Holiday Dog

Today I brought my dog, Penny, to the groomers to be all prettied up for Christmas. Penny hates going in the car and really hates to be away from me. She's a miniature Dachshund who basically spends her day following me around and sleeping. She looked so sad when I handed her off to the groomer and had the nerve to leave.

When I came to get her she practically jumped into my arms. She looked adorable and they gave her a festive kerchief to wear. This is the only clothing I put on her because she doesn't like clothing, but she doesn't seem to mind kerchiefs.

When my girls got home to school they couldn't wait to see her. They told me I should post a picture on my blog so here is my baby. She is all ready for Christmas. Don't you think she's cute?

I'm Exhausted and the Holidays Aren't Even Here Yet

Okay it has been a very long week. My youngest daughter had her Holiday Dance show which took up two evenings if you include the dress rehearsal on Thursday night. After the dance show I had a holiday party to attend which I enjoyed very much, but had to leave early because my older daughter and I were volunteering on the Polar Express. The Polar Express was exhausting. Some of the moms do it every year and I honestly don't know how they do it. Today my mother-in-law and sister-in-law came to have a nice early holiday dinner with us. We always do Christmas a little early with them.

They just left a little while ago. We had a very nice after noon and the girls are excited about their gifts, but I'm exhausted. I cooked a big dinner and cleaned up the whole kitchen. Luckily my husband helped and the girls or I don't know how it would have gotten done. The dinner was really good and luckily there are leftovers which should make the week easier. I was worried about these au gratin potatoes I was making for the first time, but thankfully they were a big hit. A few people had seconds so that was a relief. I really don't like trying out recipes on company, but luckily it worked out.

This week looks to be even busier. The girls have things going on a school that I need to attend and well then there is Christmas Eve and Christmas. I love this time of year honestly I do. It's just that I end up feeling I'm being pulled in too many directions and there just isn't enough time to get everything done. Oh well there is no way around it. I'm just simply going to sleep all day on December 26th.

Take a Ride on the Polar Express

Every year my children's school holds a Polar Express fund raiser. They rent a train for most of the day and have 4 rides. On these rides passengers are treated to hot coco, a cookie and visits from some special guests. They take about a 30 minute train ride that we tell them goes to the North Pole just like the real Polar Express. Then its another 30 minutes back. The train is set up just like the book The Polar Express and the movie. There's a conductor and servers and they have a reader who reads the Polar Express dressed in their pj's. In fact we encourage all the passengers to wear their pj's. Most of the children do as well as a few adults. everyone really tries to get into the spirit.

The kids are treated with visits from Santa who gives out the first gift of Christmas. Mrs. Claus, Frosty and Rudolph and many elves make an appearance as well. Each child leaves with their very own silver bell.

Today was the day that this took place. My oldest daughter wanted to be one of the elves this year so I volunteered to be a server on her train rides. We got the early shift which meant we had to be there from about 11:00am until 2:30pm. It was crazy. There were so many people and little kids. The children were so excited about everything and people really seemed to have a great time. They just loved when we arrived at the North Pole and all the visitors started coming through the train. They even had letters ready to give to Santa's elves. There weren't any complaints. Though there were some sleeping children as they headed out. My daughter made an adorable elf and she had a great time with all her friends.

I'm completely exhausted. I really just want to go to sleep, but I need to clean my house as we have company coming tomorrow. The holiday season can be so busy.

Holiday Dance Show

Whenever my girls have to perform or participate in an activity where others are watching them I always worry that something will go wrong and they'll get upset. I mean what if they're doing a dance routine and everyone is going right, but they're going left. Yes, I realize it's not the end of the world, but to a child who is on stage performing it seems like it. I get this pit in my stomach and I sit on the edge of my seat until she steps off the stage. Actually, I have this feeling till I collect them from backstage. If they have a smile on their face everything is as it should be. I really just want them to have a good time. That's what dance is all about. If they run to me crying well, let's just say it's never a good thing.

Tonight my daughter had a holiday dance show. She was doing a jazz routine and would also take part in the opening number. She was so excited about the last part as she had never done that. I was thinking great one more thing for me to worry about. Honestly, though I don't know why I worry. I guess it's a crazy mom thing.

Well the music started for the opening number and the dancers came out one after another and bam she nailed it and I could see her face light up the stage. Next I was treated to a great show while I waited for her to come out for her routine. Now I actually had real concerns for this one because there was an issue with the costume the night of the dress rehearsal. Part of the costume was driving my daughter crazy and instead of concentrating on the dance she kept fiddling with it. I was hoping they had fixed it. There was nothing I could do about the item that was causing the issue because it had to be pinned on and she started the show in a different costume and moms aren't allowed back stage. When she came out on stage for her number I immeadiatly let out a sigh of relief. They deep sixed the annoying garment and what a difference it made. The girls and one very talented little boy did awesome and most importantly they all looked like they had a great time.

When I retrieved her after the show I was treated to a fabulous smile and hug and none stop talking about the show. Another great night and once again there was nothing for me to worry about. Though truth be told I don't think I'll ever stop. They'll always be my little girls.

God Bless Dance Teachers

Just got home from my daughters dress rehearsal for a holiday dance show she has tomorrow night. These kids are already so excited for Christmas coming and to get them to pay attention and listen to the instructions takes the patience of saints.

I was what they call a wrangler. Basically I sat with my daughter's class and made sure they didn't go anywhere. Not too difficult, but someone always has a question or wanders away to get closer to the stage to see the older kids perform. When it's time for them to go on stage I have to line them all up and make sure they have everything. Then there was the changing of costumes and the getting everything back together to go home. I really hope no one forgot anything. I checked twice, but you never know.

I'm home now, but there were still many more acts to go on after my daughters class was done and all those dance teachers were still there trying to talk over the giggling girls. I know a few of them won't have voices tomorrow. Even with the microphones they still had to yell. Well I wish them a quick end to the night, but I know that's not going to happen when they have each group redo their routines 2 or 3 times. It's crazy, but they just keep on trucking with smiles on their faces. I know I wouldn't be able to keep smiling so God bless dance teachers for giving time, patience and love to my daughter and all the other little dancers out there. They really do have a special gift.

Crazy Third Graders

Today was a special day for my daughters 3rd grade class. Each year the 3rd grade class at my daughters school buys presents for children at a local after school program that maybe don't get as many Christmas presents as they do. They are each given a name along with the age of a child. My daughter got a 10 year old girl. The price limit was $20.00. I had my daughter use her own money and pick out the gift she thought the girl would like. She loved doing this. She picked out a Harumika kit and a make-up kit from Justice. These were things she would like herself and they were things I thought a 10 year old would like. Of course we could only hope this was the case because we knew nothing about the little girl. We just hope she'll really like them.

The moms were invited into the school today to help them wrap the presents. We were asked to send in wrapping paper, tape and bows. This was such a good time. The kids had a blast wrapping all the presents. Most of them wanted to do it all themselves with just a little help from us. When they had them wrapped they attached a colorful bow and these great Christmas cards that they created for the kids. I think the cards were the best part. You could tell they really worked hard on them.

When the wrapping was done they were given these puzzles to color and had a snack. I wished the teacher good luck when I left because these kids were all hyped up. She told me she thought the rest of the day would be a wash. It pretty much was because I returned to the school later to help with art class. They were so wired. You can definitely feel Christmas coming. It's always fun to see the kids so excited. This is such a fun time of year.

Play Auditions For Alice in Wonderland

Today was the day that drama club started for my 12 year old. They are doing Alice in Wonderland this year. I find that very crazy considering she is now obsessed with the Alice movie that just aired on the SyFy Channel. Apparently Alice is haunting us.

Anyway she had to audition for a part today. Of course all the big parts always go to the 8th graders, but she's still hoping for a good part. She even had to sing. The teacher who runs it told her she did awesome so she came out on cloud nine. That's always a good thing. I really love it when she comes out with a smile on her face and today she totally did. I just hope she gets a part she'll like.

She wants me to get a hold of the old Alice in Wonderland movie so she can get acquainted The funny thing is I think I own every other Disney movie. Oh well Alice is really big right now. There's also the Johnny Depp Alice in Wonderland coming out in February. I have a feeling I'll be going to see that as well.