The Smith Family Blog

I did not forget to update yesterday. In fact, I thought of it often, however, it was a three day weekend and so I enjoyed it. Kalaree completed her run of the Three Musketeers and is now on to the next play. She called me this morning and let me know that she has a part int he next one that starts today. It is a 70s music media is all we have been told so far. Guess I will find out more tonight. Kezri is getting all prepped and ready for Band Fest which is next week. It is an all day thing where they compete against other bands and then they practice as a giant band and have an evening performance. She is really excited. Her band teacher has really pushed for her to get outside lessons in clarinet. He says that she is really good and it needs to be encouraged. Now to find some that don't cost an arm and a leg, if possible. We are still waiting to hear back on the Aspire testing for Kami. She has been sick lately. Complaining of upset stomach and dizziness. She spent most of the we...

Kalaree had opening night and second night performance on the play. They did a brilliant job for a small high school. Claire and Cash (the drama teachers for Prairie High and Battle Ground High) worked hard and the kids did a great job. Because this is somewhat of a journal I am going to mention first names of some of the performers. Sam (D'Artgnan) is very talented. Plus he is a really nice kid. He even treats the girls with respect which you don't always see when it comes to high school kids. Kenzie (Inn Keeper) is a hoot to be around. She has me in stitches every time I am working with her on something for her costume or prop. Garrett (The Cardinal) is super sweet too. He is one of the rare kids that makes sure to thank you at least once every night. It is working with these high schoolers that make me think that working in the high school wouldn't be so bad. However, I really am a little kid psychologist and not a high school. But if I had too I could. Grandma and Gran...

Right now we are just trying to make it to all the different things we have going on. This week is opening night for Kalaree's play, New beginnings for Kezri, and a parent band meeting regarding Band Fest for Kezri. So busy crazy. I have a few more final touches to do to a couple of costumes and those should be done. I was able to finish all the snoods and bun covers crocheted this weekend while I sat in the Friday night and Saturday day conference for work. Work for me is going fine. It has been a better year this year. Still busy and a lot more counseling going on this year but totally fun. I should have some good pictures and what not for everybody come next weeks post due to the play. This week's post will be rather short. Loves to all.

I don't know what it is about kids nad visitors. Everytime someone comes over the girls feel the need to show off. Tonight we had the Elders over and the girls had their musical instruments out. They had to play for them. All three. Then we had the whole how is freaker than who contest. Kalaree wiggled her ears, Kami touched her tongue to her nose, then the Elders asked her if she could lick her elbow and guess what she can, I thought that was impossible. Then Kami took it one step further and showed everyone how she can lick her arm pit. Yup, you read that right, she licked her arm pit. Kami the sweet little girl has turned into the regular tom boy. She is always outside on her rollerblades or skate board. She hangs out with the boys next door. She doesn't ever want to look like a girl. Hates her hair done and her clothes are all about jeans and t-shirts.

The girls and I spent Saturday helping out at the theater with the set and with costuming for the play. The girls rolled grey and black paint on every peice of wood while I worked in the green room with the costuming. I have more projects to do at home. Three skirts to fix, a under dress to make, a papermache frying pan to make, bun covers, just to name a few. The students at the set work day were the best. Even the high school boys were super nice to Kami. offering to help her when needed. The play is shaping up nicely and I can't wait to see it. If the goofying around that was going on is any sign this will be awesome with the choreographed fight scenes and sword work. Kalaree has been blessed to get a great drama instructor. You can tell that she has a real passion for the work. Kezri had her first uncomfortable sleep over this weekend. She was asked to come over with two other girls. However, the other girls do not go to school with the party girl or Kezri and the f...

Kalaree's costume is DONE!!! In fact we got it totally done by 11 P.M. last night. It is definitely a costume. It was quite the challenge. They didn't have her size int he pattern so we had to by the one down and then add inches. I had a 50% off coupon and in order to get it at 50% off you have to get it in one cut. That is hard when you need three different colors. So brilliant me, we bought YARDS of muslin and then boxes of dye. Saved me a ton of money. I worked out a time line, Sunday-fit the pattern, Monday-dye the fabric (and the sink, thank goodness for bleach), Tuesday-cut out fabric (or as much of it as a very tired Kalaree can do), Wednesday-sew the outfit (after Kalaree finished cutting it out.) We only had a few mishaps. Kalaree didn't use the layout guide and ended up short fabric for the skirt. So Tuesday night she is wanting to go buy dye to redo the fabric, which of course I told her no. Instead, her skirt ended up two inches shorter than the pattern. You rea...

I have to say this week has been one of the trying weeks that occur when you raise girls. Kalaree, who says she hates girl drama, got into an argument with her best friend, which is a guy, because she wasn't getting along with his girlfriend. Then another guy friend, one she likes, asked her why she would always leave the room when the girl he likes would come sit with them. I remember those awful high school days and now I get to relive them with my daughter. So of course, being the great mom that I am I sat her down and talked about why she needs to try to get along with other girls. Which I was rewarded with, "mom, quit psyching me." Kezri, who is all about girl drama, got into an argument between her and two other girls, sides were picked, insults were thrown, tears were shed, apologies were given and hugs were had by all. But of course, this occurred all through text. What ever happened to the good old throw down in the halls of school? Kami has decided that she is g...