Violin Graduation

On Thursday evening Ali graduated from the Twinkle Twinkle Little Star level and moved onto the next level. All the students graduating performed at their level on Thursday night at Cottonwood High School. They received a graduation certificate afterwards.

We walked in and started scoping out a place to sit. Once settled Ali asked me if I brought my camera. "WHAT"??? How could I forget my camera? Especially on such an exciting occasion. BUT I DID! I took a few pictures of her with my cell phone, whoopee!

Ali was so nervous that her jaw was chattering like she was experiencing hypothermia or something. We went back out in the hall to have her violin tuned, and we were able to talk with Kayleen for a few minutes (her teacher). Her level played last, when it was time for her to perform, we walked out into the hall again and once I knew she was in the right place went back inside.

She did fantastic. She was toward the back so we couldn't see her face but we could see her bow, up and down up and down. She stayed with all the other students and did great. WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU!!

Do you like Scentsy?

My sister Andrea sells Scentsy products.

Her husband has had his hours drastically reduced at work. I told her I would have a party to help her & her family out.

I know most people already have someone that they purchase product from, but just in case there is a bar or two you would like you are welcome to come. They have a new scent this month. Spruce & Citrus and a few new warmers that are really cute.

Tuesday, January 27th from 6:00 to 8:30 (open house)

The party will close on Saturday, this week so if you can't make it Tuesday but would still like something you can visit the website to order or call me.
(free shipping)

Click here to order: Stephanie's Scent Event

(On the left side of Andrea's website click on "my events" and it will take you

to my scent event)

Have a great week!

Don't Kick the Bucket! Save it...

Blogger Buddies in Blogger Land! I need your help as you are thinking of your spring projects and getting ready to master those painting jobs around your house.

I am on a quest for 5 gallon buckets. Please save them for me!! Most of you know I was just put in as Young Women's Camp Director (whoot whoot) in church. I need a 5 gallon bucket for everyone who will be attending...so save those buckets!! And I mean we need a lot of buckets.... (and lids if you happen to have a lid) (Thanks Rhonda).

If you know of anyone that might have a 5 gallon bucket they would like to donate....please send them my way.
Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Neighbors, Joe the Plumber or Joe the Painter......etc etc etc.

THANK YOU!!

Fabulous Phantom of the Opera

As one of my Christmas presents (yes, he spoiled me this year) Dave surprised me with Phantom of the Opera tickets at the Venetian in Las Vegas.
ONE OF MY VERY FAVORITES of ALL TIME!!

We were able to leave on the early flight Thursday morning and enjoy some warm weather and just spend a weekend away together. We haven't done that for a long time. We even took our kids with us on our 10th anniversary outing back in September.

I have wanted to see Phantom of the Opera in Vegas for almost 2 years now. Holy Cow! It was amazing and I highly recommend it. I have seen Phantom before but the effects and the theater at The Venetian are incredible. Dave even enjoyed himself. He even said he would go back and we could take Ali. She knows every song and loves it just as much as me. We sing together while cleaning house.....which is only where I would be caught singing since I don't sing all that great. I am glad his mom steered him in the direction of Phantom when he was thinking of Blue Man Group. It was perfect. We had so much fun!

It was a great weekend. We were ready to be out of Vegas when the time came. I think we paid a visit to every shop and walked the length of the strip on both sides. Saturday we just tried to kill time until our flight.

Now it is back to the grind (well I am trying to get back) and back to the smog, freezing cold and WORK! UG!!








One of the living statues at The Venetian....don't know how they can do this. There is no way I could be so still.







Do you remember Monchhichi's????
Wow! Yes, we found them at F.A.O Schwarz.
I haven't seen those since I was like 10 (or there abouts)

I didn't even know they could be found anymore.

While we were at F.A.O .... one of the employees walked by with a huge ladder and knocked a giant stuffed tiger off the very tipity top shelf. It landed by my foot. I can just imagine how that would have felt. Taken out by a stuffed animal. WHEW!

Mama's Boy!!!

Zach is such a mama's boy! I need to enjoy it now because it is already starting to change to some degree. He already won't kiss me in front of someone else. He doesn't want anyone to see!!! AND he is 5 for PETE's SAKE!

To give an example of this, which I have talked about before.....

I can not take him to his primary class at church, or to preschool, or anywhere else for that matter that I need to leave him for a period of time. Whether it be for 30 minutes or 5 minutes he throws a fit.

Dave was sick yesterday and wasn't able to attend church with us. He usually takes him to his primary class just because he will go just fine, well...usually will go just fine. I took him to primary (singing time), and he would not stay. Cling'd onto me and cried. I ended up taking him outside and telling him that if he didn't go without whining and trouble then he wouldn't be able to play the Wii. Thinking that would fix the problem. I took him back in and this time stood behind the chair I was putting him in so he couldn't grab me. Picked him up and into the chair and quickly walked out while he cried. I walked by the room a few minutes later just to check on the progress. His nice teacher was now sitting by him and cute Michelle B. was rubbing his back. I am so happy to have people that will step in and comfort him to make being the mom easier on me. He loved primary class and was really happy afterward. It is just the initial departure that is the pain for him (and me).

After church he asked me if he could play the Wii. I said well I don't know, you didn't do very well going to class today. He started to sob, "WELL MOM - I JUST DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE YOU!!!" as my heart melts a little. I said OK well give me a kiss - HA! Have to get those every chance I can now. I told him that he needed to try harder next week and not have a melt down when it was time for class.

So it was later in the evening and he asked again if he could play the Wii. I said do you think you should be able to play. Remember how you acted at church today.

In this little high voice a little bit whining and crying he says.....

OH, OKAY MOM, JUST GROUND ME. JUST GROUND ME MOM.

I of course had to scoop him up and give him some lovin! That is when we got to explain to dad what happened.

Dave and I just laughed together, we couldn't let him know how cute we thought is was.

And one good thing, Zach said he would try to be better when I take him somewhere. I am just glad that he is still MAMA's BOY!!!!!