Gasparilla

I am basically not going to type much, let the pictures just tell the story...Our first year at the children's parade...A BIG thank you to Shannon and her MIL for letting us all park at her house. It was a blast...and how can you not get caught up in catching beads.











































































































The next pictures is not even half of what we ended up with in beads!!!
































So I am home, 6.25 lbs of beads spread throughout my house, on kitchen cabinet knobs, doorknobs, etc. It was great. Fireworks were NOTHING to brag about excite for the finale, but we had a blast and since George and Kevin went at 10:00 in the a.m., we were right up in front...Would I do it again??? As long as we have friends with parking...LOL!

Inauguration Day

Well today is the day we swear in a new President. I have to say that it is such a shame that there is such opinions from those that NEED to be heard. We are individuals with different opinions which should be respected. But to hear that opinions are so hot and strong are not healthy (in my opinion). Let me re-phrase that, when someone feels they need to be loud and heard, trying to force their opinion.

First of all, whether republican or democrat or any other, the New President holds no experience in being President. That is why the person is a "new" president. No matter what branch of government, armed forces or office job a person held, does not make him more qualified. ONLY a President that has served as President has the experience to be a President.

When 9-11 happened ( and I was in NY) President or I should say Former President Bush at noon, was blamed. The demented mastermind of the attacks did not just start planning the attacks in January when he took office and took 9 months to execute. Katrina's response, OMG, who could of planned that. Yes, things went wrong, but within 30 hours of the levies breaking, troops were on their way there. Even back when the Tsumani hit, Bush was blamed for his response to the situation. I am writing all this because no matter who is President, they take the blame and the brunt of bad publicy because society thinks "the President is God and should know better". My opinion, yes, there are plenty of things that should of, could of, not happened or been prevented. But one person does not really control the county. I am not saying I am a Bush fan. Yes, we need a change, but I hope that American's will be open-minded and see what new elect President Obama has in store for us. Instead of saying this country will be in trouble, nobody knows. Even an opinion is false until proven.

So in saying that, I wish President Obama (as of noon also) the best of luck and support from his staff and country. I personally look forward to having him and looking for changes to be made. They will not happen automatically, but who are we to say that they will not at all.

As an added note, did you know that Obama will be sworn in a few minutes before noon. Now if there was a delay, minutes even hours, he is automatically President at noon on the 20th. Also, if Obama is sworn in at 11:30, Bush is still President until noon. January 20th at 12:00 p.m. is the date and time...NO EXCEPTIONS! (even weekends). Hmm, found that out yesterday from good ole' Charlie Gibson!!!

Update and Change in Activities

A couple of posts before this one, I expressed Elizabeth's interest in going back to Choir and Karate. Being that we just completed one week of resuming activities from the holiday break, Elizabeth discussed with George and I and we are keeping her in her Sat. ballet, but taking her out of the Emsemble and she's back in choir and will start Karate. The amazing thing is, Jillian is one belt ahead of her, not saying there will not be room to play catchup....But she really misses choir and who can frown at the fact that she chooses to do something with the church...Schedules will be somewhat easier with Choir on Wed., 4:30 - 5:00 for Jillian and then 5:00 - 6:00 for Elizabeth. Thursday, Karate, 5:30-6:00 for Jillian and then 6:00 - 7:00 for Elizabeth. AND, no extra expense this year for her dancing at Universal :(, which is ok in my books!!!

Girl Scout Father/Daughter Dance

Last night was the Girl Scout's Father/Daughter dance, or to properly and be politically correct "The Masquerade Ball". What can I say, but George and Elizabeth made a darling and good-looking couple...




















George surprised Elizabeth with a wrist corsage, which she felt funny wearing. She kept thinking that her friends would think she was married...How cute, a strange thing to think, but nevertheless, very adorable.
















Now tell me, how beautiful...And of course, Jillian needed to pose before the "big date"






























I wish I was a fly on the wall. I was at Nativity early in the a.m. setting up with other troop leaders, etc. and could of went in the evening to help out, but #1, I had Jillian, and #2 and most importantly, this was Elizabeth and George's night. Elizabeth and George danced the night away.....






























There was facepainting and also a huge raffle. Elizabeth did not win anything from the raffle, but another girl's dad gave her a mask...So she did win!!

My Little Karate Girl

Jillian started back with Karate tonight. You might remember, back in September/October, Jillian had the horrible cough that seemed to never go away. We removed her (temporarily from Karate) because of the cough. Any physical activity would send her in a coughing fit. The the holiday's hit, busyness, etc. set in. But tonight, she went back. The joy was when she got there, a little girl remembered her, a friend from her class was there and joined last month, and another little boy, one year older than her, but in the classroom next to her's. She was so, so happy.

Her listening skills have improved so much, but she did fall behind in her Karate skills. That is ok and to be expected and she'll pick that up again. Proud of you, my Jilly.

Elizabeth has decided that she misses choir. She will finish this year with her two dance classes and if the schedule doesn't change, drop the Wed. class to go back to choir. Unfortunately, this is the performing class, but it is her decision. She had an option to switch this week, but she wants to continue with the Ballet Emsemble this year. The problem was the Emsemble time is the same time as Choir, where all her friends are. So is it because she misses singing or misses the time with her friends? I would say the latter of the two, which is fine...She's only 6. But she needed to make a decision.

Elizabeth will be dancing at City Walk in Universal the beginning of February and then the Strawberry Festival.

Saturday night is the Girl Scouts Father/Daughter Dance. The dance is held at Nativity, where some of us will be decorating. But I am excited for George and Elizabeth to be doing this. They actually have a date....But sshhh, don't tell anyone, George ordered a coursage (sp?).

End of Vacation!!

Officially, it is the end of vacation for me...I start work on Monday and Jillian goes back to preschool on Monday also. Lucky for Elizabeth to still have an extra day!!!

After the gym on New Year's Day, we tackled getting down all the Christmas decorations and packing them away. I am happy to report that all was done yesterday with the exception of one piece of pine garland in my family room which was removed this morning.

I am not sure if anyone noticed on TV, online, or the newspaper, but Brighthouse along with Time Warner stations were going to blackout at midnight on New Year's Nick., Noggin, MTV's, VHI's and other stations due to money, of course. While watching the Noggin Wed. afternoon, Elizabeth was concerned. I told her that we had Verizon now not Brighthouse and we had nothing to worry about yet. I said yet because a lot of times, things like this spill over to other companies. In any case, she was upset and kept asking me why, I told her $$$, and she said that this was not fair to all the children that were going to lose their TV stations. She went on and on at various points of the day....I thought it was cute and sweet how she showed her compassion for others and how unfair things can be and hurt others. Come Thursday when the contract was agreed upon, she was so happy...Isn't that sweet!! That's my Elizabeth, extremely in-tune with the world around her and caring of others...

So today I tried to return some workout pants I bought at Walmart but the return line was ridiculously long. I guess so many people still had off. I figured I'll either get up extra early or go on Tuesday when Elizabeth is back in school.

Elizabeth is at a sleepover by her girlfriends' house. We took Jillian to Applebee's for some one-on-one time with her and then played Wii. I taped her playing Wii...she's so cute how excited she gets and how she jumps around. I'll have to post it another time....

I had a very nice vacation! I am ready to go back to the day-t0-day routine, but will miss the girl's. We had a busy week, filled with playing, playdates and just lots of fun! But in reality, they are off again in 2 or 3 week's for MLK's BD...