Can I Get Christmas Credit For This?

I can't believe it is December already!! We had some fun spending time with my parents over the Thanksgiving weekend. The girls spent the night at my parents one night and scored tons of jewelry! My mom likes to bead, and has acquired a huge collection of necklaces, bracelets, etc. She pulled out her stash and let the girls pick whatever they wanted. They both ended up with about eight different sets. My dad walked in and saw what was happening, turns to me totally deadpan, and says:

"Can we get Christmas credit for this?"

He cracks me up! Dave had to work most of the weekend, but managed to get Saturday off. We went to visit my parents again, and my mom remembered that she had some suit coats for Dave that had been her dad's. The living room started to look like the jewelry scene--only this time with men's clothes. Again my dad walks into the room and says:

"Can we get Christmas credit for this?"

I think that's going to be my new mantra this holiday season. I sat here alone at the computer tonight and laughed as I changed my blog background, because I wondered:

"Can I get Christmas credit for this?"

I am so not ready for the holidays and have not even tried to decorate yet. No Black Friday this year. (I know!!!) I can't see a break in my calendar for weeks!! I'm just going to give myself some Christmas credit for at least changing my background. Oh, and sorry for stealing your mantra, Dad! I guess we can share it. ☺

G.N.O.

Last night Dave called from work and said his boss had four tickets to the LeAnn Rimes concert at the TI for that night that he was trying to give away. (I wondered if they have to pay people to go see LeAnn after her crazy episodes lately?!?) None of us are huge fans, but we thought what the heck? That might be fun. So Ashley, Morgan, Sam (neighbor), and I headed down to the strip for some girl's night out fun.

All craziness aside, LeAnn has an amazing voice still! It was a really small venue, and we were in the 5th row. She was really cute and personable with the crowd, responding to lots of things that were shouted. We laughed hysterically throughout the whole concert because there were a few creepy dudes, who were old enough to be her grandfather, who thought they were at a private concert. They just yelled stupid things at her all night like...

• "Come on out, LeAnn!" (While waiting for her to start the show)
• "LeAnn! You rock, Baby Girl!" (After a ballad)
• "Oh yeah, take it off, baby!" (When she was taking off her very, very high heels)
• "Oh, I have a foot fetish!" (When she was performing barefoot)
  

We were so disturbed by these creepers, so at one point someone yelled something stupid and one of the yuckers yelled "That's what I'm talkin' bout!" My brain shut off at that moment and my mouth yelled, "That's what she said!!" I got a pretty good laugh from the rocker couple in front of me. (Did they BUY tickets to the show? There must have been a lot of comping going on.)

Right before the last number, the creepiest of the creepy guys got up and ran. We thought he was going to jump on stage, but he turned and ran out of the theater. We are certain he was hurrying to hide in her trailer, probably in the closet! (Ashley thinks he was sniffing her shoes.)

(I don't want to point, but blue shirt guy...creeper!)

Anyways, it was a lot of fun hangin' out with the girls last night. She sang her new song, "What I Cannot Change." It's kind of her version of the Serenity Prayer. It was very pretty. The caramel corn and Diet Coke were awesome, too!

Thanks for a fun night, girls!

Did your parents ever say that?

We were driving down the street the other day and Ashley says, "Hey mom, when you were a kid, did your parents ever say 'I hope someday you have a daughter just like you?'"

I said, "Yes, as a matter of fact they did. Why? Who told you that?"

"It was on an episode of Tool Time. I was just wondering if parents really say that."

I said, "Yes they do, and their wish came true."

Morgan says, "Well, which one of us is it?"

Hmmmmm......no comment! I could be in trouble. ;)

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I haven't posted in FOREVER!!! Here's why...

1. My master's classes (curriculum and instruction)
2. Dave's master's classes (addictions counseling)
3. Work, work, and more work
4. Relief Society
5. Young Women's
6. Hollywood Kids
7. School play practice
8. Busy tweens social calendars
9. Fending off boys
10. Creating tween girl classes with mom
11. Writing curriculum for new charter schools
12. Dishes
13. Laundry
14. You get the idea!!!

Here's some cute pics of the girls on Halloween to jazz up this post. Enjoy!!

P.S.--I promised my missionary aunt that I would update this blog, so I promise to try harder! Love ya, Aunt Kathy!!

Firsts and Lasts

First year at middle school....

Last year at middle school....

First year being at school together in a few years...

Last year being at school together for a few years!

The first day of school was an overall success for everyone. Both girls woke up on time, had good hair, and stylish gear. There was a little bit of confusion when first and second lunch got switched, and the bus was in the wrong place after school, but other than that, it was a good day.

Now we just have to do it 179 more times until it is summer again!!

I tried harder today...

...and got to take pictures at Day 2 of orientation. (Maybe they were scared that I'd actually come when school was in session?!?)

Welcome to Ashley's locker. Have you met her? This is sooooo Ashley! (Morgan's friends had locker envy!) She needs to do some babysitting so she can get her disco ball and mirror next!

Ashley and her friend Sam in front of Ashley's locker...

...and down the hall in front of Sam's locker. Sam is our next door neighbor. She and Ashley have four classes together, and have plans to eat lunch together. I'm so glad she'll have a friend for this transition!!

Yesterday the 6th graders were the only ones allowed to come to orientation. Today the 7th and 8th graders were able to come. Morgan had fun seeing her friends, skipping in hallways, and comparing schedules.

School shopping is done and we are ready for a great first year of middle school for Ashley and last year of middle school for Morgan!!!

Life in the Whirlwind a.k.a. That's SOOO Nerdy

If you couldn't tell from the title, life hasn't settled down much for us over the summer. This has been without a doubt, the busiest--yet most fun--summer we've ever had. High School Musical was a tremendous opportunity for the girls, and someday I will post pictures...someday. Dave decided on and started work on his Master's Degree in Addictions Counseling. I have worked as a "stage mom", also as a committee member/curriculum designer on a board to form a new charter school, and also as a spokes model for my current school (I just said model to make me feel better about my nightmarish news story on the Fox 5 morning show), oh and not to forget being the stand-in R.S. Pres while Barbara was gone for a month (So glad she's home!!!). Now it is August 13th/"back to school" time, and I feel like we haven't even had a break yet!! Oh well, breaks are for sissies! (Or something like that??)

So, I've never really been a fan of those blog posts that tell you everything the author did in a day, but in an attempt to catch my breath and figure out where my time goes, I'm going to do just that. Feel free to stop reading. Also on my To-Do List (somewhere towards the bottom, I'm sure), is to make my next blog book. I would like to capture a few days of our whirlwind existence in writing so we can remember all of these things. As crazy as life is all the time, we feel so blessed with opportunities and are enjoying the kids so much! Oh yeah, and just in case you quit reading before the list, this post is also known as "That's soooo nerdy" because I feel like I've been told that sooooo many times this past week. (Not naming any names, Morgan and Ashley!) ♥

• Woke up early, showered, did hair and make-up (Totally noteworthy!!!)
• Drove Ashley and friend/neighbor, Sam, to middle school orientation
• Stayed in the lunchroom as long as possible before new principal kicked out parents
• Ran home, googled info about the Old School concert this weekend (Hello! Vanilla Ice!!!Also Sisqo, Rob Base, Jody Watley, Kool Moe Dee, Doug E. Fresh, Montel Jordan, C&C Music Factory ) Not worth $65.00!
• Picked up Dave and went to the store to shop for necessities (deodorant, floss, etc)
• Texted co-worker whom I pawned off not one, but two TV interviews today. (Awesome!! Good luck!!)
• Helped Dave find the perfect box to mail Barbie Cruise Ship we sold on E-Bay (I was wrong about the size, Dave had to go back later and buy a bigger one! We probably made $4.00 on our sale by the time we were done.)
• Scored 2 pairs of cute sandals at Back-to-School sale (What? I'm going back to school, too!)
• Ate romantic lunch with Dave at McD's inside Wal-mart
• Raced to middle school to pick up Ashley and Sam
• Helped Ashley and Sam open lockers
• Tried to take a picture of Ashley and Sam in front of Boxer mural at school. "Mom, that is sooooo nerdy." You'll have to use your imagination about how cute they looked.
• Dropped off Ashley, Sam, and Dave at home
• Raced to Presidency meeting
• Visited three sisters
• Came home and helped Ashley and Sam finish magnets they were making for their lockers (fuse beads and magnets)
• Fixed a snack for Ashley, Morgan, and Sam
• Gave orders to Morgan to get ready already and took Ashley and Sam to Target to buy necessities (Locker wallpaper and locker bead curtains)
• Sent Sam home with her magnets
• Talked with Morgan and Ashley about their plans and goals for next year
• Helped Ashley stretch (Trying to get splits in time for cheer tryouts in September)
• Watched Morgan's demonstration about stretching
• Cooked dinner (Yes, you must cook Mac and Cheese. Gross food today, huh? We did have some grilled chicken and veggies with our Mac.)
• Went upstairs and answered 50 billion emails. Yes! My master's focus has officially been changed from Elementary Reading to Curriculum and Instruction
• Played a game of Mah Jong on the computer
• Went downstairs and did dishes AND mopped the floor
• Found Ashley asleep on couch. Walked her upstairs, took out her contacts, forced a toothbrush in her mouth, and put her to bed.
• Went back downstairs. Cut open the 4 enormous surprise boxes from Everyday Math for new charter school
• Organized the goods in the boxes
• Hauled boxes out to overfilled garbage cans in the garage
• Vacuumed mess made from cutting open boxes
• Talked to Nicole on the phone a few times in the day, not really sure when
• Relaxed in a nice bath with a Diet Coke
• Started blogging about my crazy life
• Stopped to confirm lunch date to hand over curriculum stuff to new charter school
• Attempted to correct some of the curriculum proposals, thought better of that, printed out documents as is for tomorrow's lunch
• Made plans with Morgan for tomorrow's open house and Carson-sitting
• Returned to blogging, stopping only to rid my bed of the e-bay reject box
• Dave just got home from work. Hopefully I'll be sleeping soon (HA!)
• Just remembered the presentation I'm supposed have ready for my trip to Reno next week. Need to do my part of the PowerPoint and return to Linda YESTERDAY, and collect trinkets for our visual aid. I guess she'll have to wait another day for my contribution. That's okay. She knows how I roll.
• Trying to be asleep by 11:00 (A far cry from my summer bedtime of 3:30 am!!!)

This is soooo nerdy. Goodnight!

Hooray for Hollywood

It has been a busy month of practicing and performing for the Brown girls. On June 9th, Ashley had her Salute to Hollywood Movies show. She performed in several group numbers, and also did a short scene from the Wizard of Oz. Her biggest accomplishment was her scene from Enchanted, which included her vocal solo! This song was pretty challenging, and she worked so hard on it. We are so proud of Ashley!!!



The following week, Morgan was invited to perform as a Flashdancer in the Salute to Hollywood vocal and dance showcase. We fashioned a quick 80's costume the night before and she did a GREAT job! (Who misses leg warmers? ME!) These pictures are stills that I extracted from a video, so they aren't the best quality, but check out her technique! We are so proud of Morgan!

So what's next? High School Musical!

We are in Week 2 of HSM rehearsals and the girls are LOVING it! They have practically been living at the theater for the last two weeks. Ashley is playing a cheerleader and Morgan is playing the part of a thespian. The show is really coming along, and it is going to be AMAZING!

Opening night is July 7th! The play will run nightly (except Sundays) at 7:00 until July 18th. We would love everyone to come...and bring a friend! ☺ You can view the girls' bios and buy tickets here . (Click on "Purchase Tickets Here.") You can also purchase tickets at the door. (Either way, ask me for a $2.00 off coupon!) Sneak peeks coming soon to the blog!

What team? Wildcats!

Getcha head in the game!