They Won! They Actually Won!

Savannah Grace's 1st Trophy...Ever!

Savannah Grace's 2 1st Place Trophies...one for the 4 year old category and one for Overall High Score for 8 and under!

Chloe having a meltdown.

Most Adorable Award and Platinum Ribbons

Here we go!

Savannah Grace's dance team...4 little girls who are 4 years old... won 1st place Overall in the 8 and under category!

The Thrive Dance Competition on February 14, 2009 was a great experience for our whole family. The weekend started when we left for Dallas early on Saturday morning. I wanted to arrive at the competiton AT LEAST 3 hours early so that we weren't stressed at all trying to get Savannah Grace ready for the big performance. We arrived at Cedar Hill High School around 10:15 and headed straight for the dressing rooms. We definately took our time getting her ready, but it really did take about 2.5 hours!!!!! It was really fun hanging out with the other 3 moms and daughters and grandmas...including NeeNee...while we were getting the girls glitterized and glamourized. After some last minute glitter sprays...it was time! We took them to the dance teachers who then took them off to practice. It was the last time I would see Savannah Grace until after her performance, and for some reason, I kind of wanted to cry. I gave her a big...don't mess her make-up, though...kind of hug and told her I was soooo proud to be her mommy.

We then made our way into the auditorium...Grandfather, NeeNee, Daddy, Jackson, and Lilly Claire. We realized quickly that the competition was running behind. They were on #80 and her group was #106. When the numbers got to about #98, we made our way to the front of the auditorium so we could have the best seat possible to watch our little princess. I was so excited for her!!

Then, all of a sudden, they skipped a few numbers... and announced dance #106...Miss America. We all started cheering...very loudly...and here they come! They marched in from the side of the stage...in perfect formation...with their hands on their hips and took their spot on the stage. Gosh, that long curly, fake hair looked good! The music started and they turned around to face the audience. They were soooooo cute! I mean REALLY cute. I know I am biased, but they were seriously the cutest little dancers I have ever seen. They did their dance just perfectly...all the wrong way kicks just made it that much more precious.

As soon as the dance wsa over, the mommy's hurried out of our seats to get our girls, smiling and waving at the audience as we walked up the isle...making sure everyone realized that those girls were OUR GIRLS! After lots of hugs and kisses, we changed the girls into their competition team warm-ups and headed back to the auditorium to watch the remaining dances and then wait for the awards ceremony to start. Savannah Grace was calm and collected, telling her brother, " I have to go back on stage to get my trophy"...when he would mumble "is it time to go?" At this point, and the mention of the trophy, I'm thinking..."Thank goodness that NeeNee and Grandfather brought her a beautiful trophy from Uncle Bert's shop."

Then it was time for the Awards Cermony. All 116 dances/dancers had to report to the stage. They started with the judges coming up onto the stage to give "Special Awards." The judges gave out 8 awards for dances that just stood out that deserved recognition. One of the judges said, "When this next group walked onto the stage, I simply had to put my pen down. They were simply the most adorable thing I have ever seen, and so the "Most Adorable Award" goes to dance #106....Miss America!!!!!!!" Then, they got around to the 4 year old age group awards...."Dance #106...Mrs. America.....platinum medal (the highest you can get!) and a 1st place trophy!" Then, they began the Overall Awards for the 8 years and under category. They started with 4th place, 3rd place, 2nd place, and then they said, "1st place...drumroll please...Miss America!" Unbelievable. I still cannot believe they won! Not that I don't think they didn't deserve it, it is just simply unbelievable. Of course I think they should've won!!!

After the awards ceremony, we took pictures with the girls and all of their awards in the hallway. Chloe was having a meltdown, which, hey, it was high time somebody had a meltdown. NeeNee presented Savannah Grace with her first trophy ever...it was beautiful...and it said, "Savannah Grace...Most Beautiful Dancer...2009".

Jackson's Kindergarten Valentine's Party

Jackson's kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Russell, asked me to organize the Valentine's Day party...and you know I was all over that one. With the help of several other moms, it was a huge success! We played games, including the Limbo, bean bag toss and hot potato. We made Valentine's Day magnet frames, we decorated sugar cookies, and read a Valentine's book. For snacks, I made chocolate dipped pretzel sticks and starwberries that resembled mice. The kids took home little metal buckets that had their names on them, which were filled with goodies. And what is a party without balloons? Yes, they all had a heart balloon to take home. Jackson said it was a fun party...goal accomplished!

Pep Rally!

Savannah Grace has a weakness for "twirly" dresses!

Savannah Grace, Jesi, Trinity, Chloe

Little Miss America's...Chloe, Jesi, Savannah Grace, Trinity

Jesi, Trinity, Chloe, Savannah Grace

Tuckered Out...but still looking fabulous!

Tonight was the Pep Rally for Kristina's Competition Team. It was the first time the girls got to put on their dresses, make-up and hair (literally...thanks to the hair pieces!). Savannah Grace is dancing to a song called Miss America. The girls did a great job and I think they are ready for Saturday. Soooo fun...I love being a girl mom.

Competition Jitters

I realize this is so silly, but I am soooo nervous. Savannah Grace has her first dance competition this Saturday and I am slightly freaking out. On the good side, Savannah Grace doesn't even realize she has a dance competiton this weekend. I've spent the past few days driving all over Dallas picking up white ballet shoes, finding the fluffiest white socks for their costumes, buying the latest curling iron, matching hair pieces to Savannah Grace's hair, and searching endlessly for "swiss chocolate" eye shadow. I've gone off the deep end. On the other hand, I am having the best time.

I ordered these personalized blankets for the 4 little girls in Savannah Grace's dance. They have a "Pep Rally" tommorrow night to do a dress rehearsal and pump the kids up for their first competition. I'm going to give the blankets to them at the pep rally. I thought they turned out really cute.

Good Luck Savannah Grace, Jesi, Chloe and Trinity...our Little Miss America's.

AWANAs

Jackson was chosen to be the flag holder at Awana's tonight. This is a big deal....he has to stand on the stage in front of several hundred people while the pledges are said. I was so proud of him!

Jackson and Savannah Grace LOVE going to Awana's at church. They would rather go to Awana's than pretty much anywhere else. One example of this is that Savannah Grace's birthday fell on a Wednesday, and I had just assumed that we would skip Awana's and go out to eat at her favorite place...Tokoyo. However, when I mentioned this to Savannah Grace, she would have no part of a family birthday celebration. She wanted to go to Awanas...no more discussion.

Savannah Grace is a "Cubbie" and Jackson is a "Spark". Savannah Grace loves all the helpers in Cubbies, especially her mom. :) Ms. Kelli, Ms. Dixie, Mrs. Leslie, Mrs. Vickie, Ms. Theresa, Mr. Ray and Mr. Norita are all there every Wednesday night to lead the Cubbies in fun and games.

I am so thankful that my children love church!

Our Giggly Girl

Today is a day, I just don't want to forget. Lilly Claire giggled all day long. She giggled and clapped when I went in to get her out of her bed. She giggled that genuine belly laugh as we went down the stairs. She sang and giggled in the car, and giggled when her brother and sister would talk to her. She was just so giggly, and I LOVE being her mom.

Our Little Sweetheart

This is Savannah Grace's favorite picture of herself.

Today, Savannah Grace and I were chatting over lunch and she said, "Mommy, there is a lot of people in the world. There must be a lot of Jesus's." I said, "Nope, there is only one Jesus." She said, "But how does one Jesus get in so many people's tummies...I mean hearts?"

The other day, Savannah Grace said, "Mommy, I know where Heaven is. It's in our hearts, because that's where Jesus lives."

Gotta love her.