The Crazee Chick's View of Life

Last Friday night... was an amazing night for Mo and a bunch of her friends! No, they didn't dance on tabletops. No, they didn't go streaking in the park or skinny dipping in the pool. And no, they didn't break the law. Thank goodness. Nope, these lucky girls got to dance in the halftime show of the BC Lions game at the first game back in the newly re-opened BC Place! Sarah McLachlan singing the national anthem Dancing to "Raise the Roof" Dance has brought her so many amazing experiences! She's danced in a Christmas Parade, at the Paralympics Opening Ceremonies, at Disneyland, and now this. Next month she also gets to be in the Grey Cup parade and in the halftime show again!   In July both Mo and Kiki will be travelling with their dance teams to compete in Vegas!  I wonder if these kids realize how lucky they are?

As a family, we like to have 'date' days where one kid gets to spend a special day alone with either mom or dad. About a year ago, I took Kiki to a ceramics store for our date and ever since then Zee has been asking to go there for his date day with me. Well, one day, my 'sista' and I had planned a surprise day out for the kids at one of our many islands. We were going to take the ferry over, go for lunch and explore all the artisan kiosks. As it so happens, life stepped in and changed our plans so we frantically tried to find something else that would be a fun day for the kids...after all we had spent the entire week before telling them about our fun surprise Wednesday activity so they were stoked to do something FUN! We thought about the beach but the weather was crappy. The mall? Nah, too normal. How about a shopping trip to the US? Nah, too late in the day...the border line ups would be horrendous. We were running out of options, what could we do? Ent...

She's home! But only for a day and then she's off again... She's just returned from an amazing, spiritual, uplifting week at EFY (Especially For Youth). Although she's not sharing the things that touched her heart during this week (I think she wants to keep them distinctly 'hers' for a little while longer) she's done nothing but rave about the experience and I can tell that waiting another year to go again is going to seem like an eternity to her. On Monday she's off again...to Girls' Camp. I hope the weather will be great for her as the last couple of camps she's gone to the weather has been horribly wet and cold. After Girls' Camp she's back for a couple of days and then she and Kiki are off to dance camp! And then...that's it! No more going away unless it's as a family. I miss these kids too much when they're gone! Also, Mo is my cook so we eat really crappy meals when she's away...

Zee wanted to try his hand at crabbing so we bought him a little net, got a license and some chicken and headed off to the sea side to go catch us some dinner. Here's Zee ready to make the virgin throw.  My boys... And there it goes!  The first throw!  And after a few minutes--success!  Our first catch of the day: a red rock crab! Sorry, you're too tiny--back into the drink you go. Male bonding... Our little piece of heaven--sunshine, food, family ,an activity...and lawn chairs! Love this little boy!! Three red rock crab in a bucket. (Hey, that could be a song!) Three red rock in a pot.  (Hey, second verse!) Three red rock crab in hot water.  (The song's refrain!) You should have heard the sympathy coming from all of us as Hubby tossed the little crabs into the pot. We felt so bad! This was the first time that my kids had tasted crab and: Mo didn't really care for the first bite but the taste grew on her and ...

 Look what the brats kids whipped up for breakfast the other morning--homemade crepes with real whipped cream and fresh fruit!  Don't they look fattening decadent? While I applaud their initiative, I find it mean ironic that they never made these for breakfast before I was told I was allergic to wheat, dairy and fresh fruit.  Yes, I sadly munched on my hypoallergenic rice cakes with tahini and raspberry jam while they gorged indulged enjoyed every lovin' mouthful.  But it's okay, I'm not upset because these sadistic creative children of mine continue to torture amaze me everyday with their natural talents. Just look at this one my darling daughter stuffing her ever loving piehole enjoying this friggin' wonderful crepe.  Enjoy baby...may it all land on your hips you and your siblings develop food allergies continue to be creative and passionate about all things culinary.

  Yeah, that's my girl with a big trophy!  Tap Solo 2011 WINNER!! Quite a sparkly outfit, no? It looks so fabulous on stage!

For the last three years, we have faced decisions about dance. Decisions such as whether to go, whether to stay, and this year....whether to continue. For the record, just let me make it clear that none of these have ever been easy to make. Year after year we have shed many, many tears trying to do what's best for our girls. This year is no exception. After much thinking and praying, we have decided that Mo is going to leave the company team and reduce her dance commitment down to about 4 hours per week. Tap has always been her strength, and her love, so she will continue to dance with the company team in that genre as well as do a tap solo. The rest of the dance hours will be in jazz, jazz tech and a second tap class. She was honored when she was hand picked to be on an elite tap team but has been very mature in having to say goodbye to that honor as well. I am very proud of my girl. And sad. I will miss seeing her dance. To say that I love watching her leap, jump and spin...