Oompa Loompa

My sweet little angel got a part in the upcoming city production of

"Charlie and the Chocolate Factory"!

She's going to be an Oompa Loompa

I've always wanted to have an Oompa Loompa in the family.

There will be countless practices and rehearsals before the February 

I'm thinking our lil' Smith has finally found her nitch.

Ian kicked off our basketball season.  They played against the Brookfield Bulldogs, Rick's alma mater.  This means that we sat with the enemy (namely cousins and a Aunt and Uncle) who are still residing there.  

I'm a little sad that we weren't able to pull out a win but Ian played well, and for that, I'm pleased.

He scored 8 points and played nearly the entire game.  GOOOOOO Ian!

I have lots more to catch you up on, but not a lot of time.  Hopefully I can get to that this week.  

Ya Mon!

I've been getting texts, emails and phone calls about my sudden lack of posts.

Sorry guys.... I'm still sucking in oxygen.

I've just needed a wee break.  

I've been up to my eye balls in a photography class.  I love learning more about it and I hope that it improves my photo taking skills.

I've been gearing up for a family vacation to Jamacia.  

I've done some research on Jamacian English.  It isn't the same as American English.  

For example:

"Is you cawz de accident" means...... "You are the one that caused the accident."

"How yuh nyam summuch?" means......."How do you eat so much?"

"Mi wud radda yu nuh chat to mi." means...... "I would rather you not talk to me."

"I'm jook mi inna mi yeye." means...... "He poked me in the eye."

"Mi madda sey yuh fi lef mi." means..... "My mother said that you are to leave me alone."

"Dat dawta pretty lakka money." "A fi mi dawta." means.... "That daughter is pretty like money." "Is my daughter."

I imagine that all of the sentences will be said by my clan on our trip.

I will try to do better at keeping up friends and family.

Because you are so sweet to stick it out with me.  I will post EVERY DAY until May 28th.  That is the day we leave for Jamacia.  

My Emma Grace

I love you because..........

You can get dirty and dolled up all in the same day.

You love animals as much as I do.

I get AT LEAST one hug from you a day.  Usually it's three or four though.

You sleep in my bed when daddy is on call.  I'm sure that you will do this till you leave for college.

You would do just about anything for a pair of high-heeled shoes.

You draw me pictures.

We do girl stuff together, like shopping, getting pedicures, and watching Disney princess movies.

It annoys you when I sing, "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds".

It also annoys you when Grandpa Bob sings "You Are My Sunshine".

You have wanted a horse since you were able to tell us so.

You want to be a song writer for Taylor Swift when you grow up.

Your best friends are Magy, Grandpa Bob and Grandma Charlotte, and her immediate family, of course.

You want to be a fruit-a-tarian (instead of vegetarian).

You will talk to anyone.

Horses + Fashion = Love

 Since Gracie has been old enough to tell us, she's loved horses.  She now does a horse impression that grown-ups at church PAY HER TO DO.  Yeah, you read that right.  My daughter is now for hire!  For 50 cents, she will whinney her heart out.

Since Daddy votes NO on real horses, we have always indulged her with the plush or plastic type.  (the ones that don't buck you or need to be fed)

 While cleaning her room yesterday, I came upon this sight.  Then I understood how smart my little girl is.  She is combining her love for equine and fashion.  These boots are actually meant for her American Girl, Lanie.  However, as the saying goes............"If the Boot Fits".......... or is it shoe?

I also want to mention the detail Gracie added to the tail.  Stunning!!!!!!!!  Sorry about the shot of the horses' #@%.

My Prancer!

I thought you would enjoy photos from Gracie's soccer game last night.   They won their first game last Saturday (she called it a VICTORY!  Then wanted to call everyone she knew and tell them about "the VICTORY"!).  This one............. was a tie!!!!  She has one game left and I'm so thankful that she still likes playing.  

 This is a CLASSIC Gracie pose.  She is a prancer!!!  Usually, she twists her ponytail during games.  This time, she was trying to keep her bangs out of her face.  Notice, she is touching them in almost every photo.  He he!!!

Laundry

Another day, another 10 loads of laundry.  That's what I did almost all day yesterday.  It feels so good to be done though.  Ahhhh.  Love that feeling.  I'm sure tomorrow will have another load or two ready for me.  I know that I am on a soapbox, but I cannot figure out where it all comes from.  I think that we have little monsters that dirty clothes in our house at night.  Couldn't be my kids.  

I worked in Gracie's classroom as I do every Monday.  I seem to dread going but I'm always glad that I went.  They are just such cute lil' rascals.  I enjoy Shane (so ornery), Austin (love the glasses) and Westley (so smart).  But my favorite by far is my precious Gracie.  She always hugs and smooches on me in front of her friends.  It's like she's saying, "ha ha, my mom is here and yours isn't".  Of course I accept them gladly.  Yesterday was especially special because she was awarded Terrific Kid while I was there.  They announced her name over the intercom.  She pranced down the steps with a big grin on her face, then pranced back up holding a packet of goodies.  A bumper sticker, certificate, coupon for a free ice cream cone, a pin (which she proudly showed everyone she crossed yesterday evening.  Then wore sported again before school this morning.  Those poor people who nominated her will never hear the end of it.

So, the big deal of the week happened last night.  I humbled myself before many and graced the doors of Weight Watchers.  It was hard and so embarrassing.  I am not the typical attendee.  I don't need to lose a gross amount of weight.  I just don't want to get there.  I haven't been able to do it on my own.   I knew that I needed a little push.  My goal is to lose 10 to 15 pounds before my trip in April to Las Vegas.  Doesn't sound like much but it is a oh-so-big-deal to me.  I am going to the swimming pool while I'm there.  Fat or not.  I would so much rather be comfortable in my skin.  I will post weekly of my progress.  Anyway, I bought a little 3 month tracker while I was there and a points calculator.  I plan to be faithful about using them.  Nothing can enter my mouth unless it is entered in the book.  This will hopefully cut out my mindless eating.  It adds up, ya know?  I love the quote on my tracker book.  It says, "Nothing tastes as good as being healthy feels."  This will be my motto for the week.

It's Tuesday and I have ironed for 3 hours.  Thought that laundry was done, huh?  Never!  I had to sit down for a little while to rest my achy-brakey back.  So, it made sense to me to write another post.  Till later..........