The Industry

Ever since Kassie was a little girl, she would always ask if she could be on T.V. She has always like the whole "Hollywood" thing. I guess she gets it from me. I have always watched all the shows with the celebrity gossip and she has along with me. I had avoided her questions for a very long time. Finally a few months age, she brought it up again. I finally decided to send in her picture to some agencies. Luckily, she was signed a few weeks ago. These are the first photos of her real photo shoot with a real photographer. Some of these might end up on her Zed card, I'm not sure which ones. I don't have a say in the matter. You see, when you sign up for this, you kind of lose your right to these choices. The photographer took over 120 picutes and I just posted a few of them. I hope that she does well, and I hope that she does'nt get her feelings hurt. This "Industry" can be pretty gruesome and that is the last thing I want for her. I have to support her and let her follow her dreams and see where it will take her. If she opts out after a while, at least I will have some awesome pictures of her to cherish forever and ever.

*Update, they did not pick any of the pictures below. I will soon post the actual Zed card.

Christmas 2008

Fernie and Buddy
Mom, Chanel, Justin, Alyssa and Wendy

Justin, Wendy and Fernie

Devon

My little princess "Chanel"

Nicholas, Kai, Devon and De

Kai Kai

bad picture, just the backs of everyone

It is tradition, we always host Christmas Eve at our house. Buddy does all the cooking. That is no surprise to anyone. Buddy always does all the cooking at our house. He always makes a great meal that we enjoy. This year, it was a small gathering. The kids opened some presents early, and enjoyed hanging out. Thank you all for coming, it was real nice.

Party Boy or Girl???

Tatum, Jillian and Kai
Kolton, Kai, Jillian and Amber

Kai and Jillian


Year one - Angel

Year two - Angel

Year three - Angel and party boy

Year four - Angel and finally.....party girl!!

Again, it's one of those things. Kai and her dreams/wishes. TDA sponsors the childrens cast auditons for the Nutcracker ballet with the Moscow ballet. Four years ago, she auditioned to be in the show. She was originally cast as a snowflake. She is very small for her age, and she was the same size as all of the snowflakes. After rehearsals started, she was changed to an angel. She was happy. When we went to the show, she saw all the different characters. She fell in love with the party scene. She wanted so bad to be a party girl. The next year, she was cast an Angel...again. Well, maybe next year she said. Then as she does every year, she cut her hair in August and donated it to Locks of Love. Nutcracker auditions came around, she knew she was old enough to be in the party scene, but she was cast as a party boy. Why? Her hair was not long enough to be a party girl. Party girls, have to have their hair half up/half down and curly. She was devasted. Nonetheless, she was a party boy, and also an angel. She was still small enough and after two years, she knew the part. What happened this year was that she for no reason would cut her hair, just a trim and style. She was determined to be a party girl. She broke her record, she had donated her hair for three straight years. And this year, nothing. Auditions came again, and ...finally a party girl!!! And also an angel, why mess with tradition. So here are the pictures for this years Nutcracker. Kai, finally a party girl..

Christmas Show 2008

Elizabeth, Kai and Mary
Elizabeth, Mary and Kai

Maya and Kai

Jillian, Kai, Maya and Mary

Kai as one of Santas Elfs
Jillian, Kai and Dani

Ali, Kai, Dani and Jillian

Tatum, Kai, Ali, and Mckenna

The costumes have been added to the costume closet, the props are back in storage, and the cast party has past. All after long months of preparation. It's a funny feeling when you walk into TDA in August, and hear Christmas music coming from the dance rooms. At the time, it just seems like forever untill the Christmas show. And then, all of sudden, there you are at dress rehearsal. This year, dress rehearsal was something to see. Costumes everywhere, kids running into each other, kids missing in numbers because they were downstairs playing. One particular number, "Santas Elf" number was especially amusing. Had I had a video camera, it would be a You Tube sensation by now. And yet, after all the mistakes and craziness of dress rehearsal, the shows are amazing. These kids, (and I say kids, because with the exception of a few, most of the cast of the Christmas show are under the age of 18). They know how to perform. They get on that stage, and you would swear you are watching a Broadway show. It is something to see. It is definetly a show that gets you into the holiday spirit.

This show that so many of us enjoy, is put on by many people, but it is the hard work and dedication of Wanda, the owner of Tempe Dance Academy that makes it a reality. (She is probably already planning things for next year). I, as a parent, sometimes take for granted all the hard work that she, her daughters and son in law put into this show. And if it were not for them, our children would'nt have the oppurtunity to perform in such a show. Sure, their will be a few of these kids that will actually end up on a Broadway stage, or on a cruise ship somewhere or maybe even owning their own studios. But for the rest of them, this is as close as it gets. These kids get to feel like real stars. At intermission, they walk out to greet friends and family. They are constantly stopped by the many people in attendance and commended on their hard work. Everyone leaves that show with a smile on their face. And so, with all that said, I thank all the teachers at TDA for putting on the "Spirit of Christmas". Thank you for creating such beautiful memories for our children and having them participate in this wonderful tradition. 21 years and counting. Untill next year.

Red and Sparkly

2005

2006

2007

2008

This is Kassie's fourth year in the Spirit of Christmas Show. Looking back at the photos, she has changed a lot. When I look at the first photo, the one in 2005. That is when she first fell in love with dance. She was new to this, it was her first year in the Christmas show, and it was her first year dancing full time at Tempe Dance Academy. She was nine years old, and most of the girls that were nine, had been dancing for years. She was so new, that she was dancing with girls much younger than her. She was in three numbers. Because she was only in three numbers, we could leave right after her last number, but no...Kassie did not want to leave. Why? Because of the finale number. They came out in these Red Sparkly Dresses and danced a latin number. She was amazed at this number. She had to see the finale number every single time. She wanted one of those Red Sparkly Dresses so bad. She wanted to know how she could have one of those Red Sparkly Dresses. The following year, she worked so hard. Every day after dance class, she would come home and practice. I don't even know what she was practicing. She was spining and jumping. She was flipping and bending. And when Christmas show came around again, she got one of those Red Sparkly Dresses. She was in heaven. She tried it on every chance she got. It's funny how the most simple thing, like a Red Sparkly Dress can be so important to a little girl. I stop and think, thank god that something that is so simple to us, can be so important to her. She goes to sleep in a warm bed every night. She does not sleep on an empty stomach. She does not worry about being woken up in the middle of the night by fighting screaming parents. Thankfully, she is loved more than anything. She has parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins who love her. She still loves dance more than anything. And even though I get tired and frustrated sometimes, I still support her 100%. Every year for the past four years, she has had family and friends that come and watch her dance. I can't begin to thank you for that. It means so much to her. She looks forward to intermission when she can say hi and take pictures with everyone. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting her. She has come a long way from that first Red Sparkly Dress. She has even accumulated another one. And this year, the Red Sparkly Dress is Green, Green and Sparkly.

Dear Santa,

Dear Santa,
All I want for Christmas is...............
Sometimes we tend to forget the real meaning of Christmas. I know that I am guilty of that myself. Every morning as I watch the news, I can't help but wonder how many families will be struggling to put food on the table, and maybe grab a gift or two for their children. How many names will still be hung on the "angel trees" at the mall? Will there be enough food at the food banks this year? Who knows the answers? All I know is that this year, my Christmas will be a lot more about family and less about the over indulgence of gifts. I wonder if children have an idea about what is going on in this world. Neither of my kids have really asked for anything. I realized that this weekend. I asked them to give me their list and neither one had one ready. Last year, I was given Kai's list in a Power Point presentation. And, yes, she did really make her list on Power Point. Kids and technology these days... When I got home this evening, Nachito had forgotten about his list and did'nt even bother to make it, and then Kai handed me her list on an index card. There were six items on her list, but what moved me the most was the number 1 item on her list. 1. Pet donation Now, I already knew what this was, you see, after Thanksgiving, my sister-in-law had informed me that when she asked Kai what she wanted for Christmas Kai asked her to just please donate money to the Humane Society in her name. I was in shock, who's daughter was she after all. Donate to the Humane Society???? Is she serious? Has she lost her mind? I had to call my mom and tell her. My mom choked up and told me that Kai had asked her for the same thing. ??? After I hung up with my mom, I sat in my car for a long while and thought about what I had just heard. You know, as a parent, sometimes you question decisions you make. You wonder if you are doing your best at raising these little people that will eventually venture off on their own. Hearing the selflessness of Kai, I was touched. I in all my years, would have never thought to ask for anything like this. Kai on the other hand, has always had a soft spot for animals. And as I thought about it, it really came as no surprise. So I think to myself, if a 12 year old pre-teenager can be so selfless, why not the rest of us too. So, for this year, I will do some shopping, but not nearly as much as other years. I will be grateful for the great family and friends that I have, and I will always remember that Kai has the biggest heart of all of us. And Kai, you will get your donation to the Humane Society. So, Dear Santa, I am blessed, and I don't need anything, but my family and friends.

Three years apart..

I often wonder how things in the Lopez household would be if Nachito and Kassie were closer in age. Or even further in age. Three years seems to be pretty normal. However, they don't seem to agree. You see, every minute of every day, these two fight. And when I say fight, I mean fight. Sure as you look at the pictures of the two, they seem so lovable towards each other. They are NOT.

I have to laugh at some of the things that come out of their mouths. And then there is the silent fighting. The looks, the pinches, the silent hitting until one goes to far and the scream follows. You see unlike them, I never had a sibling close to my age. Yes we fought, but never like this. I always ask friends that have siblings close in age or children close in age if this type of behavior is normal. And you know what they say.....YES! Hallelujah!! I thought I was the only one with fighting siblings.

People also tell me that in time, these two will be the best of friends. Well, time....hurry up please. In the mean time, I will continue to document these fights and then the adorable pictures that they take together. Especially the ones where they actually like each other when they think no one is looking. I will continue to hope that they do in fact become the best of friends. And I will as I have been for the past nine years, play referee.

On the other hand, Buddy seems to be oblivious to these fights. And so Kai Kai and Nachito, keep on with your WWF wrestling matches and your door slamming, screaming fights. I have nothing but time, to wait, enjoy, cherish, listen, watch, and LOVE.

Thanksgiving 2008

Pelona and Mom (aka Nana Norma and most recently Granny)
The Romo Family

Me with Buddy ( I hate pictures!)


Oscar and Ana

Wendy and Fernie (parents to Justin, Nicholas and Alyssa)

Maribel, Fernando, Nachito, Nicholas, and Justin

De and Kassandra (aka Kai Kai)

Nicheli and Hector (parents of Alessandra)

Alyssa, Alessandra and Devon (aka "The Munchkins")

Gaby and Sylvia (aka Gabbers another munchkin and Nana Bambo)

Mr. and Mrs. Warga

Jose and Johanna

Maribel, Fernie and Sal (aka Buddy)

Ana and Nubia

Gloria (aka Pelona) and Hayde (aka De) also mother to Devon

One more holiday come and gone. Why, why does time go so fast? Just last week I was stressing out about cooking for so many people. It was Tuesday, and had yet to go to the grocery store. So typical of me, save everything for the last minute. I am sure that most who know me, are not surprised by this fact. You still love me....right? Thankfully, this year I had all my family at this blessed holiday. My mom, my two sisters and their families. It's times like this, that I realize just how small my immediate family is. Even though it has been 11 years, I still can't help but miss my "papi". It was always an interesting holiday with him. He really enjoyed Thanksgiving. It saddens me that he never really met Kassie and Nachito. Nachito, however, is just like him in so many ways. I can't quite comprehend it. Just this weekend I kept finding plates with the crust of pumpkin pie, no filling, just the crust sitting there waiting to be thrown away. This was something that my dad did all the time. He loved the filling, but not the crust. As does Nachito. My mom was so happy to for the first time, in a long time, to have us all together. She requested a photo, and we after much thought, granted it. I hate pictures of myself. It's that dang baby weight that I can't seem to get rid of. OOps, nevermind, he is nine : 0 I have no excuse.

Buddy was also lucky enough to have his family with him on this holiday. It was nice to have both families in one house, and even better, we all get along. The cousins did some bonding, and the little munchkins of the family dominated the conversations. Three little princess's and one little prince. Thank you Alyssa, Gaby, Alessandra, and Devon for keeping us entertained all night. We had some extras as well. Mr. and Mrs. Warga, my sister-in-law Wendy's parents. They moved here from Florida a few years ago, and they have happily attended our crazy holiday reunions. They are family now. Also, Jose and Johanna co-workers of Fernie who have gladly attended our Thanksgiving dinners for a few years now. Their family lives far away and we thank them for allowing us to be a surragate family to them.

I think the food was good, I hope the food was good. Henry the ??? oh, I can't keep track anymore was delish. (Henry is our nickname for our Turkey every year) And thank you all for the extras that were brought. And Wendy.....thank you for going to Marie Calendars, I'm sorry that I am so OCD. Thank you all for coming to our humble home for a great family reunion, hopefully you enjoyed it as much as we enjoyed having you. Please, next year again??? We would love it. Hope you enjoy the pictures.

Love Always,

Me

oh, and by the way....Air Hockey table still in living room, hopefully by Christmas? Huh Buddy?