Gracious Winners

I love dance because it puts this smile on Jessica's face.

They did very well at the district qualifier on Saturday; 4 firsts, a 2nd, and a 3rd.  I like being a gracious winner much better than a sore loser.  But sometimes it takes losing to make winning so SWEET.

There are some really good teams and it is fun (after the fact) to have close competition.  We were pleased  to win 1st in the Hip Hop division, since it's a bunch of white ladies. 

Lady Miriam

She just gets cuter and cuter.  What a lovely baby and it is so fun to have a granddaughter.  She has nerves of steel with her big brothers rough housing about.  The other day, Cameron asked, "What's rough housing, Baca?"  I am anxious to see if she will join them, or be a "girly-girl".  Jessica never did get into carrying babies around, in spite of my cramming them down her throat.  She didn't like Barbies, either.  We have a great collection awaiting Miriam.

A Sore Loser

This past weekend was the opening competition for dance.  Ordinarily, I would have posted by now, but...... I have always known this, but it was reinforced this last weekend:  I am a sore loser.
That being said, Sweet Liberty won 1st place in three out of the six routines.  That's winning - right?

We came in second in Military, our strong suit.  We won dance, which we totally thought we wouldn't, we won kick, which they performed perfectly, we won Novelty.  We thought our prop routine was a first place for sure and it took 3rd. 

There are several reasons for all of this.  The quality of dance in this valley has elevated to a level that provides more competition than ever. There's no denying that.

If you present your very, very best; personal and as a team, and still lose then I can deal with that. 

But when you serve up your routines on a big silver platter for utter comsumption, good things do not happen.

I am confident that we will get the kinks worked out and kick some major bu-tee in two weeks.

Until then, I will work on being a more gracious loser.

I crack myself up.

Last night I had one of those experiences that you never think you will have.  One that never even occurs to you.

I woke myself up laughing - at my own joke!

I was waving a blue green and yellow something or other and it had the word "Leo Saa" or something like it written on it.  I was busy saying the words in different intoneations, which sounded pretty funny.  (I think this part is what tickled my funny bone).  Someone asked me what it meant and I replied, "It's a joke." So of course, I proceeded to tell the joke, which went something like this:

"What does one hunting horse say to the other?  Leo Saa!"

Here's the craziest part; when I woke up right in the middle of a belly laugh, I thought the joke was sooo funny, I tried to remember the details to tell Gordon, it was so funny.  And then this morning, the details are fuzzy.  As a matter of fact, I'm sure I haven't gotten any part of the joke but the horse and saying "Leo Saa" right.

I really, really cracked myself up.

Never underestimate humor and it's place in our lives (or subconscious:).

It's begun...

Tonight was "Senior Night" for dance.  At half time of the basketball game, they announced all of the Seniors.  Wow.  I wasn't quite ready for that.  It seems a little early to start with all the "lasts".  And besides, I have resolved myself to not look at it that way, but to enjoy it all the way.  But every once in a while, I think about the "lasts" and it really hits.  Not so much tonight because they called Jessica's name before Gordon and I got down out of the stands.  We went trailing out there after the fact, with me trying to not give Mr. Melby a snarky look.  "Just smile", Jess said. So I did. 

I was glad it went that way, because I couldn't think too much; it just happened so fast. 

Saturday begins competition season and we are ready with six numbers. It's going to be fun and intense. Speaking of intense, I look a little that way in the bottom photo. Must happen trying not to look snarky.

Sweethearts Dance

Tonight was the Sweetheart Dance.  Here is Jessica right before she went out the door.  She is one lucky girl; she has so many great "sisters" to come and share the fun doing hair and make-up.  Ashlee & Sarah came, as well as Laura and Meaghan (They did Meaghan's hair & make-up too).

Jessica picked out this dress - it is so pretty.  It's early "Bordello" style meets "Stand for Truth and Righteousness".  We added the sleeves.

Gordon's parents came to town this weekend and we had a wonderful time with them.  While Jessica was at the dance, everyone came over for an "Oh Heck" tournament and some baby-spoiling time.  Great Grandma Bird had quite a way of getting little lady Miriam to gurgle and coo.

She is two months old now and her personality is really coming out.  Her eyes are still blue; still waiting to see if they'll turn brown like her brothers.  While she looks a lot like her brother Cameron, she looks a lot like her mommy too.  And so petite......and all sugar and spice.

I am a Groundhog

Today is Groundhog day.  I like that.  It is a welcome sign that things will get sunnier and warmer. 

I think I am a Groundhog. 

In the winter I hide in my cool cave all stocked with winter food and wait for things to clear so I can be out and about again, jumping from tree to tree and chasing squirrels (you know what I mean). In case you can't tell from reading (or not reading) this blog, I am different this time of the year, not my usual self.  Sunlight is my on-switch. 

That's not to say that I won't miss the family time of the holidays or college football.  Saving graces, they are (a little Yoda there.....).

So, will I see my shadow today?  It's 50/50, but I have a feeling my cool cave days are numbered.