My Little Ballerina

Calleigh participated in her very first ballet last night for her ballet studio's spring demonstration.  Unlike traditional dance recitals where each class performs a routine or two in various costumes, Calleigh's ballet studio put together an original ballet in which all of the students worked together throughout the production.  The ballet was about a boy and girl who are enamored with each other, but are kept apart from each other through a series of distractions/interruptions.  The younger ballerinas each danced a part in the ballet as one of the distractions/interruptions.  It was very cute and so unlike any typical dance recital.  She had a blast!  

Honesty

Part of our bedtime ritual is for me to sit in bed with the kids and snuggle.  This is our time to talk about the day, where we are emotionally, and what our hopes are for the future.  I know, such a counselor thing to do.  But it really is a great way to connect with the kids and spend some one on one time with them.

Carson is a huge fan of this snuggle time.  Last night, as we snuggled while he drifted off to sleep, he very innocently said, "mom, they are going to think I am hot."  I didn't want to assume that he meant "hot" in the way we mean "hot" so I asked him what he meant.  Plus, I wasn't sure who "they" were in his mind because we were talking about something random like Pokemon cards.  Again, he innocently declared, "You know, the kids in California are going to think I am handsome and the girls will want to be my girlfriend.  But I already have a girlfriend (Isabella Smith).  So they will just have to think I am hot."  I love that my little boy thinks he is hot and that he is confident enough to believe others will think of him as a hottie.  That made me smile.  Wouldn't it be great if we all believed in the beautiful design that God created in us?

I hope you all are having a day where you feel like a hottie.  :-)

Storing Up "Me Time" Points

Michael is having a wonderful time in California.  He loves his new job, likes the people he works with, and is enjoying being in our house.  Without the kids and I there, he is getting to have a little "me time" and enjoy something similar to a vacation.  How is it like a vacation?  Well, let's see. . .

Seeing bands at little live venues

Seeing big bands (like the Police) at large venues

Going to the movies

Hanging out with a local band and their manager

Going to many local eateries

Chillin' with the Cunningham family

Driving through Hollywood

Need I say more?  It is fun in Michael's world right now.  And I don't blame him because I would be doing the same thing.  I'm just remembering these little adventures of his and adding to my "me time" point bank.  When I get to California, I'll be sure to spend these points wisely.  :-)

Happy Tears

Last night Carson was playing his guitar while jamming out to Daughtry's song Home over and over and over again.  He was really getting into it - playing soft during the verses and putting some power behind the chorus.  He even had the head sway going and he closed his eyes during the moments of intensity.  It was great.  

When I tucked him into bed he showed me his thumb and said that it hurt.  I told him that what is hurting is the beginning of a callous.  Of course he wanted to know what that was, and after a little bit of explaining I told him that all great guitar players get callouses on their fingers and callouses are the mark of a true guitar player.  He looked at me with big tears in his eyes and said, "Mom, I have happy tears."  I asked him what the tears were for, and he said he was happy because he was a real guitar player now just like daddy.  Well, he has a long way to go before he can play like daddy, but the joy in his face was priceless.  So we said a bedtime prayer and thanked God for the gift of music and the joy of playing the guitar.  It was a great moment.

Callieghism

Calleigh - Mom, how come you took your shoes off?

Andi - I didn't want to wear my shoes right now.

Calleigh - Well, I'm going to wear my feet so people can see my toenails.

For those of you who do not speak Calleigh, "wear my feet" means to go barefoot.  And, we just had a pedicure with Memi, so she is totally into showing off her pretty toenails.

Favorite Quote of the Day

"Excuse me, I am a sacred vessel.  All you have in your belly is Taco Bell."

from the movie Juno

made me laugh out loud

This is like a vacation!

Michael left for California on Saturday, so I have been trying to find creative ways to distract the kids (and myself) from the absence of their daddy.  So far we have gone to a cousin's house to play, fed the ducks at the duck pond with Nana, walked to the park-around the park-and played at the park.  Tonight we are going to a local jump house place called Jump and Jive.  It is a huge room full of fun inflatables and is lots of fun for the kids.  Later this week we have a play date scheduled with some school friends and we are going to see Prince Caspian with Memi.  With all of these fun activities mixed into our everyday world, it seems like we are on vacation!

Yo Yo Yo, Check It Out

Scenario:  Just took Michael to the airport to fly out to California.  The kids and I are in the car driving home.

Conversation:

Carson - So, now that I am the man of the house, I can boss you all around. (more directed toward Calleigh, I'm sure)

Mom - Not exactly son.

Carson - Well, the man of the house owns the house!

Mom - No, the man of the house protects and respects.  If you think you can handle those two things, then you can be the man of the house while daddy is away.

Carson - Silence

So we begin our 14 day stretch of Michael in California.  This will be a fun and interesting ride.

My Little Monkeys

Both of the kids enjoyed field trips with their schools to the Dallas Zoo.  When I went back to view the pictures from their trips, I thought to myself, "who needs a Myers Briggs Type Indicator or Strengths Finder or Color of My Parachute inventory to determine the personality of a person?"  A picture is all you need.

Calleigh - Leader, Protector, Fighter, Risk-taker, Charmer, Fearless Princess

Carson - Energetic, Playful, Imaginative, Smart, Leader, Carefree