we survived summer 2013 {part 1}

So, how have you enjoyed my big bloggy comeback? I know. Sad. My girlies have asked me to start blogging again. Several times, actually. I need to. If nothing else, so we can look back and determine what we actually did each month. My memory fails me when it comes to the details, if I don't write. it. down. right. when. it. happens. *sigh*

In other news, I almost forgot how to navigate through Blogger, in order to write a new post. A sign it's been too long... or I'm getting too old, but that's another post. 

Much has happened this past year. Much of it taking my wit and energy (read as: my ability to put 2 cohesive sentences together in order to blog). Motherhood became more on-the-go, yet remained fulfilling. Honestly, there's no way to describe motherhood before it happens to you. Best full-time-tiring job one can ever have. Ever.

On to our summer. I feel as though I need a t-shirt that says, "I survived summer 2013." No joke. With a hubby who traveled most of the summer and 2 girls who had me running on different sides of a very large concrete jungle, I nearly became unraveled a couple of times.

Nator auditioned for a professional theater and they saw something in her as the character of Annetta Bell in their Anne of Avonlea main stage production. Here she is all dolled up in her costume. Also, this is what cloud 9 looks like.

Backstage, there was much fun with the cast between scenes. Since there were hardly any costume changes (thankyoujesus), the kids were mostly found making crafts (rainbow loom, anyone?): jumping rope, reading books, working on creative writing, or simply chatting.

Several theater friends and family (Granny & Aunt C) came to view the performance... as well as, friends we didn't get pictures with. So blessed.

The final goodbye at our main-stage was bitter-sweet.

***************************

Then it was off to a very popular outdoor stage in our area for mic checks, in preparation for our last performance.

Our director was super sweet and we were privileged to be a part of her inaugural main-stage direction. Also, backstage never looks as glamorous as you imagine. ha!

Final bows are always a tad emotional. Even after 16-17 performances. Tired from the journey, but sad to see such a positive experience come to an end. 

Of course, we are always in the works for what comes next...

Soon, I'll share the other performance that coincided with this one over the summer. Never a dull moment around here, y'all. ;)

{13} looks good on you, {baby} girl!

I'll love you forever,

I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living,
My {baby} you'll be.

From a child to a young lady.

Just like that. 

We are so very proud of you.

Immeasurable love 

to infinity and beyond...

once in a blue moon conversations

in the hustle and bustle of the daily grind, there are many conversations that need documenting... for future reference.  this is one.

me: oh, we almost forgot to take a peek at the blue moon!
nator:  let me get my shoes!
me:  graaaaaaacieeeeee!  
gracie: {just getting settled in her loft bed}  yeeeees?
me:  come here.

{insert jeopardy music as nator and mom wait for gracie to climb down mt. everest}

gracie: {singing -with a cheesy grin- as she comes out of her room}  what do you want from me?  what do you want from me?
me:  how appropriate.
gracie:  what did y'all want?
nator and mama:  let's go look at the blue moon.
gracie:  oh.

me:  i'm sure it's not blue.  it's an expression used because we are having a full moon twice this month.

{walks outside the front door}

gracie:  it's not blue. 
me:  but it's a full moon.
nator:  it's so pretty.  i'm sure neil armstrong is enjoying it from somewhere up there.
me:  i bet you're right.

{clearly impressed, gracie walks back indoors, while mom and nator enjoy the glow of the moonlight a little longer}

nator:  i learned on brainpop that the next one will be in three years.
me:  and that will put you at how old?
{mom cringes and might be sporting a frowny face}
nator:  fifteen.
{we console each other embrace in a big hug, then slowly make our way indoors}
nator:  but i'll still love you.  i might just have a little attitude.
me:  {laughs to keep from crying} let's hope not.

i mean... attitudes in this sweet girlie only come once in a blue moon.  let's not mess with that statistic.

thank heaven for lil' girls :: dance recital 2012

dress rehearsals and tutus.

girlie blankets, hair products, shoes, foot paws, and la-te-da bags all over the floor in our huge-girls-only cloud of hairspray dressing room.

ten year old dancing with the teens.  we're easing into the upper levels.  bitter-sweet.

false eyelashes and cute hairpieces.

holding onto schedules, lens caps, and your girlie... while trying to capture the quick memory before going on stage.

giggling with friends backstage.

quietly cheering side-stage.

sisters.

costumes in their favorite colors.

veeeery speedy costume changes for this girlie.

when one of your girlies is passionate about dance, she signs up for both shows.  the other only desires one.  interpret that as: 2 dress rehearsals + 2 performances + 1 day + 2 girlies = 26 costume changes.

this is mama after said marathon.  mama was tired... and stayed in bed until 2 p.m. the following day.  daddy was a trooper during recital, too.  he was not feeling well and made trips during the day to bring chairs, food, and tights. 

it all ended with flowers.  
thank you, daddy!

girls are fun.
and a lot of work.
amen. 

celebrations

family helped us celebrate our sound of music actresses with a 'surprise' visit to watch their performance.

we celebrated at nator's piano recital - a high score on her music guild results, rewarded with a trophy.

and hugs.

the girls and i took a moment to capture the space shuttle... floating on water. that's cause for celebration, yes?  i mean... how many times in one's life will you see a space shuttle on water? 

we won't mention how texas was jilted with a pretend shuttle... or the crazy traffic this attracted.  nope.  won't mention it at all. 

the girls and i celebrated with a lil' shopping.
great prices on two cute dresses found at marshalls and ross. 

...in order to celebrate their annual daddy-daughter dance in style!

i have to confess.  
they came back with some pretty jazzy mementos. yes?

we celebrated when the city pool opened.  
water-slides are the bomb dot com.

what are you celebrating?

may ~ week 20 {art, piano, turtles, keurig, theater}

what's the expression of... we've spent two full days together and i'm not ready to go back to reality, so please don't leave me home alone?   jazzy's face says it all.

while the girls were at theater practice, i seized the opportunity to pick up some mom gifts.  apparently, this mama has forgotten how to shop for herself.  this mama didn't get a thing.  oh well.  shopping is overrated anyway, right?

i took the girls through hobby lobby to find props for their much-over-do-photo-shoot.  if $100 were pocket change, i would have grabbed that wagon down there.  loved it!  we left with a much smaller wagon... and a few other things. ;)




painting props begs more painting.  nator painted a picture, naming it 'world peace' because, in her words... "it's a place of peace.  no one can get hurt or hurt other people.  people cooperate... just as the world should."  love that kiddo.   



we dropped daddy off.  he and his boss were headed a lil' north.  hubs was speaking at a conference. 

nator played her 10 pieces at our local collage campus.  just her, a judge, and a piano.  nervous mama stood outside the door.  we went out to an early dinner.  her fortune cookie said relax and enjoy yourself.  great advice.

while out of town, hubs went to the texas rangers game, sitting behind phil mickelson.  (ummm... yeah, i had to google him.  sorry, pro-golfer, phil.) <= i think google should be a verb.

while at home, mama was doing her sane best to keep the home front moving along.  the keurig was not cooperating.  see the sweet pic of the keurig ready to go for me early in the week?  sweet hubs.  by the end of the week, the keurig waved it's white flag, went wonky, and died.  just outside of warranty.  we called the company.  they were of little help.



at least mama remembered how to boil water for tea.  mama needs tea.  and quiet.  so... this lil' activity to take a vow of silence in our history lesson was quite tempting.  gracie just laughed.  yeah... it wasn't going to happen. ;)

if you felt sorry for jazzy... don't.  she currently sleeps on 4 thick layers of memory foam taken off the girls' beds after their room makeovers, waiting to be turned into dog beds.  do i even need to say how much she loves it?



theater practices always look like a hot mess 'til just before performances.  *crossing fingers*  that it will all come together.  just a nervous mama talkin'.

my little liesl is excited about the swings on stage.  one for each von trapp child. cute.

maria {sound of music} singing her last note.  some of these songs are hard, y'all.

surely, i'm forgetting something from this week, but... this mama is taking pictures for the public school cast tonight.  public school cast is usually much more... chaotic?  i mean no offense.  pray for me. ;)

all for the love of our kiddos, right??  in a world where every day is "kid's day." ;)  <= because on mother's day, gracie wanted to know when kid's day was. ;)