Yes.....it is gone!

Today was a satisfying selling day.

I re-posted on Craigs List for the remaining unsold motorcycle

earlier today.

I listed it at $500 for the cycle, and then I said that we

also have loads of new helmets, O'Neal boots, full youth outfits, etc.

I received several pathetic offers like,

um, will you take $400 for all of it?

Awww....get outta here.

Then late afternoon I saw this one -

please call 321-xxx-xxxx

I was like, are you kidding??  no way am I calling.

Well, then I thought, dang it why not, what could it hurt?

I used our long distance phone w/ Vonage, it always comes through

as unlisted....usually people (even my own family do not pick up).

Well, this gentleman did.

I told him I was calling in reference to the KTM Cycle.

He was like, wonderful!

(so far so good)

I am on Grant, where are you located?

Oh, we are two streets away from you.

I would really like to see the bike, when can I stop over.

Now is fine.

See you in a second.

I told him about the sticking float needle.

He got right on it, man handling it around like he knew what 

he was doing.

Said he was getting ready to start teaching his four year old to ride,

would I throw in a set of gear? 

If so he would pay me the $500 cash now.

You bet I will.

I ended up selling him a few other extra accessories we had in 

a box in the garage for $20 more and we were both 

pretty stoked.

I gave him the owners manual and title. 

(Kev disclosed the fact that these items were all out in the garage all along!!

the other guy didn't get the owners manual or title...
had no idea we even had them.)

The End.  

Hasta Lavista Baby.

It's been Real.

Good Riddance.

Sianara.

Hola...coveted garage space!

Hello Dillards additional 40% off for card holders tomorrow only!!

(Just kidding honey)

No I'm not....j/k...I am.

not.

really.

Now if I could just get my hands on those blasted unused jet skis!!!

Please......!

Say the word.

Let me at em.....you won't regret it.

P.S. I also unloaded two large boxes of books for $40 and all of M's old dance outfits for $20....
productive day I tell ya!

Last of the Derbys......

Over the weekend we wrapped up our last family 

PineWood Derby.

We (Kev and the boys) have made 9 cars.

They have participated in 9 events -
(3 boys x 3 Derbys each, some over lapping of course)
over the past 7 years.

We have cheered them on at each one. 

We felt the thrill when they won a race,
and 

the bitter disappointment when they won no races.
Man, I will tell you, these events can be brutal...
there is a lot of pressure to get a win under your belt so
that your son does not feel like a complete failure,
and so you don't look like a total looser parent (father).
We have had a race (first year) where the wheels go skittering off after the first
race...thankfully that was never repeated.

None of our boys have ever "placed"....

although many of the boys good buddies have.

It is an exciting event....albeit a long one....
I don't want to sugar coat it for those of you that have this
event in your future, but it is truly
a memorable time in a young boys life.
Something that is very much looked forward to and anticipated.

I remember growing up always hearing about pinewood derbys.....

but we never went to one as a family that I recall.

I always thought they were cars the boys actually rode in.

I had no clue they were these little cars on small tracks.

(Seth, Lawson, and Aidan)
 The boys have always done their own designs and painting,

Lawson's is the bird.

Ryker gave him a helping hand this year.

I have to say this is probably my favorite car they have come up with.

I really think it has personality.

 Here are a few others from different boys.

 Some of the cars you can see the dads were the driving force

behind them....but not so much in the photos I took.

These all look boy directed....which is how it should be,

and great to see.

Here are the highlights.

From the building, to the celebrating the success of fellow cub scouts.

So long Derby Days.....

Growing up...UP....and AWAY.....

Today was a lot of fun, and a lot of work.

Shelly, Vanessa, and I had a combined garage sale at our place.

It was the perfect day for it.

We had crowds of people....a pretty steady flow.

I had posted it on Craigs list, but I think what really brought em in by

the car load was that John, Shelly's husband, placed several 

signs in strategic spots for us.

I sold a whopping $503 -

I know this sounds outrageously high and amazing, 

but only because I was able to sell a $700 motorcycle 

for $300.

But you know what....I will take it.

Thrilled with the outcome.  

Had a blast all day with with friends

laughing about how much people try and rip you off left and right.

Wishing we would have taken that dang rip off offer later

when we ended up actually selling it for even less,
or
 even worse, were left stuck still holding that blasted
piece of unwanted garbage at the end....what we wouldn't give to
get another shot at accepting that low ball offer.

Whatever....

I love garage sales. 

Love going to them, like having them.

Definitely a lot of work.

Mostly the clean up afterwords.
We had most of our kids in the house roaming around and
what looks to me as possibly "having the time of their lives".
Can't tell you the places I found Dipping sticks powder,
and fruity pebbles cereal.
It felt good to give our, not quite so jam packed house, a good once over.

I am ready to crawl in bed....but no, not yet.

Kev headed out of town for a few days this morning,

and Ethan is off at his first Stake Dance tonight.

It is so weird and crazy to believe.

He turned 14 on the 7th of this month.

When I reminded him about the dance he said there was no way he was going.

That I couldn't force him to go no matter what.

Oh, you know I love a good challenge.

It was not w/out some effort that he did end up going....

I bet he has a great time....can't wait to hear about it.

My mom has a knack for picking just the right, classy item for each of her

gift recipients.

This card, as well as the one HB sent to Eth have been used, and used often.

Can't believe the longevity of these things.

Come Sculpt Your Assets.....

Today I was encouraged to make a decision....

one I am super excited about and hope you will join me in.

I have been talking with a few friends for some time

about running, and the benefit of 

Cross training/Strength training  

along with that.

I have been teaching my Body Sculpt class at Our Club for several 

weeks now and am truly loving it.

A few friends are joining me there, but for the most

part the time, 8:30am, is not right.

The price is too high at $38 per month +

the commitment of locking in on a gym at the tune of $50 just to climb 

on board is un-wanted.

I have been trying to wrangle a Tuesday evening class to teach 

at the library each week, but that is still in the works.

Today Tina proclaimed her fitness dreams and wishes.

In a perfect fitness world she would :

Run - Mon. @ 5:30am

Body Sculpt - Tue. "

Run - Wed. "

FREE CHOICE - Thurs. 

Body Sculpt - Fri. "

FREE CHOICE - Sat/Sun

Well, that got us really talking.

Why can't we make that happen?

We don't need Our Clubs permission for me to teach my class

"Out of Doors"

We already meet each Wed. to run, we are getting ready 

to bump up our running schedule as 

several running buddies are preparing for longer upcoming races.

Sooooooo........

 (If there is enough interest)

Starting Tuesday, March 1st at 5:30 am,

@ Gleason Park

I will be teaching -

"Sculpt Your Assets"

every Tuesday and Friday - 1 hour class - 

The cost will be $25 per month - 

(every month has 8-9 classes, so that would be $2.75 - 3 per class)
-Single drop ins will be $5-

It is a wonderful opportunity for me.

A way to bring in a little extra money...

Plus, have an excuse to spend more time doing what I enjoy 

w/ friends I care about.

For YOU....it is a wonderful opportunity.... 

to feel the burn I will lead you to twice each week.

You will be happy to be walking away on shaky legs after every session.

Your arms will quiver with gratitude when we are through....

....and you will love the results you see!!

Your Core will thank you for the pain,

as you see improvement in your posture, running stance, 

energy, and performance with your daily living.
Plus....did I mention we will be running twice a week....?
join us!!!
You just got new training partners on every level.

Are you in???

Please let me know....drop me your email, and if this time will work for you.
I am wide open for your ideas, suggestions,
and fitness wishes.

Here are some Gleason park highlights....

We are going to master this pole...yikes!!

I have always wanted to....haven't you?

Notice the pull up bars...yep...we are doing them!

I am terrible at pull ups!!....we better make it a competition...with a prize or something.

Look at all of these toys we will get to play with.

I love all the benches....we will make good use of those bad boys.

All you would need to bring to each class is what you see here.

A towel, a bottle of water, and weights. 

(preferably two sets, 3-5lb / 8-10lb depending on where your fitness level is)

Everyone is welcome....

Please spread the word.....can we get at least 

6 interested parties out there to get this started??

Talk to me....

Whata Man....Whata Man... Whata mighty - mighty good man...

I wanted to post a follow up to yesterday.

After 18 years (this July) my man really got it this year.

He has done some wonderful things in the past,

and also had some off years,

as have I.

But man, he nailed it on every level yesterday.

He is raising the bar.

He is steppin up his game.

I really liked what I saw.

He came home with (like I already posted about and raved over)

the roses for this little lady.

Brought M a cute little plant,

and for the boys, well, all of us really,

a delectable tray of buttercream cupcakes.

BULLSEYE!

 I didn't want to gloss over his success and him think it went 

unnoticed and recorded where it counts....

on the blog of course.

Here's that guy with two of his babies.

At the library today one of my assignments was to do a little 

Oliva craft cutting....I enjoyed it....

I really like those  new style scissors, the ones where you just squeeze 

the handles together.....have you tried them?

This was my first go at them....totally a fan now.

Come see Oliva at the Library - Feb. 17, 3:30pm

It will probably be a mad house.....

everybody loves Olivia!

Happy Shmappy.....

I am not a lover of Valentines Day.

This was not always the case....

I remember growing up, my mom always made a big 

sha-bang out of every holiday.

I loved it.

What kid wouldn't?

I really only remember one extra special Valentines Day.

My dad was out of town which was not unusual,

my mom loved going the extra mile

when he was away.

It was like a free for all party time when a holiday  came around.

I might be exaggerating...but that is how I remember it.

This V-day it was evening time, dark out,

all of us kids were just milling around doing our thang.

Next thing you know, the door bell rings....

oh my!

who could that be??

We opened the door to a porch full of pink hearts and packages for all.

A mini Christmas in February.

I knew my package immediately.

A grown up pink jacket, with a matching pink purse.

Ohmygoodness.

I felt like the hottest most grown up girl in town.

I wore those two pink items out.

I may have been 12 or 13 years old.
HB - do you remember this V-day?
What did you get?

 I am all grown up now.

A realist.

I know now that V-day is just a ploy on us consumers

to spend money and feel forced into purchasing gaudy items
with hearts on them 

just to tell our loved ones we love them on this day.

Come on....we are not idiots.

I remember when Kev and I were first married, and

I was still falling for that crap of 

"feeling like I had a right to something extra special" 

on this day of all days.

We lived w/ K's parents at the time,

I was whining to his mom....

She shut me down in a big way fast.

She said, If he wanted to get you something he would,

it has nothing to do with the day.

oh.

I dropped the romanticizing right then and there.

 These days I am much more practical.

No expectations =

no disappointment.

I have to say that I am thankful for the public school system 

and their cute art projects.

I loved getting Lawson's Valentine for me.

Soooooo goooood.

 McCauley's little creation.

She did wonder why I didn't include a stuffed animal or a love note in 

her lunch bag today like her friends got.

I said I thought you got embarrassed when I put 

love notes in your lunch....

no mom...I love it...the boys hate it.

got it.

Walking out of school today made my head spin.

Loads of parents were there.

Kids were sporting helium balloons, toys,  and flowers.

Cupcakes, treats, pink, red, glitter....galore.

I hear everyone saying,

"Happy Valentines Day" left and right.

what in the heck....?

It is really such a national holiday?

I love my man.

He is my love every day.

I love my kids...

every day.

....but dang it all,I loved it growing up....why wouldn't they

be thrilled w/ extra fun...?

even on a "man--made" holiday.

Maybe I am just lazy sometimes...

no doubt there.

Well, I will have next year.....

McCauley is trying to inspire me again to write her love notes to 

put in her lunch....

she just wrote me a yellow sticky that says,

momyoowraemianjol....(with two hearts)

translation- mom, you are my angel.

Post script - I left, but just now remember last V-day....K had 
surprised me w/ a package.
It was delivered in the mail.
It was in a very pretty lavender round container.
I opened it up....it was a pajama gram.
It was a set of long sleeved, long pants, soft, puffy pink pajamas.
I remember being totally mystified.....
I blew it again in my reaction to a gift from my husband.
Something I am unfortunately famous for in our family.
oh....why do I do that?


oh...wait...I just got another crack at it!
Kev hasn't given up on me!!!

Who on Earth wouldn't love Valentines Day???!!!
Have you ever seen prettier roses?

The Human Factor:

Last night we watched INVICTUS

 for family movie night.
It was a very excellent show....there were a few swears but overall
it was family worthy.
I loved the team spirit.
The One Team, One Nation mentality that developed.

This is a political drama adapted from author John Carlin's bookThe Human Factor: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Changed the World. Set just after the fall of apartheid and during Mandela's first term in office, The Human Factor explores how the political prisoner-turned-president used the 1995 Rugby World Cup -- which was hosted by South Africa -- as a means of bringing blacks and whites together after decades of violence and mistrust.

I love to read, watch, and learn about
the amazing "Human Factor".
The show makes me want to pursue the book to learn more
about this amazing human.
The poem called Invictus that helped Nelson Mandela through his
27 years in prison is hard to grapple with, because I cannot
relate to the hardship, but I do relate to, and strongly
believe that I am the master of my fate, the captain of my soul.

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul. 

William Ernest Henley 
.............................
Another poem I have been reading a lot
lately, even before seeing the movie is called 

The Winds of Fate

....it is much less dramatic, but has the same powerful

message...

I can't read it with out getting just a little choked up.

One ship drives east and another drives west

With the selfsame winds that blow.

‘Tis the set of the sails

And not the gales

Which tell us the way to go.

Like the winds of the sea are the ways of fate,

As we voyage along through life:

‘Tis the set of the soul

That decides the goal

And not the calm or the strife.

By: James Dalton Morrison

I want to memorize it with the kids.

I think it is a good one to have in your back pocket for 

when you really need it.

When life is pressing down upon you.

When we have tough, or seemingly minor decisions to make each day.

Life is a wild ride.....lots of ups and downs.

Lots of surprises, good and not so good,
but they always end up working for our good.
.....sooooooo in the end they are all good.
hmmm.

What an adventure...
....glad I chose not to miss it.

Pat myself on my Magenta head.....

My experience at Our Club today made me feel so good.

I taught a very well received body sculpt class

this morning.

Before it began I was making my way around the room,

meeting any new comers that were there and 

talking w/ them about modifications they may want to make, etc.

One lady came up to me and asked it this was really 

a "Body Sculpting" class.

Absolutely.

Are you sure??? 

 because if I had wanted an aerobics class I would have gone to one.

 Yep, I am sure that you are in the right place my lady.
Another thing that made class fun today was that a work mate of
Kevin's participated.
He is an older gentleman...
he came straight up to me, Hey, I know Stick!
(Kev's call sign)
Kev had told me Ike was planning on coming at some point.
Very Cool.
I was doing something a little different today,
I had everyone make a really high step, one with about 7 risers under it.
They were all really nervous and not wanting to welcome
something different.
I said just relax, we will all be just fine.
I showed them how we would be using them -
first as a guide for hover squats,
then we would also be stepping up on them some,
anyone with knee concerns could just do them on the floor
or come up to the stage and use the edge,
but mostly, we were going to use them as a sweet seat to do
some heavy duty upper body work.
So.......felt great about class.
I had worked hard at compiling a
rigorous, but basic lower, upper body, and abdominal routine.
I have finally figured how to organise, write up, and keep my
workouts.  This is very good news, because up until now they have
been on loose papers, in little booklets, on scraps, taped to the back of
this page or that....etc.
Now I have a system so I can return easily to favorite classes
and pick and choose tid bits to add to new ones.
Sorry, I know I am rambling...I'm getting to it....
When class ended I had several
participants come cruising up to the stage to tell me
delicious things I very much wanted to hear.
Totally made my day.
The gal who was concerned that it wasn't really a body sculpt class
was the most passionate in her accolades.
She said that was the first "real" sculpting class she had been to in years!
She went on, but my favorite part was that she said she had finally
found her class, and that I better not go anywhere now that
she found me.
Judy said that this was her favorite class yet.
You were spot on with everything today.
It was very challenging, but also presented in a safe controlled manner!!!
etc.
I'll take it!!!
I used my Ragnar Music Mix today....just to get crazy.
Man that was fun.
........................
unkay....
then I came home, decided it was well beyond the time that I needed
to put some color on my hair.
Well, helllllllo magenta!
My bad.
My hair has been much lighter than it has been in the past,
and I have been loving it.
Surprise, surprise....the color deposits
much differently on lighter hair, i.e. blonde tones.

You probably cannot tell the brightness in this shot.

Take my word for it.

I am not loving it, and was very nervous

to go out in public.

but you know what,

you will never know it when you see me.

I am going to act like I meant to do it and that I love it.

I am going to hold my head high and just work it until it washes out.
(just wanted you to know the back story....and that I am totally faking it, 
and I have not lost my mind)

McCauley came home w/ wide eyes....

mom your hair is soooo beautiful.

Ethan said mom, that is so wrong.

It is just wrong.

That is what some young hippie would do to her hair.

I know son.

Hey, I never showed you...

I got a bike for Christmas!!!

I picked it out online....

it came a few weeks after we got home from Utah.

I LOVE my bike!!

I wanted my own bike so I can ride with the kids to school, 

and meet them to ride home.

I know, it doesn't seem like that big of a deal...

but I really enjoy it.

I used to just ride Ethan or Ryker's...

but they are using their bikes to get themselves to school.

This is one sweet ride!

It is periwinkle blue.

I thank my men for hooking me up.

Do you wanna go on a ride together??
pleeeeeeaaaasssssseeee!!
The kids are sick of me asking.

One of these things does not belong.....

The thing I think is crazy.....is that I am

always whining and complaining about how much I can't 

stand all of our stinky pets....

and then they go and do something like this.

Look at that little guy.

Click on the picture and make it big.

Look at his minuscule hanging fingers, the slim scrap of shredded

paper laying gently on his head.

....does he even notice the paper...?
It sure didn't seem so.

I would never have noticed this little guy if it weren't for our 

"un-sucking" vacuum.

It has been running ineffectual for days, 

if not weeks.

I finally couldn't go on, Ryker and I went to work disassembling 

it the other day...but there was one part that I could see was

very clogged, but that I could not figure out how to get at.

 Insert Kev into the equation.
(we were in the playroom so all the sick stuff coming out of the
vacuum would stay in a different dirty place....
and for the entertainment of the gerbils)

This has already been a long....albeit terrific day for our family.

We were in the throws of Ethan's Eagle project until almost one.

(more on that later)

So, K was not tickled that I needed his help 

A.S.A.P.

on the vacuum.
(especially after I just notified him that the fridge was leaking
yellow water out from under it and it was coming at a slow
steady pace.  more on that later)

But he pulled through for me....

literally

by pulling out loads and loads of debris...
including, but not limited to, 

many items that should NOT be found in a vacuum if you want it to 

suction properly.......

- money

- metal bullets

- yoda's head

and the grand finale....

(he asked me what my problem was when I took this picture)

- a Crayola fat tip marker.

"Ooooooooh kids.....come on in here...

we need to talk!"

Out on a shaky limb.......

This morning I met Shelly at the crack of dawn at Our Club.

I was originally slotted to sub for the ZUMBA

class today at 8:30,

but two days ago the teacher of the class

realized she in fact would be available to teach after all.

I was bummed because I have been planning 

and stressing over it for a solid week.

Going to every Zumba class available.

Watching numerous dance dvds from the library....

....Latin Dance

.....Belly Dance

......HipHop

......and so forth....

Trying to learn some moves....

and actually retain them in my mind.

When I look at my notes they make no sense to me...

- stomp, hip hit, drop levels, punch across, wide/together,

hitch a ride - thumb out.....knee slap across, raise the roof,

back breaker, snake arms, tut walk, creep- walk it up....

Gosh Dang it!

I know it made sense when I wrote it and 

went through it the first time.

I have also been picking and 

purchasing my music and burning it,

then re-picking, and burning two others.

My class was to be called "Dance Jam" because I am not yet Zumba certified.

When it was cancelled I will admit there was 

some relief attached to it as well.

But I still want to be ready for when the 

opportunity arrises...and it will. 

I am an insecure dancer...

so I really don't like the word dance even being in the name of my class.

I think it gives attendees the wrong impression....

like I might actually know how to dance.

I think I will ask Maria to call it 

"SWEAT FEST"

Now that I can do!

This morning when Shelly showed up she was expecting 

a body sculpt session.

Well, he he....SURPRISE my friend.

I really HAD to give my "sweat fest" a whirl.

We were both very nervous and apprehensive....

please don't judge me,

I don't know what I am doing,

don't hold back input please,

man this is embarrassing.

etc.

(two people doing joke dancing and trying to make it real 

is very uncomfortable)

We survived the first song.

It was pretty sketchy. 

We were practically hugging the back room mirrors so that if anyone 

looked in it would be trickier for them to see us right away.

After a few songs we started to loosen up a bit.

We were shakin those hips up front when the door flys open and in walks 

John the Yoga guy.

Aaaaaaaah gasp, all movement ceases, accusing looks....!!

ohmygosh, what are you doing in here??

(we knew full well what he was doing, he is the first class 

on Fridays and he was going to set up)

He was completely startled.   

He averted his eyes as we practically covered ourselves as 

he walked across the room.

He thankfully beat it out of there pretty quickly.

He said he didn't see anything....

he was looking up at the ceiling when he came in.

TWO RETARDS.
(no offense Shelly)

In summation - 

I really have no business subbing for a Zumba class at this time.

..............................

Moving on to a new subject....

totally unrelated.

I have meant to post these pictures since the first of Jan.

I don't want them to go to waste. 

(waste meaning - to not be seen and enjoyed)

So these are a few straggling fun photos from our trip in Dec.

Next time they will be lumped into ONE trip post.

These are our "Idaho" cousins.

Kev's brother David and his family.

We spend every New Years Eve with them.

We do go-carts, and all you can eat pizza, etc.

 The other thing that happens in Idaho every year is Ryker has

another birthday.

December 31....so we ring in the new year and 

celebrate his birth with these guys.

 Lastly, an additional random group of photos w/ my
Sister Amy and her kids at Kevin's parents home.

Good times.

Heidi.....a Tribute....

This week we lost another animal friend.

She is in a better place.

One that she can explore with out boundaries....

or limitations.

She is Free to roam and follow her dreams.

Heidi.

She was an adventure from the beginning.

She had a lively personality and was a keen example of persistance.

Of beating the odds....

until two days ago.

The kids had cleaned out her cage and then left it in the play room.

I noticed it out there, instead of in the office where her cage is usually....

who knows why, and I thought

fantastic, now we are thinking,

and left it at that.

Well, knowing Heidi, maybe we should have known better,

of course she got out of her cage.

She was lost for two days,
which nobody noticed but me.
 Yesterday I finally had

Ryker do a thorough sweep of the play room to see if she was

anywhere to be found.

He found her, she had gotten herself stuck 

under the dress up trunk.

 The funny thing about these pictures is that many of them 

were taken just days ago.

The upper left is Heidi w/ her stuffed jowls....

she did that every time we fed her.

Below that is Heidi recently surprising me in our bathroom 

sometime after midnight.

What a surpriser she was.

It got to the point as you may have guessed that I just stopped 

writing about any more of them.

It was no longer surprising to be surprised on a 

weekly basis.

It was just life.

I finally got to the point when I would just catch Heidi myself.

I would just go get a pair of fat sox to put on,

or maybe grab the oven mits to feel safe,

and back she would go in her cage to start the process over again.

If you look below, the other day I was capturing some

photos on my Mac and what do you know....

I notice in the back ground that there 

was Heidi, out taking a look see.

Am I going to miss her?

no.

Does that make me a heartless monster?

I can live with that.

But really, I think if I were a true animal murderer....

I would be able to stop reminding the kids to feed and 

water them....don't you think??

I continually say I am going to stop....

one day I am going to do it.

SERIOUS.

Perfect Practice Makes Perfect.....

Tonight was very rewarding and exciting.

The kids and I were all pretty nervous with anticipation, 

a desire for them to all do their best under pressure.

Several months ago their piano teacher had encouraged 

the boys to sign up for Federation -

This is an opportunity to compete with yourself and attempt

to play two qualifying piano pieces to your very best ability.

I love that you are not competing against someone else....

just striving to reach your personal best.

Each participant plays their selections in the room alone w/ the judges.

(we can see and hear through the door)

They are rated on:

Memory

Accuracy

Rhythm

Technique

Musicianship

The event is really on Saturday.....however, I made a huge mess up 

with overbooking this weekend...

Ethan also has his Eagle project this Saturday.

....he kind of needs to be present.

We were lucky to be able to have a make-up appointment.

McCauley just started piano this year so she was not 

quite ready for Federation.

The boys made me very proud.

It was so much fun to watch and be excited each time

they came out of the room with their score paper 

including the judges comments and ratings.

It was like on American Idol....

they try to act tough...like they got low scores...

when really THEY'RE GOING TO HOLLY WOOD!!!

3 X Superior!

Whoohoo!

 Look at these cool cats.

They say they are never doing that again....

but guess what...

as their mother I know differently.

I know they felt very good 

working hard for something and getting the reward they deserved.

It feels good to put effort into something.

To have a goal to strive towards....

Besides, when we showed up tonight there 

was another young man (around 15 years old I think)

also there to perform.

This was his 9th time!!!

He said he was shooting for another gold cup.

a what?

Yeah, after every 3rd Superior you earn, you are in the running for a 

GOLD CUP.

.....they are hooked.

I know them well.