Another trip to the Zoo

I just thought it was so cute, that she turned around when I called her.

Trying hard to get a better look at the beautiful panda.

Us Pushkar Ladies, will do Yoga anywhere, anytime!

I am thankful for the wires, as not only did PJ try to reach out to him, he tried to reach out to her!

A Few Random Pictures

A Great week with my parents in town, produced some great random snips of life.

PJ sure loves GPa, almost as much as he loves her.

Tuna on the dock, where we had lunch.

On the way home, from another Christmas store, playing with Grams new purchase.

The official start of the Christmas Season!

PJ's first trip to a Christmas storre. I had her in her sling most of the time; for fear of damaging things.
There was nothing to worry about, as she loved the store! That sure made Grams happy.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Practice Makes Perfect!

This week, my parents are in town, and they came with us to gymnastics. I think PJ might have tried showing off a bit.

This was just after she landed her double back full.

Who says the parallel bars are for men?

Today a few steps on 4 inches - tomorrow a back flip!

Walking back to the car might just have been my favorite part. I know it was for PJ.

Coffee House @ Farb Middle School

Jazmin's school had an event: a talent show if you will or sorts, in a 'coffee house' setting.
The auditorium, was decorated with tables & flower center pieces, Beatle's posters, and Christmas lights.
Jazmin seemed to take a que from Robert and I at the theater, and filled in where needed during her down time.
She was a hostess, (and by the luck of the draw seating us!) a waitress, a bus girl... the list goes on. On top of being a performer.
Jazmin and the rest of the advanced orchestra presented 2 songs. I wish there would have been a program so I could tell you what the songs were. It was a wonderful night!

A lot of background noise, in a coffee house I would not expect anything less.
Enjoy!

Child Labor: pays in Laughs and Giggles

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I got the stool and the vacuum cleaner out to clean the ceiling fan.

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Standing on one foot on the top of the ladder!

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Raise your arm if you know the answer and want to be called on.

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After she vacuumed the ceiling fan.

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Playtime can be mixed with work time.

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Trying to see what Patch is barking about outside!

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Time to come down.

Then it was my turn. Since PJ is such a pro at the step stool steps, she then thought while I was standing on the stool cleaning the fan, that she was going to stand on the bottom step, and help keep me stable, and hold on to my leg.

The ceiling fan is now clean.

Biker Babe

Drivers: BE AWARE! PJ is on the ROAD!

Reversal of Rolls

Today was PJ's first gymnastics lesson at the YMCA. My whole life I have had a love for gymnastics. Turning cartwheels from and early age, to pass the time and entertain myself, and at times others. Gymnastics was my art form, my way of expressing myself. As I got older it also became a source of income. Relying on my past to help fund my future. One of my favorite classes I taught were the KinderGym classes. The parent and tot class. I liked it then because I didn't have to do as much, since parents were there to interact with their tots. As I have reflected on it over the years I liked it for showing me enthusiasm and bursts of energy. The tots would come to class energetic and impatient for class to start. As I taught the kids would respond, were over joyed to learn new things, and so proud of themselves. So deeply thirsty for doing more, and always full of wonder.

Today I went to a KindgerGym class again. This time as a Mom, not a teacher or a student. This was odd for me at first, as I have done many things in gymnastics, played many rolls; and quite frankly I thought that I had done them all, but this is a new roll that I did not imagine. I guess I should not dismiss the fact that as a Mom I am a teacher, and did in fact teach PJ during class.

When we first got to class we started on the obstacle course. She wanted to just stand a watch a bit. Classic watcher PJ. I however didn't take long for her to decide to jump right in and start going up and down the wedge mats laid out on the floor. She also seemed to take to the hool-a-hoops. She wanted over to the bars as another little girl and her mom were there. I expected her to again just watch. She surprised me and I think herself, and help her arms straight up to grab on to the bars. The other Mom there help her up, PJ grabbed and hung on the bars, and lifted her toes up to the bar. As a teacher this amazed me. I taught for a long time, and never did I see that on a tots first day, let alone at 13 months old. As a Mom, I am proud, that's my girl. The apple didn't fall far from the tree.

Then we moved over to the beams. 4 low beams at various heights. She immediately took to them. Swung one leg over the lowest beam and straddled it, walked half the length of the beam. She climbed off and choose another beam. This time she just stood at the end. I picked up and not really thinking she would stand on it with both feet, but she DID! SHE STOOD ON THE BEAM BY HERSELF!!! She didn't walk down it yet, but I don't think it will take long.

Next up was the 'warm ups' and group exercises and song time. She didn't seem so interested in this and kind of bid ed her time until we went to the tumble track. Somewhere between the floor time and tumble track she decided she liked the dads in the class. She kept wandering over to them and between them. Next up was The Pit. As a teacher this was my favorite. The kids liked it the most just behind bubbles at the end of class. The squeals of delight from the kids come fast and loud while playing in the pit. PJ on the other hand, didn't seem so interested. We jumped in together, and she just kind of laid there. Not moving, not doing anything. She started to hand blocks to a little girl that was close to us, but that was it really. When I put her feet on solid ground she seemed happier to be there.

So maybe she is not a pit girl, but a bars girl. Either way, I am so proud, so delighted, (and taking this moment to Mom brag) that PJ did so well, had so much fun, and took to it like a fish to water. I dare say the apple didn't fall far from the tree, in terms of gymnastics as least. As for me, the change in the rolls, are still sinking in for me. It felt so odd, my roll today. I don't think i full grasp it all yet. I feel a tiny out of sorts by the whole thing, but I don't mind one bit, because PJ's taking to gymnastics so quickly makes up for it.

I did not take my camera. I wanted to be focused on her 100% and not torn between interacting and taking pictures. I also didn't think she would do a whole lot today. Like I said before, I just expected her to watch mostly. I will include pictures next time.

Living La Vida Loca!

I don't even have words for this.
That's my Patch.
My crazy crazy dog.

Girl Scouting- not just for GIRLS

When I was a kid, and my sister was a teen (before driving) we had girl scouts on the same night. i think it was Tuesday's. I am sure this only happened once or twice, but in my memory it happened every week. After school I would be taken to my girl scout meeting by my leaders, Bonnie & Peggy. They would carpool so many of us from Bennett Elementary, to St. Peter's Church. After my meeting I was picked up by my Dad, and Ali would be with him. One of us would pick a fast food restaurant to go to for dinner. I frequently choose Rex, (was that the name of it) I think it now a Taco Time, so that lets you know how long ago this was. After the three of us would eat, Dad would drive Alison to her scout meeting, at the same St. Peter's Church. Then Dad I would go home. I loved scout days. I loved eating with my dad and my sister. I loved how the transition worked. I loved it when it was my turn to choose where we ate, in my memory we got to choose every other week. I also remember that I would fall asleep in the Mercedes, with my head resting on the seatbelt. I always thought it was so cool the way my Dad didn't mind coming into GIRL scout meetings.

Jazmin and Audrey have girl scouts on Tuesday's. They meet every other week. It would be so awesome if their meetings were on the same weeks. As it is, Jazmin meets one week, and Audrey meets next week. Not on the same night.

Tonight I drove Jazmin to her meeting. Their troops are both small less then 10 girls. My troop then was HUGE like 30ish girls I think. I counted four dad's that were dropping their girls off for the meeting. An hour later when I went to pick up Jazmin there were two dad's picking up also.
It warmed my heart.

There are so many stereotypes about Dad's. Even more now then when I was a kid, with the divorce rate so high, and how in many states custody of kids AUTOMATICALLY goes to the moms. (not the topic here and now) But what I am saying is, it is nice to see that my Dad, and my husband, are not the only good dad's out there. There are more of them! They are everywhere! Even on the paperwork to become a girl scout there is a box to check
* Mom * Guardian * Dad * Grandparent * Other

So for all you Dad's out there.... Girl Scouting is not just for Girls
Mom's have been 'Den Mother's" of Boy Scouts for years. It makes me smile when Dad's do the same for their girls.

9 lives - Party

PARTY CENTRAL!!!

Party over here
Party over there


Audrey's ninth birthday party is now history. About 2:00 today we started gather all the tools needed. Candles, plates, napkins, cups, knife, lighter, all the typical party accessories. About 2:40 we got in the car and 'raced' the 4 neighbor kids that attended the party. We won in case you were wondering. We picked a good table, in the shade, and waved hello to the two other parties that were at the pool. Sunscreen was re-applied, and all jumped in. I think it must have been a record, as all were out of the water playing around the pool area by 3:30. About 4:00 we started to open presents.

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She often likes the tissue paper more than the present.

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A stolen moment

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Audrey and her very own mini cake

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Happy Birthday Audrey.

How to be the Opposite of 'The Undomestic Goddess'

One of the books on CD that we all listened to on our last road trip was just that; The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella. I found the book to be fun and light hearted, and it helped pass the time. (Which was the point). Well, recently I have told some of you how domestic I have been feeling. And tonight I think I reached a new high. Ace of Cakes you got nothing on me!

Audrey's birthday party is tomorrow. So obviously we needed a cake. I am usually the 'buy it from the store' kinda girl. But Audrey didn't want that. Nope. She (key word there being SHE) wanted to MAKE a cupcake-cake. Ok. Sounds excited and wonderful! Great idea! How then did I end up doing it ALL by myself? 'Cause she's nine and I am the parent.

So with no further adu here is my rendition of- HOW TO MAKE A DOZEN MINI CAKES COVERED IN FONDAND.

Step One- discover that fondand can be purchased at craft stores. WHO KNEW!
Step Two- think to self, I have seen enough Food Network shows, I can do that!
Step Three- panic
Step Four- mix box of cake mix
Step Five- continue to panic but mask it as tiredness as it is now 9:00 the night before the party
Step Six- spray the new pan you got because you just aren't sure if you should or not
Step Seven- guess on how long to leave the shapes of cake mix in the oven, as there are no direction on the back of the box for 6 star shaped pans.
Step Eight- Be amazed at how WELL THEY CAME OUT!!!

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Step Nine- do the dance of joy and have a renewed sense of ability (which it seems is foreign because you can not remember the last time you felt this way)
Step Ten- put second batch in
Step Eleven- just as you are pulling out this second batch, realize you forgot to spray the pan.
Step Twelve- cross your fingers, hope, pray, and throw a little salt that they all come out!
Step Thirteen- man down.

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Step Fourteen- debate for 10 minutes what to do
*a dozen mini cakes are needed, with the man down you only have 11. Can you pull it off as a shooting star? Or should you make the second box you bought of cake mix Just In Case
Step Fifteen- decide to make second box
Step Sixteen- SPRAY THE PAN
Step Seventeen- panic about having to level off the tops of the stars before applying fondant
Step Eighteen- Rejoice and feel that great sense of ability AGAIN!

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Step Nineteen- read the direction that came with the package of fondant
Step Twenty- panic when you realize you have to put icing on the minicakes before the fondant, as you are not sure you have any/or enough of the ingredients to make it
Step Twenty-one- Be thankful you had some in the back of the fridge. (that was still good)

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Step Twenty-two- follow direction on fondant packaging, get so focused, that you completely forget to take pictures of unrolled fondant, and an hour passes and

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Step Twenty three- After realizing that with the second batch not only do you have more then enough stars you also have some left over for a single layer round cake.

* Hardest part about fondant? Cutting away the bottom edge after draping it on the shape.

** Also- just before laying fondant on round cake, think "I should have iced the sides of the stars- the fondant would hold better. oh well: to late now & it's your first time, give yourself a break. ice sides of round cake.

Finally realize that it is now 11:30, you have been up since 6, and not sat down once. Spend a moment to focus on your breath, and realize that your feet hurt. But who needed a workout today, with all that rolling of fondant?

The things parents do! She better like it! Or Else!