Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Happy Birthday, Cassie


Today is Cassie's 15th birthday.  This is the year that she started high school.  It will also be the year that she celebrates her confirmation.  But, it will mainly be remembered as the year of ballet.  She joined the Manassas Youth Ballet; danced in her first Nutcracker; competed in the Youth America Grand Prix; performed in the wedding scene from La Bayadere; and will soon be part of the Manassas Ballet Theatre's "Cinderella."  I will remember this year as the year I gave her the freedom to follow her dream.  Oh, I will also remember it as the year I spent driving, watching classes, and helping in the dressing room.  We are really proud of Cassie and her hard work.  I selected photos that highlight Cassie's year.

My beautiful daughter!


The shopper!
Dancing Outdoors


Visiting the Capezio store in NYC
Mending costumes with a little help!

The Manassas Christmas Parade
Rocking that wig!

Backstage break
Christmas Spirit
Arriving at Youth America Grand Prix in Philadelphia

Warming Up
YAGP 2016

Cassie with her coach, Miss Kaitlin

Sisters

Party Girl

Saturday, May 7, 2016

Being a Mom

Yesterday I went to feed the cats and discovered that we were out of cat food.  How could that be?  I was sure that we had plenty.  Lacey later admitted that she had taken all the cat food to school to donate to he animal shelter.  I had told her that she could take a couple cans, not half a case.  Although I wanted to get mad, the image of her struggling to carry all that cat food in her backpack had to make me laugh.  There are so many things about being a mom that make me laugh.  I'm going to share just a few of our recent experiences.

A few weeks ago I had volunteered to help with something at church.  I was really tired and mentioned that I was only going because I had promised.
"Just call church and tell them I have lice," said Lacey.

"Why would I do that?"  I asked.

"Well, it would be kind of hard for them not to believe that!" she said.

A couple weeks ago during dinner Cassie mentioned how fun it would be to study ballet in London.

"Good luck learning to speak British!" Lacey exclaimed.

"Hey, Lacey," asked Cassie.  "When you're in Wikipedia, what do you want them to list as your nickname?"

"Why would I be in Wikipedia?" asked Lacey.  "Oh, never mind.  I'll be in there by association because you're going to be famous!"

I recently bought Lacey one of the American Girl books that's designed to help girls understand their bodies.  After glancing through the book she said, "I already know most of this stuff.  We had to watch a video at school about girls growing their bodies."

Last month we had dinner guests.  One of them spilled a glass of soda in the family room.  Not wanting him to be embarrassed Lacey said, "Oh, don't worry about it.  I'm sure a cat has probably peed in here."

Last  weekend Lacey discovered why we told her not to play with insulation.

Cassie has always wanted to live close enough to school to be able to walk home.  A few weeks ago, she missed the bus and got her chance.  She later said, "Walking home is romanticized.  It's really not that fun."

While reading a book about dogs Lacey asked, "Other than reptiles, is there any kind of pet that Cassie's not allergic to?"

Recently during dinner Cassie said, "Lacey wants to know if Trump is going to deport her."

While contemplating what to get me for Mother's Day Lacey asked, "Is there anything you want that's not physical?"

"What??!!" I asked.

"Everything you ask for is physical," Lacey said.  "You know, you want a clean house, and yard work done.  Is there anything you want that doesn't take work?"