Awards and such

Sadie's team "The Cornhuskers" had their end of season party today. Here Sadie is receiving her trophy. I tried to get the coach in the picture but Sadie wouldn't cooperate. That's his arm handing it to her.

This is Madeline on the field before her soccer game, preparing herself (or her hair) for battle.
"Hmmm, this chair is lumpy".
Apparently, after playing baseball, soccer is B-O-R-I-N-G!
And, how could I not end with this?

Picture day

Ok, it will be an "anna-centric" blog today. She had her first "school pictures" taken today. She was still dressed in her "finery" when I picked her up so I took advantage and took some pictures. She had her binkie in her mouth but obliged when I asked her to take it out.

Notice her new "dress" shoes.

Oh, my, how cute is she? How many times have I asked that on this blog. Sorry, I just think she is. Good thing, she's enough to drive me crazy, 'til I look at her and she gives me a cute little smile, or a kiss, or hugs my neck.

A very cool thing that happened today is...AARON WILL FOR SURE BE HERE FOR CHRISTMAS (thanks, Mom)! We got his flight today and he'll be here for almost 2 weeks. I'm very much looking forward to his visit. The one in the summer was too short and filled with - oh, I don't know - broken legs and all. Sorry, Mom, I couldn't resist!

And another thing, my Mumsey is finally released from Drs. and therapy. She's healed!

Go Mumsey!!!!!

I will have pictures of our Prinicpal with the "color of the year" for his hair. We had the carnival this past weekend - that accounts for the lack of blogging - I'm just now recovering. But I have to hook the other camera up to the computer and it requires a little more stamina than I have at this moment. It will be coming soon.

Halloween!

Anna was a ladybug for Halloween, enjoy these pictures. There were so many cute ones I just decided to put them all on here.

All the girls, dressed and ready to go trick-or-treating. Madeline opted for no make-up this time.
Madeline almost didn't get to go trick-or-treating tonight. For the last day or two she has been looking for two books, one was a library book, the other on loan from a teacher, that she had in her hand the night before she was looking for them. In other words, she had the books, she went to bed, the next day she couldn't find them. So for days we've been searching for these books. Today, she had a paper due (one page copied paper that had questions she had to answer from a whole other book) and couldn't find that. I was FED UP! So this morning when we got in the van, I told her that when we got home she would look for those books until she found them or she would not be able to go trick-or-treating tonight. As soon as it was out of my mouth I was sorry I said it. What pressure - for both of us!

We got home a little before 4pm and she found them at 6:15 - with her Daddy's help. Whew! I didn't want her missing the biggest night for kids but I had to stick to my guns or neither girl would ever take a threat seriously again. Thank goodness she found those books.

We had some friends come over to trick-or-treat with us. Cassie and Tori with their kids, Caitlin and Decklan (hope I spelled that name right!). Very cute costumes on all. Decklan was a mummy and Caitlin was a flower pot. Cassie made the costumes, how creative!

This is the whole gang that went.

Cassie and Tori were costumed as well as "Ghostbusters"!

Their packs even lit up! Man, they are really good!
Anna checking out her loot.

This is Anna trying yet another tasty morsel. She would unwrap something lick it or stick it in her mouth for a second then "feed it to the birds", which is what we do when we drop food on the ground or I find food on the floor of the van. Birds love us. She went through alot of candy but I bet she didn't have but about 20 calories from it, all told.

All in all, it was a lovely halloween. Chiminea out front, friends over, candy...hmmm, how could you beat that?

Halloween Eve

Some of these pictures are from Saturday night. Like this one...Rosie and Puss all snuggled up, loving each other like brothers should. How sweet is that?
And, Kelsey and her date Shane, before going to her formal dance "Carousel". She looked beautiful! At least I didn't cry this time when I saw her all grown up.
Now we get into more recent pictures. Last night was "Mathoween" at ACA. The kids got to wear their costumes with makeup (as long as there was no blood- too scary for the kindergartners). Here is Madeline in full costume, minus shoes. Heaven forbid we put those on too early!
Here's our little "death warmed over Cheerleader". I think it's actually called "School Spirit". But she wanted her face white with blue on her eyes. There will be more, hopefully better, pictures tonight.
And, Anna. She wanted makeup on, too. So she has some red on her cheeks and nose. She'll be all dolled up tonight. Stay tuned for more pictures!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE! BE SAFE AND HERE'S HOPING YOU HAVE KIDS WHO WILL GO TRICK-OR-TREATING AND BRING YOU YOUR FAVORITE CANDY!

Before you watch this video, I want you all to know that normally, Anna would not be drinking Coke or Dr. Pepper. She commandeered my drink (Dr. Pepper) and it was wetting her whistle whilst she kept us entertained by singing "Twinkle, Twinkle, little star". That is what she is singing at the beginning of the video.

And, just so you know, I've heard that Channel 4 replayed my interview yesterday morning.

Patty Cake

Anna loves to play "Patty Cake" and will ask anytime, anywhere. I finally caught it on video!

Cowboys and ducks

This morning, the fog was so thick, I took this picture at the corner of where the new Cowboy Stadium or "The Stadium in Arlington" as we call it, or "Jonesville" or what it truly should be called "Landry Field" but, I digress. As you can see by the picture, or can't see, it was really, really foggy. You couldn't even see the arches or trusses as they are actually called. Pretty wild. Things get wilder!
As I am doing my "homework", dutifully studying with the front door open so I can feel the nice coolness of outside, I hear all sorts of helicopters flying over which means 1) there's a felon on the loose and they're trying to chase him down or 2) someone's been hurt at the construction site or - as I know is the case today - the "keystone" to the arch (or truss) is being set today. I feel the urge to blog it. So, off I go. I'm so easily distracted.

When I got there, there was a News 4 truck there and I was snapping away, see the picture?

Then, Mr. Adrian Arambulo, from News Fox 4, comes to me and asks what I think and I tell him and he asks if he can put me on the noon news. Well, duh, of course! So, he gets the cameraman and back they are for the "interview". He asks about 3 or 4 questions and that's that. So, I go home and wait for the noon news and there I am, lead story. Looking for all the world like one of those people they interview after a tornado and I actually said "My gosh, it's huge!" (or words to those effects) on the local news. I wanted to crawl under a rock. Conrad even says my teeth look horrible, so now I look like a grandma-tornado victim hooked on meth or whatever drug messes with your teeth. Great. Just what I wanted for my TV debut. Well, rather than make y'all go looking all over the place for the clip - which I know you can find because you're all so computer savvy - I'll include a link to it - just click here.

And, just so you know, no - NO I did not know my hair looked like that, had I known, I would have taken it down. I had put it up while on the phone so that when I got finished talking, it would be out of my way for transcribing. Hence the reason it looks like Anna put it up for me.

Then up to the school to see the unveiling of the Griffin Buck Truck in all it's painted glory! Jessica did a fantastic job. See for yourself...
It's got a grill, headlights and a driver! Recognize him? It's Mr. Simon.
This is one of the sides, see the ducks? I may not have told you but each month we're going to have a Griffin Buck Truck Duck. Here you see the Professor duck in the left corner and Rainy Day duck in the upper right corner.
And here's the winter duck. I love that it looks like a penquin. Jessica is in charge of her church's WinterFest and it's theme is penquins. I feel like it will always have a part of Jessica on it. And, how about that license plate? That was my request. I wanted it to have a vanity plate. Really, Jessica, I cannot thank you enough and I cannot even put into words how cute this is. I hope lots of people comment on it. Thank you for all your hard work!

Our Fall Break

The kids had fall break last week and I'm finally getting to post our exciting time.

First, Jon Michel, my oldest, turned 21 on Monday. We celebrated at El Chico's then went to a <gasp> bar and watched the Cowboys game (yep, they won!) and played some pool (I lost, as did Jon) and I got to "hang out" with his friends who are all very nice and I really enjoyed being around them. They even acted like they liked when I played "Dancing Queen" on the jukebox!

Tuesday, we went to my Mom's house in Shreveport. This is what greeted us... (I made her stand back in the door so I could take her picture!) my Mumsey - not on a walker or anything!
How wonderful does that look? Can you believe just 3 short months ago she broke her leg and now look at her!

Wednesday, we went up to her church and she let Sadie play the organ. Here they are hard at work.
And this video is so you can hear Sadie playing the organ.





Anna's expression says it all!
Anna joins in the fun!

Thursday, we went down to the Lousiana Boardwalk and the girls got to go to Build-a-Bear Workshop and make new friends - literally - Sadie made a dog, Sugar, Madeline made a monkey, Curious George, and Anna made a turtle, Tinky.

Then, once Anna was down for a nap, I got to go to <gasp, again> a casino! The man who is in charge of all this God forsaken construction on our street found out I was going to Shreveport and gave me money to play the roulette wheel for him. I think he thinks the only reason people go to Shreveport is to go gamble. Little did he know I have never in my life been to a casino in Shreveport. He asked which one we were going to and I said (thinking ever so quickly) "do you have a preference?" He said "no" so I went to the only one I could find the entrance to - it's on the way to the Boardwalk. I didn't win any money for him, unfortunately. But, it was fun - ish. I think it would have been more fun had I known more of what to do. I just put the money on the numbers that he gave me and hoped for the best. Yes, now I know you can put money on the lines and corners, etc. but I didn't know it then.

And lastly, Sadie and I went letterboxing on the campus of Centenary College. There is a series of 5 boxes and we found 3 of them. The campus is beautiful and we really enjoyed walking around it.

This is Sadie with the contents of the first of our boxes.

We had El Chico's and Mr. Gatti's pizza and my mom actually cooked lasagna the last night we were there. Ok, Stouffer's actually cooked it, she heated it. But, it was still delicious. Thanks, Mom, for letting us come invade your home for 3 1/2 days. You're a great hostess!

Last Night was First Friday Family Fun Night at ACA. We played games. Susan, my Vice-President and friend, did a great job of planning and executing the games for the kids. This picture is Sadie trying to break a balloon. Not long after this, Anna pointed out into the hall as if to say "this is WAY to loud, mama, I want out, NOW!"



One of the games was crab-walking across the floor. Anna played, too. The person to her left is Sadie so it's really a bonus video of them.

This is Elsa Archangel. Isn't that a great name? We see her most every morning at school and she always says to Anna, "there's my little friend, you want to go with me?" I told her that someday Anna would say "yes" and she'd be stuck. Well, last night she did say "yes" when asked and she crawled up into Elsa's car and buckled up. She would NOT get out. Finally, I had to tell her that she could ride with Elsa around to the other side of the school but then, she would have to go with me. She did just that and was most upset with me that she couldn't go home with Mrs. Elsa.

This is Kolton (Madeline's boyfriend - who knows, maybe they're broken up right now, you never can tell with them) participating in the flipper/snorkel relay.

If Anna had gone home with Mrs. Elsa, she'd miss snuggling with her Daddy.

Here are my two atheletes, today, between their two games. Aren't they sweet?

Visitor's Day

Yesterday was Madeline's first "vistor's day" at dance. She was very excited to have her guests which included: Sadie, Anna and me.

I would have posted this last night but my head was killing me by the time the girls went to bed. Worry not, I don't have a tumor or anything, I'm giving up Dr. Pepper. Yes, you read that right. I'm giving up Dr. Pepper. The reason is multi-faceted...I am hoping to lose a few pounds by giving it up, my health can only improve and it should save some money. Although when I think about it, I could have more expensive addictions, say, crack or heroine. In the scheme of things, I really won't save that much money but I can feel like I am. I'll still drink it when I go out to eat or other such occasions, we just won't have it around the house. Can you believe it? Oooo, I just had a thought, I could give up giving up Dr. Pepper for lent! Dang that lent, now I'll have to drink Dr. Pepper! "Don't throw me in that briar patch Brear Bear!"

Back to visitors day: Here's Madeline Chassez-ing around the circle. I'm not sure I spelled that right but you get my drift.

And this video is of Madeline singing "Dancing Tickles My Toes". Very cute.

And, lest you think because you saw these videos you don't have to attend any recital?...forgetaboutit! The recital is May 31 and Madeline has invited everyone she sees. If she hasn't invited you, yet, she just hasn't seen you. Put the date on your calendar!

This video is after Mads got finished and Anna wanted to dance. Mads is such a good big sister!

More on The Lion King

In response to last night's blog, I have these links for you:

http://disney.go/theatre/thelionking/

http://digital.lionking.org/musical/media/

I hope you enjoy some music from this fabulous show.

And, I was given this information about the person who created the animals and directed "The Lion King" on Broadway. Enjoy! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julie_Taymor

Maybe more than anyone wanted to know about the Lion King but it is interesting and engaging.

The Lion King

We went to see "The Lion King" today (the "real life" version, on stage). It was so much fun to see it through the girls' eyes. They were astounded by the animals and really enjoyed it. Yes, I know you're not supposed to take pictures and this is the only one of the two that turned out (if you can call it that). But, there it is.

It was an awesome production. The animals are unbelievable. It's amazing to think someone in some production meeting went "what if we make people to look like animals?" I think that production meeting went something like this:

Person #1: What if we use people to make the animals come to life? Elephants, giraffes, lions, etc? What if we have them walk down the aisles through the audience?

Person #2: Sure, we can do that.

Person #3: What if we make half the stage lift up?

Person #2: Sure, why not?

Person #1: What if we use people to make grass, flowers, vines, etc.?

Person #2: We can so do that!

Person #3: Person 2, are you on drugs, or can you really do that?

Person #2: Well, I just don't see why it can't be done.

That's how I imagine the production meeting going. I hope you enjoyed it.

Before you watch the video, which isn't by any stretch riveting - I mostly filmed for the noise)...I must say that yes, this was our main bathroom's bathtub on Sunday and Monday. Our plumbing decided to back up on Sunday morning as I was getting ready for church. I was taking my shower and all of a sudden, the shampoo bottles we have on the floor of our shower (stall) were tipping over. That's not normal. Normally, the water flows freely down the drain. Not that day! Floaty, floaty went the bottles. Well, I know enough to know that I need to get finished quickly.

So, I get out and sure enough, water is leaking out of the bottom of the toilet. Don't ask me from whence it comes, it just does, all over the bathroom floor. I, ever the quick thinker, grab the toilet tissue, which we have so cleverly stored right by the toilet - on the floor -, and save it. Yay Me! If ever I get to go potty again in my bathroom, I'll have paper!

So, Conrad spent all day Sunday working on the plumbing in our home. I made sure to "go" whenever we went somewhere -men- avert your eyes...(it was "that" time of month, to add to my joy of living on Sunday) OK men, you can look again...or I went across the street to my benevolent friend Lisa's house.

At some point, Conrad used some God awful stuff down the drain and it smelled like poo. Sulfur, I think is the smell. I had to bring in Anna to change a diaper - way past time - and I nearly gagged at the smell. Conrad was just sitting there (waiting for the stuff to work) like it smelled like baking cookies in here. I asked him how he could sit there in that smell? He said "what smell?" uuurrrggghhh! Well, the stuff didn't work. Neither did all the other things my patient husband tried. So, I got to call a plumber.

Now, Monday wasn't a typical day. It wasn't like I was going to be home all day to wait for a plumber. No, I had to do another "Griffin Buck Truck" run. Friday wasn't enough. But that's a story for another day. So, I was going to be up at the school allllllllll day! Well, I call the plumber and she says she can get someone out there in about an hour or so. I told her that I would need her to wait for awhile so she says she'll call me when they can do it. (I told her preferably after 4 - if you can believe that!) So, at about 11:45 she calls and says someone is on their way. It just so happened that we had to put the truck up for about an hour and I was about to make more Griffin Bucks (oh joy, oh rapture!) so I said "I'm on my way!". All the while thinking "this better be quick, I gotta get back to the school"!

So, I meet the guy (Jose) and he goes in the backyard, not where the clog is. He goes up on the roof and apparently the higher off the ground he goes, the higher the fee, and he can't get to whatever it is up there. (The video is while he is up there - it made the house rock with noise - what do I do? Go grab my camera, of course!) Back down he goes and into the bathroom and off goes the toilet. 1 minute and he's done. I ask him to unclog the front clean-out so the washing machine will drain properly - well, he's here isn't he? and he gets that done and off I went, back to the school, just in time for the last run of the Griffin Buck Truck for the month. Man, if you don't see God in that timing, I don't know what to say.

So, all that black gunk - yeah, I know what it really is...-in the bathtub? It's gone. Clorox clean-up is great. Makes everything smell cleaner and look cleaner. There's still a stain but I feel like all the germs are gone. The "master bath" was clean in time for my husband to come home, take a shower and then take the girls out to the Ranger game. He asked what I was going to do while they were gone. I said "have myself a personal little breakdown".

Pictures have been found!

The pictures have been found! However, something's going to have to change for this to go on. This was a pain in the hiney to get these on here. But, I'll get it figured out in no time, I am sure. Quit your laughing, it could happen.

OK, even though I knew I would not be able to blog while the computer was in the "hospital" I took pictures anyway. This episode of "Scenes From Lisa's Life" was funny. The camera was acting up and this is the only picture that was remotely focused enough to show you.

Madeline and Sadie came in with underwear on their heads acting like superheroes. Cracked us up. This is Madeline as "Underwear Girl". Even Anna wanted in on the act. She kept patting her head saying "panty". They went and got her some, too, so she was "Underwear Girl-ette".
On Friday (I can't remember which one, so much time has passed) the girls were part of a group of students from their school who all went to play games with retirees at 3 different retirement homes. These people played cards, chess, bingo and candyland. We went to the "Waterford" retirement home. This is Sadie playing with one of the lovely ladies who attended.

Madeline playing checkers.

Madeline playing Candyland with a nice lady.

One Monday morning, the first graders created volcanoes out of piles of sand, baking soda and vinegar. Here is the picture of Madeline's group.

Anna started going to Parent's Day Out. This is her with her backpack on. When we were walking up to the "school" she saw other children with their backpacks on and she was so excited. She kept saying "mama, backpack!".

When we walked into the classroom, she looked around in awe. One of the teachers said that she would have to give up her "binkie" until naptime. As soon as she heard that, she popped that binkie out of her mouth and set it on the table. I figured she would have a major meltdown but noooooo.... Then, she started over to one of the tables and with barely a glance behind her, she waved and said "bye". I wanted to tell her "I want some tears out of you, young lady! - At least act like you're going to miss me!". But, I figure it means she is well adjusted and well, maybe there's a part of her that needs to be away from me as much as I need a break from her. We sure are happy to see each other at the end of the day.Anna at her desk, the first day of school.

You may wonder why some things don't faze me or Conrad. You know, things like eating while changing diapers, watching a bunch of kids all at once out in the street while at the same time making sure they don't get run over by cars, finding a new box of cereal spilled all over the living room carpet (well, that one does get to me),etc. Well, it's because those are all simple things to deal with after you have to dress a child like this picture above. If you can enlarge it you will see Conrad is putting on Anna's shoes (to what purpose, I don't know, they're just coming off in the next 5 seconds) while she is essentially standing on her head. You try that sometime, it's not as easy as it looks. But, it sure makes the rest of life a little less threatening.


Sadie started playing baseball. Here she is in her uniform. She's a "Husker". At least her uniform is a normal color. Mads uniform for soccer her first year was bright orange.

Sadie during her first "at bat".

Madeline at the ballgame.

As an update: Sadie had two games this weekend, one yesterday and one today. Yesterday she got as far as second base (on a walk). They tied that game. Then today, she walked both times up to bat and crossed home plate both times. They are now 1-1-1. I'll keep you posted.

Finally!

Wow, we're finally back on-line! Our little baby (the computer) is back where it belongs, in our home, safe and sound. It had to have it's operating system removed then reinstalled. I think we had a virus or something. I don't think it was one that infected others, I think it just infected us. If it did infect you, I am so sorry, I had no idea that we were even infected with anything. But, it's all cleaned up now and ready to go.

I cannot, however, find where my pictures go when I send them from the camera to the computer. They are not where they used to be and I have to get back to my schoolwork so I can't spend alot of time looking for them. I will find them and share them with you soon. Some are too cute to pass up.

Blogging has become such a part of my life now that when I can't it's like I've lost my voice. I am happy to be back and hopefully either later tonight or sometime tomorrow I will show you the pictures I took in the 20 days since my last blog.

For those of you worried about me (and I've heard reports that some were), thank you for your concern. I am back and will continue sharing my little piece of the world. Thank you for your interest in it.

Y'all have a great evening and I'll blog at 'cha in a bit!
Lisa