Days with the Dorans

So this was Al's first Showcase as a "Classy Dancer"and she danced WONDERFULLY!  It took me a while to find her in her jazz class (which was good and means I did a good job with hair and make-up). In tap I spotted her right away! She was up front and did GREAT! The reason I'm so happy she performed so well is because it wasn't such a smooth start to the night.  Jeff helped move the props and dance floor and for some dumb reason, I thought he had time to make it home and then we could all drive together... no such luck! Poor Ali (always on time and such a worry wart) was late! Not by much (5 minutes) but being on time is late for her.  She was a mess and I felt horrible because clearly (it was MY fault).  Thankfully it went well anyway! I think she got a free pass based on her history (which is what I told her and prayed would be true).  My folks and the boys also came up for the show (though Papa and the brothers left after her first number). Jeff was hap...

Well the Dance Season is starting up here soon and I'm learning what it's like to be a dance mom.  I've watched videos on how to do the hair and make-up (the expectations are different at this level than they were at her last level) and had to BUY a lot of makeup since I don't wear all that much myself. I also participated in stoning day! My friends got a kick out of me talking about how I'd be "stoning."  Basically what it is, is all the girls who are on the team have to have a family member stone for them.  It was mostly moms (of course) and what we had to do was stone costumes one by one until they were all done.  I stoned costumes from 9-5 and only took about 10 minutes for lunch and didn't go to the bathroom all day (it's the teacher in me)!!  Basically we were assigned a costume and we stoned until we were done.  I actually got to work on Ali's tap group's costume and then I did one other costume that I worked on with anothe...

What can I say about my Joey?  He's LOVING middle school which has been awesome!  He's been involved in the musical, cross-country and he is loving music!  He's made lots of new friends and he's done really well with the trumpet and piano and has also picked his guitar back up.  I recently went by his room to hear some old "Greenday" and realized it was Joe which was pretty cool.  He also has become quite the little artist.  He always has been, but has really been honing his craft.  He's been drawing a lot of the Mario characters and has gotten really good (I need to take some pictures)! Joe's grades have been really good too ( except for math ).  We knew math was a struggle for Joe and he had problems keeping everything straight in his head.  After talking to his counselor (who we really like) and a teacher that was working with him, we decided to revisit the meds thing. After a month on meds, Joe went from failing tests to gett...

Each year in our stockings, my dad gives us basketball tickets to a U of M game.  Although we aren't alums (like him) we do enjoy going to the games!  I couldn't go to U of M (mom is a buckeye).  I'm happy to pull for my folks' teams though (so long as they aren't playing each other). It's so nice to get away with just the two of us and it was a nice crisp day for a walk.  The guys played well and we got to see our favorite usher cheering on the boys.  Shannon was there too with her mom and we always laugh at this guy because he is SO into the games.  Definition of school spirit for sure!! They won the game and afterward Jeff and I were in search of a place to eat.  We walked around downtown for a bit and took in the sights before settling on a place (as I mentioned it hasn't been a super cold winter at all).  We ended up going to Conner O'Neill's where I had a yummy Reuben (can't recall what my Irish-y husband got) and we both has...

 I am SO late in updating this blog!  I'll probably back-date these, but as I type it's actually LATE February! :-/  We've been so busy and the last thing I've wanted to do is turn on a computer when I get home but I do love documenting our adventures so must get back into the swing of things. On New Year's Day, Jeff and I headed out for a long walk with Marty. There was a dusting of snow but it was finally cold.  I have to admit, I've been disappointed in the warmer temps. Winter is SUPPOSED to be cold.  This past weekend (Feb. 20), temps were pushing 60s and people were in flops and shorts! The coolest part of this walk was we left the kiddos at home for a good hour and the house didn't burn down and everyone was still alive.  Our lives are about to get much more free. Love me some Bigs! (aka built-in sitters).