Besides a quick trip to Home Depot, I was just here at the house. Watched some TV, a movie, and then went outside and dug out the front flower bed. That was hard work... seriously! But in the quest to "beautify" our yard... something MUST be done!
Today something really sweet happened. Weeks ago, Alyssa told Shane she wanted to go to work with him on a day she didn't have anything. That is usually never, so it kind of got dropped. Yesterday, upon finding out we had another free day today, she excitedly ran into the bedroom and exclaimed she would be going to work with her Dad today! Haha... it was really cute!
She wanted to leave with him at 5 this morning, but we finally talked her into sleeping a little longer, and Shane would come back and pick her up! When he went in to check on her this morning, she woke up and told him she could just "sleep on the way"! He promised to come and pick her up and she went back to sleep!
At 7:25 she came running into my room... READY! We got her dressed, her teeth brushed, her hair combed, and her shoes on... she was ready to go!
When Shane walked in, she went running and they were out the door! I wish I could have gotten a picture of my little "workers"! Alyssa was so very excited, which was so very cute! Sending my little girl off to a construction site... probably not my best judgement, but what is one to do?!
She is off with her Daddy! The "King" of the castle where she reigns supreme as our "Princess"!
How lucky she is to have such a great Daddy!
I have learned some important things about myself this past couple of weeks. A few of them may surprise you, some even surprised me!
This is my daughter practicing her ballet dance. In my TUMBLING & CHEER gym. I love my job, and I LOVE my daughter (MOST, MOST, MOST!). I have learned this week that...
I don't NEED my daughter to LOVE my sport. Really, I don't!
I LOVE TUMBLING. I ALSO LOVE CHEER! I started tumbling when I was 4, and I cheered all through high school. It was my entire LIFE! Back in October 2001, I walked into my old tumbling gym to visit my old tumbling coach after a day of HATING my 8 hours of hair school (blech!) and 6 hours of working at Famous Footwear (double blech!). I was in a bad place when somewhere in the conversation, Kathy asked me if I'd like to come in and train to maybe coach. It was my lifeline! The next night was Wednesday... I came. I trained. And I NEVER missed a night in the gym after that!
I would train with the rec coaches, then I would train with the team coaches, and then I would sit on the desk for HOURS watching Kathy coach. I wanted to do it right. I wanted to be good.... no, I wanted to be GREAT! I learned so much in those hours and days at that gym. Somewhere, deep inside, a fire was growing.
A lot of things have happened since the night I walked into that gym. My whole life, actually. It put me on the path I am on today, a path I LOVE so very much!
When Alyssa was about 2, she wanted to start ballet. She was really young and although she was quite persistent, I put her off. Almost once a week, she would ask me to sign her up for ballet. After a few months, I looked into it and realized ballet classes were a long drive, and I wasn't ready to commit to that for my then almost three year old. I found a little ballet summer camp that was four days long and signed her up... of course she loved it, but that was about the level of my dedication... four days! I then continued to put her off. I told her when she turned 4, I would FOR SURE put her in ballet! I was pretty sure she would find a new love by the time that came around (you know kids, they are flaky like that!).
It was not so!
As her fourth birthday rolled around, she started in again. Nearly everyday now, 'when can I take ballet?' Well, most dance studios shut down for the summer, so I was clear for a few months. As some of you may know, I have some "Type A" personality traits (don't laugh... seriously!), so...
I studied.
I researched.
I looked into TONS of dance studios.
When I coached cheer at Park City high school, I coached with the sweetest woman named Ciara. I didn't know very much about her, she coached the dance team and our paths didn't cross a whole lot, but she was very kind and very helpful. Come to find out (four years later!) she owns a dance studio! A very accredited dance studio, with an amazing ballet program. It also happened to be the same dance studio Alyssa had attended her "ballet camp" at.
First day of ballet class
with Ms. Trish
So I signed her up. We have spent the last year in a Creative Dance - ballet class. Alyssa is in love. She LOVES to dance, she LOVES Thursdays (the day we go to dance!), she plans her week around her 45 minute ballet class.
As the Spring Recital ended, and dance for the year was over, Alyssa and I had a conversation about what she wanted to do next year... this is somewhat how the conversation went...
Me: So, what do you want to do next year? Her: Ballet. Me: Do you want do to anything else? Her: Not really, just dance. Me. What if you have to quit cheer? Her: That's Okay. Me: What if you have to quit tumbling? Her: That's Okay too. Me: So do you want to try out for a dance team? Her: YES!! Me: Mylee isn't old enough yet, so you would do it with new friends. Her: That's okay. Me: Ms Trish probably won't be your teacher anymore, it will be someone else. Her: Will I still see her? Me: Probably, she will still be there. Her: Then that's okay, I can have a new teacher. Maybe I can take tap class with Ms. Trish.
So I have thought and thought. My little girls doesn't LOVE tumbling (she will keep doing it because I know the benefits... I don't really need to get into that now! Haha!), she doesn't LOVE cheer. She does them, because it's what I do, and she's in the gym anyways...
but it doesn't make her eyes light up.
It doesn't make her excited... ballet does.
As her mom, I want her to do what she loves, I want her to find that thing, even if it isn't the SAME as my thing! I have a gym FULL of athletes who LOVE TUMBLING, it makes their eyes light up - and I LOVE them so much for it! So it's okay to help Alyssa find HER THING!!
So we went to the parent's meeting. (Alone!)
She went to the clinic. (Alone!)
Eight sets of Jazz (that she has never done before... hello, crash course!), eight sets of ballet (that she LOVED!), and a turn sequence. 24 hours. I hooked her video to the TV, and she practiced. Last night. Today. She told Mylee she couldn't play because she needed to practice!
Tonight she tried out. My teeny tiny four year old in front of 4 judges, 30some girls, and their moms outside of the glass. My little girl danced her Jazz and her Ballet. Watching her was one of the hardest things I have ever done. My heart was beating, I was sweating, and having anxiety attacks you wouldn't believe!
But she skipped out of that room with a smile from ear to ear. So excited! So happy! For today... this is what she LOVES! I am grateful her four year old heart has found it!
On a sidenote... I am more grateful than words can say to an AMAZING teacher. We were so very blessed to have a teacher that loved, hugged, smiled, and danced her way into Alyssa's heart. She made the experience so well worth it... thanks, Trish! You are AMAZING!
It was a BALLET weekend! Oh how Alyssa LOVES her ballet weekends! She was all smiles the entire time! The funny thing about being a Mom? Anything that makes her smile, makes ME smile! I love to see her happy like that!
Friday Dress Rehearsal went well! Grandpa dropped by the Eccles Center to watch and Alyssa's little legs were pumping so fast as she ran across the Auditorium to meet him. You could hear "Grandpa! Grandpa!" Echoing through the Theatre... it was the cutest thing!
All the Elephants!
Mylee, Ms. Trish, & Alyssa
Saturdays Recital was SO FUN! The studio performed Aladdin Spectacular! Lyssa's class were little Elephants (DARLING costumes!)... so fun and so cute! Dance this year has been such a GREAT experience! We LOVE our teacher and we have LOVED being a part of this dance studio! Alyssa is so excited to get going again in the fall... until then, it's FAIRY CAMP (which she just found out Ms. Trish will be at... so she is even MORE excited!).
Mylee & Lyss - Our CUTE
little ELEPHANTS!!
Although I thought I would be, I am not in the least bit bothered that she loves her dance! I am so happy that she loves something that her mom doesn't coach! I am grateful she gets that relationship with another teacher that I have with so many of my kids! I love Trish for that!
Alyssa is excited about all the opportunities she is going to get now that she is going to be 5! Mom is excited, but a little nervous about this new step! Here's hoping that all goes well!
Alyssa, Kels, and I went back for the Company Spring show on Saturday night. Wow, there are some very beautiful dancers in that studio! It was so fun to watch and Alyssa loved it as well! Looks like we have a little bit of dance in our future! I'm okay with that!
Preschool Graduation was a bitter-sweet night for Alyssa's Mommy! She was VERY excited and ready to show off, but I was pretty teary throughout the day! I cannot believe how fast time has gone and I am about to have a Kindergartner! Seriously??? How did that happen!
Alyssa and Mrs. Natalie
(her Preschool Teacher!)
Firstly, Lyss hit a HUGE MOMENT the Wednesday before graduation! She completed Lesson 100 in her Reading Book! Yayyyyy! Words cannot express the joy and relief that went into the "Happy Dance" we then did for awhile! To date: the hardest thing Lyss and I have accomplished! But sooo worth it, she is now testing as a 1st Grade Reader - Such a little smartie!
So, Alyssa had so much support at Graduation, it was so fun! She performed her songs and received her "diploma" and she is now READY to start Kindergarten (which she thinks starts next week!).
She has been pretty hesitant over the whole "big kid" school, but over the past week, she has perked right up to the idea and is VERY excited about it! Which makes it much easier as a mom to be excited!
Congratulations on Graduating Preschool Princess, we couldn't be anymore proud of you than we already are! We LOVE YOU so very much (which, you point out, we tell you too often! But we do...!)
So, I am falling behind! After the business of last week, I am going to try to get all caught up! First things first, the Preschool Field trip - Discovery Gateway!
This would be Alyssa's last fieldtrip as a preschooler and her first visit to Discovery Gateway! The week leading up to the trip, I didn't think she was going to be able to go (there were some behavior problems!), so I wasn't planning on going, but she pulled it together with a remarkable attitude the days leading up, and she was rewarded accordingly!
Addy & Lyss eating lunch!
The night before, we ran and bought a booster seat so she could ride down with another mom, she was totally ready to go... until morning came when she suddenly needed Mom to go with her! In a panic, I got ready and we arrived 5 minutes late (ugh!) only for her to decide she wanted to ride with Ms. Natalie. It is a good thing I love that child! :)
Addy, Alyssa, Kinsly, & Adilyn
I went down later and finished up the little tour (the part that I saw was SO CUTE! Alyssa LOVED it and couldn't stop talking about it afterwards! Probably something I should take her to again!
With the helicopter!
We had lunch with the group next to the helicopter that the kids seriously LOVED! I think they all could have played there all day! It was so cute. Who knew an old helicopter could keep kids so entertained!
After, Lyss and I walked around Gateway, one of my favorite places to just relax and walk around because I love how it is set up! Watched the kids play in the fountains, took a visit to the Apple Store (oh how I love the Apple Store!) and headed to ballet!
What a fun day and what a great way to finish up Preschool!
Oh Mother's Day... the Holiday of Champions, or something like that!
I have to say, I LOVE being a Mom! It is THE BEST thing in my life! I am, and always have been, so very grateful for the little princess that made me a Mom! She is my whole world!
This year, Alyssa was able to help choose my Mother's Day gift. Lucky me!
Apparently, in the hopes of getting her to try oatmeal again (she had a bad experience!), I have been pushing the virtues of oatmeal a little too hard! When Shane asked her two weeks ago what she thought I would like for Mother's Day, she answered without hesitation, "She REALLY likes oatmeal, we should get her that"!
Awesome.
So after a Saturday night shopping trip, She came into my room first thing Sunday morning with an ear to ear grin and oozing with giddiness over my present from her. It was the cutest thing! I couldn't help but laugh and then thank her PROFUSELY for my wonderful gift!
She really is the best!
After two weeks of exclaiming her excitement over singing to me from the stand on Mother's Day... this is what we got!
She looks pretty excited, right?!
Oh the joys of motherhood! Wouldn't trade them for ANYTHING!
So.. I love my Mother-in-law. This is not the beginning of a joke... I really do! I recently told a group of women that if I would have met her first, I probably would've agreed to an arranged marriage with Shane on the spot just as long as I had her as my mother-in-law! And I was only partly kidding.
Me, Alyssa, and Judy at Temple Square December 2011
On top of that, I love her home. I love visiting there, I love the welcome feeling I receive the minute I walk in the door, and I love how everything is so relaxed. I love how the people in that home matter so much more than the activities or a "plan"! There have been times when I am having a "bad day" and I will drive all the way to Springville... just for a couple of hours, and I always leave feeling better!
At the Robertson house, the food is laid back.. no stress! Get your own, order a pizza, whatever works. The dishes need done? We will get around to them, the house isn't going to burst if we don't get them washed RIGHT AWAY! Want a drink? They are in the fridge (or around the corner at the Conoco!). We can sit on the couch and watch TV, read, or just talk and not once feel guilty about it!
One of my favorite things about the Robertson home, is that most Sundays Judy has rolls. I think they are the frozen kind that you put out to raise and then bake, I really don't know... but they are SO YUMMY. And on top of those roles, in the cupboard I can always find...
CREAMY HONEY.
I'm not sure when I first realized it was there, but let me tell you something...I LOVE creamy honey! A warm roll with butter and creamy honey... I swear it is a little piece of heaven!
I have apparently voiced my love of this honey to Judy, because at the cheer competition last Saturday, where they came to watch Alyssa perform, what did she have for me??? CREAMY HONEY! It was like a whole lot of love in a little plastic container!
So this week, Alyssa and I have enjoyed some sandwiches.. peanut butter and creamy honey. Simply divine! Every time I eat some, or just see it in the cupboard, I smile.
I think of afternoons in Springville.
I think of no stress and lots of relaxing.
I really do think of Love!
It's funny how a little container of creamy honey can do that for me!
Attended another Cheer Competition Last weekend. The last one of the year! Alyssa's squad took another first place - she was so excited to go this time (apparently she enjoyed herself the first time!). She is also pretty happy about the trophy she gets to bring home!
This weekend, Dad, Grandma Bowman, Grandma Judy, and Papa John all came to watch her! She was so excited about the crowd! I do believe she enjoys a little attention! I wonder where she gets that from!
After the competition we went to eat at "the place with the good rolls" (Texas Roadhouse) and headed home! It was a very fun day and a great way to finish up her competition season!
Today she starts a new cheer class with new kids and ME as her full-time coach! Hopefully it goes well, we are all crossing our fingers!
Yesterday was stayed home ALL DAY!
Today something really sweet happened. Weeks ago, Alyssa told Shane she wanted to go to work with him on a day she didn't have anything. That is usually never, so it kind of got dropped. Yesterday, upon finding out we had another free day today, she excitedly ran into the bedroom and exclaimed she would be going to work with her Dad today! Haha... it was really cute!
