Saturday, September 26, 2009

The Group Of Friends Going To Homecoming Together!

September 26, 2009

These are the photos of the group of friends going to the homecoming dance together. Alison has a date, but the rest are just friends.


The boys...

The whole group....in Alison's backyard.

The silly girls!


The Pretty Princess!
Dad is driving the blue pumpkin tonight. First to photos, then the restaurant, then home for a while, then back to the restaurant, to the dance, home for a bit, back to the dance, and finally home. Some of the other kids are riding in our car too....there are to many of the to fit in one car!

The purple ruffle purse.





And All The Pretty Stuff!

September 26, 2009

Here's all the pretty stuff for the princess tonight!

The flowers.....from Daddy!

The necklace from Claires....

The shoes from Payless...


The ring from Claires.

The princess, custom made by Mom and Dad! Dress by Dillards....jacket by Mom!





Let's Get Ready Finally!

September 26, 2009

This is the getting ready of the princess for the ball....or for homecoming!


The back view when mom finished curling....with the help of a fake hair scrunchie!

The BLING!

The side view....sort of like mug shots don't you think!


Still curling!



The very beginning!




The Making Of The Homecoming Mum!

September 26, 2009

Here's the pictures of the making of the homecoming mum....don't ask why we have mums. No one seems to know....it's just some ridiculous thing that they do in Texas! The girls wear them to school and to the football game. And when you are a senior, you have this hugh thing that's white that covers your entire chest. The girls make the boys garters with ribbons and stuff to wear on their arms like the girls wear the mums.

Cooper's mum will be the one she uses until she is a senior....we'll just change out some ribbons....they cost to much to only use for one year!
The stuff we collected to get our mum made...



Cooper with her finished mum...she put a dog in hers instead of a wildcat. She likes dogs!


Allison and Cooper with their mums.



Up close for Cooper's mum.





Cooper's Bridal Bouquet

September 26, 2009

This is the bridal bouquet that Cooper caught at Rachel's wedding.....she didn't even want to try to catch it. Rachel basically threw it to the back, and it went directly to Cooper. It sat on the kitchen counter for about a week before I finally got rid of it. Cooper has pictures of it up in her room.



Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Just Tuesday!

September 22, 2009

Today is just Tuesday...seems like it should be at least Thursday by now! It's been a very long week already.

I think I finally have the student teaching, and Cymbre situation sorted out at the studio...she is feeling very frustrated at everything this year, so we made some adjustments. Now she hopefully, will be a bit happier. Adjusting to 6th grade advanced classes, off campus PE, and still dealing with her knee issues has gotten the best of her these last few weeks. School seems to be settling down, and I have a friend in the library who is quickly becoming Cymbre's Grandma person at school. That's good, as she knows there is always a hug waiting in the library for her. And my friend loves the hugs too!

I found the material to make the jacket for Cooper's homecoming dress...we have the mum made, but the letters are falling off the ribbon. I need to use some glue dots. The jacket is the same pattern from Shyla and Caleb's wedding, only a bigger size. It's purple this time instead of brown or black.

I also found a crinkle book for Baby Jack....Shyla says he loves things that make that crinkly sound, and this whole book does....sorry Holly and Caleb. I think he will love it. And Grammie and Papa get to send noisy toys.

Cooper is in to her third school project this week. The way the Rubiks Cube got to America. It doesn't really make sense to me, but I went and got the information she needed, and all the supplies. Now Dad and her will get it put together. It's due on Friday. Dad says he likes it better when they have a weekend to work on it.

Homecoming is this weekend, and Cooper is trying to get tickets to the game for all of us, and then is going to the dance with a whole group of her friends. I told her NO Dates, and she has to stay with at least 3 girl friends the whole time. Dad will be the driver for her. Her friends are riding with other parents, but I don't know them,(although they are probably wonderful people) and I don't know if they drink with their dinner, and I am not putting Cooper in that situation. She can go for pictures, and Dad will take her to the restaurant, then pick her up at the restaurant and take her to the dance. I know that at least her Dad won't be a drunk driver. Now I just have to figure out how to make my fingers do an up-hairdo!

Also am trying to work on Cymbre's tap costume...a lot of handsewing of sequins. Why do I always do this kind of thing to myself? At least it isn't TULLE! Then on to jazz costumes, and another tap one. Then ballet...a pancake tutu sort of thing....not going to be fun! I don't know about PJ pants for everyone this year....these old hands are really giving me fits, and I have to let some things go for them to heal. The dance costumes have to be done. The PJ's don't. We'll see what happens.

I am going to see Dr. Ermac on Thursday about my hands. I was going today, but made Dad take my appointment as he sounds like he is coughing up a lung, and I don't want him to give it to the girls. We'll see what the doctor says...it's not the flu. Started with allergies, but he is miserable. Has been home for two days now.

Well, Baby Jack should be getting the box of toys we sent soon. I hope he loves them. There's lots of new books for him. Although Caleb may save some of the things for Christmas.

That's it for today....must go change the laundry!

Mom

Monday, September 14, 2009

Digging Up The Street AGAIN!

September 14, 2009

They are digging up out street yet again! This time they are making some sort of flowerbed. Why didn't they make the flower bed when they dug it up the first time? Or the second time, or the third time? No, they had to dig it up a fourth time, and they park in front of the driveway.

Today I went out and asked for them to move their truck...they didn't want to. I told them if they didn't move it from the front of my driveway, I was going to smash it, and I wasn't going to pay for repairs! Isn't it illegal to park in front of a driveway blocking people who live there from getting out? I think it is!

My trip to the grocery store yielded a full frig, and very sore hands....numbing stuff here I come. And I still have no clue what to make for dinner. It never ends.

They split some of our ward off yesterday...just lost a few families, but we will miss them nonetheless. They made a Fairfield ward, and they will go to the Waller Ward building. They do have property for a building in Fairfield, but not building plans I guess. The Stake President said they will officially announce stuff once they get it back from Salt Lake. In the meantime, they still have two hugh wards, and now a new big ward.

The girls worked with Andee on slides on Saturday...they are getting better. Mark Goodman will probably ask to see what they can do when we get to Ohio for Tap University. Their solos are coming along nicely too....thank goodness for Ms. Andee.

This year at the dance studio has started out so much better than last year....they girls have made friends, the moms are friendlier, a new studio with two rooms, new teachers. It's a good thing. Last year was the year from hell for them.

My foot is finally to the point it doesn't hurt everyday, and isn't nearly as swollen. About time is all I have to say. Still can't wear heels, but will never be able to again.

Must get busy on Cymbre's tap costume...there's lots of handwork, so am going to do it while my hands are numb! That's if I can hold on to the needle....if I can thread the needle, and if I can make the scissors work.

I think fish and scalloped potatoes sounds good for dinner. I got the stuff to make potatoe soup tomorrow, but it's too late to start today. Got the stuff for chili too, but need a colder day to do that. I am prepared though! Also found a 5 gallon water jug today...didn't buy it because I can't carry it, but will take Guy back to the store to get a couple. Didn't find the rolls that Cymbre likes though, so I guess I will have to break down and make Sister Cragun rolls. That should be interesting with my hands right now. Where is Barbara when I need rolls? Did you know that if you mix one box of regular macaroni and cheese with a box of the spiral kind, the cheesy stuff is really creamy? We found that out this past week....so we are mixing boxes now. Caleb would really LOVE it that way we all think. The pasta salad is almost gone.....I think they are feeding the 5000 from the way it disappears!

Well, must run....it's almost off campus pick up time, and I still need to change the laundry....

Have a great week, and don't forget to do something unexpected and nice for someone else. Everyone deserves to have happy experience at least once this week.

Love you.

Mom....Dad loves you all too!

Friday, September 11, 2009

Dad's Note!

September 11, 2009

Here's the note Dad left me on the bathroom mirror....Cymbre thinks that Dad's being romantic on the mirror.


Dad made it out of post it notes!


Boos Dress!

September 11, 2009

I finally got this dress done! Miracle of miracles with the way my hands are!



This is a blanket I made, but Boo's other Grandma is making the actual one for her blessing day!

The dress has the lace and fabric in the bodice from her mom's temple wedding dress.









I'm glad I saved the scraps from her mother's dress!




September 11, 2009











Friday!

Sept 11, 2009

I'm glad today is Friday....it's been a very long week with the three school projects for the girls. They are all turned in today...hope we all got "A's". They have all been family projects this week. Even recruited the laptop that is slower than molasses!

Dad is working on getting the laptop to work better...I think they are going to scrap everything and start over. That will be good because then we can take it to dance, and the girls can use it for homework in the coffee shop during their breaks. Free internet access is a good thing at the coffee shop!

Just going to finish Boo's dress today...just a sleeve and hem and snaps left....just have to get my hands working....a never ending thing. I think I will just use the biofreeze stuff, do the sewing, and then suffer when it wears off. At least the dress will be done.

Well, I have done everybody's farm this morning, and my fish tank....must go get busy. I think I will make some brain salad for dinner.

Ms. Andee comes tonight to work on hard tap steps. The girls love it when she comes! We are so lucky to have her.

Have a great day, give the grandbaby a big hug from Grammie and Grandpa, and the Aunts! Goodies for Baby Jack in the mail soon...just have to wash the toys from Caleb and get them in the box. Some of them could be put away and used for Christmas - Caleb.

Must run...love you all!

Mom

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Check!

September, 9, 2009

Cooper's ballerina map turned in - check
Cooper's language project well underway - check
Boo's dress half done - check
Cymbre's ear tubes, tonsils, adenoids wonderful - check
Dinner in the over - check
Laundry done - check
Cymbre's penicillian picked up at pharmacy - check
Cymbre's science teacher wish list stuff sent to school - check
Christmas presents picked up at store - check
Off campus PE information for Kristin sorted out - check
House picked up - check
Hands still VERY SORE - check
Dad coming home soon for kisses - double check! And I want a hug too!
Maybe Dad will do the dance run tonight - check
Didn't have to pay the co-pay at the doctor - fee waived - I didn't ask questions! - Check
Sewing room, here I come - check!!!

Bye

Mom

Monday, September 7, 2009

That Night!

September 6, 2009

It's that night again...pack the school lunch, bring down dirty clothes, showers, alarms set....seminary snacks to take to school. It's such a routine....I don't like it.

I like the lazy days of summer, the do what we want days, the jammie days. I don't like all this routine about everything. It seems like I just get going on what I want after I get the house together, and then I have to change gears, go get the girls, homework, dinner, dance, bed. Then it starts all over the next morning. I know I am gripping, but this is my blog! I get too!

Today we did work on Cooper's school projects. She has two this week. One language one that requires writing a poem. A thing she hates! And the other one is making a map for the 8th continent in the world. It's supposed to be creative, and we have done a ballerina map with some tap shoes added, and then everything is named with dance terms. That kid better get the A is all I have to say!

We also made Cooper her mum for homecoming! That was interesting....but we managed to get it done. Thank goodness I ran into an experienced mom at Hobby Lobby. She gave me some good tips, and then we just went with my common craft sense for the rest. She is pleased, so that's all that matters. However, it totally doesn't go with her purple dress! It's red, gold, and white. Oh well! Her and Allison are going together....they will probably have a whole group going in the end. Cooper wants Candace to go, at least to the game. She is trying to get tickets so all of us can go to the game this year.

That's about all the news.....have a great week.

Mom

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

The Thread & Me!

September 1, 2009

Ok, so I have been beginning to get all the things together to make these dance costumes again this year. I always do this. I try to have everything assembled because I really hate to get going, and then have to stop and to go the store when I am on a roll. So, I have gathered interfacing, mesh fabric, chiffon (the next worst thing to tulle!!), found my walking foot for the sewing machine, even bought a brand new box of straight pins! Yes, there really is such a thing as a straight pin. Most of mine look and act like they have been in a major war for years! And I still have to track down my seam ripper....I think Cooper kidnapped it! So today, while waiting for Cymbre to get on the school bus, I was gathering different colors of thread for these costumes. Then I started thinking about what kind, and what color thread I would really like to be. (If I was ever going to be a spool of thread!) And yes, with the medication I am on for my serverly sprained index fingers, this is something very easy to think about....and NO, I haven't lost my mind! It's just gone on a little tiny vacation for a couple of sleepy hours!

So, I have found a maroon purply thread (it goes to Cooper's jazz costume), but I really think that doesn't suit my personality....neither does the violet purple for Cymbre's tap costume. There's a royal blue, but while we lived in England, I think I got my fill of royalty and their antics. So, I don't want to be that color. Cooper will have a red and orange costume, but those fire colors, while I can wear them, don't fit me either. I don't want to be denim or upholstry thread either...to tough! And embroidery thread is to thin...

So, I also have decided that I should be hot pink thread. Not the neon one, just the regular one. It's not quite regular pink, and not purple. Definitely not red or orange or green. I mean who wants to be green...and black is too depressing! White gets dirty to fast...and yellow just isn't me. As for the teal color, and brown...give me a break!

And what's the deal with all the thread getting tangled up in my thread drawer. I carefully put the ends in those little slots to hold them, and then the next thing you know, there is a major party going on in the drawer. All the colors are like dancing or something, but they sure manage to get all tangled up. Then the only recourse is to cut them, get rid of the bundle of tangles, and rehook everything, and then just hope for the best! My thread sets such a bad example for the elastic....it is trying to tie itself in knots too....I mean really! And we won't say anything encouraging about the velcro sticking to itself and all it's neighbors. I mean, don't you think that's just rude? And suddenly, all the old buttons are going into hiding because they heard Cooper talk about using some of them on a school project. They think they already did high school, and they are scared they may end up in a family living sort of class. They want to stay in my more experienced sewing room, than be stuck in a class of beginners. At least at this point, the zippers are behaving, but shhhhh, don't say anything. I don't want them to get any ideas about zipping away on some far away vacation just in time to leave the back of a costume gaping open! The hook and eyes are suddenly hooked on each other, and I keep having to separate them in order to get them to behave. And I recently held a dignified funeral for the bent, old, and battleworn straight, not so straight pins! It was well attended by the needles just to make sure what kind of burial they can look forward to some day. And, has anyone seen my tube turner? It's gone missing...I would file a missing persons report, but can't remember what color eyes he has! Maybe he is off stabbing all those darned dust bunnies....they need cleaning up you know. Hope he hurries before the lizards come in again. A dust covered lizard is very hard to see you know! Everyone beware of the walking dust bunny! And someone let it out of the bag that I was considering getting my scissors sharpened, so now my favorite, very best pair has gone AWOL! What's with that? You would think they would want to be sharp again, but NO, mine want to retire! No one gets to retire around here....they have to go with Dad to be door greeters at Walmart when they retire....no staying home all day keeping track of me. Dad says that's good because I have promised to make him his lunch everyday....that has only happened a few times in the whole 30+ years we have been married. He thinks it will be great!

On that note, I am going to put my fingers on ice! Or maybe I will go work on Boo's baby dress!

Be nice to everyone you meet this week, and email your mom.

Love you.

Mom