BamaGirl in AZ

To blog or not to blog....

2011-11-30T14:52:00.001-08:00

I think I should start blogging again! Are any of my original blog friends still out there?

Whit

Still my baby

2010-10-04T21:30:00.001-07:00

She’s almost 7, but still my baby.

blanky – check
thumb – check
baby doll check

makes me happy!

It’s a Hard Knock Life

2010-10-04T21:27:00.001-07:00

This past weekend was Sofia’s first performance on the Musical Theatre Team. They performed their new Hard Knock Life routine from Annie. They did an awesome job! They had only had about 6 hours of practice. They performed at a big re-opening celebration for the performing arts center. I was so proud!

I created her costume from bargains at the Goodwill of course! Blue dress - .99, brown dress (it was white I used RIT dye) 3.99, used mary jane shoes - $10.50.

Her sad Orphan face!

Sofia and Jazzy (Annie)

Time for Cheer!

2010-10-04T21:11:00.001-07:00

This fall Sofia is cheering for a football team for the first time! It is a great league of boys about 10-12 years old and there are 6 cheerleaders. Sofia especially like the fact that Jazzy her dance friend is cheering as well. She has about 4 hours of practice each week and games are on Saturday. If only Saturdays had not still been 100+ degrees outside – it really drains the cheerleaders pretty quick. Sofia and I practice new cheers each weekend after we look them up on YouTube. I am sort of like the “assistant cheer coach”. I must admit I LOVE it – but boy those girls wear me out!

GO Destroyers!

My favorite dinner date

2010-10-03T22:05:00.001-07:00

is Sofia! A fun night at Ruslter’s Rooste steak house in Phoenix!

gone are the cheap kids meals – this girl LOVES steak! Lucky for me, kids eat free at Rustler’s!

Everybody gets cotton candy for dessert!

Downtown Phoenix

August – back to school and more!

2010-10-03T21:46:00.001-07:00

How is it possible my baby is in First Grade? We are very excited about Sofia’s teacher and looking forward to a much better experience than last year. Sofia was very happy to find out some of her great friends were going to be in her class this year. We did a little back to school shopping, ordered a new backpack and she was ready to go!

In addition to starting school, August also kicked off the new dance year. Sofia participated in 2 weeks of intense boot camp and then had try-outs for the Musical Theatre Company.

Try-outs day! Lucky #43

All dressed up in her new dance outfit for the first day of boot camp!

Little bit of summer fun for me!

2010-10-03T21:26:00.001-07:00

So while Sofia is in TX for the summer, I like to try and escape away on a little trip for myself. This year I took a little trip to good ole PCB - yep, the Redneck Riviera – Panama City Beach. The last time I was there I was 18 years old - High School Graduation trip!!! It was a free trip – free airfare (thanks to my job) and free condo! I went with my friend Elizabeth and her daughter and mom. They were headed that way for the Softball World Series. We had a great time but man, oh man – it was SO HOT! I mean, don’t get me wrong, it is hot in AZ but I am have forgotten what the humidity was like! After our beach fun, we headed back to Atlanta for a few days before I headed home.

Once back in GA, we headed north for a some rafting on the Hooch! We stopped at a wonderful roadside stand and couldn’t help but pick some fruits and veggies. We had a yummy southern style veggie dinner (minus cornbread that turned out horrible – thanks to me!)!

maybe the best peaches I’VE EVER HAD!

Summer Recap: Dance Recital

2010-10-03T20:49:00.001-07:00

So summer are pretty calm for me because Sofia heads out to TX to spend the summer with her Dad and Grandparents. Before heading out though, she had her end of the year dance recital. She performed in a ballet routine to Copellia, a musical theatre routine to Lion King (over 13 minutes long) and then she took part in the finale routine. She was wonderful! I was so impressed! The dance school she attends really is the best around.

Sofia is known as Jazzy’s “Mini-me” at the studio

Her Copellia outfit – not sure what this smile is about!

Finale outfit

Lion King

My, My, I am a terrible blogger

2010-10-03T17:20:00.000-07:00

I pinky promise I am back! Reinstalling Live Writer as we speak so I can get back into the swing of things! I apologize to my friends and my family who followed along to keep up with Sofia and I! Stay tuned for TONS of pictures. I have not posted since April sooooo WOW tons to post!

First taste of Summer

2010-04-18T22:18:00.001-07:00

The weather is warming up here in AZ and Sofia and I have already headed to the Y a few times to enjoy the wonderful pool!

All dressed up!

2010-04-18T22:17:00.001-07:00

This past week the company that I work for held it’s annual awards banquet. I was lucky enough to find a babysitter so I was able to attend. Now understand, this event ends each year with a party – that is “what happens at spring training, stays at spring training” style! I mean some of the stuff you see makes it a little difficult to look across the meeting room at some of your coworkers! Anyway, just a pic of my and two of my BWFs (best work friends)!

Me, Steph and Jacque

What makes me happiest about this picture (other than being with these lovely ladies) – the dress is a 10 and yes that makes me VERY happy – side zip with no holding anything in makes for a happy girl!

Anna, Jen, Michelle (she just had a baby at 25 weeks and he is coming home soon) and me

Michael, Glenda, Me, Steph and Jacque

Glenda, Me and Jacque

Awww, Me and Jacque – she was my “date” for the evening because her (well technically her daddy’s credit card) bought our drinks!

It is very rare that I go out and I must say it was a really fun night! Me 2 drinks and 1/2 glass of wine and home by 11 (to kill a scorpion on the outside wall of my house) – all in all, a great night!

Easter – part 2

2010-04-18T22:05:00.001-07:00

More pics from Easter of Sofia and I! Tons of pictures lately as I am trying to catch up!

Easter Fun

2010-04-18T21:58:00.001-07:00

What a wonderful Easter we had! We went to an amazing Passion Play at our Church on Good Friday – it was awesome! Earlier that day, Sofia had also been invited to a wonderful Easter pool party! She decorated eggs, cookies, had an egg hunt (her prize was her very own Bible) and swam. Oh and of course the bounce house and cake! It really was a great time!

On Saturday, we went and watched the local Easter parade – very small town feel in a big ole town! Pretty good but maybe not something we need to go to again. We decorated eggs that afternoon at home.

Sunday morning the Easter bunny had left Sofia some lovely treats and then she hunted eggs. Not the same hiding the eggs in rocks and along the sidewalk! But since Sofia woke me up at 6am ready to hunt eggs, it was the best I could do.

After the egg hunt, we headed to church and then took a few outdoor pics of us. That afternoon we had a yummy lunch of ham, asparagus and carrots. Then (just when we thought we had had enough Easter fun) we went over to a friend’s house for more food, egg decorating and hunting! WOW, we really maxed out this Easter!

Check out the “Jazzy Poms” – out favorite part of the parade!

So the Easter bunny left the chocolate bunny in the car a little toooooo long and his face got a little smushy!

My new “do”

2010-04-18T21:03:00.000-07:00

Well, it’s not really a “do”. Anyone that knows me knows that I am very LOW maintenance. I don’t get my nails done, I don’t wear tons of make-up (but can’t live without my bare minerals) and I don’t really do much to my hair. Well, since I have lost 30 pounds I decided I needed to spruce it up a bit for Spring and Summer. Confession – I had not had my hair cut since October….2008! Yes, disgusting I know but my hair grows very slow. I also had not had color on it for 3 years or so. Anyway, got it done about a week ago and Sofia snapped some pics of me after church one day.

PS –I have a really big nose, don’t I? I mean I know I am judgmental about my pics, but isn’t my nose big? Be honest – I can take it!

Spring Fun at the Grove, LA

2010-04-18T20:46:00.001-07:00

The AG Store is at the Grove and the Grove is just beautiful this time of year! We enjoyed walking around for a bit – I even found a purse that needed to come home with me!

We took a few minutes to visit with the Easter Bunny too!

Spring School Portraits - 2010

2010-04-18T20:39:00.001-07:00

Age 6 yrs, 4 mths.

Spring Break continued and I am still behind! – Coronado Island

2010-04-18T20:33:00.001-07:00

After our horseback ride in the mountains, we headed down the coast to Coronado Island for one night. Well….what should have taken 2-3 hours took nearly 6! UGH I HATE DRIVING IN CA TRAFFIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Once we made it to the wonderful Loews, it was wonderful! We relaxed at the pool, had room service, watched a movie and then woke up bright and early on Sunday and headed over to the beach. You see Sofia and I (just like me and my mom) LOVE to walk on the beach in the early morning looking for “treasures”. These could be shells, glass, etc. anything interesting the ocean has offered up. We found so many sand dollars it was crazy! I’ve never been to a beach with so many! It did remind me of once when my mom, dad, brother and I went to Hunting Island (off the coast of the Carolinas) and we found a lot of big ones then.

Sofia had a blast and her happiness made that awful traffic worth it! After one night at the island, we headed home (don’t even get me started on the boring drive between San Diego and Phoenix)!

Spring Break cont. – Horseback Riding in the Santa Monica Mountains

2010-04-06T18:57:00.001-07:00

Saturday morning we woke up to beautiful warm weather and checked out of our hotel and headed out to Topanga Canyon to go riding. Sofia had a great time and of course I realized my knees hurt a bit after riding for 2 hours! Not as young a I used to be!!

Before we rode, I took a few minutes to snap some outdoor pics of Sofia – sunshine +hay bale = great photo op!

A great time. Our guide had lots of info to share about working with horses in Hollywood, etc. She told me were riding along the trail used for the road in the Mash series.

American Girl Store – Surprise!

2010-04-05T19:10:00.001-07:00

So we woke up Friday morning and headed over to The Grove in LA to go to the AG Store – Sofia had NO idea! I did tell her to bring 2 of her dolls from home so we would have something to “play” with!

She was so surprised and had an amazing time! They are so nice there and willing to take pictures and wait on you hand and foot; of course for those prices they should! They had a neat package called Special Girl of the Day and I purchased that for Sofia – that way we would go above and beyond our spending budget! It included shopping money, lunch for both of us in the cafe, a hair appointment for her doll, a portrait session for her with her doll and a shirt for her and her doll!

Sofia was so happy and well behaved while were there – I was happy I had decided to bring her! We will certainly go back again – maybe a birthday trip, who knows!

What a day!

Spring Break

2010-04-05T18:53:00.001-07:00

I tossed around so many different ideas of where to go for Spring Break, I thought I would never make up my mind! Finally settled on driving to LA (Santa Monica) and then Coronado Island. Except for the HORRIBLE traffic on Saturday between LA and Coronado Island, we had a great time!

We drove over to Santa Monica on Thursday at stayed at the Loews (on the beach) for 2 nights. Spent time at the beach, in the pool and then on Friday morning I took Sofia to her big “surprise” – the American Girl Store! Talk about having a great time!!

Saturday morning I took her for her next surprise – horseback riding in the Santa Monica Mountains – also awesome! After riding we made the drive (it took 5.5 hours) to get down to Coronado Island – the traffic was terrible – thought I was going to lose my mind and totally regretted it! Once we go to the Loews on Coronado, it was beautiful (we have stayed there a couple of other times). We swam all afternoon, ordered room service for dinner, watched a movie in bed and just had great mommy/daughter time!

Sunday morning we got up bright and early and went to the beach and had a GREAT time! We found so many sand dollars and beautiful shells – Sofia loved every single moment! I love Coronado!!

All in all – a wonderful trip. I must thank my job for giving me an annual bonus – or we would not have been going anywhere! HA!

Tons of pictures!

Day One – Santa Monica – the sun suddenly disappeared at 3:30 in the afternoon!

when oh when will the spare tire finally disappear?

Who could love the beach more?

Wow – I am a horrible blogger

2010-04-05T18:32:00.001-07:00

Yes, it has been almost 2 months! So much to catch up on! Been busy with work, activities, dieting – haven’t felt like blogging much! I promise to try and fix that this week!

So, on the diet front I have lost about 30 pounds since 1/19/10! I am doing HCG (only a few days left). I still would like to lose about 20 more pounds!

Now what have we been up to? Best way to show is with pictures so get ready for a post with WAAAAAAY to many pictures! Actually, I think I will break them up during the week.

In February Sofia’s school had their annual Sock Hop – I was in charge of making a balloon arch – I totally rocked it! I also made Sofia and myself poodle skirts – not sure that is such a flattering look for someone with a waist bigger than 24 inches!

More random photo fun in February:

Be back later with more!!

My Valentine & Me

2010-02-14T19:34:00.001-08:00

Happy Valentine’s Day

2010-02-14T08:19:00.001-08:00

So I forgot to scan the Valentine’s Day cards I had made for Sofia’s friends! This is what they looked like though! We attached a heart-shaped sucker to each one!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

All about MEme Monday

2010-01-31T23:01:00.001-08:00

with MommyBrain and SupahMommy

Tell us about a time you got pulled over.

Well, let’s see….I have gotten pulled over 4-5 times. The most memorable was the first – when I was 16! Failure to yield the right-a-way! A traffic cop was directing school traffic and I thought he told me to go thru….um, apparently NOT! Boy was I sick on that drive home to tell mom and dad. YIKES! I turned on the water works real good and hey, they were REAL! I was so scared!

Head on over to Supahmommy’s to play along!

Happy Birthday Mimi!

2010-01-31T22:21:00.001-08:00

Beautiful Video

2010-01-31T09:51:00.001-08:00

We watched this video at church today and I just thought it was beautiful!

Have a wonderful day!

Little bit of fun at Gap Kids and Old Navy

2010-01-30T19:39:00.001-08:00

I picked up a few bargains last night and today for Sofia. Lots of great sale stuff! The pink striped dress will be her valentines dress for sure! She already has super cute tights to wear with it!

Photobooth Saturday with SupahMommy

2010-01-29T20:28:00.001-08:00

Welcome to Photobooth Saturday! Head on over to SupahMommy’s to play along!

My photostrip says:

I love my beautiful daughter! She is so funny and lets me take as many pictures of her as I want to! She is curious, questions everything and a great little girl! I love that even at 6, she still wants snuggles from me, still sucks her thumb a little when she is tired and still sleeps with her silky blanket. My little girl, I wish time would slow down!

Ice Skating

2010-01-29T20:11:00.001-08:00

I took Sofia to a free ice skating lesson tonight. She has never ice skated before! She did AWESOME! She fell down only twice! I was super impressed!

She had a really great time!

Have a great weekend!

100th Day of School

2010-01-28T21:13:00.001-08:00

Today was the 100th day of school and the kids got to celebrate in a special way!

Each child was given a hat last week that they had to bring home and decorate with 100 things. I of course, love these kinds of projects! I had to make sure I did not turn this into my own project!

This is what we picked to decorate her hat:

10 pennies
10 band-aids
10 googly eyes
10 cotton balls
10 sequin/jewel things that we shaped into an “S” (you know I love a monogram)
10 glittery princess stickers
10 foam sticker flowers
10 safety pins
10 pony tail holders
10 strips of ribbon

Check it out!

In other fun school news, I have somehow gotten myself on the decorating committee (I think as the chair) for her school’s Sock Hop next week! I volunteered to help decorate and then not sure how I got so involved! We have a meeting in the morning and I will no a little bit more about my job! I guess this weekend I will be making poodle skirts for us!

Post it Note Tuesday

2010-01-26T20:31:00.001-08:00

It’s Post it Note Tuesday over at Supahmommy’s so head on over to play!

Weight Loss

2010-01-22T18:14:00.001-08:00

So I mentioned a few days ago that I was going to post about my current diet. Well, I decided that I did not want to do it here, but instead started a blog just for that. It is a little embarrassing. If you want to follow along there, just leave a comment and I will send you a link.

I will also use that blog to get a little more personal about me – not really Sofia’s activities and stuff. I’m not making any promises that it will be worth reading, but you are welcome to come get a few laughs at my expense!

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend, it is still cold and raining in AZ and I love it!

Rain, Rain oh how I love you!

2010-01-21T19:42:00.001-08:00

It has been raining for 2 glorious days! I love it! Listening to it right now beating on the windows!

You see here, where we go sometime 5-6 months without any rain, we need it! It cleans the sky up from all the pollution, etc. It smells so nice outside from the Creosote bushes.

that is a creosote. The same thing that makes those logs to clean your fireplace. They make the desert smell nice!

All of the rain will help the desert to look like this in March and April:

It really is great! Today at work we raised the blinds all the way just to enjoy the cold, dreary day! Hard to believe I am sure for some of you guys in the South where it seems to rain all the time!

Have a great Friday!

Black and White Wednesday

2010-01-20T14:55:00.001-08:00

The Long Road to China is hosting a fun Wednesday series - Black & White Wednesday! Go check out Long Road to China for more details and to play along!

I love her messy hair and just knowing that she was having such a great time when I snapped this picture at a friends birthday party recently. I also love that since she will not wear big huge bows anymore, she will still wear headbands!

Annie Update and all things dance and ballet

2010-01-19T21:21:00.001-08:00

I mentioned recently that Sofia had auditioned for Annie with the local Children’s theatre group. I am happy to say she is an Orphan! She will get to belt out “Hard Knock Life” and that makes her very happy! Here is her name on the official cast list:

Annie Cast

Orphans: Abby Strickler, Madison James, Merrie Pressman, Alexis Harris, Ashley Hayden, Sofia Herrera, Addison Kaske, Haleigh Altenberger, Hannah Littler, Averie Kaske, Katie Alperin, Bella Padilla, Briana Sprinz

She was super excited about it because her 2 friends are also orphans! Who knew being an orphan could be so great!

This semester of dance she has moved up to Intermediate ballet and that makes me very happy! In her other class, a lot of the teaching time was taken up by younger girls needing water, bathroom breaks and just generally playing around instead of dancing. This should help her progress better so that when Nutcracker rolls around next year, she will be ready! She has a long list of parts she plans to try out for!

She is also still taking her Musical Theatre class that is her favorite for sure! In June at the recital, they will be performing The Lion King! It should be awesome!

Then she added another class on Tuesday nights – gymnastics/acrobatics. She is the youngest in class but knows the other girls and is doing AWESOME! Right now they are perfecting unassisted standing backbends and one-handed cartwheels. She is exhausted after this class each week.

Coming soon….a post on my weight loss journey that begins tomorrow am!

It’s official…Sofia really is growing up!

2010-01-19T21:10:00.001-08:00

How could a simple act of shopping for new shoes make something so clear? Well take a look at the evidence and you will see why:

skinny jeans
sparkle, rhinestone, peace sign love shirt
Twinkle toes Sketchers…that light up!

After I recovered from this rock star shopping event, we headed over to Sports Authority for some new tennis shoes and things became even more clear…..

shoe size – 1Y

YOUTH SIZE – 1 – no more toddler preschooler 13 or 13.5!!!! The one bright point of the whole event – BARGAINS – well except for those damn twinkle toes – not on sale!!!

On the way to school sporting her new outfit!

Post It Note Tuesday

2010-01-18T20:59:00.001-08:00

It’s Post it Note day on over at Supahmommy’s place! Make sure you head on over to play along! This is my first time!!

So fun right? Head on over and play along!

Going Green is fun..when it is this cute!

2010-01-18T05:34:00.001-08:00

While out and about in search of the infamous Twinkle Toes this weekend, I found these pretty things at TJ Maxx! This year I am trying to be a little more green. Now before you go getting all excited – we are talking about small changes! One of which is we actually started using our recycle bin! We have recycle service every Friday but have never used it! However, Sofia’s school has a “Green Team” that must be doing some pretty serious recycle educating at school because she came home preaching to me about going green, recycle symbols and all kinds of stuff. So we have started recycling our stuff and just this past week out the big, blue bin out for the very first time! I was actually amazed at all the stuff in it that would have normally filled our trash can! Now don’t go thinking I need an award or anything…I still leave the water running while I brush my teeth!

Anyway back to the cute things I found at TJ Maxx..see for yourselves!

These shopping bags are huge! How cute will I be at the grocery store with my cute plastic bag not needed, preppy pink and green reusable shopping bags?

Best part - .99 each! I bought 4 to add to my collection of shopping bags. I also use these for Goodwill donation carting, take them with me to the farmer’s market and to yard sales! I say hurry on out and get some of the fancy “do-gooder” bags!

All About MEme: All about Books

2010-01-17T21:15:00.001-08:00

brought to you by SupahMommy & MommyBrain

So I just started reading SupahMommy’s blog and her blog is great! Always a laugh and super fun topics. Today (well Monday really) is All About Books. Make sure you head on over and play along!

What are you currently reading?
Nothing right now –in a reading lull. I go up and down. When I am reading – I am reading ALL THE TIME! But it has been a few months.

When do you find the time to read?
At night after Sofia is in bed.

Where do you do most of your reading?
I usually read in bed or at the dance studio while waiting on Sofia.

How do you choose what you read?
What does the cover look like? Read the inside panel. I only read fiction. I will admit, I like a little smut – or at least some romance! Yes, I also read the entire Twilight series…twice. Team Edward all the way.

From where do you get most of your books?
From the Goodwill or other thrift stores. Sometimes yard sales. I like to own the books I read (in case they get wet in the tub, etc.). Plus, I also do not want to pay $20 for something that I will be done with in a couple of days. I buy them cheap at the Goodwill, read them, then I usually donate them to the “Friends of the Library” group so the library can sell them too!

What do you do with a book after you've finished reading it?
see above. I will also just give them away to folks at work.

What are your book (reading) quirks?

hmmmm, well not sure. I hate the paper cover things and remove them ASAP. I never use a book mark (I fold down corners) I don’t read anything set back in time. Only GWTW. I need current stuff. Also, I do not like to read anything that contains characters who would be speaking with an English accent. I know, crazy but when I read I hear the voices of those I am reading about and well, this southern gal just can’t do a good English accent. I did however make an exception for the Shopaholic series.

How about you? What are you reading this winter?

Party, Party, Party

2010-01-17T09:37:00.001-08:00

Whew this month is a whirlwind of parties for Sofia’s friends! She has 5 to attend! Yesterday was the 1st. It was such a beautiful day outside – perfect for a party. Princess Lauren turned 6 today and Sofia had a great time celebrating! Lauren’s mom gave lots of prizes for games and a scavenger hunt! Also, VERY yummy cupcakes! Lauren is a triplet (with a brother and sister) so next week we will be back for her sister’s party! This mom will be exhausted after all these parties this month!

What about you guys? Is it busy birthday season in your neck of the woods? I usually spend $15-20 per present. Is that enough? I also find it a little tough to shop right after Christmas because there really is not a lot of new stuff in the stores. We shopped at Target and struggled to find something that was just right.

That’s it for now! Stay tuned for a post on how a shopping trip made me realize by baby is growing up TOOOOOOO fast!

The Beautiful Birthday Girl!

Sporting her handmade candy necklace, working on her photo album and doing a Barbie word search.

Waiting on the scavenger hunt to begin and showing off her prize – a glittery baton!

yummy princess cupcakes!

I love this next picture! The look of anticipation on their faces is timeless!

Happy Birthday Lauren!

KIDS ROCK 1 Mile Race

2010-01-16T20:57:00.000-08:00

Make a Smilebox photobook

Sofia belongs to her school's running club and throughout the year they participate in a few local races with 1-mile runs. This morning after ballet we had to scoot across town for her to run in the PF Chang's KIDS ROCK 1 mile race (tomorrow is the PF Chang's marathon in Phoenix). She had such a good time at the race with her friends from school! She finished in about 12 minutes - I was so proud of her! She was very excited about the medal they have her at the finish line!

Black and White Wednesday

2010-01-13T15:51:00.000-08:00

The Long Road to China is hosting a fun Wednesday series - Black & White Wednesday! Go check out Long Road to China for more details and to play along! I actually just posted this picture but it is of course my favorite black and white of Sofia!

She is ina big bathtub in Las Vegas! We had just gotten back from the National Finals Rodeo and she just could not part with her hat! Bathtime is one of her favorite things in life so she was a VERY happy girl!

Ten on Tuesday

2010-01-12T21:16:00.001-08:00

I saw this super fun post on Simply Smithwick’s blog and thought it looked like fun! Cruise on over to Roots & Rings to play along!

1. Are you usually late, early, or right on time?
I am 99% early. Too early as a matter of fact. Early enough that it gets a little annoying with Sofia in the car because she does not like to wait in the car. I get upset at myself (and others) if I am late.

2. What is your middle name?
Erin

3. What are the last 4 digits of your cell phone number?
2505

4. How big is your bed?
Ahhhh, king size! I can not “do” a smaller bed! When I travel I will pay extra just so it is a king.

5. What are you allergic to?
nothing at all and it is glorious!

6. What is the first thing you do in the morning?
potty, brush teeth, weigh, shower, turn on music on the computer

7. What was your favorite TV show growing up?
Little House on the Prairie or Saved by the Bell. Loved when summer time rolled around and I would be able to watch all the tv I wanted!

8. Will you, or did you, go to your 10 year high school reunion?
I am nearing 16 years post (YIKES) and to my knowledge, our class has not had any reunions to date.

9. If a tree falls in the forest and nobody is there to hear it, does it still make a sound?
Yep – the animals hear it.

10. What, in your opinion, is the greatest invention? (You know, since sliced bread…)
Internet. Especially SKYPE! Love talking to my friends across the country (and world) FOR FREE!

This was a lot of fun! Head on over and check out the blogs I mentioned above and play along!

My Little Orphan

2010-01-11T21:18:00.001-08:00

Little Orphan Sofia that is! Sofia auditioned for a local production of Annie tonight. She tried out for the part of Molly along with a bunch of other little girls. Of course, most wanted to be Annie. Sofia wanted to be Molly, Sandy (the dog) or any other part. I get the feeling she will be Orphan #7 or something like that! She sang “Hard Knock Life” and had to sing all by herself. I was very proud of her! She should hear in the next week which role she will have. Each child will have at least one solo line in a song or in the play. Should be lots of fun! There were serious stage moms present. Some children brought props with them. Wow.

On another note, Sofia got her first report card (as seen below)

Pretty good overall. No “N'” areas so that is a good thing.

Moving on – The Bachelor---OMG CRAZY show! CRAZY women! This is going to be a drama-filled season! I have not watched this show in several years but I think I picked a good year to start back!

Warning: do not let this family have any more pets…

2010-01-10T21:37:00.001-08:00

I love animals. Honestly I do. But I think I do lack that gene that makes me a “pet lover”. See I don’t want to have to walk my dog unless I happen to be going for a walk. I don’t want to have to worry about things being torn up. I don’t want to have to take you to the dr. and pay more for you than I do my own child. I am not gonna buy you a monthly prescription. I’m not gonna dress you up in clothes or let you ride on my lap as I drive my car around. I’m not even gonna let you ride in my car with me to pick up my child from school. Now there is nothing wrong with all those things and sometimes wish I felt that way about animals….but I don’t.

Sometimes I think it would be lovely to have good ole’ buddy sleeping at the foot of my bed. But then I start thinking about good ole buddy making my comforter stink or doing who knows what while I am sleeping.

That being said, I have almost always had a dog. But when it comes time to part with them, it is easy for me. I don’t have that attached feeling to them for some reason. Recently we added Lilly to our family. Remember? Well, Lilly is bored. Lilly tears up everything. Lilly is wild. Lilly is huge. Lilly barks too much. Lilly got the cops called to our house for barking. Lilly made angry neighbors beat on my door last week. Lilly is now living in Prescott!

Funny part is – Sofia was not the least bit sad to see her go. I think she knew it was unfair for Lilly to be alone all day. So I am telling you we do not need another animal. Oh and of course Sofia is already asking for another puppy. NO!!! Maybe when she is older and she can care for it on her own. We are way to busy – 3 hours of dance per week, 2 hours of church on Wednesday night, 1 hour of Children’s Theatre plus a little thing called school and Work.

I know I am terrible. In fact if you have been following my blog for long, you will know this is the 3rd dog we have had in 2 years. We also had a cat. We also had a fish. We also had a bird. We had a guinea pig that died and was replaced (darn). Pretty sure my picture should be posted somewhere with a warning to not allow me to have a new animal.

Having said all that – my dear pet loving friends – I love your pets and will be happy to let them sit with me and heck, even sleep at the foot of my bed! Kinda like grandparents and their grandchildren – the spend time with them and spoil them rotten and then send them back to their parents for the raising!

Time for a change

2010-01-09T20:32:00.001-08:00

Trying to redo my blog tonight and just can't make myself hire someone to do it! So I think I will go back to this style and smaller pics.

Roll Tide Roll!

2010-01-08T18:21:00.001-08:00

What a great night! Last night Sofia and I went over to some friends house to watch the game. Now you gotta understand, folks out here that are not from the South or from the SEC – they don’t do football like we do! But I must say, my great friends (who are from Minnesota) did not disappoint! They had the game on their projector thingy so I watched the game in like 12x12 format on the wall of their family room – awesome! Add to that pizza, Doritos and Oreos and it was a perfect night!

Some things I’m thinking about for the New Year

2010-01-03T20:35:00.001-08:00

So those of you that know me, know that I have trouble sticking with anything for a realllllly long time. So of course, resolutions usually fail. SO this year instead of calling them resolutions, I’m just going to try to work on the following:

keep my car ~~clean~~ cleaner than I have done in the past. I mean, I am paying for the darn thing for a few more years so I need to take care of it.
lower my weight. See I think if I say lower it instead of lose “x” amounts of pounds it seems a little more doable. I do have a number in mind and it is a lot. Like losing the amount of weight that Sofia weighs lot. ok moving on….
SAVE MONEY – enough said. I am not a saver. I suck at it. I am the worst at it. I have got to change.
STOP SPENDING MONEY - same as the above. I buy stuff for no reason and then end of giving it away so I never have enough put away for big events or emergencies.
FOLLOW A BUDGET – see the previous 2 bullets.
Have more FUN – with Sofia and with my friends. I’m not that old – but boy I feel too old.
Travel outside the US. I have my place in mind and I hope to do it in June.

There – now it is up to ya’ll to help hold me accountable!

On the lower my weight front- I walked/jogged pushing Sofia in our new bike trailer/stroller on Friday for nearly 2 hours and yesterday we hiked up a mountain and back for 1 hour and 45 minutes. Man Sofia is tough! Today I did weights at home. I have been tracking all my foods since Friday using Daily Burn. It is a really great site and easy to use. Oh and free.

I have taken 3 loads of stuff to the Goodwill over the last 3 days! I cleaned out every closet and cabinet. Huh, no wonder I do not feel like I have been off of work!

Now for the most important and major news of the weekend…..

Sofia has eaten 3 of these since Saturday:

this is huge – remember no fruits or veggies are eaten by this child.

and even bigger than the bananas – she ate this:

Grilled Mahi Mahi – FISH!!! Yes the first time ever! No this is not what ours looked like, I didn’t take a picture. Yes – I did lie to her initially and tell her it was chicken. Then, when she was finished I cheered and said “Way to go Fia – you just ate fish”! She smiled then started crying! So mad at me for tricking her! She later calmed down and we chatted about sometimes our head telling us things and holding us back from trying new things. So then today – guess what she wanted for dinner????? You got it – FISH!

It really is the little things that count!

On to more random things. Last night I worked for 2 hours organizing all the photos on my computer and getting rid of ~~3097~~ a few. When I got my new computer last January, I was not able to bring over many of the photos from my old system. So basically all pictures from 2005-2008 are scrapbooked or on Snapfish – but not on my computer. So I spent a really long time on Snapfish doing “save as” to the pictures (I am only done with 2005 and some of 06) and saving them to my computer. They would not be print quality, but at least I now have them and can insert them here or Smilebox, etc.

So after looking at all those pics and remembering all the fun times – just thought I would show a few of my faves I came across over the years.

and perhaps one of my all-time favorites – in Vegas, in the bathtub, wearing her cowboy hat!

My bathtub cowgirl!

2009 Highlights

2010-01-01T21:17:00.001-08:00

Preschool Graduation

Disneyland

Surfer Girl

First Day of Kindergarten

Turning 6

Performing in the Nutcracker

Oh and this one is for me…

New Moon Girls Night Out

Happy New Year

2010-01-01T00:13:00.001-08:00

Make a Smilebox greeting

Is it bad that…

2009-12-28T21:34:00.001-08:00

I’m a little more happy to have the tree down and all the “stuff” put away than I was to have it up?

I took it all down yesterday. I mean I love my decorations, but man, I love that clean house feeling when it is all put away until next year!

Today for fun, I went to the Dr. who then sent me to the ER for a follow-up EKG because my arms and hands have been almost completely numb for 2 weeks. EKG in Dr.’s office came back abnormal but at the ER it was fine. So I spent 5 hours waiting to be told I had severe carpal tunnel and should see a specialist for it. Then did give me some nifty arm braces to wear though! Wonder how much this is gonna cost? Thank goodness the new deductible year had not started!

Yeah, that’s hot.

Fun with Fia

2009-12-28T17:45:00.001-08:00

Yesterday Sofia and I had a great day of fun! We went to see Alvin and the Chipmunks – super cute. Then I took her to lunch at Benihana – she had never been there and loved it! After that, a little bit of Target time and then we headed home for more Wii fun.

Christmas Fun 2009

2009-12-25T20:25:00.001-08:00

Wow, what a wonderful day! Santa came and left lots of goodies under our tree. I bet it is because we left him milk in a Bama glass! Roll Tide Roll!

We started our Christmas festivities on Thursday by making all of our sweets!

Red Velvet Cake Balls that you can find here
Magic Cookie Bara that you can find here
Puppy chow
Apple pie

Think that should be enough!

After making treats all day, we headed off to church.

After coming home from church we had a yummy Italian Christmas Eve dinner of homemade lasagna, caprese salad and garlic bread. Then we decided to tackle the Gingerbread House!

Then it was time to put out the reindeer food – which had magically disappeared this morning!

Next,we got Santa’s milk and cookies ready. I think Santa appreciated the Alabama Crimson Tide cup and the Fudge Stripe cookies – all 15 of them!

After all that excitement, it was finally time for Sofia to go to bed – but not before she did a little bit of dancing!

Then I read “The Night Before Christmas” to her. I gave this book to her on her first Christmas and me and her Daddy wrote notes to her in it. I read those to her and she really liked the notes!

After being snuggled in her bed for a while, I finally decided it was safe to finish up the wrapping and begin staging.

looks like Santa left a thank you note!

Santa writes with swirly letters at our house!

Santa brought this jogging / biking trailer to me and Sofia!

Sofia allowed me to sleep in until 6:12am and then she could just not wait anymore! So we all went downstairs to see what Santa had left. This is what we saw:

Wow! Santa was very good to us! Some of her favorite things:

Wii system
Karaoke machine
laptop
horse and sleigh for her AG dolls

Santa picked a bike that is a little too big for her, so it will have to wait a while.

She was so excited opening all of her presents!

Sofia gave me some shopping money, a necklace and a coffee mug filled with candy and Santa brought me these pretty things:

Paula Deen cookware set – including her roasting pan, which I put to good use today making what could be the BEST ham I have ever eaten / created in my LIFE!

Speaking of ham, this was our yummy Christmas lunch (and dinner):

Nothing fancy required here! I cooked a ham that was almost 12 pounds and I bet we will eat it all! For Sofia, good ole Kraft Shells and Cheese. Green bean casserole of course and rolls and we were all set!

Now, back to this ham! I happened to be flipping through the channels the other day and stopped on “Big Daddy’s House” on FoodNetwork and he was making this ham and potato salad that you can find here and here. I am telling, this ham was to die for! In his recipe, he used a spiral-cut ham. I don’t like those kind and well since my mom always made yummy ham and she always used the pork butt or shoulder that is what I buy too.

Whew, what a day! Hope everyone had a very, Merry Christmas!

Christmas Card 2009

2009-12-24T14:14:00.001-08:00

Dressed in her Angel costume I just really loved this picture of Sofia!

Busy day so far

2009-12-24T14:08:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas Everyone! I hope you are all having a wonderful holiday! Today all I have done is cook! So far we (Sofia and I) have made:

Red Velvet Cake Balls
Magic Cookie Bars
Puppy Chow
Zesty Oyster Crackers
Lasagna for Christmas Eve dinner
Caprese Salad for tonight

and there is still more to do!

Whew, The Nutcracker is over!

2009-12-21T20:46:00.001-08:00

I can’t believe it is finally over! Practice each Saturday since September, pictures, wigs, costumes and more! It all came together really well though. Sofia had a great time and made lots of new friends and she has already started saying which parts she wants to be next year! It really was a wonderful show!

Super Busy Weekend of Holiday Cheer

2009-12-04T20:19:00.001-08:00

Wow, this weekend is going to be a blur! Tonight was the first night of the Living Christmas Tree at our church. It went pretty well! Tomorrow starts the craziness!

Saturday

9-10– Ballet class

11-12 – Nutcracker Angel and Mouse Practice

12:30-3:00 – complete Nutcracker run-thru practice

3-4 – get ready for a performance at the Arizona Grand Resort

4:45-5:45 – dance Nutcracker Fight scene and her Whoville routine

6:30 – be at Church for Living Christmas Tree performance at 7pm

collapse into bed

Sunday

5am – get up and get ready to go perform Whoville routine and Fight Scene at the Arizona Grand for the News

6:30 –10 – dance, dance, dance for the News

10:45am – be at Church for me to teach Sunday School

I foresee a lot of Diet Cokes in my future this weekend!

Festival of Lights – Arizona

2009-11-28T20:03:00.001-08:00

Today was Sofia’s first performance as a dancer! They performed the fight scene from the Nutcracker and then also her Musical Theatre class performed their Whoville/Grinch routine. It started to rain and we thought the Whoville performance was going to be cancelled, but the rain stopped just before they went on! I was so proud of her. She did really well (I just wish you could see her better on the video).

Black Friday Shopping

2009-11-27T20:10:00.001-08:00

I hate black Friday shopping. I can not believe I did it! Yesterday I spent the day at a friend’s house and then a holiday party with her and her family after that. We decided somewhere along the way, we would head out at midnight since Toys R Us and the mall were open. WOW. It was crazy (as you can see by the line below at Toys R Us). At the ball is was half rave half mall! Totally insane. I got home about 7:30 this morning, put tv on for Sofia and tried to nap for a while. Got up at 11 made lunch then Sofia and I both took a nap form noon-3:55 ---- 5 minutes before she had to be at Dance!!!! YIKES!

My head hurts, I feel kinda sick. It feels like I went out on a wild party binge last night. Tomorrow will be a crazy day too, with the Festival of Lights. I need a nap……

Watch my turkey trot

2009-11-25T19:16:00.001-08:00

Thank goodness the Turkey Trot was before that huge feast we had (see my previous post) for lunch!

You call this a Thanksgiving Feast?

2009-11-25T18:59:00.001-08:00

Every day I am amazed at how things have changed or at least how they are different here in Arizona. Yesterday was Sofia’s Thanksgiving presentation followed by a Thanksgiving “feast”. I beg to differ (see evidence below).

First of all, what would be wrong with a good ole black construction paper Pilgrim hat? (side note: Sofia clearly dressed the cutest and most Fall like)

Second – in what world is this a Thanksgiving feast? The Feast consisted of: one roll, one slice of cold deli turkey, one slice of deli cheese, a spoon of disgusting bananas, grapes and apples mixed together and a nice shade of brown goo all over them. Later there was also a sliver of pumpkin pie.

Oh and this was the only lunch the children got that day. Oh and parents were not offered lunch.

Now here is the only real reason I complain: Sofia and I rent (lord knows we could not afford to own here) in the highest income of all of this area of town. In her class of 22 children, only 3 go to afterschool, because they have a stay-at-home parent that picks them up. I am certain we could have had a proper Thanksgiving feast. The strangest thing of all is that most people seemed fine with it. Is it because I’m from the South and we are just better at these kinds of things? Oh and of course the only thing Sofia ate was the slice of turkey.

I can’t wait to see what they do for Christmas. Oh wait, there is no Christmas in schools anymore. Oh and for that matter, Thanksgiving feast was actually Fall Feast.

I’m over all this political correctness.

Birthday Party Fun

2009-11-24T07:16:00.001-08:00

Chuck E Cheese Fun!

Birthday Portraits

2009-11-22T20:52:00.001-08:00

Well each year, I say I am going to hire someone to take pictures of Sofia for her birthday, but I have not done it for several years! I just can’t make myself spend the money! I usually manage (or Elizabeth manages) to get some good pics of Sofia that are card and wall worthy!

6 years old

2009-11-21T20:20:00.001-08:00

Wow, how is it possible that Sofia is 6 already! We celebrated with presents in the park on Friday and she has her party tomorrow. Much smaller this year with only 12 kids coming and of course, at her beloved Chuck E Cheese! Plans are all made, pink and zebra goodies. I must say that I can not wait to see her in the birthday outfit!

Today was the craziest longest day! This is what we did today:

9-10 – Ballet

10:30-12:20 – Living Christmas Tree practice at Church (can I just say Sofia gets to do something REALLY special)

12:30-3:30 - Nutcracker practice

4:00 – go to Costco to order the cake (yes, Costco cake and yes, the night before the party)

5pm – finally home for the day and had to practice hair for the Festival of Lights performance next weekend.

I am ready for BED!

Dance, Dance, Dance

2009-11-08T13:26:00.001-08:00

Sofia is so busy with dance these days, it seems that is all we do! She has 3 hours of dance on Saturdays – 2 of which are for the Nutcracker. I took a moment this Saturday to snap a few pictures of her before class started.

This is her Angel routine

Zoo Field Trip Fun

2009-11-03T20:47:00.001-08:00

Today Sofia’s class went to the zoo on their first field trip of the year. It was fun – but hot. AZ Fall has left us and it was 95 degrees outside. Other than that a good time was had by all. Something I thought was interesting – children could not bring and money and no food or gift shop items could be purchased – by children or parents. WOW – seems like these days we sure do have to worry about hurting everyone’s feelings a little too much. I was responsible for keeping up with Sofia and one other child, however, we ended up staying with 2 other groups so it was 3 adults and 6 children – pretty easy stuff!

The last picture I took of the day – she was mad at a friend that “cheated” in a coin dropping game in a well.

Wordless Wednesday – any guesses?

2009-11-03T20:25:00.001-08:00

Tons of Halloween Fun

2009-11-01T18:49:00.001-08:00

Wow, what a week! Sofia had a pumpkin walk, trick-or-treating at my workplace, trick or treating with friends, a trip to the pumpkin patch and a Halloween party! It was an exhausting week! Lots of pics below of all our fun!

Pumpkin Patch fun – though I was furious because my camera batteries did not last long! Ugh!

Her Pumpkin craft

At work with my as a Rydell High Cheerleader – she is my little lioness!

Carving her pumpkin for the school pumpkin walk

Hula Hoop contest at work

I was a kitty at the pumpkin walk – it is the easiest!

My Little Genie!

Getting ready for trick or treating fun!

With my friend, Jen – my costume was….Handy Mommy – tool belt (zebra no less) complete with: hammer, band aids, hair brush, cell phone, lipstick, wrench and candy! Found the hard hat at a yard sale that morning - $2!

Sofia, Delaney and Hayden getting ready to go trick-or-treating!

best pumpkin of the night: