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.

Day #2 Continued...

Oh you know, it's only been three months since we completed our trip to Orlando and a month since I last posted on it. Haha.  Oh well, as they say, "Better Late Than Never!" I will continue to blame it on my kids' intense schedules. Yes, it's Summer, but nothing is SLOWING down. It has actually been a blessing that school is out because this extra curricular schedule could not be maintained throughout the year. We are in the height of AAU Basketball season and dance stuff is keeping us busy and traveling. We just realized that both Ty's nationals and Lilah's Nationals are at the same time, different beaches. Sigh... It will be a mystery on how we handle that dilemma.

Day #2 - Islands Of Adventures

On Day #2 of our trip, we started out at Islands Of Adventures! This is an Orlando park that I had never been to before, which is always nice to explore a "FIRST" at 42 years of age. None of us knew what to expect, but we were excited. I did prepare the birthday twins with matching minion shirts though and they were so exited and appreciative.  Other than the fact that my shirt is CRAZY SEE THROUGH (SMH) do yo notice what is on it? Bananas!!!! Minions favorite!

Day 1 - Universal Studios Orlando

As previously mentioned, Darren and I had plans to do Universal Studios on Saturday and Islands of Adventure on Sunday BUT, we found out that our tickets were "BOGO:  buy one day at Universal, get another day at Universal for FREE!" We didn't find this out until we were standing in our hotel lobby picking up our tickets. SO, after we ate lunch, we headed to Universal Studios to begin our adventure.  We aren't those types of people that grab a park map and design a plan.  We just aren't planners normally, so we certainly didn't want to start become a planner on vacation. Truthfully, I think our days are filled with so much routine and so much scheduling as it is, that it would have been more like work, instead of fun to "map" it all out.  

Universal Studios Bound!

The day arrived... we had to be at the airport by 6:45 a.m..  Our flight left at 8:35 a.m. My kids were excited as ever.  The last time they flew on an airplane was when we took a 10 day trip to all of the Disney Parks.  You can visit that trip by using our search box, on the homepage of our blog! Lilah and Jax had their birthday shirts on and they were already receiving all kinds of attention from the airport employees and attendees.  

Happy Birthday "BIG D"!

I haven't posted in 5 days... for a GOOD REASON... my Hubby's Big D's birthday was yesterday and outside of an amazing sales week/appointments with customers and LIFE, my main focus was shopping, planning, and designing his day to be as special as possible. It's is getting harder and harder to make things special and unique because we have everything and we have been together since we've been 15 1/2.  I'm doing the best I can to continue making his birthdays as amazing as he is.    

"Oh My Goodness!'

Oh the morning of the day that the LAST Annie show would be performed, our elves knew that the ride home would be so sad!  So they hid in the car, buckled up, and were ready to support Lilah's emotions, both to the theater and home from the theater.  

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....

A Trip To The Mall Of America!

This past weekend was my 42nd birthday! It's crazy to think that TWO FULL YEARS ago I turned 40. After celebrating my birthday this weekend and having an Instagram memory pop up, reminding me of my trip to the Mall Of America, I realized I never blogged about it. Sigh... A back log of two years? Really?! Really!!!

Oh No! Ewe & Pew!

Oh those silly elves.  They are always up to no good.  This time, humoring our kids with all of those potty words. What happened now?

Breaking Up Is Hard To Do!

It was a TOTALLY random elf creation.  

Annie Opening Night PRE-PARTY!!!

GAH! I get chill bumps when I reminisce on this setup for Lilah.  The day had finally arrived.  It was OPENING NIGHT! And I HAD to do something special for all of my girl's hardwork. This opportunity was the FIRST time I was truly living vicariously through ANY of my children. The movie ANNIE is MY FAVORITE movie. As a child, I literally watched it over 1,000 times.  No lie. The movie was just so well portrayed that sometimes, as a kid, watching it... I felt like I was there, but invisibly there. I always wanted to be in an Annie play.  AND, there would truly be NOTHING better than MY DAUGHTER being in it instead. 

So, I wanted to created a little pre-party FUN to help show her how proud I was of her and to create as much enthusiasm in her as possible for opening night.  

My entire "party" was planned around this ANNIE image. I had to have it. I found it onETSY at a shop called "Sheer Bliss Designs".  It was the PERFECT starting/focal point for all of my other ideas.  I will say... if you choose to go with this idea, keep in mind that finding a company that will print this image for under $125.00 is next to impossible.  Sheer Bliss Designs advertises this purchase for a size 42x72.  That's HUGE.  So, I just settled for an 18x20 size.  I got it at Sams Club.  I think I paid $12.00.  

Our play had a song in it called, "NYC" aka New York City. I think that is wear Daddy Warbuck's also lived in the movie.  I found these beautiful letters at A.C. Moore.  

One of the scenes in both the play and the movie includes a movie scene and/or a song called, "Let's Go To The Movies". I knew I wanted to supply some food for Lilah (after all, this would be presented to her after school and before opening night).  So I created a fun, movie scene on one area of the table. Time was such a factor for me, so I did have to purchase and or "borrow" some things for different bloggers.  I truly made the overall look, of this party, my own though.  I didn't want to just COPY someone's party. I desired to be UNIQUE and DIFFERENT.  The movie sign came from the blogger, "House Of Hargrove".  I already had the popcorn bowls.  The movie theater popcorn came from Sam's Club.

This little cutie pie was BEYOND excited.  You'll be able to see her reaction down below. 

(Above): The Annie dress was actually Lilah's.  When she was 3, she was Annie for Halloween.  I pulled it out of her childhood storage bin and used it for a display. 

(Below): Along with the popcorn served, I thought it would so fun to offer the mini coke, glass bottles. It really was a great addition in the "attention to details" world.

Lilah was casted as "TESSIE" the orphan.  You know, the orphan that all too often says, "Oh My Goodness! Oh My Goodness!" I purchased these water bottle labels, from a company on ETSY called, Bushel And Peck Paper. The only dilemma with this company was that these water bottle labels were made for birthday parties.  So they said, "Happy Birthday".  I was down to the wire before Lilah was about to arrive home and had to QUICKLY work my own magic, using B&P's jpeg to create my own look.  I added Lilah's cast name. B&P was willing to change it, but she wanted another $5.00 and I was unwilling to pay $5.00 more for something that I new I could fix.

 I purchased this adorable, antique coffee cup for Lilah as a gift.  Instead of "gifting" it to her, I decided to use it as a decoration for her party table. I purchased chocolate coins from Big Lots and used some Melissa & Doug Play money to create a fun, rich, Daddy Warbuck's section on the table.  The mini sign also came from House Of Hargrove's Blog.   

When I spotted these red velvet, mini cupcakes at Sam's Club, I thought... why invent the wheel.  Why home make them? I got like 24 of these beauties for $4.96.

I brought in one of my favorite patterns, buffalo plaid, along with some red licorice.  Does anyone go to the movies and NOT eat licorice??  YUM!  And of course... it goes perfect with the color scheme.

Okay, enough with the junk... chocolate, cupcakes, licorice, and popcorn... I needed something healthy.  SO, I provided some fresh fruit: strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries (Lilah's favorite).  I was enamored with these ADORABLE, "Hard Knock Life", mini bucket and brooms. I purchased (10) because I wanted to be able to use them for both this party and possibly a "goodbye" gift for the other orphans. I got these from Festiva Party Design.  The etsy listing was for a set of 10, but I needed 12. The owner of Festiva Party Design was kind enough to throw in two more for FREE, in exchange for me advertising her Etsy Shop on both my Blog, Pinterest account, and Instagram account.  

The powdered sugar donuts were just a little extra.  I used some black and white paper straws and "strung" the powdered donuts onto them.  

I used as many quotes or tag lines from the play that related to the parts of the play that Lilah was in! One of the bigger scenes in the play was to the song, "You're Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile." This was actually the part of the play that Lilah was granted a mini solo dance.

And now... her reaction.  She was so uber excited and I felt all warm and fuzzy inside for being able to make her feel extra special and ramped up for (9) amazing shows.

"YES" Day!!!!

Summer is coming to a QUICK close! Due to the ages of my children and their personal LOVES (fortnite, youtube, and musicallys, and slime), this Summer has been the slowest, most unproductive, and uneventful Summer to date. We have also been a little busy serving my mother and father, who recently moved to Roanoke, so our normal, Summer days took a major detour for a good month or so. No one has complained. I guess I just have mom guilt now that the school year is about to begin. I am thinking about all of the things we could have done or should have done, but didn't.  I am grateful, however, that my children LOVE being in their home and don't have to be whisked away on vacation and entertained constantly. When I stop and think about what we've done... we did plenty: we went to Charlotte, King's Dominion, Myrtle Beach, and Richmond. They had Starbuck's, Salem Ice Cream Parlor, Dairy Queen, and Bahama Sno-Shack.  They went to the pool (both ours and a friends'), the trampoline park, the YMCA, and enjoyed multiple/expensive sports camps, drama camp and cheer camp! Went to birthday parties. Had a sleepover or three.  We ate out A TON! They even were able to enjoy a day at the mall shopping for back-to-school clothes and then Target/Staples for personal school supplies. They were able to sleep in and didn't have to go to daycare. Sounds like a good Summer to me.  

BUT... I wanted to do a little something that would leave a lasting impression.  I feel like I am constantly saying "NO".  Kids don't get that discipline is love.  Guidelines are necessary.  Rules are required.  Motherhood/Fatherhood, PARENTHOOD ain't easy.  YES, I say no mostly out of convenience, because I know our daily agenda and what will fit into it, and for selfish reasons, but I am allowed to.  I've been a kid.  It was done to me and I survived.  My kids will too.  When they are parents, they will do what I am now doing.... "AH... now I guess why my mom ...."  [Fill in the blank]! I am not here to fulfill their every selfish desire.  I am hear to fulfill their needs and an ENTIRE day of fortnite, staying up till 1:00 a.m. every Summer day, eating endless amounts of CRAP, and not expecting them to do chores or allowing them to sleep till noon is NOT being a loving parent.  It's being an unprotective, negligent, lazy, abusive parent. It's teaching my kids how to be nonproductive humans in society.  I am raising the next generation, future adults, and hopefully, most importantly, CHRIST FOLLOWERS.  So saying "YES", all the time, is NOT necessary, practical, or loving.  

BUT TODAY, I will be saying "YES".  I do have (10) Guidelines, mostly for my sanity, but also because I know, allowing my children a day of asking questions that only allow me to say YES, will pose dilemmas, IF I don't set those guidelines. They knew this day was coming and they were already planning out their absurd desires, like pulling an all nighter, thinking they could have a budget of $100 each (guess who that was), or skipping their already planned out obligations to invite a friend to sleep over.  "UH... negative!"  So, guidelines were necessary.  Suggestions are mentioned.  They have the choice to make some major decisions and if they choose unwisely, like eating ONLY junk, they will pay for it.  

So, tell me what you think.  See the guidelines below.  I will also include a link for you to print these same guidelines at home, if you desire to mimic ours.  I plan to make sure I have plenty of coffee available to me.  I have ONE friend who has done this before and she said by the end of the day, you feel like you've been hit by a mack truck, went out partying all night but didn't enjoy it, or feel like you could sell your children to North Korea's leader and never look back.  HAHAHAH.  We shall see what they ask me to say "YES" to.  Stay tuned... 

P.S. I bet today will be the best day of their lives.  #MOMGOALS

 

After reading the guidelines, do you feel like I've put far too many stipulations on the day?  OR do you think I was fair?  There are (3) links below, that you can click on, and print if you wish to use BOLLINGWITH5's guidelines.  Oh and let me preface... these guidelines were created by ME! They work within the dynamics, morals, faith, and personalities of our family, so if you do not like them... make your own!!!! I am curious to see how they change, if you do make up your own. Send them my way! 

Guidelines 1-4
Guidelines 5-7
Guidelines 8-10

Mother-Daughter Sleepover Party!

*Disclaimer: Oh my goodness. It's been 3 weeks since I have created a blog post. I PROMISE you, I DO NOT PLAN to ONLY blog once a month. I have been crazy busy this Summer and I just cannot justify sitting at my computer when the house needs tending to, kids want to have fun or need to be disciplined, or if I am playing nurse, hair dresser, taxi cab driver, or referee.  If you are a mom... you GET IT! BUT, I will be blogging MORE in the next 7 days (when school is back in session).  For now, check me out on Instagram, @BollingWith5, for all of the deets on our daily life. Now, enjoy a long overdue post...

Lilah has been begging for a "sleepover" with ME. All she really meant was for ME to sleep in HER room with her.  I think it's sweet, but I love sleeping with my husband, lol.  I mean, if you were me, you would agree. AND truth is, no one sleeps well with a KID.  They sleep every direction possible, but the right direction (vertical).  Liley asked again on Friday night and I decided to bring her wish to fruition.  And, if you have been following me for any length of time, you could probably guess that I took it one step further because EVERY. LITTLE. THING. IS. A. BIG. DEAL.  

I designed our "sleepover" around her LOVES and some things that a traditional sleepover is famous for.  We couldn't start our night until about 8:45 pm because she was at a birthday party BUT, when she arrived home, she was greeted with a beautiful, sleepover presentation.  The image above is a  "sign" I made. Below you will see both her reaction and the presentation. Isn't it comical how UNPHASED Tyson was when he entered the house and saw it all?  He's SUCH a TEENAGER.  

We started off our sleepover by making slime.  It's Lilah's favorite past time, so I obliged.  The slime supplies came complete with Elmer's Glue, sequins, glitter, and detergent activator.  

I call Lilah my professional slime maker.  She self-taught herself all about slime, through trial and error, as well as, by watching some of the BIG/famous youtubers who make slime. I knew what she needed, but I had NO idea how to make slime, so last night, she taught me.

 

 NOW, I know how to make slime.

Above: My Slime.
Below: Lilah's Slime.

During our slime making extravaganza, Lilah kept saying, "Oh my goodness.  I feel so honored you did all of this for me!"

Next up... Sleepover Party MadLibs.  We each did TWO and then Darren joined us for ONE.

Those were fun and created some laughter for sure. Just imagine the words knee cap, belly button, smelly, and slippery inserted into a pre-designed story.

At this point, the time was 9:50 p.m. I decided it was movie time.  We didn't have a movie picked out.  Next time, that will be the only thing I change.  We just turned on Netflix and chose something that looked half decent. The movie was decent. We laughed and at one point Lilah almost cried. It happened to be about a mother-daughter, so we could both relate. I will be sure to plan out our movie selection next time though. Maybe something a little more light hearted and funny. Our movie came complete with popcorn and candy.

I tried to pick out candy that Lilah loves and stuff I wouldn't be tempted to eat much of.  The twizzlers and KitKats were all I sampled.  I didn't want her to feel or see my restraints.  I wanted to be her fun "friend" for the night.

I was so concerned I would doze off. What kind of friend does that? I was proud of myself that I only dozed off, ONCE, for about 30 seconds.  I got busted too.

After the movie was over, it was close to midnight, so we decided to save the panda bear facial masks for tonight.  We got ready for bed and had one last silly idea in mind! A big thank you to Tyson for taking the photo of us.

Lilah's bed does NOT typically look like this.  She has GORGEOUS bedding, but I dressed up her bed to look more sleepover-party-ish. "Donut worry! Adventure awaits!"

Of course, no sleepover party is legit without cozy blankets and eye masks.  

This was the BEST. NIGHT. EVER. I'm glad we could make this memory happen before the Summer comes to a close.

This sleepover took LITTLE planning and the details ARE NOT what is important to my girl (even though they are important to me). Lilah just wanted this time with me.  So... if you have a special, little girl in your life: be it a daughter, niece, cousin, or God daughter, do yourself and HER a favor and MAKE.THIS.HAPPEN.