Sunday, February 10, 2008

trying to enjoy the ride....

It seems I'm always blogging about how I haven't posted in a while because it's gotten so crazy around here. I think it's just how it is at my house. We're busy and some days I cope better than others.

Kev went away for a couple of days on business and that always sends me into coping mode but the weird thing is that for some reason I seem to try to do more. We're out later and have more things planned. I'm not sure why or if it's just always busy on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and I only notice when he's gone.

Friday was especially busy because I took these good time boys....
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(Levi, Isaac, friend John and cousin Wylan)

....to the IMAX. We saw a cool informative film on Egypt and an amazing one on space. It was all filmed by astronauts on the space station and I've never seen anything like it! We felt like we were there and it was all in 3-D which only added too the effect. Isaac and John loved it. They were especially excited to learn that you didn't have to be an amazing athlete to be and astronaut, you could be a doctor, scientist or engineer too.

I was a bit frustrated with son #1 because he sometimes gets attitude if he's not totally into whatever it is I have planned. Here he is trying to keep the cool while I was teasing him about not smiling!
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It was a beautiful day in downtown Vancouver. The wind was blowing and the sun peaked out now and then. The IMAX is right down on the water at Canada Place. It's lovely to stand and look out over the water towards Stanley Park. Not surprisingly it was pretty much lost on the boys.

As we headed back out to Langley the good weather didn't stay with us but the boys wanted to hit a skate board park so off we went. They had fun but I think they're a bit better in their own minds than in real life so...they do get frustrated with it.

Anyway, the girl had their dance rehearsal for the big Diva show on Saturday so my sister-in-law and I had to race off to Abbotsford, leaving the dogs and boys at her house.

Maddy danced to "Rockin' Robin" and Emilee was in the "Cotton-eyed Joe" hoe down. They were so excited and cute in full costume and make up.
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Here's Maddy and a few from her troupe. I don't know the other kid's parents that well so I had to black out their faces. They were all done up and excited, just like Madeline!
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Saturday we weren't allowed to take pictures of the actual show so all I have is my memory of her dance but all the kids were wonderful!
Last year Maddy was awed by the stage and lights and mostly just stood there. This year they all remembered most of the steps and did so well. She was terribly nervous for days before hand. She cried and screamed and insisted that she didn't want to do it. "Everyone will stare at me and I'll be so embarrassed." she yelled at me on Thursday night before the big practice.

The make up and costume seemed to transform her and give her confidence. After the rehearsal on Friday she was excited rather than scared. All she asked for was her own BIG bunch of flowers. I guess last year Uncle Albert only got her a lone rose which was more than she would have gotten if I'd been in change. They have the flowers for sale at the show and I had no idea she would care let alone remember for a year.

Daddy got home early Saturday morning so he was able to join us at the actual performance. She was delighted when he gave her a big bunch of flowers after her first Diva show!

Amelia wants to know when June will be? Not being a competitive dancer she has to wait to the year end show and is already counting the days.

27 comments:

Chey said...

That is so sweet, the dance get up and all. I keep meaning to get Sadie enrolled in dance class. she's been begging to do it.

Love the pictures of the boys.....but what the heck is up with those flat brimmed hats these days?? They're lost on me.

Monica said...

We loved the Space IMAX movie as well. Pretty amazing when they kick moon dust in your face.

Your girl looks smashing. I have a little cheerleader right now. She liked it at first because of the dressing up. Now it's getting harder to get her out of bed on Sat. morning at 8 am to put it on and go. I don't think she'll do it again, but I'm glad she tried:)

elasticwaistbandlady said...

For a moment there I thought your daughter was in a dance class with the offspring of members of KISS.

My 8 year old really loved taking dance but it got so expensive. You know how it is. The avergae costume cost is about 50 bucks and they're not exactly made to last and reselling them is hard to do. We put her in Kung-Fu this year instead.

elasticwaistbandlady said...

We only go to the IMAX when the homeschool group does because of the deep group discount. Otherwise, it's too expensive.

Unknown said...

SUCH fun! I have been going to our local IMAX theatre for a production on the Alps. I must get there one of these days.

My daughter has her first "Diva" dance recital in a couple of months. Should be entertaining (to say the least. :-)

Jennifer (Jen on the Edge) said...

The boys look so mortified at having their photo taken, but the girls are quite the opposite!

Family Adventure said...

Shay, I burst out laughing looking that picture of the boys. My C is doing the EXACT same "cool" look whenever he sees the camera now. I *detest* it. He has such a lovely smile (mother's unbiased opinion) and he only wants to be "cool". Ack!

The IMAX movies sounded awesome. Just something boys would love. You are so lucky to be able to go during the day, when it's not so busy.

And the girls are lovely. I'm glad Maddy had a good time, and that she didn't get as nervous as last year. Even if she did get a bit of stage fright in advance.

Heidi :)

Kellan said...

What a cute bunch of kids! The IMAX sounded like fun and the girls all dressed up to dance were simply beautiful!! You sound like you are a very good mom and have it together! These were great pictures. TAke care - Kellan

Jess said...

You can SO see that he is trying REALLY HARD not to smile. There is definitely a smile in there.

And wow, that's a lot of blond pigtails. I'm impressed.

InTheFastLane said...

My son...the spaceman...LOVED the space IMAX. We have one nearby that gives free previews to educators.

Big Doofus (Roger) said...

Our youngest loves to dance and we haven't allowed her to be in ballet for the past two years as it's so expensive. However, we're making the plunge again this year. She's actually quite good at it and very disciplined. Oh, and you HAVE to get them nice flowers when they perform. You can always pick out the new dads at these events. They are the ones looking at the ground so no one will notice that they didn't bring flowers for their little girl. I know that feeling.

KC said...

Great pictures! I love how the boys look so tough.

Amy said...

these pictures are fantastic! your boys are such boys, looking all cool. while the girls are just so pretty!!!

have good night!

Mighty Morphin' Mama said...

She (they) looks so cute! I would have loved to have been there to see her. Adorable!
Love how Lev looks like he is trying to hold in the smile, great photos.

Anonymous said...

that is awesome, I cant wait until Jordon is old enough to be doing all those things. He is still in the 'eat and play' stage. I can wait until he goes on school camps and wants to go out all the time, and plays sport. How exciting!

Toni said...

We cruised out of Vancouver back in '99. I'll always remember that cruise with fondness, as we came home to an answering machine message that changed our lives. The mother of our foster children (who were reunited with her just days before our cruise) was pregnant and told our agency she wanted US to adopt her child when born. That child is now our oldest, and when we finalize our 4th adoption in March, we'll have adopted 3 siblings from that same birth family. God's ways are much higher than our own!

Your girls look absolutely ADORABLE in their full makeup and costumes. And your ds' face is priceless as he "toughs it out" for the camera. ;)

Thanks for stopping by my blog. I enjoy meeting new blog friends (my very dear IRL friend is someone I met through blogging; came to find out she lives just a mile from me).
Blessings,
~Toni~

Badness Jones said...

So fun! I'm feeling like an underachiever parent right now....I keep meaning to get the kids to the Science Centre and Imax theatre....one day soon....

oh - glad your SIL liked the granola, I've never tried cutting down on the oil, let me know how it turns out, 'k?

Hunny Bee said...

I totally remember those pre-teen days when it was cool to look too cool for whatever it was you were doing at the moment. Can't let anyone know you're having fun. That's so immature.
Also, the first look at that pic with the blacked out faces was very confusing for me, I'll admit it. I thought maybe it was part of the routine to wear black masks or something.
Thank you for the explanation. Most people probably didn't need it, but I did. I need explanations for lots of things. But that's another story.

Unknown said...

What kind of dancing does your daughter do? My youngest is in ballet and they perform, but I think I'd like to move her to another studio that takes dance a little more seriously. I was laughing at your "good time boys" comment when none of them were smiling! Typical boys! The scenery was beautiful!!!

the mama bird diaries said...

I always try to do more when my husband is away too.

Why is THAT?

Cute pics. I really like the one of your son who's trying not to smile.

Mom said...

aw the girls look so cute in their costumes!

Super Happy Girl said...

What cute kids!
Is there any video of the dancing? :)

Hey, the good things about boys not smiling for pictures is that later, many years later, you'll be able to make fun of him again...and again and again.
I have made fun of my brother for years, he's all angry in most of his teenage pics. Never gets aold for me :)

Don Mills Diva said...

No wonder you feel rushed - seems like you're always on the go. That Imax movie on Egypt sounds really interesting.

Unknown said...

It got crazy around there again, didn't it, you funny thing?

elasticwaistbandlady said...

Happy Valentine's Day!

May the chocolate heart force be with you!

Kellan said...

Hey - Happy Valentine's Day to you too - thanks for coming by! See you soon. Kellan

junglemama said...

Cool. I have family that lives in Egypt.

BTW, your family and children are beautiful. :)