What we've been doing BESIDES the kitchen remodel.

So, we have had a life other than the big remodel. (My cabinets are in, by the way, and I'm so excited. I will refrain from posting my after pics until it's really done)

Parker's school program

 Macy and Quinn celebrated Dylan (Macy's boyfriend) 3rd birthday at Jungle Jims. 

 Quinn's a sucker for a car with a Lion on it. 

 Emi had her portfolio party....I thought this was weird before I went, then decided I loved the idea. The kids sang a few songs and then could sit with you to go through ALL their projects from the year. She had a seriously creative teacher this year, and I was amazed at how much they did and created, even for boring subjects like science. They could only invite one guest, and I loved that I could focus on her work without my other kids bugging me. 

 That is one full portfolio!

 Quinn is posing for a shot instead throwing the ball in like he is supposed to. His team (Dragon Fire....love it) was undefeated this season. They are a good little team. He even scored a couple goals this year. Emi's team (Purple Pandas.....doesn't that inspire fear?) was not so lucky. She has had one win in 2 years. But their team saw huge improvement this year. 

 Cutest boys ever.

 Emi went to the first of many social engagements this summer. This was her friends cupcake party. Yes....it was that mom. The one who puts us to shame with her awesome parties. Just wait till next post to see what they did for their first book club. 

 Speaking of birthdays, my very awesome mother-in-law was in town for her birthday this year. Something that has never happened in all the years I've been in this family. We celebrated at Aunt Lisa's. 

 I'm glad we gave her a magnifying light up mirror. It was quite entertaining for the kids to see themselves so close. I refused to look in it. 

 Quinn graduated preschool. (sniff sniff) He's getting so grown up. I just love this little boy. 

 Quinn is quite the performer. He sings loud (and it sounds good) and is a total comedian onstage. 

 My future kindergartner

So...there are more pics to download, but that won't happen tonight. Father's day wears me out. 

Happy Father's Day to Bill, the best daddy in the world. The kids absolutely adore him and his fun and silly games he plays with them. He is truly the best daddy ever. 

And to my cute dad. He's the cutest guy ever. His path has been so tricky in the last 3 years, but he keeps in good spirits and has a super sense of humor. He is one of the most generous individuals in the world. 

Lucky to have amazing men in my life!

Macy-speak

This post tonight is in honor of my poor ailing Macy. She contracted  hand-foot-mouth disease and is a MESS. Luckily, her fever is down and she's eating again, but it's so sad. If you look closely at this picture, you can see her blotchy mouth. But she still mustered up enough courage to be the "blue princess" that she likes to be. 

 This little girl is up to her eyeballs in personality. I have to write down some of the great "Macy-isms" right now. 

"Airplane-copter" - a plane or a helicopter. It must be gleefully yelled to get the full effect.

If you call her anything other than her name (snookums, sweetheart, moo-moo) she says, "No...I'm Macy Jane"

Yes, she wears the princess attire, but she is equally a Jedi. "Tar Wars" is one of her favorite things to play. Sadly, she likes to do it with Parker's precious Lego Star Wars ships. This has been a major source of contention.

Every temple is a castle. A "pwetty castle". 

"Tinky-bell" apparently lives on her ceiling in her room. I wasn't sure what she was talking about, until I realized that the green light on the smoke detector is "Tinky-bell". 

She is my most polite child to date. At her young age, she never misses a please or especially a thank you. She will go to great lengths to say "thank you, mom". It's so sweet.

Coloring pictures is her "homework"

It's never yeah or O.K.....it's "yesh". 

Everyday....."can we go swimming'?"   When I say no, she goes "AWWWW, pwease?"

Backpacks are "pack-packs" and must be worn to bed.

...and of course, "I do it my myself". So independent! 

And at night....she insists on "nuggles". 

Love this girl!

Here she is running with Emi at the school fun-run. Always up for a challenge.  

Hope she gets better soon. 

Construction fun......yippee!

I tend to start big things right after my recital. Why? I'm stupid. So the night of my recital, instead of celebrating and sleeping, I stayed up until 2:00 a.m. packing up my kitchen for a major remodel. New cabinets, flooring, fireplace area...basically the whole enchilada.  We had a band of happy helpers coming on Saturday, and I had to be ready. 

We are 10 days into the project. Bill and his dad have done the bulk of the work so far (of which I'm pretty impressed). They are in process of finishing electrical and I can't wait to get my hubby back. 

 The new fireplace, but it will look even cooler with the stainless panels added to it. 

 Projects seem to grow.....because of the double-sided fireplace, the living room had to be dismantled as well. I miss couches. 

 I have used every nook and cranny to store stuff so we aren't tripping over it. 

This is my makeshift  kitchen. 

 Along with this.......gourmet living isn't an option right now. Paper plates and microwavable food. Yummm!

 The converted dance studio/kitchen. It's hard to get through meals since Macy and Emi keep checking themselves out in the mirror. 

 This is really the best part. As we don't have a sink downstairs other than the bathroom sink (please don't ask why....it's kind of my fault that we don't. Bill NEVER brings that up...yeah right). White trash living!

 This whole process has really screwed up my old cat. He's so exasperated with us. 

Needless to say, I'm getting tons of exercise. I have the little fridge downstairs, but am constantly running up and down the stairs to get stuff. 30-40 trips a day these days. Legs of STEEL!

The finish line is still far away, but at least we should be in the right direction soon. No more destroying and more building up. I'm so done with making decisions. This is not my strong suit and it actually exhausts me to no end. The food has been interesting, but not too bad. I have super friends and neighbors that have made sure we haven't starved. I refuse to be all fast food, but it's tempting and an expense we don't need right now (or the calories). I received a bunch of restaurant gift cards for recital, so I'm rationing them. Coldstone for dinner, yes?

Thanks to all of the wonderful people helping us....so far, namely Bill's dad and mom, Lisa, Jim, Ian, John L., Mitch, Paul, Linda, and Joelyn. We love you all!

Recital 2012: Salute to Broadway and Movie Musicals

Every year, I swear this is going to be the last recital. My recital, which lasts about an hour and a half, takes hours upon hours to get ready. This year particularly burned me out. There is a lot going on in my life right now (to say the very least), so it was tricky. However, I think it was the best yet.

It was "Salute to Broadway and Movie Musicals"

My first piece meshed all my teens into a medley of Broadway music through time. Very, very fun. I will try to post that dance sometime.

 Castle on a Cloud (from Les Miz)

 Somewhere Over the Rainbow (Wizard of Oz)

I Whistle a Happy Tune (King and I)

 Singin' in the Rain

 Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile (Annie)

 Circle of Life (Lion King)

 Ease on Down the Road (The Wiz)

 I Wanna Be Like You (The Jungle Book)

 Life's a Happy Song (The Muppets).....there is my sweet Emi

 Let's Go Fly a Kite (Mary Poppins)....the poor girl in the sling had a broken collar bone. She walked carefully in for the bow.

 Defying Gravity (Wicked)

 Star Wars....a total crowd favorite

 ....and the best part, Parker got to participate in the show as Darth Vader. He stole the show.

 You'll Be in My Heart (from Tarzan)

 Fabulous (High School Musical 2) There is Emi again.

 We're All in this Together (High School Musical)

 Ordinary Miracle (Charlotte's Web)

 and yes...even the teachers. "One" from A Chorus Line

 Footloose (the new country version...yee-haw)

 You Can't Stop the Beat (Hairspray)

 Every year I feel like recital is going to look like this....crazy and confusing.

 But is somehow comes together to turn out like this......I don't understand how that happens!

 It was my 10th anniversary recital. Hard to believe I've done this that long. I guess it won't be my last, that is why I have summer to regroup. 

Happy girls (Emi and friend Jade)