Dance Recital

This year Sydney took pom pom since she wants to be a cheerleader and Lizzy took ballet, well because that's what I signed her up for!  They enjoyed going to class each week and Lizzy especially enjoyed getting in to mischief with her friend Cara, but they both had a blast!

Sydney LOVED pom pom, until she got the costume and realized it was just a tank top that you wear with black pants.  She was devastated!  But, they did put on a cute show to the song "Big Night" and she did an amazing job.  Her favorite part was kicking her leg in the air, which she does like 50 times a day.  She doesn't even realize she's doing it...she even does it in stores...she just kicks everywhere!

Lizzy danced to Rubber Ducky.  It was sooooo cute!  I thought for sure she would freak out when she got on stage and saw all the people, but she definitely proved me wrong! I was the one who freaked out when I realized I had to stay there the ENTIRE day...first for Sydney's dress rehearsal, then Lizzy's practice, and then the real show!  At least I had Jill there (Cara and Michela's mom) to gossip with!

I was so proud of both of them.  They did an awesome job!  And the first thing Sydney did when she walked in the door was...she put on Lizzy's recital costume...she just couldn't wait to be all fancy!

Hanukkah/Christmas

I am going to skip right from Thanksgiving to Hanukkah and Christmas even though I'm sure we did a TON of stuff in between, but I'll backtrack later if I need to and write about the things that are fresh on my mind because it seems as if I can't find a ton of spare time to sit down and write anymore.

Hanukkah and Christmas were actually very close together this year, so the kids had presents up the wazoo! We had three nights of Hanukkah before heading to Midland for Christmas.  For Hanukkah, we had a party at Gerry's house with my mom and the Pelig's (Gerry's daughter and family).  The kids got along great and we had my favorite meal...bagels and lox among other things, and of course the kids were spoiled rotten with presents.  The highlight was the huge Barbie playhouse which Jason swore at a number of times while putting it together, but in the end, it looked great and the kids love it!  Most of things I got for Sydney were Barbie's, but it's what she wanted and I didn't go crazy because I knew Christmas was right around the corner and not every kid gets to celebrate both holidays, so they are a little spoiled.  Lizzy was content with whatever we gave her; which consisted of a couple princess toys, a barbie, a barbie cell phone...nothing major!  Sydney, on the other hand, needs to be taught a lesson!  She can be very ungrateful at times and it makes me so upset.  If she should get a book or clothes, she's not happy and throws a fit.  So we had to have that whole conversation about how some people don't get anything and she should be lucky to get anything let alone celebrate two holidays.  So, the next opportunity I get, I am going to take her some where to volunteer or donate some of her things so she can see where they are going and how good it feels to do something nice for others.  I'm just not exactly sure where to go or what to do so that it has an impact, but when I figure it out, we are definitely going!

The kids could hardly wait to get to Midland for Christmas.  There were so many presents under the tree!  We had to huge meals; one on Christmas Eve and one on Christmas day...I promise you we were not lacking in the food department.  I think I'm still full 3 days later, and as much as I love junk, it doesn't even sound good right now!  The only thing I don't like about Christmas is that Santa gets all of the credit...no fair!  So Jason and I had to stay up late wrapping presents and buying Sydney a fish (she just HAD to have a fish)...and we can't even tell her that we bought it!  But we all made out very well.  Jason bought me a new Mac Book Pro which I'm typing on as we speak, and I also got a Kindle Fire, new boots, cool dishes, a cupcake maker, jewelry, gift cards, money...I'm not complaining one bit!!  The kids got toys, toys, and more toys...too many to even list.  But Lizzy's absolute favorite (which I have to give credit to Jason for), were these miniature princess figurines.  He bought (or should I say Santa?) three different sets...Cinderella, Arielle, and then just a set of the typical princesses.  She has literally been playing with them all day, every day.  She lines them up everywhere and has the longest attention span.  She even puts them in her bed when we aren't looking...she is borderline obsessed!!  She is definitely one happy kid!

Sydney and Lizzy had so much fun playing with their cousins, that she didn't want to come home.  So when we left on Monday, we left Sydney there!  She just loves playing with the "big kids".  I'm not sure when she's coming home, but I'm sure we'll have to go get her eventually.  But for now, she's livin' the life, getting spoiled rotten (just what she needs).

It always feels like such a let down after the holidays are over.  I always have the whole week off of Christmas and then go back after New Year's and it's the LONGEST stretch of time without a holiday.  I'm so bad at just enjoying my days off, but I can't help thinking about going back to work...but I will try and enjoy these last few days, because I must admit, it feels pretty darn good to just sit and relax...even if I am just sitting in a hospital room watching my mom sleep (no worries, she's fine...just had her ovaries out and everything looks good).  (And on a side note...if I ever have to be admitted to the hospital...I would like to request Henry Ford West Bloomfield...I feel like I'm in a hotel and I even went shopping...who, other than me, takes their mom to the hospital and comes back with more than they came with?)

Anyway...here's to a happy and healthy new year!!  When's the next holiday....?

Thanksgiving

My mom just had a very large cyst removed and I was the chosen one to bring her in for her surgery, so I have a little time on my hands; I might as well give a little update!

For Thanksgiving this year, we ended up staying home and having it at our house.  I think it actually turned out quite nice.  This year Gail's son, Jeremy and his wife, Joy, decided to surprise Gail and come in for the holiday.  I think the last time I saw them was like 5 years ago.  I'm all about surprises too!  The whole time, I knew that Jeremy was bringing a kosher turkey, but since Gail insisted on coming over the day before to teach me how to brine a turkey, I had to get one too, or else it would ruin the surprise!  So, we ended up with two turkeys.  But hey, I'm not complaining...I love leftovers!  I know some people don't like leftovers, but anytime I can just grab something out of the fridge without cooking is a good day in my book!

Anyway, Gail was completely surprised and it was fun to hang out with everyone.  Joe, Polly, Jill, Brandon, and Tyler also came down which was very nice.  Sydney and Lizzy had a ball playing with everyone! Jeremy and Joy even bought them a gift, so they were all quick buddy's!

Overall, we had a great time.  I had just had a minor surgery to remove a small bump in my forehead so I was in a little pain and had a bunch of stitches, but it didn't stop me!!  That night I decided it would be a wise decision to head out to Toys R Us at 9:00pm for black Friday.  However...it wasn't so wise; I won't be doing that again...but I might change my mind next year!  The line was wrapped around the store and it took over an hour to even get in.  But by the time you're in, you kind of feel committed.  So, I gathered up a bunch of goods for the kids and lugged them around the store...they didn't have carts because of the large mass of people, so everyone got bags (unless you were one of the first one's in the store, but those crazies had to camp out all day, and that is something I'm just not willing to do!!)  Then it came time to check out!  The line was literally wrapped around the entire store.  Like I said, you already felt committed, so you felt compelled to wait in line.  I asked a sales associate how long, and she said about 45 minutes, so that wasn't bad...until 45 minutes passed and I had barely moved. Then I asked a different person and she said about 45 minutes to an hour.  I literally wanted to drop everything and leave.  But for some reason, I stayed!  I got home sometime between 12 and 1am, and I really don't think I got anything too great...with all the hype I thought I would come out with these great things...maybe next time I need a list and a plan (and someone to wait in line for me while I shop).  This is not a one person operation!!  The bottom line is, I made it out alive and if I ever decide to do that again, I should sit down and read this blog or else it's my own darn fault for torturing myself...the things I do for the kids!

My Shopping Buddy

Well, it's that time of year again...time to buy winter boots (blah)!  Have I ever told anyone how much I hate winter?  Anyway, I had a 30% off coupon at Kohls, so I took Sydney there after dance class.  I happened to be wearing my Uggs that day and the first boots she saw looked just like mine (but fake, aka fuggs), so of course, she wanted the same ones that I had.  I told her no way, no how, not happening because they are not winter boots to play out in the snow and she needs to have winter boots for recess at school.  So I dragged her to the proper section and of course she picked out the most fashionable boots she could find.  They had the nice Totes brand with the hard toe and warm lining...but no....they weren't "cute".  So I caved and spent $40 dollars on boots that probably won't last the winter, but hey....they're cute....and apparently that's all that matters!  So, we put them in the cart and she still was begging to buy these fuggs.  I told her if she wanted them that badly, she had to buy them herself.  And that's exactly what happened.  My lucky kids somehow managed to get money for Halloween (not from me though...candy is enough!), so she spent her Halloween money on these boots...that just sounds weird...Halloween money??  But she willingly forked over the $32 ( I only charged her $30, aren't I nice?) and we were headed on our way....to my section!  HELLO...did you really think I could go into the store and not look for myself?  I have a coupon!!!

So, we walked over to my section and Sydney started running and yelling at the top of her lungs..."JENNIFER LOPEZ".  Everyone was looking at us.  She said, "mommy, you HAVE to get these earrings"  She was so excited that she knew who Jennifer Lopez was.  She dropped them in my cart, but I wasn't going to get them.  Then there was a sale rack and I started pulling out a couple things, but Sydney kept putting things in my cart saying I had to try them on...what a little instigator!  So, we finally made it to the dressing room with way more than I anticipated and she sat there very patiently while I tried things on.  She kept telling me to take my time (she obviously didn't want to go home and go to bed) and she gave me some very honest opinions.  She would say, "eeeewwwww, but that in the NO pile", or "yes, yes, yes, you HAVE to get that."  I guess I have a little fashionista on my hands.  And in case you're wondering...I bought the earrings....they were so cute!

We finally left with way more than I expected, but hey...they gave us $20 Kohls cash.  Now I get to go back and buy more!!!  I think I'll take my shopping buddy....we had a good time!

Conferences

We have completed both of the girls' conferences!  It's always fun (or maybe not so fun) to sit down with the teachers to hear what they have to say about your kid!

Sydney's conferences went very smoothly just like they always do.  She is always a very good student.  She would never do anything to act up at school or cause her to get in trouble (it's a total different story at home).  But Mrs. McGorisk had nice things to say about her and she seems to be right on track with everything, so we are pleased.  Although she is frustrated with writing lower case letters, it is not officially taught until the end of November, so we are all good!!

This is the first time I've ever had a conference for Lizzy.  It wasn't quite the same as sitting in on one for Sydney....what a different kid she is.  She doesn't like to listen at circle time, she kind of stares off into space.  She doesn't like to share with others, she doesn't make a lot of different choices from day to day meaning that if given the opportunity, she will always do the same thing, so the teachers have to suggest that she try different things.  And both of her teachers said with an overwhelming, "YES", that Lizzy can sure defend herself.  None of this comes as a surprise at all. We just like to say that Lizzy has a strong personality.   But in my opinion, she has a fun personality and she is always saying something clever and making me laugh.  So, we have some work to do with Lizzy, but she is a very bright little girl and I'm not worried in the least bit...she's just a 3 year old acting just like a 3 year old!!  And Sydney is 5, acting like a teenager!!!

Halloween

Wow, Halloween used to be just one night.  But now, as the kids get older, it seems as if there are a million activities that actually lead up to the real Halloween.  I think I had to dress Sydney up like 4 or 5 times....crazy!!  She had a schoolwide halloween roller skating party at Bonaventure where she wore her Belle princess dress.  Then, the next day, she wore her Cinderella dress (the one she bought at Disney World because they were sold out of Belle, but obviously we eventually HAD to get her Belle too) to the Enchanted Hike at  her school.  Then, that weekend we had a party at Samantha and Addison's house (Addison is currently in Lizzy's class and Samantha was in Sydney's class last year, but they rock....so we keep in touch).  Sydney wore her Little Mermaid costume and Lizzy wore Strawberry Shortcake.  Fortunately Lizzy only had two Halloween events and she was Strawberry Shortcake for both, so we didn't have all of the costume changes!! Anyway,  It was a lot of fun to have all of the kids together.  They had a blast painting pumpkins and doing other crafts. Well, Lizzy had fun painting the pumpkins, but then she got antsy and decided to play with all of their toys...I wasn't surprised....she loves other people's toys!

And then finally....Halloween night (as if the kids needed MORE candy).  Lily came over to trick-or-treat with us and my mom passed out the candy.  The kids really don't understand the concept of "WALK" as they ran from house to house.  Fortunately, there were  no incidents this year.  Although, Sydney did make a comment which left me completely mortified.  We went to this one house and I didn't go right up to the door with the kids.  So, I was standing close to the street and yelled out to Sydney to make sure she said "thank you" becasue I didn't hear her say it.  And she yells out, "I can't, this house STINKS" (as she running away).  The people who live in this house happen to be Indian so what she was smelling was Indian food.  But, I told her that she can't say stuff like that (but couldn't really get in a huge lecture and she was running to the next house).  Her response was, "but it DID".  So, we'll have to have a bigger chat about how to keep some things inside sometimes.  Fortunately I don't know these people and it was dark outside so they won't remember us, but how embarrassing!!!  And one quick Lizzy story.  We went up to a house and Lizzy said, "trick or treat, I'm thirsty, can I have a drink?"  This was like two houses down from the one Sydney said smelled.  I was like, what the heck is wrong with my kids?  I told the nice lady that she didn't have to get her a drink, but she insisted and came back with a juice box!

Although we had a lot of fun this Halloween...I'm glad it's over!!  Next up....Thanksgiving....yum!  And on the menu....Halloween candy!  We have enough for an army including the 30 pack of full size candy bars that Jerry stopped by with for the kids!

Down on the Farm

Sydney's class went on a field trip to The Real Life Farm in Canton.  FINALLY, now that she's in kindergarten, parents don't have to chaperone.  They can if they want, but it's not mandatory that every child has a parent in attendance.  So, we signed Sydney up and figured she was good to go.  But my girly girl was a little hesitant about going to a farm.  Last year, our trip to the Bowers Farm was not successful at all, as Sydney stood there with her fingers over her nose the entire time...literally.


So, not only was she not excited to go on this trip, but she was even less excited about the fact that one of us wasn't going.  But alas, Grandpa Eliot came to the rescue.  Sydney begged and begged and finally got her way.  So, I had to call the teacher the day before the trip and make arrangements for my dad to go on the trip.  And what do you know...she LOVED the Real Life Farm.  From what I hear, it is pretty amazing.  They got to ride horses, which Sydney apparently loved (they must not have smelled).  They also had a fantastic playground and went on a hayride.  My dad even said that he had fun...despite the fact that I forgot to pack him a lunch...ooops.  The whole trip, he kept sending me text messages saying, "I'm losing strength, I need food.  Oh, but don't worry about me."  Obviously he was kidding, but yes, I did forget to pack him some food.

But all in all, Sydney had a wonderful time (and I got some pictures out of the deal...thanks Dad!).  Maybe next time she will be adventurous and attempt a field trip without one of us.  But then again, I guess I kind of like the fact that she still needs and wants to be with us.  It's only a matter of time before that changes...and from what I hear, it happens pretty quickly!