Daddy Daughter Facials

Elizabeth and Matt decided to give themselves face masks last night!! I couldn't pass up this chance to share a picture of Father/Daughter bonding time!

Boca Raton

Friday morning we loaded up and drove to Boca Raton. I would love to say we had a nice drive, but Banastre managed to ruin the entire thing. He cried, screamed, and even managed to throw in a few "Help Me!!!'s" to the toll booth operator.

Here's Mr. Not too Happy and Mrs. Very Excited. They are very easy to tell apart!

We checked into our hotel room and decided to check out the area. We went for a nice walk on the beach and then found a great Japanese place so Elizabeth and Matt could have sushi. (Banastre and I enjoyed nice cooked Teriyaki Chicken.)

Saturday morning we hit the breakfast buffet at our hotel and then went straight to the beach. It was absolutely beautiful. The water off the coast here is the most amazing blue and when you aer in it, it is so clear that you can see everything. It was actually a yellow flag and purple flag day. This meant it was rough seas with a strong under tow and dangerous marine life/man-of-war. We never let Elizabeth in the water without one of us and none of us went very deep. Banastre was like a seagull and would run up to the water and then run the other way when a wave came crashing towards him. Here's a few pictures of the fun day.

Banastre really enjoyed covering Elizabeth with sand. He decided that after her legs were done, she needed sand on top of her head!

This is the reason for long hair. He makes perfect Surfer Dude.One day I dream of owning a condo somewhere along the Florida Atlantic coastline. I would so love to wake up to this any morning I could!!!

That afternoon, we went back to the hotel and cleaned up. We went to "Cheeburger Cheeburger" for lunch and then we went for a drive down A1A. When we got to Pompano Beach, they were having a seafood festival. So, we got out there and checked things out. Matt gave blood to get in free and I scored a wristband off of some one leaving, so we all got in free! There really wasn't that much going on, so we got back in the car and drove back up the scenic route. It was a beautiful day and each of enjoyed it immensely.

Later that evening we checked out the Boca Raton mall. It's owned by Simon Malls and was a lot like South Park in Charlotte, but it did have a few other stores that made me think more of Carolina Place. We even had a little adventure while there. Elizabeth really wanted to go to Libby Lu. So, in we go. They inform us that with any $10.50 purchase you get a free Webkinz. Elizabeth decided she needs some of their speciality face mask. As her and the sales person are making it, one of the dispensers messes up and coats Elizabeth with a lot of face mask down the front of her shirt. So, not only did she get the free Webkinz, but she also got a free Hannah Montana shirt to wear and keep. Banastre is now infatuated with her Reindeer Webkinz, so we may end up having to get her a different one later!

All in all, it was a great weekend. Now, this weekend we are off to Fort Lauderdale for our last competition until Nationals in July.

Hall of Fame Dance Challenge

On Sunday, Elizabeth competed at Hall of Fame Dance in Boca Raton, FL.

For the first time, the Mini's performed Lollipop. They did a great job!! Lollipop won a First Place High Gold!!!!! This is great for the first time performing it on a stage!!!

With Bang, the girls really rocked it and earned their first Platinum with this piece!!!!! They also placed 5th overall in Large Groups.

Hairspray won First Place Platinum and First Place Overall in Lines.

We are so proud of them all and Elizabeth is especially!!!!

Dance Competition & Mini Vacation

We are off this weekend to sunny Boca Raton. Friday and Saturday are gonig to be relaxing days and then Elizabeth is competing Sunday morning!! We are all looking forward to the trip and I will share lots of pics and details when we return!!!!

Mommy and Daddy got Played!

Banastre walked and ran at Nana's house over Spring Break. After returning home, Banastre was still walking fine and using his leg. On Monday evening, he sat down in the floor started crying and saying his leg hurt. Yes, the same leg that had been broken. He refused to walk or put any weight on it. First thing Tuesday morning, I called and procured an appointment with the orthopaedic doctor. We took him in, they x-rayed his leg, and couldn't find anything. Told us to bring him back in a week if he was still not walking on it. He made us carry him around and do everything for him. He refused to walk! He would crawl and scoot, but no walking.
Wednesday evening we decided to go to Celebration. They have great fountains, walking trails, and a pond to look at. After eating dinner, we headed back to the car to get the stroller. Banastre looks at me and says "No, I walk." We put him down and he limped for his first three steps and then took off!! No pain, just fun! He played in the water fountain.
So did Elizabeth. They fed the ducks.
And then we went home. He once again refused to walk. Thursday, I had finally had enough. He was begging me to pick him up and carry him to the kitchen. "I'm hungry" is what he kept saying. After thirty minutes of me telling him I would walk into the kitchen with him and him screaming no, he calmly looked at me, held out his hand, and said "OK, let's go." He walked to the kitchen and has been walking ever since.
We have no clue what brought this on, but I feel as if I have been played by a two year old!!!!

A Honor Roll

For the third Nine Week grading period, Elizabeth made the all A Honor Roll again. We are extremely proud of all of her hard work!!

Spring Break, Part 3

On Wednesday, the kids and I met Granny, Aunt Wanda, Aunt Mackie, Eric, and Emily at Chuck E. Cheese's. This was Banastre first trip and he realllllllllllyyyyyy enjoyed it. I think his favorite part was playing with Ewic. If Ewic got out of his sight, he would run around yelling "Ewic where are you?" Elizabeth ended up with over 600 tickets and lots of great little prizes.
After we finally dragged the kids kicking and screaming (Banastre was a little tired) from the crazy addictive rat's place, we went back to Mom's and had a nice enjoyable afternoon and evening with Granny, Aunt Mackie, Nana, and Poppy.
Luckily the puddle had dried up today!!!

Thursday was spent playing and then heading into Monroe. I had to work on a Fundraiser of Gold Canyon Candles for Elizabeth's former dance school.

Friday we loaded up the car and drove back to sunny, warm, nice Florida. (Can you tell I didn't much care for the cold, cloudy, and rainy weather in NC? It was 90 when I crossed the line from Georgia into FL!!!) It was so nice to spend time with Mom and all of my family and friends. A short trip, but we enjoyed every minute of it. I hope to make it back up there during the summer vacation months!

Spring Break, Part 2

Tuesday evening my best friend from high school,Brandy, came over with her three kids for a visit. This is the best group shot I could get. One of them wouldn't look at the camera in every one I took. I hope Brandy got a better one!
Chaise, Logan, and Elizabeth jumping. I have never seen three kids with this much energy.

Banaste and Tessa played together a lot!Now, I have to tell about the mud puddle. Banastre was fascinated with this puddle. All day long he was throwing rocks and leaves into the puddle. Then he discovered he could walk through it. While Brandy and her kids were there, Banastre decided the best way to really play in a puddle is to sit right down in the middle of it. He sat here playing for at least 30 minutes. Then he decided to play with the other kids. It was cool out that evening, so after 30 minutes of playing I thought he was done in the puddle. I changed him into clean, dry pants. As soon as he made it back down the steps, he walked straight back to the puddle and sat down in it again. He played here until it was time to go in for the night. You would not believe the amount of dirt in the bottom of the tub after bath time!!!

Needless to say, we had a lot of fun on Tuesday. We learned new things and caught up with old friends. A great first day in Kings Mountain!

Spring Break, Part 1

For Spring Break, the kids and I packed up and drove to NC to stay with Mom. It was a long car trip, but it was well worth it. We drove up on Monday and got in late Monday evening. We let the kids play for just a bit and then went and ate dinner. Tuesday morning, since everyone was at work, the kids and I decided to go to Scheile Museum. When we first arrived I was discouraged by the amount of school buses in the parking lot. I thought with it being a Tuesday there wouldn't be many people there! We took the leap and went in anyway. At first, the place was packed. The teenagers inside were rude, loud and even bumped into Banastre twice. (hey, I know he's short...but watch out!!!) After about 30 minutes though, they all left!! So did everyone else. The kids and I had the whole museum to ourselves for about 45 minutes. The only other person I saw was an employee going to lunch! It was fun and spooky at the same time. Visions of "Night at the Museum" kept running through my head!!!

Watch Out!!!!Banastre checks things outA puppet show just for me.Of course Banastre was taken with the T Rex skeleton. It didn't matter where we were in the museum, he wanted to go see "ReRex"!

After our enjoyable alone time in the museum, Banastre necessitated a trip to the car for the diaper bag. I just changed him at the car and decided to check out the walking trails. I had never been to these before, and I was so surprised at everything there! We first came across the Back Country Farm. When we went down the hill, a cow was the first thing we spotted! It became very vocal and it was very cute to hear Banastre "Moooo" back to it! There were also two pigs and a sheep along with lots of buildings that were all closed up. I hope we can go back sometime and see everything open and operational!

Elizabeth and Bessie Mae get to know each other!Elizabeth petting a pig...Maybe she is more like an animal? :)

Here's Banastre checking out the Stone Age settlement. He was in heaven with all of the rocks.

Then we walked on to the pond. (The Catawba Indian Village was closed up, how disappointing!!)

Can you find the turtles?

After all of the walking and over three hours at the museum and trails, we decided to call it a day. Banastre was fast asleep before I pulled out of the parking lot.

It has been a long time since I have taken both kids to a museum or anything else. Elizabeth is usually in school, so we just haven't been going as much. I truly enjoyed every minute we were there. To see the looks of discovery on both of their faces brought so much joy to me. Now that they interact so well with each other, I can't wait to take them places this summer. There are at least two zoos and tons of museums we will be checking out as soon as school is out!

Starquest Dance Competition

Elizabeth and the Shooting Stars competed at Starquest Dance Competitions March 29 and 30 in Tampa. They all did a wonderful job again. Hairspray won a High Gold and 2nd Place Overall. Bang won High Gold and 3rd Place Overall. Bang also won a special judges award titled "A+ Dance". We are so proud!!!

Ms. Melissa, the owner of the dance school, approached Matt during the competition weekend. She told him how proud she was of Elizabeth and even though we moved to her school half way through the year, next year she wants to include Elizabeth in the small groups and possibly even a solo!!

There is no one else her age doing a solo and it is an honor to picked for small groups and solos! We are so excited and proud of Elizabeth for all of her hard work!!!!

Don't Give Up

Well, on me anyway. Lots of new posts coming soon!! I have tons of pictures from my visit to NC, of the kids, and other things!! I hope to get them online tomorrow!!!!!