If Not By Sea then By Run-June '14 Cruise/Oct '14 ToT 10 Miler/Feb '15 PHM PTR

[Ariel484]

Adorable pictures of your girls! LOVE that one of all of the dancers backstage, it's a great one!

You sound super, super busy. Great job getting some runs in!!!

 

[STLMickeyMom]

oh my gosh!! I totally laughed out loud at Charlie throwing her tooth away! so cute! and what a good sister to get it out of the garbage for her! we are having tooth adventures here too. our oldest had two pulled in January after running into a rolling cart at school and knocking them lose. those two still haven't come in. she lost another one about 3 weeks ago and now has two more that will fall out any day. we are seriously going to have to puree her meals soon!

the girls look totally adorable at dance! and that's a lot of dedication! she must really love it! that's awesome that she's found something she loves so much. but, of course, a princess has to get those graceful moves down! and how adorable would it have been to see Charlie dancing backwards? too cute!

i'm sorry you're so crazy busy, but just think of the reward coming--cruise time! I just saw that they released the rest of the dates for 2015, so i'm heading over to check out dates for ours! you're getting so close! i'm so excited for you all!

 

[Tinker326]

Oh don't both of your girls look lovely. I'm very impressed with Miss Becca. Yep, I tried to get Victoria into the whole dance routine, but with her back issues, it just didn't happen. She tried, bless her heart, but she just couldn't keep up with the others in her age group. Oh no, poor Charlie dancing back to the audience. It must have been so stinking cute, though. The little ones are always fun to watch!

Yay for the tooth fairy! I'm surprised her big sisters didn't tell her what to expect and what to do, but good for the lizard loving Sarah to get right in the rubbish to fish it out! I so like that kid!

So, you are just a little busy lately, huh? And a cruise coming up? I am very happy I am not you right now, but you are extremly creative and full of energy so I'm sure you will handle this all fine! Oh, hasn't Karen convinced you to come to Playlist Live 2015 yet?? What's another trip, right? Becca would love us!!!

Thank you! I am impressed with my girl too! She really does blow me away. She loves to dance and she has the right body/feet for it. I don't know how many times her teachers have told her "you have feet professional dancers dream of". I have NO idea what that means.. but obviously something since two seperate instructors (both that were part of prof companies) told her. This has fueled her dream of being on stage- of course.. this girl dreams big & has grand plans for her 'famous' life. It's lot of fun trying to encourage that dream while setting reality in it. She's trying out for Nutcracker in August and she's CONVINCED she will get Clara. I know she's not quite ready for that role.. but alas- she dreams. And who knows.. she may conquer..... and if not, it's a good lesson to keep at it & try again!

Yes, Charlie and her tooth.... her big sisters did tell her what to do. She still freaked out and threw it away. I always wonder what goes through her head when we introduce stuff like tooth fairy and Santa. I wonder if she thinks "you know what, I spent 4 years in h#ll in an orphanage... the tooth fairy and santa are a crock o' $hit.... " Does she process that in her brain? Like.. what are these things and why were they not around to make my life better beforehand? I dunno...

I honestly don't think Becca knows who Playlist Live are. I guess I should ask her...but she's *pretty* naive for an almost 12 year old. Like still spends hours playing petshop toys...... Plus, while I would love to join the fun, I'm already stressing getting away once in Feb (it's my busy season) without getting fired! I generally work 7 days a week for most of Dec/Jan & Feb.....

 

[Tinker326]

Adorable pictures of your girls! LOVE that one of all of the dancers backstage, it's a great one!

You sound super, super busy. Great job getting some runs in!!!

Thank you!!!

And I am trying! I managed 3.1 today.... I just wish I could find time to do more than 3- which seems to be my sticking point. 3 is my 'lunch time' limit and there's just no time after work for anything else.

I'm thinking even ramping up again in June (after the cruise) I'll be fine by October's ToT.

 

[Tinker326]

oh my gosh!! I totally laughed out loud at Charlie throwing her tooth away! so cute! and what a good sister to get it out of the garbage for her! we are having tooth adventures here too. our oldest had two pulled in January after running into a rolling cart at school and knocking them lose. those two still haven't come in. she lost another one about 3 weeks ago and now has two more that will fall out any day. we are seriously going to have to puree her meals soon!

the girls look totally adorable at dance! and that's a lot of dedication! she must really love it! that's awesome that she's found something she loves so much. but, of course, a princess has to get those graceful moves down! and how adorable would it have been to see Charlie dancing backwards? too cute!

i'm sorry you're so crazy busy, but just think of the reward coming--cruise time! I just saw that they released the rest of the dates for 2015, so i'm heading over to check out dates for ours! you're getting so close! i'm so excited for you all!

Arn't they so f unny when they have no teeth. I absolutely LOVE that stage with my girls. The two front ones are always my favorite! I was cracking up watching Charlie just trying to eat a muffin with her bottom ones out...

Charlie was freakin' hilarous on stage. When she first walked out- we saw her stop and ask the teacher something. Her teacher later told me she asked "is that the audience?". Then she just turned around and faced the wrong way. Then for awhile she just stood there... and stood there... and when they left the stage... she was still standing there...... I laughed so hard... they are so stinkin' cute!

Yhea- good luck finding a cruise!!! I saw they released later 2015. Sadly I think this will be our last DisneY Cruise. I just can not justify the cost anymore for a boat when I can do Carnvial for 1/3 of the cost. Esp. with my kids getting older.. but oh, there's so much magic when the kids are your girls age! I hope you do book & get to enjoy that!!!!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Yay for 2 weeks until the cruise! I know you can't wait.

At least ToT training doesn't really take until July right so the low mileage isn't too big of a deal. Sounds like you have enough to keep yourself busy for the rest of the month!

Too funny about her throwing away her tooth, glad it was found

 

[Tinker326]

Yay for 2 weeks until the cruise! I know you can't wait.

At least ToT training doesn't really take until July right so the low mileage isn't too big of a deal. Sounds like you have enough to keep yourself busy for the rest of the month!

Too funny about her throwing away her tooth, glad it was found

So excited about the cruise!

I am also worried that when the mileage does start to increase, so will the weather temps. I think I mention I tend to overheat easy?! I will start to have to run with two water bottles. One to drink & one to pour over my head every mile.

 

[EcbLovesMickey]

So excited about the cruise! I am also worried that when the mileage does start to increase, so will the weather temps. I think I mention I tend to overheat easy?! I will start to have to run with two water bottles. One to drink & one to pour over my head every mile.

Have you tried those cool down towels? I run with one in the summer. It really does help. That and a good visor to keep the sun off your face

 

[Tinker326]

Have you tried those cool down towels? I run with one in the summer. It really does help. That and a good visor to keep the sun off your face

I feel like this is one of those 'duh' moments where I slap myself on the head and say "why didn't I think of that?"

DUH.

That's an excellent idea & I think that's exactly what I will do!!! Thanks for suggesting it!!!

 

[EcbLovesMickey]

I feel like this is one of those 'duh' moments where I slap myself on the head and say "why didn't I think of that?" DUH. That's an excellent idea & I think that's exactly what I will do!!! Thanks for suggesting it!!!

Just make sure you stay hydrated and stop if you have to. Last year I did the CC5K and it was so incredibly hot I just walked it. Still finished, still got a medal but I had energy to play on the beach all day afterward. I think if I had listened to my body I wouldn't be in the situation in in now with my foot.

 

[TigerTown]

I just found your PTR and wanted to stop in and say hi Looking forward to catching up and following along!

 

[Tinker326]

I just found your PTR and wanted to stop in and say hi Looking forward to catching up and following along!

Hi!!! Thanks for joining!

I see you have an impressive resume below. I will have to catch up on it all. My SIL is running Dopey in 2015 too! You are brave souls!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

The party looked wicked fun!!! I cannot wait to hear more about it!!! I read your last update and commented in my head, btw. Since you are my tweedle, I shouldn't have to tell you what I said, I figured you could just read my mind. Tweedles do that, right?

 

[mae5731]

I should be packing, but catching up on the DIS it is.... Seriously, I have the stuff set out, don't know WHY I'm turning it into this big ole chore to get it in the bags!!!! And totally laughed out loud at the tooth getting thrown away. She probably thought this nasty thing is trash!!!!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Did you end up finishing all your FEs?

My cruise is about 3 months away & I haven't even started figuring out what I'm going to do with my FE group.

Enjoy the cruise!

 

[Tinker326]

The party looked wicked fun!!! I cannot wait to hear more about it!!! I read your last update and commented in my head, btw. Since you are my tweedle, I shouldn't have to tell you what I said, I figured you could just read my mind. Tweedles do that, right?

I know your Tweedle mind said... "I'm so incredibly blessed to have such an amazingly, wonderful, downright awesome Tweedle as my PHM roomie"...and then you added "It's too bad she can't run as well as she can throw a party"

Party update coming up..........

I should be packing, but catching up on the DIS it is.... Seriously, I have the stuff set out, don't know WHY I'm turning it into this big ole chore to get it in the bags!!!! And totally laughed out loud at the tooth getting thrown away. She probably thought this nasty thing is trash!!!!

What is packing? I still don't have clothes for myself. Seriously, I'm forcing myself to write these updated instead of sleep...........

My only consolidation for the absolute nuthouse my life is right now is that in one week I will be on the sea...........

Did you end up finishing all your FEs?

My cruise is about 3 months away & I haven't even started figuring out what I'm going to do with my FE group.

Enjoy the cruise!

I just finished them today. As in, 6 days before the cruise.

What can I say- I work best under pressure!!!!

 

[Tinker326]

People, I'm in full out panic mode. My cruise leaves in SIX DAYS. I have about 900 hours of tasks still in front of me & there is only me to do it.....

Full. Out. Panic.

The good news is I got last week behind me which was also crazy. One crazy down, one to go.. and in one week- I'll be on the sea. Probably getting Sea Lice which is apparently going around right now...... and.... possibly (because it's my fear) getting eaten by a shark.

Anyways. Update time.

My Divergent Party Update will be in the next post because it will likely require all 25 allotted picture slots.

Fitness. Um....

Monday- 3.25 Mile Run
Tuesday- 2.10 Mile Run, 2 mile Bike.
Wed-Sun- ZERO.

Grand total... a very pathetic 5.35 miles of running & 2 Miles of Biking

I got horribly sick on Wednesday. Like I could barely stand head cold. I'm just today starting to feel better. I had massive amounts of work and other stuff going on while sick as well- and that didn't help. I know, cue the 'whine' music. Hey, cue it with real wine please. Actually... not a bad idea.. since tomorrow is a Holiday.

Hold on a sec......

Dang no wine in the house- all I could find was a year old wine cooler. I'm totally drinking it right now.

Ok. Where was I. Oh, right.. my life. I was boring you with it.

Monday night my daughter had her 6th grade dinner- she moves to Jr. High next year. Sniff. Sniff....



So many of these girls are like daughters to me... they have spent countless hours & days at my house, I lead their Scout troop, they are my daughters BFF's... I have known them all since Kindy. I can't believe it's time to move out of Elementary school. I'm handling it much worse than my daughter & I have found myself crying for no reason over it frequently. I'm not ready to let it go............

Then Tuesday my Cadette Scout hosted a Field Day event for the Brownie Scouts (of which my other daughter is in).. they did a great job hosting it & the best events were the CheetoToss......





And the Seven Dwarves Beard Relay with Whip Cream



Wednesday & Thursday I was busy preparing for the 'BIG EVENT' of the week- Rebecca's Divergent Party (next post).

Friday was the party & the sleepover and NO SLEEP (remember I was sick too- ugg LONG day!)

Saturday was Rebecca's actual birthday and I surprised her with tickets to see Cats. I have super fond memories of Cats from my childhood. And Rebecca is a dancer so I hoped she would love it.........



We had second row seats & the show was AMAZING. I've seen it 4 times in my life including in London & this was the best one ever. I cried. It was so awesome. (Seems like I've been crying a lot lately)..... and she did love it!!

Then today- ALL DAY- I have been working on Fish Extender Gifts and Door Magnets.......

For the 5-10 year old boys, I was totally stuck and finally just found these Star Wars Boards in the dollar bin at Target. I personalized them with their names & called it a day.....



The 11-18 year old boys I bought movie candy for the on-ship movie theater & put a clever little saying on it- I didn't take a picture.

For the 11-18 year old girls I did these...



Not gonna lie- I want one!

Then there is a special group on board of all ladies. We have a 'secret' group and we have been talking for about 9 months. About 30 of us. I'm so incredibly excited to meet them & we have our own 'secret name & symbols & everything'. It sounds so... well.. Juvenile. But it's so awesome. Well, we have our own Ladies Night Out & are doing our own FE amoung ourselves.. So I made these key chains for them (Maddie, Linda & Laura ADVERT EYES!)



Holy blurriness... I promise the thing has meaning even if it looks stupid!

I went ahead and made a few for my bridging Brownies this week as well...



That would the green one with the Girl Scout.........

I also made Pirate Loot bags for the kids in my FE group and finally- my magnets for our doors-



Now. I leave Friday directly after work/school. Which means I have approx. 4 days to get ready. Tomorrow I head downtown with my daughter's Brownie troop to see Blue Man Group with our Cookie Money. Tuesday Sarah has a doctor appt..but it's my one night in there where I can hopefully do some laundry, grab some supplies and all that... and MAYBE start packing. Wednesday I have my last Cadette meeting at my house. A BBQ. I also have to make food & a cake for the next night..which is Thursday's Brownie Bridging to Junior Girl Scouts.

Ahhh.... when am I gonna get it done? Ok. Panic attack over. It will get done.

Now. Moving on.. to... the Divergent Birthday Party...........

 

[Tinker326]

So Rebecca loves the Divergent books & I love a good party...

She requested a Divergent sleepover & after doing a few quick google searches I quickly realized not only would this be a great party- it would be fun to plan as well. So I agreed.

First up was the invitations. The choosing ceremony- of course...



All factions were represented in the house & the party was experiencing each one....

Rebecca by the entrance to our house... where all the girls will enter.



Some girls had not seen the movie or read the books so I printed out descriptions of each faction as well-



Since this was a 12 year old party and not a goth party. There would be no blood letting over at the choosing ceremony. Instead each girl had their name written on a slip of paper they would drop in the faction bowl.

So once they entered, they gathered around the table- the table with the five factions:



The water represents Erudite, the gray stones- Abnegation, the flame- Dauntless, the glass- Candor & the apples- Amity.

Each girl was given the 'simulation serum' to be lead through their faction test:



That is kool-aide people.





Then they took a test (written) and were told which faction they were best suited for. But, just like the book, they had the choice to choose otherwise. We had all five factions represented AND a few Divergents.

Rebecca's test said Dauntless, she chose Erudite. Personally I think she is best suited for Amity... but I think she chose Erudite because that's what my test said I was....



This one is VERY excited to be Dauntless...



After we were put in our factions, it was time for dinner. A menu that consisted of food from all factions... of course-

Amity Fruit



Candor Ice-Cream



Erudite Soda



Abnegation Cheese & Crackers



Dauntless Hamburgers



And, of course, the famous Dauntless Chocolate Cake



After we all ate, the girls headed out to make bleach t-shirts. They made the three birds on Tris's tattoo. I spent a lot of time cutting all those templates out of contact papers! But the result was great!!



Then on to Dauntless tasks.

First up- retrieving items out of a tank filled with live bugs (crickets & worms)



Then the 'egg' challenge... 12 hard boiled eggs...... like this one...



And two raw eggs. Guess who got a raw one? Happy Birthday! Hahahaha!!



Then they did a food challenge. Where they ate baby vomit (baby food spinach) and cat food (spam). OMG- the spam smelled JUST like cat food- so I never told them it was anything else.

Lastly we had the dog biscuit relay where they had to put dog treats in their mouth and run...



Next faction as Amity- where they planted flowers in a little pot to take home.

No pictures- it was getting dark...

Then they made keychains with their faction symbol (much like the ones in my cruise update above).

Then Abnegation Faction where they had to paint someone else's nails.

The Candor Station was the game 'Three truths and a lie" They also gave each other nicknames at this point (like Tris and Four) that they called each other the rest of the night.

Erudite Station was games- Operation & Cranium. They played for a about 1.5 hours...



I opened Tori's tattoo parlor and gave Tris tattoos. They were hugely popular.



And then the girls ran wild & crazy till FIVE AM. I thought I had them down around 2. Lights out, movie on.. quiet. Went to bed & woken up at 3:45 by loud laughs and giggles. All of them up. Told them to go to bed. Woke at 4:30 to more noise. And when daylight hit- finally quiet. Too bad they were up and out of my house by 9.

Overall, a great Divergent Party! My girl & all her friends LOVED it. And I had fun doing it........

 

[lauralynn0612]

I LOVE the Divergent party idea! How awesome!

I did avert my eyes for the special gift (I can handle this surprise as it's not too much longer before I find out)! However, I can tell you my brothers will be thrilled with the movie theater candy. One just said yesterday that he would need money on board to buy candy for the Captain America movie if it's still on.

So looking forward to Saturday!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

The party looked perfect! I had no doubt in you my tweedlepartyplanningprincess! I cannot believe you have only 5 days to go!!!!!!! I also cannot believe how much cr@p you have going on this week! Hang in there and before you know it you will be basking at sea. Can you bask at sea?

I'm going to miss you, they don't have FB on cruises, do they?