CATS

I was able to take Shell, Gab, and Ian to see the Broadway show 'CATS' this past Sunday.

 The show holds a special space in my heart, because it was the first Broadway show I ever saw. It was my big 16th birthday present and my mom took me to see it:)

Mom was actually supposed to be at this performance with us, as well, but work has taken her down the coast for a bit to Monteray, CA.

We missed having gramma there, but it was amazing being able to share it with almost all of my kiddos ~ Evie and I will have to catch it when she is a bit older :)

Shell scores an autograph from 'Rum Tum Tugger' ;)

asleep by the time we arrived home...

and it was even a matinee' !!!

who needs the Olympics? we got medals!

Gabby proudly displaying her medal she won on Wednesday during a creative  competition. Her team had been working all year on their challenge and it was such fun seeing it all come together. Congratulations, Gab!

Pierced Ears

Gabby's Pony Party

Gabby has been taking riding lessons this year at a wonderful stable near our house. However, the lure of gymnastics recently pulled her away from riding and I am currently enjoying an inside seat during lessons at the gym (it is stinkier but much warmer ~ especially this time of year!). BUT, if birthday party desires are any indication of where a girl's true love lies...well, we may be back in the stable before long :)

Many of Gab's friends were able to join us for her pony party ON her actual birthday (so nice when they fall on a Saturday!) And Miss Kathryn really went out of her way to give everyone a fantastic experience. We all learned so much about horses and ponies during the tutorial time, and then all the kiddos got to ride TWICE! ice cream cake and presents rounded out a fun (although super cold) December day ;)

King Arthur patiently allows us to examine his teeth

so happy :)

Gabby, back in the saddle again!

ian saddles up, as well

even little sister goes for a ride

wonder what the wish could be? couldn't possibly involve horses...

the saddle Gabby sat on to open her presents!

Fun time all around :)


Oh, Gabrielle, I have so many wishes for you ~ on your birthday and always. mainly, I wish you to know just how very loved you are. and what an amazing young lady you are becoming. 9! whoa!--is that possible?! Each year has been more and more wonderful with you. You make me smile everyday with your songs and dances and dreams of being a 'rock star'. To me, you always will be. I love you, Babs. :)

Oh My! Two to school!

Gabby's first day back to classes was actually yesterday, so she got pictures taken two mornings in a row.

The gang. Evie is not actually headed off to school, but she insisted on dressing up and getting her backpack ready, as well.

My big kindergartener!

Yes, he picked Sponge Bob.

3rd grader and excited to show her brother the ropes at school.

Evie and I walked Gabby and Ian in to their class (yes, they are both in the same morning class--it is a 3 hour art class for grades K-4) but wasn't really needed, as Gabby showed Ian around the room and where to put his backpack and where to sit. I did manage to get a hug from them both, but they were brief and it was clear I was not needed (a good thing!).

I did tear up a bit in the car, and called Jeff to let him know what a sap I was (as if he needed more evidence!) and then Evie and I headed home. She asked immediately when Gabby and Ian were coming home, and then if she could watch Wall-E. I said, "How about we play a game? I will play Pretty, Pretty Princess with you!" her response? --"No, thanks, I will play that with Gabby." *sigh* I'd better finish up here and get back to Wall-E...I'm feeling the need to be needed --if only as a movie watching partner right now.

The County Fair is here!

making their own fun on a not-so-fast ride :)

getting to ride 'all by myself'!' ~such a big girl!

All smiles as Gabby finds her painting ~ she is our resident artist, and first time fair entrant!

Ian, also entering for the first time, was surprised to find a "Best of Class" ribbon decorating his entry!

Farm animals, fried food, exhibits, carnival rides, and 3 exhausted children. It was a wonderful day :)

Happy 4th of July!

Sleepover at our House

Gabby has been wanting to have a friend spend the night for some time now. And last night, mommy finally said yes. As a bonus, Ian also got to have his friend stay as well (it is always nice to have friends with similarly matched siblings!) It was a fun-filled, late--LATE night and we all had a great time :)

Justin and Ian munch on snacks and enjoy a late night movie

Gabby and Hannah (and Bella) dress up

and Evie finds her own way to occupy the time

*sigh*

it won't be long before she will also be asking for a friend to stay...

oh my, that will be a full-house!

Tagged!

My friend, Heather, tagged me in her blog. And, after following the directions of the tag...I found this photo :

It is of Gabby and Ian in November of 2004. Gabby was not yet 4 years old and Ian had just turned 1. He did not begin walking on his own until 18 months and 1 week--so his big sister is helping him to stand while they work at the easel. It is one of those 'outtake' shots that would never have made it to the blog without this challenge--and I was definitely tempted to use another photo that was taken that same day that turned out much better, but I like that this tag is so random and that there is, truly, a story behind every photo :)

and now I am going to tag 6 more people:
1. Dorinda
2. Stephanie
3. Kelsey
4. Meredith (hee hee--I have two Meredith's on by blog roll so I get two for one!)
5. Delores
6. Amy

So what you are supposed to do is:

Go to your Picture Folder on your computer or wherever you store your pictures.

1. Pick the 6th Folder, then select the the 6th picture in that folder.

2. Post that picture on your blog and the story that goes along with the picture.

3. Tag 6 other people that you know or don’t know to do the same thing and leave a comment on their blog or an e-mail letting them know you chose them. (what I want to know is--who really does this to people they don't know?! really?! come on! that's a silly part of the instruction that should be removed. and yet, like any good blogger--I'm not going to remove it--I'm going to BLOG ABOUT IT!)

Monday Memories

December 18, 2004. ballet recital for Gabby and Hannah. standing outside because someone pulled the fire alarm at the school. so, we all exited, stood outside for an excessively long time while the firemen arrived, checked out the building and then cleared us to go back in and continue the recital. I remember thinking how grown up the girls looked in these photos. amazing how quickly that changes to thinking I can't believe how young they look!

also reminds me of the ballet recital Gabby and I attended for Hannah the next year that had to be postponed a day at the last minute because a squirrel got electrocuted on the power lines and blew them out. as all of the audience was leaving the school, there were parents taking photos of the poor fried rodent dangling from the wire.

and that, folks, is the kind of Monday Memories you get from me at 11:30pm on Monday night, after having no internet for 2 days, having to go to the airport at midnight last night when my mom's flight was delayed almost 2 hours, and not taking a nap when I had the chance because I was trying to catch up on all my blog reads...like my husband said when he texted to let me know my internet was back up --'your crack is back' . I make no excuses about my habit. I just wrote about an electrocuted squirrel. this is good stuff.

An 8 year-old ROCK STAR (take 2)*

They arrived via red carpet, were pampered by stylists, partied like Rock Stars (minus the costly destructive stuff, thankfully!) and wished the birthday girl a very Happy 8th Birthday :) good times.

*this magic was brought to you by my amazing hubby, who can do just about anything. even upload un-uploadable photos so that I could bring you this blog today. yay, hubby--I love you!