We Got a New Kitten Today!

Sorry I haven't been posting as much. It's just crazy with summer here and the kids home everyday not to mention fighting my daughter for use of the computer.

Today was a funny kind of day. My mother took my older daughter out with her to the store just to get her off the couch. She's been in a little rut since getting out of school. Anyway my mom asked her if there was anything she'd like and my daughter replied that she wanted a kitten or a dog since the dog we have is basically my dog. She follows me everywhere and sleeps with me. My daughter tries every night to get her to sleep with her and the dog jumps off her bed and barks at the door. Well my mother said she'd have to ask me first. She called and I had been cleaning the basement today and found evidence of mice so a cat sounded pretty good to me. I called my husband and he had no issues with it so my mom took her to the MSPCA. She had no problem finding an adorable little kitten to adopt. My mom called and said I needed to come down so they could see the owner of the home. I did and now we have an adorable little kitten named Soxs. Named after my Red Sox. I always wanted a cat named Soxs. There were conditions with the adoption of the cat. first off my daughter is in charge of the kitty litter. Second she has to promise not to sit on the couch all day. It drives me crazy.

We are very happy with our new edition, but I'm a little concerned about the dog. My dog thinks she rules the house and well she does. They told us to keep them separated for at least a week because Soxs was just neutered. We don;'t want any fighting. Then we have to gradually introduce them. Fingers crossed this goes well.

Happy Father's Day

I wish every dad out there a very Happy Father's day. My Step Dad is at the beach today and I hope he has a very relaxing day just chilling out. He needs to relax. I find there is no better place to do this than at the beach.

Now my husband wants to go out for brunch so that's what we are going to do. He has his heart set on French Toast with strawberries and whip cream. Then he wants to go check out the Ipads. It's all about him today. Anyway we are off. Have a great day!

Boston Red Sox Silly Bandz

I just came back with my daughter from a birthday/pool party. She had the best time and had brand new silly bandz all over her wrist. I just put her in the shower and I was checking out the silly bandz and low and behold they are Boston Red Sox Silly Bandz and all I have to say is how cool is that. I love them. I need a package of my own to show the love to my favorite team which has climbed it's way out of the basement.

My daughter didn't realized they were Red Sox symbols until I told her and now she is so excited. We are going to a game on the Fourth of July and I know she will be sporting these bandz proudly and maybe I will be as well. Why not? I'm a hip mom. I know what's cool

Last Day Of School Silliness

Today was the last day of school for my girls. Now it's on to summer vacation. My 13 year old who I need to drag out of bed every morning was up way before me. She said she woke up at 6:45. This child never wakes up early. I asked what was wrong and her reply was she was just so excited. Today was the last day of school so she was officially an eighth grader. I just started laughing. It figures she would wake up on time on the last day of school.

They always have a mass on the last day of school and then we get to pick them up from their classrooms. When I arrived to get my 9 year old she had to hug all her friends like she would never see them again. Meanwhile we have a play date tomorrow with 2 of them. Seriously funny. The same goes for the older one. I got to her class and all the kids were hugging each other and some of them were crying. I personally never cried on the last day of school ever. I was always happy to be done for the summer. I think they are as well they're just at that over dramatic age. They cry over everything.

I headed home with my girls and 2 more 13 year olds. Yes I am crazy. Another one came a little while after. I got them some pizza and they watched a couple movies and just got really silly. They were making up silly dances and just screaming at the top of their lungs for no reason and texting their friends who couldn't come. They all had a really great time and when their parents came they all hugged each other goodbye even though they are all getting together tomorrow night. I'm telling you girls are just so silly.

Getting Excited For Eighth Grade

My 13 year old is dancing on air right now. She has finished her finals and is basically just wrapping up school. All her books have been returned and she has emptied her locker. They technically have two days left of school, but it's over let;s face it. The eighth graders graduated last week so since then my daughter thinks she's an eighth grader. This is such an exciting thing for her. The eighth graders do so many great things to celebrate. In fact she will need 4 to 5 nice dresses for all the different events she'll attend. It's enough to make me crazy. She can't wait to go dress shopping.

My mom thought she'd poke around the sale racks yesterday to see what she could find. We figured if we bought her a couple of her dresses this year and made sure they had a little room to grow it we be a great savings. Oh and not to mention the fact that the chances of someone having the same dress would be slim. We do like to be original.

Well my mom hit gold. She called me from the store and had found a beautiful black dress with spaghetti straps. She snatched it up at a fabulous price. When she was about to leave she noticed another cute dress. It was strapless, but very appropriate. My daughter will have to wear a shawl with both dresses. My mom snatched that one up to and she couldn't believe the deal she got.

My mom was so excited with her finds she drove over to my house. My daughter was so excited. She tried on both dresses. One would have to be taken in and the other had a little give so we should be good to go. She loved them both. When her father got home that night she tried them on for him and then twirled around saying I'm an eighth grader. It was so cute. Though it makes me a little sad. My little girl she growing up. Someone want to tell me how this happened and is there anyway to slow it down. I don't think I'm ready for this.

Beastly a Wonderful Fairy Tale

I have always been a sucker for any variation of the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale. I just can't get enough. I have no idea why. I went to see the Disney version of Beauty and the Beast at the theater 3 times while I was in college. I was completely enthralled with it. I guess there's something about falling in love with someone for who they really are inside with no regards to their appearance.

Well I stumbled upon a updated version of this wonderful tale in the book Beastly by Alex Finn. I was completely enraptured. A spoiled self-centered high school kid plays a trick on the wrong classmate and gets turned into a beast. Then he has to find someone to love him. It's a wonderful rendition and it is also going to be made into a movie starring Alex Pettyfer, Neil Patrick Harris and Vanessa Hudgens. I've seen a trailer and it looks wonderful. Though Vanessa Hudgens looks nothing like Lindy. It doesn't seem like it would be that hard to make her have red hair or to find a red head to play the character. Well I can over look it.

My daughter is interested in reading the book as well and as I've said numerous times if my daughter is interested in a book it's a good thing. A very good thing. This story is just so magical. I really enjoyed it. I look forward to the movie next March.

The A-Team A Really Fun Time

This past weekend I went to see the A-Team with my husband, 13 year old daughter and my step dad. I always loved the A-Team growing up. Who didn't love Mr. T? Honestly I didn't know what to expect with this movie, but I have to say it was hysterical. I laughed through most of it. The casting was perfect. The banter between all the characters was fabulous. I couldn't stop smiling from the memories of the old 80's TV show that I watched and loved. I would totally recommend this if you're looking for a comedy/action movie. It was very entertaining. Even my daughter who we just introduced to the old show loved it. She particularly loved Face played by Bradly Cooper. I have to concur there. He was great. I always had a fond spot for that character who was played by Dirk Benedict. Dirk Benedict also played Starbuck from the original Battlestar Galactica. He was one of my favorites when I was young. I loved the original Battlestar. I never got into the new one as they replaced my favorite character with a woman. I just couldn't let that go. I did give that show a chance, but it was just too dark for me.

Well I got off track there. Sorry about that. Anyway if you're a fan of the old A-Team give this one a chance. You won't be sorry. In fact I think you'll appreciate how great a job they did. Another movie I'll be picking up on DVD. It just made me laugh.

Just Another Fabulous Morning

Everything started as usual. I had to wake both the kids up. They only have a week left of school, but I'm pretty sure they already checked out. Today they both were able to not wear their uniforms and that always makes things so much fun.

My oldest just got a new shirt from Abercrombie and for whatever reason the shirts seem to be shorter from them now. She wanted to wear it and it was fine as long as she didn't lean over or reach up. I wasn't really thrilled with it, but she liked it and said she would keep pulling it down all day. This seemed like a pain to me, but it would be her embarrassment not mine when she flashed everyone her underwear. I was going to let it go.

Now when it was time to get in the car and go to school she went back to her room and when she emerged after I yelled several times up the stairs for her to move her butt she had a different shirt on. Her comment was "Are you happy." I told her it was fine that I thought she liked the other one. She said she did, but knew I didn't like it. She went off making me feel awful. I seriously don't need this yet I get it all the time. Thirteen year olds are so moody and impossible. It's honestly a daily struggle for me not to send her to her room until she graduates high school. Well here's hoping she comes home in a better mood.

The Glee Finale Rocked!

My daughter has been busy studying all week for finales, but a break was definitely in order to watch the season finale of Glee. Honestly I was just as excited. The club finally made it to Regionals were they have just learned that the evil Sue Sylvester is going to be one of the judges. They almost give up, but then they get inspired and they decide to do a medley of Journey songs including the first song they sang together, Don't stop Believing, and my personal favorite Faithfully. They totally rocked it. I loved them both. They also threw in Anyway you want it. It was fabulous. Of course the evil Vocal Adrenaline sang Bohemian Rhapsody. That is another of my favorite songs and I did like it, but honestly I enjoyed the Journey medley much more.

I won't tell you who won, but I will tell you the judges were Olivia Newton John, Josh Groban and as I've already said Sue Sylvester. It was funny how out of character they all seemed.

Now also in the episode there were some great moments between Finn and Rachel and there was the birth of Quinn and Puck's baby. I'll also say that I thought the editing of the episode was amazing. They should seriously win an award for it.

I am so sad the season is over. It will be hard to wait until September for new episodes. I'm just glad it got renewed. If you haven't checked out the show Give it a try this summer. They will be rerunning all the episodes. It's a great time to get on board with the show and become a Gleek like the rest of us.

Finals Week

My oldest daughter is in middle school now and her school gives finals at the end of the year. Personally I think it's a lot of stress and pressure at the end of the year that these kids don't need. Most of the schools in the area don't give them, but of course my daughter's school does.

What does this mean? Well basically it means we're going to have a stressed out lunatic on our hands for the week who would sooner yell at her sister and her oh so patient mother than to study for her exams. She's mentally done at this point. Summer has started in her eyes so it's a little bit of a fight to make sure she's ready for the tests. She has one everyday this week except for Friday and has the last one Monday. I just have to try to keep her focused until then. She's worked so hard all year I would hate for her to not do well this last semester simply because she's tired of school. That's just not acceptable. Well wish me luck it's going to be a fun week.

Backstage at the Dance Recital

Yesterday, I volunteered to watch some of the younger dancers for my daughters dance school. My daughter had her recital the day before. There were about 5 groups of dancers in this room. They ranged in age from 3 to 9. I was in charge of some 4 and 5 year olds.

First off most of the kids were adorable and well behaved. I brought a blanket for them to sit on, Barbies, My Little Pony and some color wonder coloring books. Crayons are not allowed. Most of the kids played and there were no issues. Of course with anything there has to be a few that act up. I had to speak to one of my 4 year olds because she was squeezing the life out of another girl. I asked her to stop and she said she wasn't doing anything. She was still squeezing the child as she said this. I moved the other child away from her, but continually this child kept trying to bother this other girl. I felt so bad for the sweet little one who just wanted to do her dance and go home. One of the older girls had a tie from a costume and thought it would be fun to wrap it around the younger ones. Seriously have no idea what that child was thinking. These kids were mostly good little troopers. Many of them were stuck back stage for a good 3 hours. They go out to dance, but that only last a couple minutes.

Personally I think all the parents of the little ones should come and get them at intermission and go home. These kids are just too little to be stuck back stage not allowed to eat anything and only having water to drink. In the end they were all hungry and tired and wanted to go home. The only thing they waited around for was to walk out for the finale and take a bow. I know parents want their kids to experience the whole thing, but give me a break. We had to hunt down one mother because the 3 year old kept crying. She would calm down and then cry again. It was so sad and completely unnecessary. Her mom came scooped her up and you could tell she felt bad. She took her right home. It was just a long day and she had enough and let me tell you I had enough by the end as well. I did many potty runs. I fixed headbands nonstop and retied tap shoes all day. When I got home I cracked open a bottle of wine and enjoyed a nice glass. It was good to be home.

My advice for moms who have recitals. Know your child. If you have one 5 and under check on them at intermission. Ask them if they want to stay. If they do great, but if not go home. Oh and send them with something to do and a sweater. The air conditioning was cranked and they were freezing in their costumes. Many of the older girls came over and let them borrow their stuff. I'm not sure I'll volunteer in that room next year, but you never know. I like to help and since I've already done it. I know what to do. I just have to have the wine chilling at home.

Recital Weekend

This is the weekend that I look forward to every year. I love watching my girls perform after they have practiced so hard all year. However it makes the week and weekend very stressful and busy. They each had a dress rehearsal earlier in the week. Of course they were on different days. That's just the way things work out.

Now my oldest daughter only takes ballet this ear and honestly she doesn't love dance. It's been a struggle to get her to class each week. She was really nervous today and that caused everything to be stressful this afternoon. She just wanted it to be over.

Her sister on the other hand was bouncing around the house. She loves dance and she had 3 routines to perform today. She totally cooperated with me.

I always have butterflies in my stomach because I want them to be happy and to do well. Well they rocked it. I was very impressed with both of them. Everything went great and they were both happy. Now my oldest has informed me she is not doing dance next year and that's okay with me. She can find something else to do. She finished out this year and I'm proud of her for that. She was actually in a class that was a higher level than she's at, but she did her best and I as I said I'm very proud of her. My little one smiled through everything and I can see her doing this for a long time.

When we came out of the recital there were ominous clouds so we ran to our car and made it just in time. The sky opened up and the winds came. It was quite scary. We pulled over and let it pass. When it lightened up we headed for home and had to dodge downed trees and other things to get home. When we got home I had to eat a sub my awesome husband got me and head for the next recital. My girls weren't in in, but I volunteered to sit with some younger dancers backstage. Well when I got back I was told there was no power and they were waiting to find out when it would come back on. Well 15 minutes after that they had to postpone the show till tomorrow. Bottom line my whole weekend is taken up by these recitals, but since it's for my kids and the dance studio that has been so great to my girls I don't mind. I'm just going to be really tired.

Prince of Persia:The Sands of Time Fine for Tweens

Saturday my family and I went to see Prince of Persia:The Sands of Time. First off I'm going to say that I loved it. It is a great summer movie. There is action, adventure and romance. All the things I love in a movie. This is definitely a great movie to see with the kids. There is a lot of fighting so that could be why there is a pg-13 rating. I'm sure that's why many didn't take their kids, but I saw no issue at all. My girls are 9 and 13 and there was nothing in the movie I had a problem with minus snakes being in it. I don't like snakes. They totally creep me out. They did attack our hero, but he killed them and all was well. It's action and adventure. It's kind of Pirates of the Caribbean in the dessert.

My oldest daughter and I loved the Prince. Jake Gellenhaal as Prince Dastan is most definitely easy on the eyes. He alone is worth seeing this movie. The action has a sort of video game quality that makes it fun. The special effects with the dagger are very cool. I only wish they would have used it more than they had. The romance is spot on. You really fall for the the idea of Prince Dastan and Princess Tamina. You really want to follow along with them on their exciting adventure.

All in all it was fun. If you're contemplating going to see this movie my advice is to run do not walk. You won't be sorry. I would go again and I am definitely going to be purchasing the DVD when it comes out and I really don't purchase many anymore. I only buy the ones I love and I loved this movie. I truly hope they will make a sequel. I want the adventure to continue. I need more Prince Dastan and so does my daughter. She left with a huge smile on her face and so did I.

Such a Busy Time of Year.

Memorial day weekend was just so busy I never had time to post. This week continues to be crazy as well. On the weekend we had a dance recital to attend for my nieces and all though one got sick right before the show. The poor thing, my other niece totally rocked it. We also went to the movies and out to dinner on Saturday. Sunday we went to the beach and on Sunday well I had to do the food shopping and my daughter needed my computer all day to work on a a study guide for her literature final. It was just busy.

Now Tuesday was a insane. My 9 year old had a special field trip that I attended. I had a group of 3 girls in my group and they swam, played mini-golf and played on a fun playground. They had a great time, but it was hot and they got tired. Right after the field trip I had to bring her to her dance dress rehearsal. I was a volunteer at this as well. My daughter has 3 costumes and the hair is different depending on the costume. I helped all the kids change and did many buns. I'm getting rather good at doing a ballet bun. The kids again were great, but it was a long day. We didn't finish till around 7:30PM. When I got home I gave her a shower and put her to bed. Luckily she had no homework. When she went to bed I sat on the couch and couldn't move.

Today My 13 year old had her field trip at the same place. The older ones are easier, but they can get goofy or should I say silly. They had a great time too, but I'm tired and now my 13 year old needs to study for 2 finals she has tomorrow. I'm telling you this craziness never ends. You can stick a fork in me because I am so done.