Becoming a Dance Mom!

This last weekend Finley performed in La Boutique, a local ballet put on by our Children's Dance Theater.  It was quite a hectic and busy week leading up to the performances, with four nights of full dress rehearsals, followed by 3 days filled with performances.  I knew this would be a good test of her dedication and enjoyment of dance...and after the final performance on Sunday she was as hooked as she'd been before we started.  Little girl loves to dance... and as long as she's enjoying it, we'll continue to support (and fund it).  However, we've heard from many dance families that there definitely comes a time when the decision must be made between dance vs. sports...Thankfully we aren't there yet and she'll continue enjoying her weekly tap/jazz classes.  She's already made it well known that next year she'll be adding a ballet class to her list.  Good thing I've mastered the hair bun!

Marching Solder!

A little hot chocolate before her first show!

Coley and Finley ready to go!

 Dance moms! 

Nana and Grandpa enjoyed her first show!

Paityn came and watched on the second night!

Another visitor on the last day...Parker!

That's a wrap!

It was a really great experience with a lovely group of people!

San Francisco!

Last week I took a mini-vacay to San Fran with my mom. It was a much needed trip out of town and we squeezed so much into our four day trip. My mom is an adventurous traveler and I'm so thankful she instilled in me the desire to do the same.  Spending time in an amazing city was fabulous, but what I enjoyed more was the time with my mom. I cherish these memories and feel so blessed that we are able to get away for things like this. 

We ate food that was out of this world and walked, taxied, and trollied all over the hilly city. 

The weather was sunny, warm and beautiful. 

Hopping on the Hyde-Powell line. 

The houses and buildings are just incredible. San Fran is a city packed into such a small space-buildings are on top of each other and it's just such a different world from where we live. 

Amazing!!

Strolling though China Town late one night, the sky was filled with lanterns. We also ate the most amazing Chinese food. I'm drooling now just thinking about it. 

The city was so alive! 

We trekked over the Golden Gate. Breathtaking. 

Haight and Ashbury was one of my favorite neighborhoods. It's like stepping back into the hippy 60's and we ate the best breakfast there-plus the people watching was top notch!!!

Every local said we MUST see this show...it didn't disappoint! I could have gone again the next night but it is always sold out and we got really lucky getting tickets. 

Alcatraz. This is the first thing you see when arriving at the dock. I felt welcome. 

We took a great tour of the old prison buildings. 

Tourist!!

From the top of the Coit Tower we could see the entire bay. 

Fall Update.

This week TJ and Beau both had their last football game of the season and Finley had her last soccer game! It was nice that it all wrapped up at the same time so we could celebrate and have a bit of down time. It has been such a fun season for all three kids and I'm so proud of their work effort and teamwork. 

Husband and I work very hard to always be positive and keep athletics in perspective for our kids. The older they get the harder that becomes and we've found the best way to counter the crazy sports parents is to continue to give our kids a balanced life. Sports is one small piece among their academics, piano, band, dance, church and just plain old being a kid time. 

Beau running out during introductions. I've asked they announce him as Beau-B-Kins...but they won't. Haaaa!

Omak Bantams. Such a great group of boys! Extra fun that I work with them at school and see how kind and hardworking they are towards their academics too!

After Beau's last game. 

This kid loves his Nana!

Best Pals. These three are endless entertainment...their teacher has so much patience! 

7th grade Buckskins after their last game. 

             Gruesome-twosome.

This group of boys started playing football together as third graders...to see them now makes me feel like my life is flashing before my eyes.  

Our soccer girl!

On Saturdays Finley went from soccer immediately to ballet. Along with her weekly tap/jazz class, she is a marching soldier in our children's dance theaters winter ballet. 

Husband's water boy and ball boy heading to the game. 

Finley and cousin Quincy taking Fat-Mama for a ride.  

 

Fall Means Football!

So this year we had some pretty big changes to our Fall schedule! Tanner started playing middle school football and Beau is playing his first year of youth padded football. I wasn't totally sure if Beau would want to play and we let him know he didn't have to...but he needed to do something-soccer, football, tap with his sister...but after a week of football camp this summer he was pretty ready to give it a try. 

I was nervous! He just seems so much smaller than TJ did as a 3rd grader, but he's done really well and having a lot of fun. It worked out really well since TJ is playing middle school football...and for the first time ever is being coached by someone besides his dad, Husband is able to coach Beau's team. 

It's been tricky trying to juggle Tj's practices and games, along with Beau's and of course Husbands busy schedule. We are making it work...with the help of our friends and family...it's chaotically fun and fleeting so I know to enjoy it all while they are young!

TJ now plays week night games! Which makes for late nights and tired kids. Last night they beat Okanogan 48-0. Great job!

TJ and CJ...I still just see little guys when I look at them...and though I'm trying so hard to let TJ have more independence, I'm just never going to be the mom who wants her babies to grow up. 

Beau and Blake after their big win last weekend. 2 touchdowns each and a lot of speedy runs. It's fun having two kids who play such different positions. Beau will probably never have TJ's natural strength and size, while TJ isn't blessed with Beau's speed. Both have an incredible work ethic and love being part of a team. 

Beau's adorable little team after a nice win against Lake Roosevelt. 

Our New Baby!

I always joke with Husband that it's a good thing we can't have anymore babies because I'd want one...I've had this little twinge for a baby for a while..increased a lot by the rapid pace at which our kids are growing up. Waaaaaaaaah. Kidding, kind of. Anyywhoo's, since we can't have a baby ( and really our hands are full with 3) the next best thing was a puppy. 

So I have been casually looking for a small dog for months...and arguing with Husband all the way. He doesn't like small dogs because, "They all yap!" He claims. My mission was simple- find a smallish, cute not yapping dog. Easy? Nope. And, it had to be a rescue since I think buying a dog is absolutely crazy for people like us who simply want it as a pet...and Husband was never going to let me spend $ on an animal. 

Sunday night I had a few good leads I was going to pursue and I was excited...and then on Monday a coworker who I just love explained they were looking for a good home for their daughters mini Australian Shepard. I was immediately interested and went to visit the dog that night with Finley.It took   about 2 seconds to see this was a cool dog...about 4 months old, brown and white, active but not crazy Labrador puppy behavior and best of all... No yapping. We played with him for about thirty minutes and he didn't bark once!!!

I went home and told Husband I had a good feeling about this dog.. He eye rolled and sighed. Then we both looked at Max, our super amazing old dog and agreed that he needed a buddy!!!  Plus, I dropped my favorite line, "Happy Wife, Happy Life!" Honestly I sealed the deal when I told him this dog was free...his favorite word..F-R-E-E ... And she was throwing in a dog bed and an entire bag of puppy chow. I don't tease him for his cheapness for nothing.. He couldn't pass this offer up!

We are thrilled to introduce Maverick! He's just a love and we've spent the weekend toting him to football games, playing with him in the yard and watching Maverick and Max figure each other out. I believe pets teach empathy and compassion...in our household our kids have a lot of responsibility for the dogs...and they are just fun to have!!! 

Our first picture!

Look at that face!!

Max isn't sure he understands what's happening!!!?!??

My dog lover!!! TJ was very worried about Max. I love this kid and his sensitive heart. 

She's been toting him around like a baby all weekend. 

               Kisses!!

Good plan Maverick...win daddy over through football!

Husband and his new buddy watching football together!

Beau doesn't sit still long enough to get a picture. He's been the one working on leash training Maverick. Oh and skateboard riding...but Maverick wasn't loving the skateboard riding. Sigh. 

The First Day of School!

Our 7th, 3rd, and 1st grader! 

This is the first time they all start on the same day...for the past few years Finley started about a week later as a pre-schooler/kindy. Everyone up together today!!

My dad took Finley on the first day because it's too hard for me to sneak away on the first morning of school...she was so excited and thankfully Katy took some pics for me! 

This would be a fabulous wedding slide show shot in 20 years, but I think they will end up having that close brother-sister friendship. Either way these two kids are hilarious!! 

The first week is 3 short days...but the early rising and busy after school time apparently kicked their buns. 

Thank goodness for a three day weekend. Only 37 more Fridays until summer vacation!