Is Santa Clause real?

OK, I knew it was coming and dreaded the day- although I skirted this one somewhat this morning. Alex begins: "Mom, Troy and Owen" (kids at his school)"say that Santa is not real." "Really?" I say and wait for his reply. "All they will get is coal for Christmas, right? Cause I believe in Santa and I believe he'll bring me that go-cart. . . . ." (waiting for my reply). I nod my head. "What is coal?" Claire asks- thank goodness- we'll change the subject. Big discussion about coal. Discussion averted. Thank goodness for easily distracted children. We'll save that discussion for another day.
I had wrapped the kids' "Santa" presents early this year and put them in the upstairs bathroom tub and pulled the shower curtain shut (no one really uses that bathroom much except Phillip and I). Claire was in there the other day with me and pulled the curtain. I told her not to look in there and she said "Dont' worry mom, it's just a bunch of paper."

HOORAY FINALLY AN AUNT!

Boy oh boy am I excited I finally get to be an Auntie!! Now I get to spoil SOMEONE ELSE'S child and send them home!!! Congrats Unc and Ginger! Will it be blue or pink???? Thanks for making me an Aunt FINALLY!!! We will anxiously be awaiting June 6!!! Hooray! Claire says its a girl and Alex says its a boy. I guess someone will be wrong! I will hate to have that discussion with as competitive as they have become!!

Jingle Bells Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way!

Oh what fun it is to take the perfect pic for those cards by Christmas Day! The pictures tell the story . . . . it's amazing the poinsettia tree at Opryland Hotel is still standing. We just won't talk about the moss covered reindeer . . . . although we didn't end up with one in our car like some were lobbying for . . . One lady came up to me during the "photo session" and laughed, saying "This is just priceless" Yeah, I thought, cause they're not your kids! Oh well. Phillip had a much better time watching the Titans game than I did directing these two!

My Rhinestone Cowgirl

Well, we had our dance recital (the first official one) on Friday night and Saturday afternoon. Friday night was a disaster. Needless to say, you should not expect 4 and 5 year olds to perform very well when they have to wait 1 1/2 hours backstage and then put them on stage at 8:30 pm, when most of them go to bed at 8 (or at least we TRY to put them to bed at 8). Friday night was like a dominoe effect- one started to cry, then the rest began to cry. I think 3 made it out on stage- one pulled her fluffy tu-tu up over her head and ran off stage and the other two somewhat finished the dance, which was entitled "Wild Wild West". So, determined that Saturday would be different, I stayed backstage with Claire and the others and we played games (I actually did the Hokey Pokey- and believe me- I felt pretty hokey doing it) so that they would't cry and would be in better moods to go on stage. It worked - they went out there and did a pretty good job (or as well as you can expect from 4 and 5 year olds). It was probably due to the earlier time also. Claire thought she looked beautiful (which she did) in her bright red lipstick and makeup. I just hope that she doesn't continue to want to wear it . . .. . .

Link for Timber and Coal Tickets

http://www.tennesseetheatre.com/event/511879/timber-and-coal/

Cinderella

Alex was in the production of "Cinderella" this May by the Missoula Children's Theater. He was a pumpkin, as you can see. He gave us all autographs when the show was done. It was cute. I guess he might be a thespian like his mother! The picture on the left was taken after "Lunch" a fundraiser play for Timber and Coal. (Like the hair??? Claire was upset that I borrowed her Hannah Montana hairpiece for my role . . . ) We had a ton of fun.
Tickets for Timber and Coal are on sale now!!! I will get the link and add it to this site soon. I have pictures from Claire's dance recital for tomorrow. I promise to keep up better!

Save the Date: Timber and Coal

The production of Timber and Coal will be performed at the Tennessee Theater on October 11, 2008. Save the date! We all want lots of friends and family to come and cheer us on! This is some of the cast from "Main Street", a fundraiser performance. We are doing another fundraiser performance entitled "Lunch" on May 16 and 17. Please let one of us know if you would like to make a donation to our fundraising efforts. The Tennessee Theater is expensive!!!

Way to go Aunt Sass! Congrats Unc and Ginger!

Talked to Aunt Sass today and she walked a half-marathon a couple weeks ago! For those of you who don't do math very well like myself that's 13 miles!!! What craziness!! We are so impressed! What a way to roll in your big 3-0!!

And speaking of rolling in your big 3-0 . . . . . Wade and Ginger have bought a BEAUTIFUL house in K-town. Wonderful location for them- they can shop until they drop and then just walk home exhausted! Now comes the moving- everyone save your boxes! Congrats to them!

Our last soccer game and High School Musical

THE TENNESSEE TORNADOS

Last weekend, we went to see our fellow Scott Countians Andi Marie and Claudia Tillman in High School Musical at the Cumberland County Playhouse. What a show!!! We had a TON of fun, and of course, Claire was singing all the way there . . . . all the way home . . . . .the whole next day . . .. . and on and on . . . We all thought that Andi Marie (Sharpay) and Claudia (Ms Darvis) stole the show! Bravo!

We had a big group there cheering them on .. . . a big group from First Pres in Huntsville and another group from White Rock Baptist Church! We had a blast and can't wait to visit the Cumberland County Playhouse again for Beauty and the Beast later on this summer.

Alex had his last regular season soccer game this week and he scored a goal!!! Yeah Alex!! He was very proud and did his "move" for everyone. We have been working on "the move" for a while just in case . . . . and thank goodness it happened. He loves soccer this season and gets to play on a great team with all his friends. Too bad that soccer season is ending now that they are all getting good at playing together. Oh, well. There's always the fall . .. .

This is my first posting. I will never forgive Carrie for getting me into this. And neither will my boss at work . . . . .