A Break From Dancing...

After the girls danced in their first competition, they were released for the rest of the day.  I think we were released around 4 pm. My friend Lori and her daughter Ella were staying at a beautiful resort, on the beach, about 20 minutes from our hotel, called the Cavalier . She invited us to join them at the resort's poolside BBQ. I was excited for my kids because they said they would NOT leave Virginia Beach without seeing the beach. Even though we live in Virginia, my kids have never been to Virginia Beach before (minus Ty, but he was like 2 months old when we took him.).  

Virginia Beach Nationals!

... Continued... (I'm only two months behind in the blogging world, SIGH). After Tyson's Nationals in Myrtle Beach, we loaded up our vehicles.  Darren and the dogs returned to Roanoke. The kids and I went to Virginia Beach for Lilah's Nationals.  Lilah is SOOOOO not used to use being a divided family that departing from her daddy was so hard. She cried herself into a nap.

Dance Gifts!

Another dance competition means another "Bully Buddy" dance gift.  I was very prepared this time because I was on the HUNT for this competition at the same time I was on the hunt for last competition. In the Summer, before each dancer is given a Bull Buddy, the dancers are ask to fill out a questionnaire about their LOVES and FAVS.  Lilah's Bull Buddy, Elizabeth, wrote that she LOVES HedgeHogs.  So I had my eyes pealed for HedgeHog items.  Above: I found the cutest hedgehog mug at Five Below, only $5.00.  She may not be a coffee drinker, but it will be perfect for hot cocoa.  

Dance Machine PRO Competition - 2019

Lilah had two competitions back to back, within two weekends.  This time, the competition was local and was through  Dance Machine PRO. The competition was held at the Civic Center.  We had an early call time, 9:49 a.m.  Her first dance was at 10:49 a.m. "Call time" means that she has to be at the Berglund Center and READY to go, by that time, just incase they are running early.  We arrived promptly.  

"GOOD LUCK" Dance Gift!

I was racking my brains trying to design a great dance gift and nothing was satisfying me. So instead... I utilized the holiday that is right around the corner, St. Patrick's Day, and designed the prettiest gift basket for our weekend in Charlotte for the Hollywood Dance Jamz Convention/Competiton. The basket was all about "GOOD LUCK". Okay, so I do not think the right terminology is "Good Luck!" I think saying that is actually "bad luck", but since I don't believe in LUCK, but rather JESUS.... I proceeded with my dance gift for BOTH Lilah and her "Bull Buddy", Elizabeth. 

Hollywood Dance Jamz - 2019

Life seems close to insane lately.  As of last week, I was preparing and planning for (3) events/trips ALL within the next 30 days.  In addition to two dance competitions and basketball tournaments.  What a whirlwind.  I am thankful that ONE of those travel events is now complete.  Lilah had her first out of town dance competition in Charlotte, North Carolina. It was called Hollywood Dance Jamz. It was an entire fun-filled packed weekend of convention classes and dance competitions.  Lilah was blessed to be taught by choreographers who have worked with celebrities such as Brittney Spears, Katy Perry, Christina Aguilera, Pink, Nelly, Taylor Swift, Ricky Martin, and  Busta Rhymes are just to name a few.  Lilah was super excited to spend the entire weekend with her dancing friend Ella, attend convention classes, and compete. 

World Class Talent Entertainment - 2019

Wow! Has it really been five days since I have posted? Life has been CRAZY, with a capital C.  I just couldn't spend time at my computer last week. There were far too many pressing things happening, like... Valentine's Day, classroom parties, basketball games, basketball practices, dance practices, and a dance competition just to name a few....

Dress Rehearsal!

"Miss Thang" has taken on dance competitions this year. We are testing the waters to see if it can fit into our lives and if we enjoy it FULLY enough to commit for years to come! YES! I said, "fit into our lives".  Nothing that we do should rule us or control us, unless it's Jesus.  The day my children are forced to do something or do it to the point were if feels like a job, it's no longer fun. Kids only get to be kids for a short time frame and while I do want my kids to realize that you DO INDEED need to work for what you want, I also want my kids to realize that it doesn't have to be excessive. With that being said, we were up on a Saturday morning, BEFORE the sun, applying makeup and doing hair.  That takes dedication and drive, doesn't it?  It does.  I was SO VERY PROUD of Lilah and told her over and over again because her behavior and attitude both that morning and that day was so impressive and appreciated.  NO COMPLAINTS!  The rehearsal was at Virginia Western.  And I will admit, it was pretty fun to get a sneak peak at all of the dancers' hardwork.

WOW! Life Has Been INSANE!

Oh my goodness! Oh my goodness! I just went to "Blogger" to see when I last posted and I am so sad to SEE that it has been ALMOST a FULL 2 MONTHS! This has absolutely NEVER happened before.  My back log is so long, I'd have to be bed ridden for two months or longer to get caught up.  I have been very diligent to post on Instagram because it is so quick and easy.  BUT my BLOG is truly my baby and where my passion began, so I will NEVER give this up. I just had to let blogging take a back seat for these last two months.  What has been keeping me so busy aside from NORMAL life responsibilities that we all have?

Well... Lilah was casted to be an orphan, in ANNIE, as you may have previously read.  This required her and I to drive (3) nights, per week, to Fincastle. Most nights we were not getting home until close to 10:45 pm.  And she wasn't just in theater.  She is a competitive dancer, at Divine Dance Center, taking (4) classes and practicing for (1) duo, plus cheerleading, which has since ended, and NOW basketball.  Here are a few sneak peaks of her Annie memories.  Clearly, I will be posting them all very sooon! Lilah had (9) shows, three weekends back to back.  Again, our drive to Fincastle is 34 minutes, there and back, on a GOOD day.

Tyson was injured back in September.  He tore his tendon in his ring finger.  Otherwise known as "Jersey Finger".  It sounds like nothing, but it was actually very intense.  He had to go through hand surgery and (12) full weeks of occupational therapy.  The therapy required him to get out of class early, 2-3 days per week, and we had to drive a good 32 minutes away to his therapy appointments AND back.  Round trip, with the appointment time included, we were tied up for a good 2 hours, again 2-3 per week for 12 weeks.

We never thought that basketball would be an option this year.  However, he tried out with one hand, made the team, and was granted the captain of his team. Not only did he get released, to play during before the middle school season was over, but the JV coach called me and asked if Ty would be able to move up to JV after his middle school season was over.  God is so good! Ty was the only one chosen to move up.

Our Jax was in football and is now on not one, but TWO basketball teams.  One local youth program and one traveling, AAU team.  He keeps us equally as busy as we cart him back and forth to practices, games, and film sessions.  

My LipSense business hit an entirely NEW level over the last two months.  I had my absolute best month, since being in business, in November. It was truly unprecedented both financially and personally.  I feel so empowered and beyond grateful and blessed to be a part of such a fabulous company.  I thoroughly enjoy meeting so many new women and being able to share my love of SeneGence with them. I currently have (37) ladies under me. 

I ranked (3) different times in only two months. I know that seems impossible right? I ranked two times in my outter circles and once in my inner circles.  I received a ruby ring, a ruby pin, and my sapphire pin is on it's way! I am now ranked "LADY" within the company.

I got ONE foot of hair cut off and donated it to Pantene's donating program.  I feel lighter, haha.

My mom and dad moved here in July.  Life has been filled with trying to help them get settled into a new place.  I was able to celebrate their birthdays with them. in October and then in November.  I redid parts of their bedrooms and that took a ton of back and forth to their home and to stores trying to get it all color coordinated and looking beautiful/gorgeous.  

And our elves have arrived.  This task alone, because of the way I do it, is enough to be a TRUE full time job! They have really gotten themselves into a ton of fun, messy, and eventful situations.  It's a wonderful memory and tradition, but it is very time consuming.  You can catch all of our elf shenanigans on my Instagram account @BollingWith5 AND/OR look up hashtag, "ElfOnTheShelfBW5".

These are just a FEW of the things that we have had going on, but rest assured there were 1,000 other things in between, like my sisters came to visit, a LipSense party, Thanksgiving, Christmas Shopping, banquets, a cast party, doctor appointments, dentist appointments, haircuts, Christmas decorating, birthdays, and so much more.  I appreciate your patience as we try to do life. I know my faithful followers will stay put regardless of the quantities of times I am able to post, but it is my intention to get back into the grove.  I love you all.  AND from our family to yours, 

WE wish you a very Merry Christmas and a HAPPY New Year!

Annie!

It's the moment we have been waiting for.  Ever since Lilah was in Snow White and we found out that the Attic would be casting for Annie... WE'VE been singing and dancing to the musical's songs. No lie!  This is a movie that I have loved and watch 5,000 time probably since it was released.

Lilah was ready to audition and the audition dates were finally announced.  There was a Sunday audition, the day we chose, that consisted of 25 actresses/actors and then there was a Monday audition. I am unsure of how many showed up on Monday.  

Auditions consisted of a solo song, a dance learned within 10 minutes and performed in groups of 5, and several cold call readings.  Lilah was anticipatory and confident in the cold reads and dancing, but she was a little anxiety stricken when it came to the solo song, even though the song was chosen by each person singing it. Personally, I think all of it takes immense courage. Being this is like a dream come true for me, I considered auditioning for the roll of Miss Hannighan, but I didn't have the courage myself.   

Here is a small excerpt of the dance that Lilah had to learn with her group of five people.  

Here is Liley's solo.  She chose to sing "Tomorrow".  The well known song that Annie sings in the movie. While others were auditioning, Lilah practiced her song outside of the theater.   She got a little choked up because she knows that singing is not her STRONG point.  I just encouraged her that this is NOT an audition for American Idol and to just "do [her] best and forget the rest!" I also reminded her to think of our dearest friend and beloved director Ms. Georgia, who recently passed away. I think she did great.  

And then... the cold reads began!

Auditions took a good 3 hours and then... the waiting game happened.  This theater makes you wait several days, while they deliberate on who does and doesn't fit the casting roles, before finding out who did and didn't make it.  

While we waited, I pulled up all of the Annie photos, from a previous Halloween, when Lilah dressed up as Annie.  

And then the phone rang and Miss Trina asked to speak to Lilah! These call backs are between the director and the child and I was SICK with nerves UNTIL, she smiled BIG and gave me a thumbs up... she MADE IT.  Lilah received a call back. Lilah once dressed up like Annie and pretended to be her and NOW, she will be performing, in front of a live audience, on stage, as one of the main orphans named TESSIE!

And now our evening drives to Fincastle, three days, a week begin.  

During the first practice, we learned who got which role and the cast did an entire read through.  

Lilah received her very own Annie script.

And now... for the first time ever, I am living vicariously through my daughter.  I can't deny... I am a tad jealous, haha, but in a GOOD way. #ProudMom

The Legend Of PB&J (Videos)

The videos that I took, of Lilah's production, are so pitiful. I was so torn between capturing this sweet performance or watching it.  Being it was next to impossible to even hear what the kids were saying, I chose to try and do BOTH.  I was clearly unsuccessful.  I am hoping another momma got better recordings and I can replace my videos, with hers eventually.  For now, this is all I've got.  Boo hoo!

Dance Recital Gifts - 2018

When you do NOT LOVE the idea of giving flowers to anyone, much less a 9 year old who could careless about flowers (in the long run) you feel like you are WINNING when... you are walking into the Jefferson Center, on Recital Day, and your daughter exclaims, "Mommy, why do people give out flowers at recitals and opening nights!?" SCORE!  That just means that she doesn't necessarily associate FLOWERS with her special events.  I have driven the message home that I don't really do flowers.  I was able to tell her that flowers are a beautiful gift that are typically used for celebrations such as Mother's Day, the Birth of a Baby, or a Wedding Day, BUT... they are also used to cheer up people during an illness or death in the family.  For me personally, I always consider the person I am giving a gift to with much detail.  If someone is in the hospital even for a good reason, more than likely, they do NOT have time for extra responsibility. YES! It certainly is a special way to tell someone you are thinking of them, but I have also felt like it's the ordinary way of saying, "Here! I didn't have time to think of something else that you would rather have and everyone else is giving flowers!" Ahem... Valentine's Day is a PRIME example.  Seriously?  EVERY LADY gets flowers EVEN IF her significant other didn't want to buy them... he buys them anyway because IT'S. WHAT. EVERYONE. DOES!

Not me.  Haha.  And my daughter knows it.  

During her Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs play, I made her this Candy Bouquet.  She was OVER THE MOON ecstatic.  A few dance rehearsals back, Lilah was obsessed with EOS chapstick, so I made her this Bouquet of EOS.  I keep fearing that I am going to run out of ideas because of the countless recitals she's in, but the coolest thing is... I don't.  This time, I just considered the recipient in full detail. I considered what Lilah's currently interested in and what she loves.  The answer was simple... ELMER'S GLUE SLIME.  

I ran around town collecting ROY. G. BIV bottles of glue and created a floral bouquet of Elmer's Glue instead. Let's just say... this idea trumped flowers x 1,000,000,000.  

I absolutely love the way it turned out. Here's what you need to create your own Elmer's Glue bouquet:

Supplies List:

1.  GLUE

2.  Lollipop Sticks or Skewers

3.  Tape

4.  A Hot Glue Gun

5.  Greenery (Preferably FAKE)

6.  Floral Cellophane

7.  Ribbon

8.  A Willingness To Go The Extra Mile

9. Foresight Into The Recipients RESPONSE.

Watch my hyperlapse video for a quick and easy VISUAL on HOW TO ASSEMBLE.  I promise you, this recital gift will make your little girl or boy super duper pleased.  

In addition to this bouquet of glue, I did purchase her a sweet bracelet that reminder he that with Jesus, all things are possible.  This scripture is totally taken out of context far too often, but I do believe that Jesus is always with you, even at a Dance Recital. You can NEVER go wrong to lean on him during a time when you are filled with so much nervous excitement.

 And then of course a little chocolate never hurts!!! Toblerone... it's one of Lilah's favs.

There you have it!!! Simple, creative, personal, and NOT ORDINARY!!!!