Confessions of a Blogaholic

After convention, we took the girls to LOVE park, made famous by the movie Love Story. We had dinner outside at this great Italian restaurant and the girls practiced the Hip Hop routine they had learned on the sidewalk in front of all the outside diners. They had a blast and did not want to leave, I have to admit, I did not want to leave either. There is something about the East coast that I have always liked. Maybe someday........

Girls with Joe Lanteri, Director of NYCDA, and most importantly a teacher at Julliard. Girls with Alyson from last years So You Think You Can Dance. Again with Jaime and Ivan.

Kassie on stage for finals. Madison and Kassie on stage after closing of convention.

Kassie being silly, practicing leaps in between classes. So much energy.

The next day, back at dance convention clowning around. As you can see, they were not sleep deprived like Dana and I. I probably had five Starbucks by the end of the day.

Here they are ready to take a carraige ride around Central Park. There is nothing better that riding around Central Park at night and looking up to the skyline. It is beautiful, you just wish you could freeze time. Than we were off to Times Square and posing in front of the Broadway show, A Chorus Line.

Here they are walking down 5th Avenue. Madison in front of the Disney Store in her Cinderella pose. She is a currently State title holder in the Cinderella pageant. Kassie in front of Tiffany & Co. And then both posing with the door man at Trump Tower. Kassie is pretending to be hired by Donald Trump.

Here are the girls in front of St. Patricks Cathedral. They will both be making their First Holy Communion in April. Kassie on the 28th, and Madison on the 29th.

Our bus dropped us off in China Town and we made our way to Little Italy where we had a great dinner. This is our waiter. The girls wanted to stay in NYC, and asked him for a job folding napkins. Then they took thier first subway ride and we went to a firehouse who lost the most firefighters on September 11th. They lost 10. The two firefighters that were there were so nice, they were both on duty on September 11th. You can see the memorial that they have set up for the 10 men they considered brothers. It was real sad to see. Kassie was really interested in talking to the fire fighters. After all, her birthday is September 11. This is something she will remember every year.

After classes on Saturday, the girls were done early and we decided to hop a bus to NYC. It is only an hour and 45 minutes away. Here they are getting on the bus to see NYC for the first time. They both informed us that this is where they will be living when they get out of High School. They both hope to go to Julliard, but they have also thought of NYU. Never did we realize what an adventure this trip would be. As we boarded the bus, it seemed simple enough. That was not the case hours later when we missed every single bus and train out of NYC. We sat at Roxy's diner in Times Square wondering what in the heck we were going to do, and how were we going to get back to Philadelphia. We called our husbands who were googling everything they could think of all while giving us a hard time for not paying attention to the time. Can you blame us, it is NYC there is so much to see and do. Besides if it's the city that never sleeps, how would we have ever guessed that the last of trains a...

Here they are being silly during lunch at the beautiful Macys. I have been to several Macy's, but this one is gorgeous. It even has a huge organ and someone playing it while you shop. Crazy...Here they are with Andy Blankenbuehler, one of their jazz teachers, Nicki Loud, another jazz teacher and with Jaime who will be on the next season of So You Think You Can Dance. We will definately be voting for her.

The next morning, they were ready to Dance, Dance, Dance. Here they are with Danny Wallace, their tap teacher and Duncan Cooper their ballet teacher. As you can see by Kassie's eyes. The jet lag was catching up to her.

After seeing the Betsy Ross House we went to The Philadelphia Museum of Art. And yes they climed the stairs made famous by Rocky, not once, but three times. They took their posed in front of the famous Rocky statue.

After walking and having dinner on South Street, we took a cab to the Betsy Ross House. It was already closed, but nonetheless, it was a learning experience. Our cab driver was so patient with us, he waited as the girls explored and had some fun. And we were off to see the famous Rocky steps.

NYCDA convention in Philadelphia was a lot of fun. Kassie and I took the trip along with our friends Dana and Madison. On our first night in Philly, the girls were able to see a lot of history. City Hall, the United States Mint, Independence Hall and The Liberty Bell. We walked along the most historic square mile in the United States. It was definately a learning experience. We walked along South Street, which was very interesting and fun. The girls saw their first street fight. As we sat and had dinner at an outside restaurant some guys fought literaly in the street. Cars around them not able to move. That night when they called home to talk to their dads, the first thing they mentioned was not the history of this beautiful city, but how they had seen a street fight. Go figure.

Easter 2007 It is a tradition, ever since we moved to Phoenix from Douglas in 2001 we have shared holidays with Sal's brother Fernie. Easter is always at their house. This year was no different. Coming from Douglas, it was hard for me to dress down for Easter, but we have learned that this is how it is done here. We had a great time. The kids looked for their eggs and ran around and the adults ate and ate.

Kassie and Tatum after the show

Are'nt we cute. Tatum and Kassie decided to walk the runway together. Let me tell you, they know how to work the runway. Kassie's bio said that she wants to grow up and be a fashion designer, this may be the only way she could ever walk a real runway. Thanks to her genes, she will never be tall enough. Sorry Kai, you can thank me and your dad for that. Tatum on the other hand will definetly have the height. Her brother is already 6'5" and he is barely in high school.

Kassie and Tatum before hitting the runway at the Nordstrom Fashion Show. Thanks to Jaime for always inviting Kassie to model at her favorite store. She really enjoys it. I really enjoy the discount given afterwards. : )

Here is Kassie standing with Madison wearing a one of a kind Nana Norma dance outfit. Nana Norma saw some of Kassie's dance clothes, and decided that she could make her some just as cute, if not cuter. I think she was right. Way to go Nana Norma!!

Another one of their Hip Hop teachers was Ivan, also from So You Think You Can Dance.

Kassie was especially excited in Santa Clara because their Hip Hop teacher was Travis and Ivan from So You Think You Can Dance. He was her favorite last seaso n and voted for him every week. He is an amazing dancer. He unfortunately lost to Benji.

NYCDA - Santa Clara, CA NYCDA convention in Santa Clara. The girls again, having a great time and having some more bonding time. All in preparation for Nationals in NYC.