A visit to the Symphony...not quite yet

Sage and Libby were scheduled to go the a symphony performance today.  This is very special at their school because they ride a bus and get to wear fancy clothes (special since they normally wear uniforms).  They prepared the night before and woke up early to make sure they looked their best.  I drove them to school instead of the usual bike riding.  Well, the bus didn't come because the office had made a mistake and the symphony is tomorrow!  150 5th graders will be dressing up again TOMORROW!  

This hair (all of this thick hair took 45 minutes to straighten and then curl) do was a first today :)

sewing with Grandma Suzette

Here are some outfits that have been sewn with left over material from other projects. Cute little apron and hat too!

Sage's New Room

I am having issues with Blogger, so my posts have been kept to a minimum.

Sage is pretty happy with her pink and green polka dot room. She loves her dolls and violin (just moved up to a 3/4).

Sage's teeth

These shots are definitely not glamour shots, but Sage had 2 teeth extracted today for orthodontic purposes. They were her cuspids. She is already back to eating normally.

American Girl Doll store in Los Angeles

When you have been saving your money up for that one special day, it is pure joy to bring your purchase home. Sage finally got me to take her to the mecca of all doll stores to allow "HER" to purchase BRIN (Sage's middle name), a doll that looks just like Sage.

She brought Brooke and Grandma Suzette along to enjoy the shopping experience.

Sage also bought an additional outfit for her doll. We love the high quality hair that allowed me to easily braid it.

Since we couldn't get a reservation at the doll store cafe, we ate at Johnny Rockets. The girls love to eat up to the bar, since the stools spin all the way around.

Brooke also decided to spend some of her own money on a mini sized historical character doll, named Emily from the 1940's.

One of Sage's great aunts in Mississippi, made some doll clothes a few months back. They fit Brin perfectly!

Brin is not Sage's baby, she is her friend :)

Crazy hair day at school

Another spirit day at school had us using lots of pony tails and colorful holders.

Libby wore her district science day shirt along with her crazy hair.

Today

Isn't every day special or unique in some way? Every Sunday we wake up before 8 to attend church meetings that start at 10. Why it takes us that long to get ready I have no idea. If we get a later start than that, the morning consists of chaos.

All of these children are unique in their own style and make sure that I know about it. Libby loves this outfit because her Grammy and Gramps bought it for her baptism.

Sage is happy in polka dots and most of all the boots!

Brooke even tells me hot to do her hair. The one curly strand down the side of the face and a slight side ponytail.

Libby wanted to take pictures so I am not sure why she has this look on her face. She doesn't usually show it to anybody but me (it seems). Perry helped her with the necklace and she even put on her own tights. We have come a long way.

Today, as I stated is special. I am in awe at the things children and myself included learn each day from our experiences and those around us. I am grateful for today, which is a "present" to each of us.

Team/Sport Jersey shirt day at school

Our elementary school has days where they encourage team spirit by allowing kids to wear a team jersey or the school's spirit shirts.

Sage and Brooke decided to wear shirts their Dad wore as a kid playing soccer. They just both happened to be green. I love that Brooke is wearing a team shirt for the "shin busters"

Sage is happy to be playing soccer lately for a city park league. I think she knows this would make her Dad happy.

This soccer ball has been popular at our house for a few years now (Uncle Scott, another soccer player gave it to her).

Table dance

or is it a Tap dance? You know when you bring out toys from 6 months ago your kids just want to play with them like you just bought them? Well, we moved our picnic table off of the patio to wash it and these two came up with a great idea. They put on their tap shoes and put together a routine in a few minutes. I thought it was fun to share.

Twin Day or is it Triplet?

Another school spirit day had people dressing alike. Sage is friends with a sweet girl that does look quite similar to her. Girl on the right has a mom that just gave a kidney to her own mother and is recuperating (also a teacher at the school), who sends home a shirt and headband for Sage to wear on this day (wow). I think the 3 looked great! (Sage is in the middle)

Sage's braces

Note: All pictures used with Sage's permission. Please click on them to enlarge :)

Sage was all smiles with nerves this morning as she waited to get her first braces on. She has other devices inside her mouth, including bands that her headgear hook into, but not the actual braces.

This does not look fun. Dr. Jorgenson was going to put 4 on, but decided against it. One tooth is not down far enough, so we wait.

She picked out magenta colored bands (can you see them?).

Her full gear for the night...

Brian Salice - grave marker

Brian Salice is the biological father of my daughters Sage and Brooke, for those of you that don't know. His bronze grave marker was finally ready to be put into the ground. The cemetery was nice enough to let us watch the placement for no "additional charge"

The girls were mesmerized while two men worked on cutting out the grass and then filling the hole with cement. Brooke really liked the oil the man used to shine up the marker. The girls designed this marker and were happy to see it mark the place where their daddy's body rests.

They picked out some live flower plants to leave there.

They wanted to take a silly picture for Daddy. Sage thought he would like that.

I am really happy with Forest Lawn in Cypress. They have great customer service and a nice location for those of us that live in Long Beach. I like to visit, but I hope I have many more years before I need check in. Or would that be check out?

If you would like to visit this spot it is in the Sunset section near the pine trees. Spot 5181, space 2. All are welcome, it is open to the public during daylight hours.