An Ode to Emma's Hair!

Last night I did something crazy...I cut 7 inches off of Emma's hair! I shed a few tears, but she couldn't stop smiling. I suggested it about a month ago and it's all she's been talking about since then. I told her we had to wait until after her recital so she could wear it in a side curly ponytail for the recital. So, last night as soon as we got home I cut it. It took Emma's hair a very long time to grow from when she was a baby. I have never cut more than 1/2 an inch off at a time. She looks cute with short hair, but I'm already thinking she will grow it back out! Maybe it will grow in a little thicker! Jon was even a little sad when I cut it last night. But I tell people this all the time..."It's only hair, it will grow back!" So here is my slide show tribute to Emma's hair and the pictures of her hair cut from last night!

Emma's Dance Recital

Yesterday was Emma's dance recital. We went to a new studio this year because Emma wanted to try gymnastics. I knew what to expect going in and got exactly what we expected...not much! It wasn't the worst experience, but we would never go back there. Emma has actually decided to take a music class in the fall and take a break from dance. I am struggling with that, but I keep telling myself music will benefit her much more than dance will! The video of her dance got messed up by the highly rude and inconsiderate people around us. I was not impressed with the way the crowd acted. People we constantly talking and walking around during performances. During Emma's a guy walked in front of us and the lady in front of us decided to put her nasty hair into a bun on top of her head right as Emma was doing her tumbling run. I was not happy!! So, we eventually decided to be rude and I picked up Emma early from backstage and we went to dinner at Joe's Bar-b-que. Emma did great in her recital and we are so happy that she can go out and perform in front of a crowd. She even remembered to smile and she didn't fall! It all worked out! :)

Nice farmer's tan! She tans so easily and got this just from recess at school.

Showing off her sparkly toes. (Notice the sandal tan too!)

Cinderella Ballet

Last Saturday me, Emma, my mom, Sarah and Stevi went to the Ballet Etudes performance of Cinderella at Chandler Center for the Arts. Emma had been waiting to go for months and loved the ballet. I thought it was good but found it a little more difficult to enjoy since I did not know the music. But it was a fun girls day out!

School Carnival

Last weekend Jon went on a fishing trip with his dad and brothers. I had promised the kids we would go to the carnival at Emma's school, so off we went. It was your typical school carnival, but the kids had fun playing games and eating cotton candy. Emma got sparkles in her hair and saw her old dance teacher Miss Lainie, who we love and miss! She gave her a big hug! It really made me miss the old dance group! Derrick was thrilled to get to sit on a police motorcycle and they both got to sit in a police car, which they though was pretty cool. We were done in about an hour, but at least they had fun!

The Queen of All Grass Stains!

A few weeks ago Emma came running off the bus and I noticed she had a giant hole in her leggings. As she got closer I realized both knees were covered in the biggest grass stains I have ever seen! That's what I get for putting her in white leggings! She was so ashamed she wouldn't even look at me for pictures which makes it even funnier! I wasn't mad, but Emma was very sad!

California!!

In April my sister, Jeni, and I took a girls trip to California. We had a blast! We flew in on a Thursday night, rented a car and went to Magic Mountain, the Orange County Swapmeet and downtown L.A. Our rental car was so small and squirrly, I was just hoping I could drive it and not get us lost or in an accident! We made it, thanks to GPS!
Friday we went to Magic Mountain all day. I was a little worried I wouldn't be able to hack in my old age, but with a concoction of Dramamine and Excedrin Migraine we made it through the day without feeling sick! It was so fun...I love roller coasters! We even rode our favorite one, X2, twice!
Saturday we went to the Orange County Swapmeet. I had heard so much about this place I was almost worried I might be disappointed. But it did not disappoint! It was fabulous! I got some sunglasses, a super cute purse, some jeans, a hat and some headbands!
After the swapmeet we went to downtown L.A. because it is tradition in our family that if you are anywhere near there you must stop and eat at Philippe's and Cielito Lindo on Olvera St. The best french dipped sandwiches and taquitos you will ever find! And yes, we ate both!
It was a fast trip, but so fun and I'm glad we got to go!

We rode the elevator with these people who won a giant Jamaican banana at the park. It was good entertainment watching them try to get it in their car!

Entrance to the park

I took this so we wouldn't forget where we parked...we still walked right past the car!

A little worn after riding roller coasters all day, but it was so fun!

Me driving our tiny race car

Showcasing the car

Our cute new glasses

The best french dipped sandwich

The best taquitos

Mother's Day Weekend

Jon has been promising the kids a camp out in the back yard for months. So. last Friday was the day. We started by roasting hot dogs and marshmallows for s'mores. Then the kids got in the tent to read some books before bed. Jon and I were inside watching the Suns game with Ron and Sarah. The kids lasted about 30 minutes in the tent before they wanted to come inside because it was too noisy outside! So we put the tent in Emma's room and that lasted about another 30 minutes before they just ended up in their own beds! :) Nice try though!
On Saturday afternoon we went to Tempe Town Lake to let the kids play on the splash pad and let Jon fish. They had fun, but Jon didn't catch anything. Not sure how great the fishing really is there anyway!
On Mother's Day I got to "sleep in". I was still awake at 6:30am but didn't get out of bed until 8am. Jon and the kids had made me my favorite breakfast, potatoes and eggs and they also made cards for me. Jon even wrote a nice poem that brought tears to my eyes! Emma painted a flower pot at school and wrote me a nice letter. On the front of the letter the kids answered questions about their moms. One answer I had to laugh at was that my favorite food was toast! :) Not sure where she got that idea! That night for dinner we fed the missionaries and invited my mom and dad over. We had open face enchiladas...a Brenay favorite! It was delicious! It was a very nice weekend spent with my family who I love dearly! I feel very blessed and privileged to be a mom to 2 amazing kids! I love them more than they will ever know!