2 Wheels

Here is the video that Madison took with her cell phone of Simon riding his bike. I guess we were so busy this summer (moving, unpacking, etc.) that we didn't realize he could do it!

Eleven..already???

Madison celebrated her 11th birthday with a slumber party. There was not a quiet moment all weekend! (I am sure our new neighbors despise us!)

Giggling, jumping and dancing...

Getting ready for an awesome game of manhunt!

While KC enjoyed the rest of the cake!!!

Look at those leggers on the Goo...



KC in Juicy Couture...LOL

Madison's cake (#2)...

Madison is really into zebras right now. This was a little gift from the kids.




Everyone always ends up in my trees!

It was a weekend full of fun! (Well for the kids anyway!)

Viva Las Vegas

For our anniversary this year, Bob surprised me with a trip to Las Vegas. The best part - no kids! It was just the two of us! (It sounds hard to believe - but it was just us!)

We saw some shows, visited the casinos, shopped, and of course - did a little gambling. I was a little disappointed by the Mandalay Bay Aquarium, but still had fun there.

And there was this crazy Beatles experience at Treasure Island.

The weather was beautiful - 100 - 103 degrees every day. Sunny and fabulous!

Bob and the flamingos (Allison's favorite!)

Here is the view from our room at the Bellagio.

The Bellagio light show... (very cool at night!)



Running into some of our favorites at the casinos...

Of course there was an Elvis around every corner.

We had a blast! Bob and I had a fantastic anniversary!

Thanks to Grandma Sonia for watching all 4 kids for us!

Good news - we came home with more money than we left with!

Simon learned to ride his two wheeler in one afternoon while we were gone.

Rainy Day Fun

Bob and I leave for the day to go to a wedding.

The kids and some friends played outside the entire day.

Wagon races through the yard.

Jumping, running, climbing, rolling.

And then the rain started...






You can't tell how truly drenched they all were from these pictures! (What can I say - Grandma left them to play with their own devices...)

It kind of makes you wonder what fun they will have when the SNOW comes!!!