Recital!

Today was the girls' first dance recital. Oh, what a time we had!! If you want to skip to the bottom of this post, you can see the final product (actually shot during yesterday's dress rehearsal), or you can meander your way down there as we go through the day in pictures.

But before that, let me just tell you that the 24 hours between the dress rehearsal and the performance were quite exciting! (And not in a good way!) Almost as soon as we got home from the theater yesterday, Lizzie pushed a swing and knocked Hannah right in the face below her right eye. I was convinced it would turn black overnight, but it didn't. She just had a gash on her face.
THEN, Lizzie decided to take her Giddy Up and Go Pony and attach it to her cozy coupe car and ride it down the hill on our driveway. Which she did. Right into the stream. We heard her screaming and looked outside to see her in the stream, the horse in the stream, Pinky Pie (who was riding in the car) in the stream and the car sort of sitting next to the stream. I swear if that horse had been alive, Rob would have shot it! He first grabbed Lizzie who was screaming that her back hurt, her leg hurt, her head hurt, and gave her to me, then he went back and retrieved all the animals and cars from the stream. And NOT gently.
But both girls were fine and it was all just drama for the cameras... oh wait, we're NOT in a reality show. Well, then I guess it was just drama as usual around here!
:)
Today I made them stay pretty much in the house where they couldn't get hurt until it was time to go over to the theater for the show.

When we were told that Hannah and Lizzie DID need to have their bangs slicked back. I had asked and was told no, initially, but I guess someone changed their mind. So here's Hannah getting her hair done by one of the backstage moms:

Despite the serious expression, Hannah loved EVERYTHING about the primping and preening to get ready for the performance:

And here's Lizzie with her bangs back off her face (I know that Grandma Jo is rejoicing seeing these pictures!) and her crown on. Seeing their shoes in the above picture reminds me that I actually left their dance shoes in the car and so I had to find Terry and Shelby and Tina in the theater and ask one of them to sprint to my car and get them. Tina (yes, TINA) volunteered. I was too busy to see her sprint, but I bet it was a sight to see. (Sorry Bean, I couldn't resist, but thank you for getting the shoes!): The girls' pre-ballet class has only three students - lots of individual attention. Here's a picture of them with Julie, the other student. Hannah and Liz look forward to seeing Julie as much as they do the dancing each week:
Once everyone had hair and make-up done, it was time for the tutus:

Then I pretty much got kicked out of the Green Room, where Lizzie reported the waiting part was very boring because people kept telling them to sit down. She told me she loves the dancing, but not all the waiting around. But they sure do look cute waiting around, don't they?:

Here are a couple of shots from the performance. They danced to Bari Improv from "August Rush," which is a movie I've never seen. The fourth person dancing with them is Miss Kelsey, who helps out with their class. She's an extraordinary dancer:

Right after the performance (no tears, no big mistakes, lots of cuteness on the stage) with their teacher, Miss Lynn:


Miss Lynn said they could keep the crowns and wands they used in the dance, and they were thrilled. Here they are accepting flowers and compliments from throngs of admirers (parents!):
The complimenting continued on the home front, too. Aunt Terry, Aunt Tina and Shelby came back to the house for cupcakes and lemonade and the presentation of more flowers and two chocolate ballerinas, which all pretty much became our dinner:

A wonderful time was had by all ... and we're already looking forward to the future. There was a ballet performance with two high school girls in it, and I was tearing up thinking that will be Hannah and Lizzie in 10 years. I also decided I want them to take tap, Irish and break dancing. So I'm off to Craigslist now to look for a job. :)

Enjoy the show:

Simple Woman's Daybook

For May 30

Outside my window... The birds are singing, it's very green and there is the most heavenly scent from the wild roses which all bloomed during the week.

I am thinking... that it's really pretty scary Hannah and Liz will be done with kindergarten in two weeks.

I am thankful ... for good friends and family who helped get me through Hannah's stealing incident earlier this week ... we've got a handle on it now!

From the kitchen... I never did get around to making those cupcakes last weekend, so I'll make them later today to serve after the big dance recital tomorrow!

I am wearing... yellow shirt, grey capri and one of the twisty towel turbans on my head (washed my hair -- not a fashion statement)

I am creating... the book I wrote for the girls' teachers is done and off to the printer (snapfish!) last night and I'm already excited about its delivery.

I am going ... to have a cup o' joe out on the deck once I finish this day book.

I am reading... the latest issue of Health Magazine. I got it as a free subscription with a Southern Living at Home order and I may just order it myself when it runs out. Lots of practical advice -- much of it on anti-aging and dieting which are two of my favorite topics, too.

I am hoping... that Hannah and Liz have a great time at their dance recital tomorrow and that Hannah doesn't start doing any old dance that comes to her and that Lizzie actually gets onto the stage to dance, despite her self-proclaimed shyness.

I am praying ... that Hannah and Liz have a great time at their dance recital tomorrow and that Hannah doesn't start doing any old dance that comes to her and that Lizzie actually gets onto the stage to dance, despite her self-proclaimed shyness. :)

I am hearing... Rob and Hannah having a deep discussion about coffee at Tanna's and that Lizzie needs to go, too, since she can't stay home by herself. Hannah (my fashionista) is wearing pink capri pants, knee socks, a tee shirt with a bright red poncho (from when she was two) over it. She's got a purple hairband in her hair. Just thought you'd like to know.

Around the house... things could be better organized, but I'll get to that later today. Right now we've got all the windows open to let in the breeze and the wild roses so I just want to sit here and breathe deeply.

One of my favorite things... is sleeping with the windows open when it gets a little nippy (and I have a warm blanket) and I can hear the stream rushing by our house. This happened last night and it was divine. Literally and figuratively!

A few plans for the rest of the weekend... dance recital (they actually call it a demo) tomorrow; dress rehearsal later today. Friends/family visiting. And right now we're going to get some coffee at Tanna's!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...This is a page from the book we wrote/illustrated, called "The Very Bored Princesses."

For other daybooks see, http://www.thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Good Memories

"Slow down, what's the hurry

There's no rush today

There won't be too many

Days like today."
-- Drivin' Home

The words from one of my favorite Cheryl Wheeler songs fit this weekend so well, I thought I'd let her introduce the blog today.

Our Memorial Day weekend was grand.

When I was growing up I started storing perfect days in my memory -- the kind of day where you're probably not doing much of anything, but the feeling of the day is perfect. The sun shines with enough of a slant that it's not too hot, but hot enough to be lazy, the breeze brings hints of rose or grilling steak or the laughter of friends. Things slow down, and freeze into a memory.
I have them stored from throughout my life: a moment making mudpies under the tree at the house on Hilltop; a moment watching two beavers build a damn in a lake in Virginia; a moment seeing Hannah push Lizzie in the wagon for the first time ... good moments.

This weekend was pretty much one big moment, capped off by a delicious afternoon in the hammock watching Rob grill chicken and the girls play on the swingset while the neighbors had a party (they were trying their best not to spy, but it was impossible) and we just relaxed. Perfect.

Here are the pictures from this weekend--

We picnicked Saturday at a new park we found (Poole Forge for those in the area) and it's really a nice setting, complete with its own covered bridge:
And stream (the cutie-pie in the bulrushes belongs to us, not the park):
Picnic time: Hannah and Lizzie had bologna sandwiches, chips, juice and cupcakes. Rob took himself to Two Cousins Pizza for one of their delicious sandwiches. I stayed true to my Weight Watchers plan and ate a turkey and light swiss sandwich on whole wheat (okay, okay, you got it out of me ... I had a few chips, too!):

Then it was time to play on the playground (you can sort of see the stream in the background in this picture. On the other side of the stream there were cows that meandered over to have a drink in the stream!) Here Hannah is jumping -- to give me a heart attack but also probably because it was fun -- from one of the slides:
And here she's working some sort of excavation equipment:
On to Sunday! I didn't take many pictures of our Sunday, but here's our barbecued dinner. Rob did the dogs and burgers and I made those delicious-looking fried (very fried in lots of butter so I didn't eat any of them) mushrooms and onions:

Monday was a great day, too. The weather people kept predicting storms and we kept NOT having them. It was great! The girls and Rob started the day by going to the parade in Pottstown. They were running late, so I stayed home so we didn't have to drag a chair for old and decrepit Mommy. Because of that, I don't have any pictures of the parade. I did hear that the big duck that's a favorite in the 4th of July Parade, wasn't there.

Then it was off to the Vincent Park where the girls can ride bikes and I can drink iced decaf and relax under the pavilion:
Here's the crew taking my lead and relaxing under the pavilion. It was actually a little humid on Monday!

Hot and humid:

On the way home from the park, Lizzie spoke for all of us when she said ZZZZZZZZZZ:
Rob rested enough in between the park and dinner so that he could make his world famous grilled chicken. It was delicious, even though he bought some guacamole at the store when he was getting the chicken and I was powerless over it and ate some, but you know it WAS a holiday. And avocado is a GOOD fat:

While Rob made dinner the girls made a friend with a visitor to the party going on next door. They were playing on the swingset and this little girl came over. I don't know her name (nor do I know the names of the neighbors), but I do know that she has an older brother that Hannah was grilling her about. His name, his age, his hair color. Finally she just told it like it is: "You know, I'm a big fan of boys!" Yeah, that's comforting...:

After dinner we went to the Coventry Ice Cream parlor for dessert. Here's Lizzie levitating with excitement: Hannah jumping for joy: And then finally, ice cream!!We hope your Memorial Day had equally special memories!

Simple Woman's Daybook

For May 23

Outside my window... A beautiful day. Lots of sun, low 80s, a bit of a breeze and children riding bikes on the grass

I am thinking... how much fun we had at a picnic in the park a little earlier today. (Watch my blog for photos!)

I am thankful ... for finishing up all my work by Friday afternoon so I can enjoy this long weekend and also for a husband who is going to prepare something delicious for dinner tonight -- even if it's pizza from Bravo!

From the kitchen... I'll be making some chocolate cupcakes a little later, to get us through the rest of the weekend

I am wearing... tan capri pants, royal blue shirt, and a visor hat which keeps my bangs out of my eyes because I sorely need a haircut

I am creating... a press release (finished yesterday) for a group of friends of mine who have gotten together to help brides have the best wedding possible. See http://www.aweddinginabox.net/ to check out their services.

I am going ... to make cupcakes and maybe some cherry jello to have with dinner tonight and then I think I may sit in the hammock for a few minutes and watch the clouds roll by.

I am reading... still slogging through Frank McCourt's memoir, Angela's Ashes. I'm not really enjoying it, but I like it enough to keep going. It's my "car" book, that I read when Rob takes the girls over to the park or the high school to walk around and I sit in the car and read.

I am hoping... for continued beautiful weather and that I don't eat too much good (but not really good for me) food this weekend.

I am praying ... for my dear friend Bethany's successful and peaceful defense of her thesis in June. Will you pray with me?

I am hearing... Rob whacking weeds and the girls screaming happily and chasing each other all over the yard ... and now I can hear Hannah singing, too -- perfect!

Around the house... there's some cleaning that needs to be done although I'm sure none of us feel like doing it. (And by none of us, I mean ME!) I never did get to my nook last weekend, so that's a top priority and did I mention LAUNDRY? Well, there's that, too.

One of my favorite things... is my bejeweled blitz rivalry with my sister in law Ann, on facebook. Of course that's probably because THIS week, I'm actually in the lead!

A few plans for the rest of the weekend... barbecue, dunkin' donuts iced decafs (several of them, I think), picnics, family time, hammock time, a perfect weekend!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Hannah and her pig sitting next to the favorite sign in my house ... just loved the juxtaposition of them!

For other daybooks see, www.thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com

Words and Pictures

A round-up of some of the week's events!

First ... guess who lost another tooth? (No, it wasn't me...)

It was THIS cutie pie!

Lizzie got mad at me this morning and told me that she was running away to the playhouse in the backyard until I decided to "not be so lame."

Then she decided to write me a note, the contents of which were:

Dr Mommy
I hop sat yoo sa gubiy

Translated:

Dear Mommy,

I hope that you said goodbye.

Because clearly she wasn't going to come in from the playhouse for a good long time since that would be how long it would take for me to be not so lame anymore.

(I only figured out that 'sat' was 'that' when I remembered that Lizzie has a bit of a speech issue with th's)

As it turns out her plans were foiled by the fact that I was very impressed by her note (the first she's ever written) and her grumbly tummy.

Lizzie yelling that it was time for lunch...

Finally ... I bought the girls some summer clothes yesterday (ordered online at their request) including the most adorable ruffled bikinis. After playing outside in their new sneakers for a little while Hannah came in and asked if it was okay to "try on my zucchini now."

No zucchini pictures, but I do have one of some crazy girls:

Simple Woman's Daybook, May 15

For May 15

Outside my window... late day sunshine, a little humidity, two little girls torturing a caterpillar.

I am thinking... that we'll soon be getting some good growth in Rob's garden thanks to rain and somewhat warm weather. Can't wait for the lettuce and carrots!

I am thankful ... that the lump on Hannah's head turned out to just be a swollen lymph node and should go down on its own in the next couple of weeks and that the doctor was equally wonderful to Lizzie who was worried about her own bump on her own head (a mosquito bite) and reassured her that she was fine

From the kitchen... wonderful smells leftover from tonight's dinner: freshly baked cornbread (from scratch) and chili

I am wearing... grey collared shirt, brown leggings and flip flops

I am creating... working on the end of the year gift for the girls' teachers. I'll post them when they've been delivered

I am going... to put my feet up and watch Ghost Whisperer and then do some more work on the gift.

I am reading... Frank McCourt's memoir, Angela's Ashes. This is my second try at this book. I got about two chapters in when it first came out and couldn't finish it, but I'm giving it another try. So far I feel the same way ... the style is too breezy for the difficult material.

I am hoping... that my book will soon be published in both French and Portuguese. We heard from the publisher this week that the French deal is almost made and we've had requests from Brazil, too.

I am praying ... that my book will soon be published in both French and Portuguese (and also for world peace.) :)

I am hearing... Girls playing and screaming and whatever the girls left on, on the television in the basement, which I am too lazy to go and turn off (but will once I finish this blog!)

Around the house... things are in decent order. I've got birthday gifts to wrap that are on the island and -- as usual -- the place needs some vacuuming, but on the whole things aren't too bad. This weekend I want to get into my nook and clean out all the stuff I've been "storing" in there.

One of my favorite things... dark chocolate silk smidgens from Gertrude Hawk. (http://www.gertrudehawk.com/) They are (not really, but a girl can pretend) healthy as they are made from 70 percent chocolate. They are beyond good.

A few plans for the rest of the weekend... Cleaning/organizing the nook, Rob's going to plant our tomatoes and a couple of other things (maybe the cucumbers?), a Sunday afternoon cruise with a stop at DD for iced decaf and work on my memoir.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

It's official! I'm going to start (and lead) a Brownie Troop with my friend Amy Shenk in the fall. So far we have 11 girls interested in joining and I think we'll have a good group. I loved girl scouting and hope that Hannah and Lizzie do, too.

Conversations and Comedians

There are many, many things that surprise me about motherhood. Stuff that I was SURE I knew and could handle (before I actually had children...). Some are poignant -- like really how much you love your children and how you want to protect them from every little thing, even though you know you can't or else they'd never grow. And some are very happy.

This post is about one of my favorite things about motherhood. And that is how absolutely hilarious children are.

Back in the day I spent a lot of time around comedians.
And I'm here to tell you that none of them ever made me laugh as hard as Hannah and Lizzie do, completely unintentionally.

Here are some examples from the last week or so:

The scene: Screaming from the basement where the television set has fallen (during iCarly and absolutely FAVORITE television show) from its perch on the TV stand and grazed Lizzie's leg.
Hannah, to Lizzie: Oh Lizzie, I am just so worried about your leg. I hope that you are all okay.
Lizzie: Oh Hannah it was so scary. I hope I didn't break my leg.
Me, to Lizzie: Your leg is fine, but how did the television fall off the stand? Was someone touching it?
Lizzie: No, I was just POINTING at it.
Me: Just pointing at it? Then how did it fall? Is there a ghost in the basement who pushed it?
Lizzie, looking worried: Wellllll, MAYBE when I was pointing at it, I touched it by mistake and it fell.
Me after I had checked out the leg and put the television set back on its stand: Okay, well you' and the TV are both fine, but don't touch the television.
Hannah: I'm really happy you're okay Lizzie. I was worried about you.
Me, to Hannah: So tell me the truth, were you worried more about the television set breaking or Lizzie's leg breaking.
Hannah, with MUCH feeling: Oh Mommy, of COURSE I was more worried about the television!
Lizzie: Mama, do we really have a ghost in the basement?

The scene: About a week ago there was a dead mouse on our driveway, most likely dropped there by a hawk, judging by the wound. I noticed Lizzie sitting quietly on the driveway about three feet away from it, staring intently.
ME: Lizzie why are you staring at the dead mouse?
Lizzie: I want to see its soul to come out of its body and go up to heaven.

The scene: The girls are playing outside on the rock wall that divides our property and our neighbor to the rear, Mrs. Whitlock.
ME: Don't go on the other side of that wall, girls. I don't want you disturbing Mrs. Whitlock's property.
Hannah: Why does Mrs. LipGloss care if we disturb her grass?
Me: Her name is Whitlock.
Hannah: I know. Why does Mrs. LipGloss care if we disturb her grass?
(This is funny because it adds to Hannah's long list of malapropisms including froggy for foggy, bund for bun, piggybank for piggyback and alien for ambulance...)

The scene: The family taking our usual Sunday cruise out towards Lancaster; them doing their usual fighting

ME: Girls stop fighting. I don't know why you just can't be friends with each other!

Hannah: We're not friends, Mommy. We're sisters.

The Comedians: