A Snowy December Night

I'm looking out the window on a blanket of white, and (with the exception of the wind) I am okay with this weather. It seems right for winter to arrive. Sick, according to Diana, but it seems seasonal to me.


I downloaded some pictures and discovered a photo of Bailee and our Halloween display.







She had a great time carving her pumpkins, but I want to draw attention to her feet. Eleven years old and we STILL cannot keep shoes on this kid!








One of the best things about this month has been watching Bailee turn into a voracious reader. She has really gotten turned on to books, and has chosen them over her usual television shows. WHAT A TRIUMPH! Needless to say, the teachers in the family are thrilled. Since I continue to feel under the weather, I have also been devoting a great deal of time to reading. I just finished H.G. Well's "War of the Worlds." Very, very creepy! It reminded me more of the Tom Cruise version (which I have only seen clips of) than the old version we used to watch with my dad. I SHOULD have read this at Halloween time.



Diana was finally able to get her Swine Flu shot at the last clinic held this week. Mom and I are still unprotected, but at least the two people most at risk in our household have gotten the vaccine. I hope that mom can qualify for the next clinic. I was vaccinated at BYU back in the day (the 70s) when we last had a Swine Flu outbreak, so am hoping I still have some immunity to protect me.



After months of preparation, Bailee's gifted and talented group put on their big program - NIGHT OF THE NOTABLES. Bailee did her presentation and report on ballerina Maria Tallchief. Not only was she one of the first Native American prima ballerinas, she also taught Bailee's ballet teacher (Becky Gili) after her retirement. We made a costume for her to represent Ms. Tallchief's signature role in the ballet FIREBIRD. It was a great night, and we were really proud of her.







This past weekend, Bailee spent a good deal of time hanging up posters for THE NUTCRACKER. Most businesses were very sweet about doing so. Several managers glanced at the poster and then looked at her and exclaimed, "Hey! That's you!" Being Clara has definitely open more doors for getting those posters displayed I think. She has a week off of dance (well, she has to practice at home of course) and she can certainly use it. She is SO tired! This role has been a real challenge for her. She's loving it of course, being the dance addict she is. However, it is very strange to see her face plastered all over. She gets embarrassed, especially when people notice that she's the girl on the poster. She's having to deal with a little celebrity The younger dancers always get excited when they see her out and about. She's learning to be gracious and kind to them (though she insists that "This is embarrassing!"). Poor kid. My heart just bleeds for her. NOT!

We only have two days of school this week. It doesn't seem possible that it is already Thanksgiving time! We're planning our usual intimate Thanksgiving here at home with just the immediate family. With our very public and people oriented jobs, the peace and quiet is a nice change. We'll catch a few movies, avoid Black Friday, and do some holiday decorating. I'm sure that a great many naps will be the chief order of business. I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday and that you are all healthy and happy!

It's ALL About Dance

Well, there she is. Clara, in almost all her glory. Right now (and for the next several weeks), our life will be consumed by ballet. Everything and every waking moment revolves around Nutcracker. It's a grind, for sure, but when you look at that little imp - well, you really don't care. She's doing well, and we are really proud of her.

Practices are six days a week now, and usually run around 2 to 3 hours. I am thankful that Bailee is staying healthy and still enjoys it all. Most kids complain about practicing, but she actually seems thrilled to go every day. She has never lost her passion for dance. In fact, it merely seems to grow.

Meanwhile, I am sick with what the PA at Community Care referred to as "almost a sinus and ear infection." Good heavens! If that was an "almost" then I am glad I missed out on the real deal. I have been miserable. Headache, body aches, sore throat, stomach ache, and an earache that had me sure my ear drum was about to burst. I feel somewhat better today, but still did not go in to school. It was a workday, and I figured I could do that at home just as well (and not have to be civil to anyone while I did it).

Diana has finished her Parent-Teacher Conferences, so her life is seeming MUCH better today. They are so stressful, as you always have to tell some parents things they absolutely do not want to hear. I am glad that we are both done with them until the new year. Now all we have to do is get our kiddoes through the holidays.

The weather is dreary and cold, but it's November, after all. I wouldn't mind seeing some snow, but Mom is adament about NO SNOW UNTIL DECEMBER! I personally like winter. I think it is nature's way of telling us to slow down already! I am more than willing to hibernate for the next few months. A season of good books read in front of a fireplace sounds like a slice of heaven to me. I certainly wish we HAD a fireplace. Oh well, maybe someday. Until then I'll satisfy myself with a warm house, a cozy throw, and that good book. (Which right now is H.G. Well's "War of the Worlds.")

The First Week of November

I am a Halloween Scrooge. I admit it freely and without shame. I hate Halloween. I mean, I REALLY hate it. I just can't stand the focus on gore and horror that has become the twisted soul of the modern version of Halloween. Ick. The evening door pounding gives me a headache (mostly due to the frenzy the dogs go into). The surly teenagers who show up with a pillowcase and an attitude make me want to reach for the nearest taser. I almost prefer those teens dressed up in no more than their greed to those who put on a display of garb that nearly sends you retching into your candy bowl. Extremely icky.


My fellow fifth grade teacher topped everything however, when she shared an experience that her son had at a local grocery on Halloween. It left me shaking my head and confirmed my dislike for the day. He was in search of more treats for the legions of ghouls who would come knocking on the door that evening when in walked a young man decked out as Jesus - complete with a crown of thorns and blood streaming down his face. He said that the whole store went dead silent. Inappropriate? Absolutely. Yep. I hate Halloween.


I did, however enjoy our friend Marsha's take on Halloween in her blog. If you're looking for a giggle about how our imaginations can take us for a ride - check out her Early Halloween entry at
http://www.beetleeyes.com/.


Bailee had a miserable week with her braces. It was so hard for her to eat that she lost three pounds. That's a lot of weight on a very tiny girl! It hurt to see her in so much pain. Thankfully, this week she is doing better and is eating once more.


I actually had a wonderful day at school today - due to the fact that my biggest pain in the butt was home sick. What a difference it made! You hate to admit to this, but his absence changed the entire climate of the room. Without his constant disruptions and distractions the other students did much better. Without his negative and bullying attitude we had a peaceful and happy day. How do you tactfully suggest home school to a parent?

Swine Flu

Diana and Bailee went to the Swine Flu Shot-a-thon on Friday. They spent two hours sitting out in the cold and wind (poor planning on the Health Department's watch), waiting. Diana still does not qualify for a shot, but Bailee got hers. She ran a low grade fever on Friday and Saturday and did not feel well. Last night the fever disappeared and she perked right up. We heard that this is a normal reaction to the flu shot for kids, so don't freak out if your kidlets don't feel well post shot. Normal, normal, normal. It seems like half the population is freaking out about the H1N1 shots, but Dr. Oz (from Oprah) and every other doctor I have heard speaking on it say that it is not a risk. Given Bailee's asthma and the fact that she becomes extremely ill whenever she has a respiratory illness, we felt that it was important to protect her. As a teacher, I see how fast sickness can spread in a classroom, even when you are harping on hygiene and disinfection everything. Kids, by natural, are prone to passing on bugs. When it comes down to it, you have to decide for yourself (weighing out the risks etc.), but I am really glad Bee will have an immunity edge.

Yesterday we had to take Miss Ballet Star down to the Pointe Shop in Pocatello for new pointe shoes. Yes. Plural. The shank on her last pair of Grishkos (which I had hoped we could dye for the party scene) went soft in the center, so they have to be replaced. Ouch and dang! That meant we had to buy two new pairs for NUTCRACKER. She got another pair of Grishkos to dye, then begged for a pair of Gaynor Mindens. They are more expensive, but are designed to last far longer than other pointe shoes. Bailee's feet are stable right now, so we decided to go for it. I don't want to have to make another ballet run to Pocatello until spring.

Bailee gets her braces (last week we got spacers) this Tuesday morning. I think she's going for black and orange. I recall when silver train tracks were the only option. Times sure do change. She'll have to have clear for NUTCRACKER, but Dr. Mooso said she can play around this time, as they will replace them in late November/early October. We are certainly learning a lot this year!