Just Dance

Raising boys all my adult life, there are things I never expected to do as a parent.

Like not just shopping for, but researching the very best fake eyelashes.
Or recognizing good facials.  -And not the kind you get at a spa.
Or screaming like a little girl with each trophy Tina's dance team took home this weekend.

Our dancing Eagle celebrated her 15th birthday Saturday at an all day regional KDCO dance competition.

Oh, the weekend she had.

It began Thursday night with the youth group's annual trip to WinterJam.  This resulted in the kids not arriving home until after 1 am.  Friday morning's wake-up for school was a slow, sleepy one.  And Friday really never ended for Tina, as the entire dance team had a slumber party, complete with flashlight hide-and-go-seek.  

When I arrived Saturday morning to the high school, still yawning myself at 6:30 a.m., I found her already hard at work.  Full of bottled up excitement and nervous energy, she spilled some of it out at the mini birthday surprise I held in my hands for her - a mocha frappuccino.

Then she was off again, behind closed doors preparing for the big day, complete with applying those fake lashes to her sparkling eyes.

Dance has been so good for her.  It has broken the walls she'd put up for protection, from all she's dealt with in her young life.  Our family was grinning from ear to ear, watching her giddiness up in the rafters with her team.  She was a star in all three of their performances, beaming with eagle pride in each routine.

By the end of the day, our behinds had spent six hours warming bleachers.  And we even managed to dart away and cheer on our boy for another win in his undeafeated Upwards season.  In record time, the three of us literally ran back into the gym just as closing ceremonies began.  Thankful for the opportunity to catch some squeals on tape.

And yes, with no shame, I'll admit that is me with the glass shattering scream rooting on our girls.   Especially for one little eagle that brings such continued -and unexpected- joy to our lives.

We're very proud of the hard work and dedication she's given to this season.  I see the bone tired on her small frame as she comes home three nights a week from 8-10 hours of practice. With 1st place in every category, their devotion certainly paid off.

Now onto another first...preparing and planning for State!

Coke Tabs for Camp

Tina and I have been finding joy in an unlikely source - coke tabs.

On the search for a fundraiser that the kids might like, I came across bracelets made with the tabs from soda cans.  Of course only one child, the girl, got excited, but all it took was the mention of crafts and she was set to go!  In fact, she wanted to head out that night for supplies.

I managed to refrain her excitement for the weekend.  You would've thought we were knee deep in a candy store though when I took her down the ribbon aisle.  Squeals and jumps and a cart full later, we were ready to delve into our project.

In the process we've learned quite a bit about ourselves - and each other.

We're both visual learners. 

Both stubborn. 

Inpatient. 

And artistic.

I printed instructions that we both tossed out the window about five minutes in.  Tina set off to figure it out on her own, while I searched for a video that might show me better than tell me.  Within the first hour, she'd made three or four and I was still frustratingly on my first. 

Determined.  That we both are too.

Ten coke tabs and strand of ribbon was not going to get the best of me.  Tongue set in concentration, I tried again.  And again.  And finally....I mastered the technique!

Tina on the other hand couldn't sew buttons.  Or rather, she'd never been taught.  Yet, after only a few attempts she was a seamstress pro.

We both went to bed that first night feeling accomplished.



not too shabby for our first try!

Since then, it has been a fun way to spend time together.  Creating.  Teamwork.  Brainstorming. 
Tina already has a few sales under belt.  Which reminds me, that'sour next project to tackle!

My hope is that when she gets to camp this summer, paid with money she worked hard to earn, it will have even more meaning.  And we'll have the memories of nights spent making the bracelets to add to it.


Do you involve your kids in fundraising or earning money for big ticket items they want?






Monkey Fingers

My niece loves painting her nails.  To date, she has nearly 20 different colors, of which she combines in ways I could never imagine.  She'll change them several times a week.  At least every other time, she asks to do mine too.  She keeps me young!

Last night we did our nails in a new technique we found online (Pinterest, people!).  It's marbling and looks really neat.  What was the most fun though was the one on one time together.  Crazy that just doing our nails is so exciting for her.  It makes my heart smile.

Tim just laughed at us.  Noah thought the end result was neat but he didn't get it either.  Boys.  We giggled and stayed up way past bedtime.  That tickled her too.  She said, "Wow.  This is the latest I've seen you stay up."  See, told you she keeps me young!

She's made me vow not to share how we do it.  (Right now, she's the envy at her school!)  But, one of the steps is that you cover your finger with tape - everything except your nail.  By the time we were finished and I peeled off the tape, my fingers were wrinkled and numb.  Monkey fingers.  It made us laugh, thinking about playing in the tub when we were little. 

All in all, it was a wonderful night.  Unexpected fun.  And each time I look down at my nails, I'll be reminded of it.  See.....