First Formal Dance

Back in August when Kai started talking about her 8th grade formal, I could never have imagined what a big deal it was going to be. Then January came and the talk of dresses and shoes started. I noticed that her friends were having the same conversations on FB. She would look through websites and magazines. She went back and forth on dresses, but one Sunday she found the dress of her dreams. My friend was with us, and she convinced her to try it on. She did, and she fell in love.

I had already ordered her the dress she thought was the one. So I did not let her buy it. She talked to Buddy about it, and he thought about it. Then my friend called Buddy and convinced him that she had to have the dress. Kai in the mean time had started to gather yard sale items from her room and around the house. She asked Buddy to help her with a yard sale so that she could use the money to buy this dress.

The following week, I went and bought the dress. I came home and hid it in an old suitcase. Buddy wanted her to keep planning the yard sale and learn a little about making money to buy something that you really want. The problem was when to have this yard sale? She is so busy on weekends. She did a real good job sorting through old clothes and shoes. She put them on a rolling rack by sizes and styles. She really, really wanted this dress.

Finally on Easter morning, Buddy and I hung the dress in her closet. I had bought her earrings and a bracelet to go with the dress. She was so excited!

This last week we went shoe shopping and found a very pretty pair of black shoes, and a black clutch.

On Friday afternoon, I did her make-up and hair. She also had four of her friends come over so that I could do their make-up too. Buddy set up a snack bar, and they just relaxed and waited to get ready. They all looked so pretty.

It took longer to get so many of them ready, that they missed the group pictures with a professional photographer. We had to take them straight to the restaurant. Here are some pictures that I snuck on the day of the dance. Yes, I was THAT mom that snuck into the dance for pictures. They were all very good sports about it.

Here are some pictures that I was able to take at the restaurant. They went to The Vine right down the street from the school.

They had so much fun! I was a little sad because it means that my little girl is not so little anymore, but at the same time, I love all of the fun yet to be had. So many more dances to shop for and have with.

The BIG 40

Buddy will be celebrating the BIG 40 this year! At first I was not going to plan a BIG celebration because it would be a month before Kai's BIG day. Well, now that things have changed, I decided that he deserves a BIG celebration for the BIG day. It was initially going to be a BIG surprise party, but I have a teenage daughter that couldn't keep her BIG mouth shut. She overheard me and a friend discussing some details, and she told Buddy. A few months ago, I was reading one of my favorite entertainment blogs. Hostess with the Mostess and she had the best vow renewal theme. It was the theme from the movie The Hangover. I immediately decided on that theme. That is our ultimate favorite movie. We can watch it every single day. Buddy and I don't ever like the same movies, and I mean ever. For some reason, this movie we both like. I made Save The Date cards that I will be sending out through e-mail and FB messages. His party is in August, but I am hoping that a lot of our friends from Douglas can make the trip. I am sending them out on the release date of The Hangover 2. The party will only focus on the first movie. It will have a Vegas feel. I'm so excited to plan this party. It should be a BIG blast, and a BIG night for Buddy. There will be nothing appropriate about this party. Just like the movie. Here is a sneak peak. I will also be sending out actual invites as the day gets closer. In the mean time, I will just be busy planning this hillarious party.

I created a widget to countdown the day until Kai's Quinceañera on my sidebar. I haven't had the heart to take it down yet. Just like I haven't had the heart to cancel the church, the reception site, the 14 person live band and 8 person mariachi. I haven't even canceled the block of rooms that are saved at the hotel yet either.

Maybe I'm hoping for a miracle, but it's not looking very good for us. After all of the debating about whether to make her a Quinceañera, she finally agreed to let us plan her one. She knew how much my mom wanted her to have one.

Then there was the decision to make. Phoenix, or Douglas? Buddy wanted it in Phoenix, I wanted it in Douglas. Obviously our families wanted it in Douglas. So, we finally agreed. It would be in Douglas, at the church that we were married at, and the reception at the Douglas Country Club.

In September, I made a special trip to Douglas to sign the contract for both the church and the Country Club. My sister and I spent an hour measuring tables, dance floor, walls and figuring out the layout. I went to Mexico for an afternoon and spoke to one of the most popular florists and discussed colors and ideas. I took pictures and had my handy dandy "binder" with me.

The following weekend, we made an appointment at Suzanne's Bridal for Kai to find her dress. She looked around, found one that she fell in love with, and she didn't want to try anymore on. She decided that it was the one. Are you sure I asked? She said YES! So, we bought the dress.

Things were coming along just fine. My brain went into David Tutera mode, and ideas were bouncing out of my head like crazy.

The theme: Woodland Fairy, minus the fairies. Everyone understood. Forest looking, lots of greenery, trees, and tons of flowers. Just no fairies in sight. I was giving them the day off.

The colors: Deep plum and Orchid

I put together an information packet for the 14 friends that Kai was going to ask to be a part of her party. I had already spoken to all of the moms, and they were all willing to make the drive down to Douglas.

Buddy was going to rent a party bus to drive her and all her friends to Douglas, and they would drive back home with their parents.

The night before we handed out the packets, Kai asked to talk to us. She was very serious. She started by saying how grateful she was that we were willing to do this for her. She said the more and more she thought about it, she didn't really want it. She said that she realized how much it was going to cost, and that she would rather use that money for something else.

She had been researching Summer programs at FIT in New York, and that she would rather do that. She said that she wants to go to school there, and that if she starts taking the Summer courses her chances of being accepted are better. She also enjoyed her Summer at the dance intensive so much, she wanted to continue to do that as well.

Needless to say, we were shocked. We had already put down deposits. And then of course the dress. There really wasn't much we could say. We accepted, and in shock I called my mom and sisters.

During Christmas, everyone tried to change her mind, and I mean everyone. She just wouldn't budge. As of last week, my mom was still trying to make her budge, and nothing. We finally conceded that we can not make her do something that she doesn't want to do.

As much as it saddens me, it's time for some phone calls this week. Fortunately, they were waiting to order the dress just in case she grew a little. We can't get our deposit back, but we do get a store credit. So, I guess Homecoming and formal dresses will be free for a while. : )

This is the dress we had picked for her 14 friends to wear. It is gorgeous!! We were even going to do the plumb flowers in the hair.

And...............

This was THE dress. I absolutely loved it. It was so Kai. So simple, and yet elegant. Not to puffy, or straight. Awww, makes me so sad to see it.

So, because Kai chose to not have this big blowout, Buddy gets one heck of a 40th Birthday Bash!!! Lucky for him I just might know how to plan one.

Just how long has it been? A long, long time....

Not so much of a Blogaholic. I almost feel the need to change the name of my poor little blog. It has sat here deserted with no updates and no pictures. I think about it everyday, yet I can't seem to find the time to come back to it.

My intention for my blog was to document so much of our days and lives. And yet, I have let months go by without one little entry. There is no way my mind can remember everything that has happened since my last post. So much missed. The majority of Kai's 8th grade year, and the majority of Nachito's 5th grade year. Not to mention how many holidays and important events I have missed. Trips and of course Birthday parties. Somehow I need to find the time to record these events, and even if I have to back date them, I will document them at some point.

This week is a tough school week for the kids. AIMS testing for both of them. Today they both felt very good about how they did.

Nothing much has changed in Kai's world. She still dances, still competes, and she is still very much into fashion. Probably a little more now.

Nachito had a rough Fall/Winter with his allergies and his Asthma, but now that Spring is here, he is feeling a lot better. He still loves his video games, and although we have been trying to be a little stricter about them, he still manages to earn gaming time by reading or helping Buddy outside.

Just last month Kai and I filled out her High School paperwork, and I had a knot in my throat the whole time. It was surreal for me. I honestly don't know where all this time has gone. I know that the next four years will just fly by. Right now she is in the process of getting ready for her BIG 8th grade promotion dance, her BIG 8th grade field trip, and her promotion ceremony. Like any little Fashionista, all must be perfect for these events. Yes, even her field trip to Sunsplash. Oh geez, what will High School be like? It's lucky for her that she has a dad like Buddy that consents to every single request.

Last Friday Nachito came home with his Middle School packet, and again, lump in throat. Fortunatley for me, he is not as high maintenance as his sister. God knew what he was doing when he sent me only one girl.

New York 2010

Kai ready to board the Subway going to China Town to look for hair accessories.

Kai and Kolton taking a Pedi Cab on our way to explore the YMCA. She wanted to see where she would be staying a few weeks later.

Kai, Maya and Kolton in Times Square

Kai, Ariana and Tatum in front of the biggest Forever 21. I had a headache just from walking around this place. It was crazy.....four floors of clothes.

New York Day 2010

Kai competed her new solo in the morning, and then she was free for the rest of the afternoon and evening.

We took a walk to Central Park again, and just relaxed.

In the evening, we went to the Top of the Rock and enjoyed the view. The best was to see the Empire State Building lit up with Red, White and Blue. It was gorgeous.

On the fourth of July, the girls all had to compete. All of their group numbers were on this day. We were done early, and we went to dinner and then walked over to the Hudson River to see the fireworks.

New York Day 2010

In New York, there is never any down time. When these girls are not busy dancing, they want to go shopping. This particular day was no exception. The girls wanted to go to H & M. We decided to walk there. Big mistake, HUGE. It was so hot on this day. New York was having record heat, and it was pretty miserable. After shopping for a while, we decided to head back, and to our surprise, we could not find a Taxi driver that would take us ALL back to the hotel. NYC has a maximum rider limit and we exceeded it. They can only take four people at a time, and their were six of us. Finally one of them took pity on us and took us to the hotel, but asked the girls to duck their heads if they saw a member of the NYPD. It was pretty funny, because of the holiday, they were almost at every corner.

New York Day 2010

This was quite possibly the happiest day of the whole trip. It was the night of the Mini/Junior Gala. For the first time in TDA history, they earned four spots in the Galas. Money, Money in the Mini division, Steam Heat in the Junior division, Can Your Hear What I Say in the Teen division, and The Fight in the Senior division. In the past, they have earned up to three spots, but all four was amazing.

When we get to NYC, all the studios re-compete numbers that they have competed at Regionals. Each division has easily over 100 numbers. The judges pick the top five numbers in each division. On Gala nights, the five numbers go head to head and compete for the top prize. The top prize is called Critics Choice winner. When we went to Nationals in 2007, TDA had two numbers that made the Gala. Kai was in one of those numbers. Although they did not win, it was still an honor to have made the top five, and had a chance to dance in the Gala. When we went back last year, TDA had three numbers qualify. This time, Kai was in two of the numbers. Again, they did not win, but what an honor to dance in two of the three numbers that made the gala. This year, we were excited for all four numbers. I had a feeling that one would at least win. What an amazing thing when they called Steam Heat as the winner of the Juniors Critics Choice. The kids didn't know what to do with themselves. They were so excited. You can tell by the large smiles on all their faces.

Kai and her teacher Mike

Mary and Kai

All of the Steam Heat kids

Kai and Maya

Mike, Holly and Kai

Holly and Kai

New York 2010

This was our last and final day in NYC. The last day is always bitter sweet for us. Both Kai and I LOVE NY and it's very hard to leave. Kai, however wasn't to sad. She knew that she would be back in a few weeks.

We started out our day early and headed to Soho for a day of school shopping. Both Tatum and Kai managed to do some damage in a few Soho stores.

On our way to go shopping!!!

Kai at her favorite store in Soho, TopShop!

This was also the day for the Teen/Senior Gala. It was such an exciting night. We had Vicki in the top three for Teen Outstanding Dancer, and Cory in the top three for Senior Outstanding Dancer. Vicki danced beautifully, it was truly breathtaking. She ended up 1st runner-up. Cory also dance amazing and he won the title of Senior Outstanding dancer. It was another great night for TDA. We went out to celebrate, and the only restaurant we could find open was La Famiglia Pizza. We filled it up pretty fast.

Danni, Mary, Maya and Kai celebrating

Mary, Shannon (Travis Wall's little brother) & Kai

Kai and Maddie Love the new Teen Outstanding Dancer

We first met Maddie when we traveled to NYCDA in Alabama. She had traveled from Utah to the convention. While we were waiting at the airport on Monday, we had a chance to really talk to her. She had just gone to the Summer Intensive, and she really encouraged Kai to go. She told her about how much fun she had and thought it would be a great idea for Kai.

After a long day and week, she fell asleep on a bench in front of the elevators. She has always been able to sleep just about anywhere.

TDA Recital 2010

Every year the kids at TDA get ready for their annual dance recital. This year was no different. On top of getting numbers ready for competition, they also learn some recital pieces. This years recital was a lot of fun. All the kids did an amazing job.

Tatum, Mary and Kai on their way to Chandler Center for the Arts

they just might like the camera....

just maybe.

Kai and Miss Fabiana

Kai and Tatum getting ready for the show

Kai and friends

It's been so long

I can't believe that is has been three months since I last blogged. It's been a busy Summer for all of us. We are a weeks into the new school year, and there are no signs of anything slowing down. I am going to try my best to update my blog with all of the Summer happenings.

Every year Kai travels to Douglas for my sister's dance recital. My sister owns a small dance studio there and has her annual recital at the beginning of June. This year, Miss Fabiana taught Kai a pointe solo, and she performed it in Douglas.

We were so grateful to Miss Fabiana for taking the time to teach her this solo. Soon after, we found out that Miss Fabiana and her husband would be moving to Kentucky at the end of the Summer. She was one of Kai's favorite ballet teachers. She really took her time with Kai and helped her so much.

Kai, Alessandra and Devon

A little bit of Cha Cha, Rumba, Samba, Paso Doble and some Jive

It's a new vocabulary for us. And one that we are going to have to get familiar with very soon. Kassie started taking Ballroom lessons two months ago, and she absolutely LOVES it. And, I have to say that I love it too!

When I used to work at Macy's for Estee Lauder, one of my friends from the Lancome counter was an International Ballroom dancer. She would go to competitions all of the time. At the time, Kai was only five. Debra wanted Kai to start Ballroom. We lost touch when she turned Pro and needed better coaching. She moved to San Diego and started competing in the Pro circuit. She taught Ballroom at Mary Murphy's dance Studio. Yes, Mary Murphy from SYTYCD. The one that puts dancers on the hot tamale train.

Two years ago, I ran into her at Chandler Mall. We re-connected and we kept trying to get together for her to teach Kai. She was teaching at Fred Astaire in Mesa. I just never had time to take Kai with her busy schedule and mine. This year when Holly gave Kai a Ballroom inspired solo, I called Debra. I wanted her to clean the Ballroom elements of her dance and show her how to do them correctly. By now, she was teaching at Fred Astaire in Paradise Valley. We made the drive out there every Thursday for a month. After she was done cleaning the solo, she started teaching her some Ballroom.

One Thursday, we went to the studio and there was a Bulgarian Ballroom teacher there. His name is Nedko. He and Kai danced together for about half an hour. After that lesson, we were asked if they could train her for a Ballroom competition in June. I was of course not ready for that. I explained that she already had such a full schedule because of NYCDA Nationals and her Intensive. They agreed, but then advised me that she could be ready for the following competition in November. So, with that said, she is presently getting ready for that. Right now, she is only going on Thursdays, because it's her only day off from TDA. After she returns from the intensive in NYC, she may have to start going a little more. It's scary and fun at the same time.

This past Saturday, we went to a Ballroom competition to watch the professionals. We were in awe of their dancing and most of all.........THE COSTUMES!!! It was pretty awesome to see them come out. They danced their dances, and then they would eliminate some couples. Then it was the Finals. They danced their hearts out. There were two couples from Tempe, and the rest were from different states.

It was so different then a regular dance competition. You sit at tables around the dance floor. The couples dance all around and you get to see each of them at some point during the dancing. The couple that won, were our favorites. Click here to see them. They are awesome!

Here is a quick video of Kai's Ballroom lesson from Thursday. It was Rumba. She invited her best friend Kolton to take class with her, and they had a blast.

So let the Ballroom obsession begin. Kai will be competing in the International Rhythm category. According to Debra, it has a lot more flexibility than the American Rhythm. She can do more lifts and tricks. We shall see. We are very excited to see where this takes her. She will still continue to dance at TDA and she will have to decide if she wants to slow down a little at TDA and focus more on Ballroom, or both. As long as her grades don't get affected, she can do both.