Profesional photos

We skipped last year and didn't have any professional photos taken so we were determined to do it this year. 

Fall Catch Up Post

I clearly haven't been blogging much. I've got some time today while we wait for Ally's gymnastics meet. It's her first meet of the season, Level 4 and her competition time is 6:40pm. We leave our house at 5:15 to get there by the 6:20 warm up time. Awards are at 8:30pm so by the time we get home it will be 10pm. Ugh. And it's a long anxiety filled day as we wait.

Right now Ally and Becky are watching Home Alone.

In 5th grade at Ally's school every student gets to choose an instrument to play. They get a week to try out brass, wind and string instruments. Mush to my dismay Ally chose the violin.

She loves it. Which is really all that matters.

Her gymnastics team performed at a local private school fundraiser, it was great PR for her gym.

Ally is just so elegant. Right had side of the photo. 

This year Ally is the tallest on her team. Shortest in her class at school but tallest at gym.

All the girls but Ally had tattoos on their faces. She still isn't in to that! 

Then to celebrate Roas's 11th birthday 4 of the Guat Girls went her party at a local "escape room" type place.

Julie, Ally, Roxie, Rosa  & Gabi.

And at the beginning of October we had to put down our old cat Nali. It was heartbreaking for Ally and me. He had not been doing well for a long time and right before we were to leave for San Diego he stopped eating. We tried wet food and that worked for about 12 hours and then it got so he could barely move. I picked Ally up from school early, and brought her home to say good bye. Together we took him to the vet while Becky was still at work. 

We still have our other cat Carl.

And Cloey of course. Plus Cupcake the hamster and Spotted3 the fish.

We found out Beth got a new job in Boston and is moving here in early January! Ally was so excited about Aunt Beth moving closer to us:

In fashion news Ally basically refuses to wear a dress. So one night we went shopping for some nice church and Christmas event clothes. We have a few Holiday parties to go to, and the Nutcracker to see as well as church. 

The blouse was ok but she hated the dress pants. After a long search we did find a dress and some sparkly leggings and a pair of tighter pants to with this blouse and a nice black sweater. It's tough to dress a fashion conscious tween.

The turkeys are back in our neighborhood and one even walked across our path on the way to school.

Life is busy but good. We have lots of friends and people who care about us. 

We had Ally's Fall parent teacher conference and as usual she got a wonderful progress report and her teachers say she is a delight in class. Very organized. The one thing she could improve on is class participation. Of course. But it was great to hear she is doing so well.

Happy Birthday Ally: 11 Years Old

Today was Ally's 11th birthday. It was a pretty amazing day. 

In the morning before school.

November 16 is teacher Silvia's birthday too, so every year I bring in a treat to share with the before school students and light a candle and we sing to Silvia and Ally. Silvia told another parent this morning it was a tradition. I love that.




After school it was time to open Ally's gifts. She was so excited.

Especially by the 8 cards she received! 

1) Gruncle & Aunt Suzie 

2) Aunt Cindy and Uncle Denny 

3) Grandpa Frank 

4) Aunt Beth

5) cousin Katy & family

6) Aunt Martha 

7) Aunt Louise 

8) Grandma Debbie and Poppy 

Most of the cards had some cash gifts or gift cards. Ally is so lucky to have such a generous extended family. Thank you all.

From her mama and mommy she got some lush products she was really wanting,

A popcorn popper! So she can stop making microwave popcorn almost every day.


A Mermaid Pillow

After gifts we had to head out to pick up two of Ally's gymnastics friends from her old gym, Hannah and Caroline. We had dinner at a local restaurant and then made our way to a special event.

It sure was a party dessert! 

Aly Raisman was having a book signing and presentation. Our Ally was so excited to meet her gymnastics favorite Aly.

The girls with their books.

Many of Ally's current team mates were there. Ally is the 3rd from the left in the middle row standing next to Aly Raisman. 

The girls reading the book while we waited.



Sitting enraptured listening.



After the presentation was the book signing. I spoke up that it was Ally's birthday and Aly wrote Happy Birthday to Ally in her book.


Seriously amazing day and I think a birthday for the record books.

And it was the beginning of a 4 day birthday extravaganza. I baked 71 cupcakes last night for Ally to bring to school today, practice tomorrow and some tbd. I couldn't be happier. And Ally is happy with her very special day.