Busy, busy, busy!

Happy Halloween!

The lyrical dance, "I stand"

The Jazz Machine

Bandstand Boogie--Barry Manilow is back!

The MELTDOWN

Welcome back Hershey!

The top layer

The second layer

I love my Baba!

I just don't feel like I have a minute to catch my breath! Last week was just the busiest. Beside the normal schedule of work and running to gymnastics and dance classes (not to mention homework, chores and errands) I had to go to the pediatrician twice (once for strep and once for flu shots), parent watch (ballet for hours!), performances, Nutcracker practice (with a required parent meeting), and today we went to open house for the private school we are hoping to send Sarah to next year!

Of course there were other things...Analiese's Gotcha Day anniversary (3 years home!!!) and an invitation for Grace to be part of the TOPS team at gymnastics.

WHEW!

And it only promises to get busier as the holiday season approaches. At the Nutcracker parent meeting we received the performance dates for our mouse. Sarah will be performing on Dec 7th, Dec 18th, Dec 20th and Dec 27th. I have to volunteer for 3 of those performances and the cast party (which is a must to attend) is on the 7th after the performance! This, of course, does not include the rehearsals that will be in downtown Atlanta, as opposed to down the road in Cobb County. I know all of this craziness will be so worth it once the actual performances begin. Sarah's part is small but just to be included in the holiday tradition is so very special.

Speaking of special, Grace has been invited to be on the TOPS team at the gym! What is TOPS you ask? The acronym stands for Talent Opportunity Program. This is a gymnastics program that identifies girls between the ages of 7-11 that have the talent to possibly become an international competitor! It is National program and the top athletes from this program get chosen to attend the Houston gymnastics camp run by Bella Karoli and his wife Martha!

Many of the Olympic gymnastics were identified through the TOPS program. Right now the coaches have identified that Grace meets certain criteria: body type, strength and the flexibility as well as an inherent talent. Once Grace begins the program they will work to increase her strength and her flexibility as well as her tolerance for the pressure of performing.

In June/July Grace will be tested at the state level, along with all of the other TOPS athletes throughout Georgia (and other states). Once she reaches the age of 9 she will not only be tested at the state level but if her scores are good enough she will be tested at the National level and possibly receive an invitation to go the Karoli camp!

We are so proud of Grace! She loves gymnastics and is so very talented. We want her to go as far as she desires and will support her in every way we can.

Now for Sarah....she had a performance this weekend and had a great time. She danced in about 4 dances and did a fantastic job!

We celebrated Analiese's Gotcha day anniversary with an ice-cream cake. I had her put on the clothing (the two layers!) that she came to us in. Boy has she grown! Tomorrow Analiese will take cookies in to share with her class!

Matthew had a HORRIBLE melt down yesterday. I had just mentioned to Dave that it had been a while since we had seen a melt down. I think I may have jinxed everything. Yesterday, while I was out with Sarah, Matthew had a rough day with Dave. Oh, nothing major but lots of whining, sneaking candy and basically not following any rules.

So, when I got home and Dave told me about Matthew's behavior I questioned Matthew why he had such a rough day. He did not want to answer me. His eyes got squinty (more than usual!) and he refused to talk. Instead of pushing him, I told him to go upstairs and get his shower and then we would talk. That's when all broke loose.

It was like when we first brought Matthew home; screaming, yelling, banging on walls, kicking his furniture, hitting Dave and did I mention screaming??? This lasted about an hour. For the most part Matthew was in his room though I did get him in the shower (no he didn't stop screaming!) and into his pajamas (after sitting naked for about 20 minutes (yes, screaming the entire time!). Matthew eventually stopped but not until he vomited up his dinner. Once that happened he said he was sorry but I still made him go to bed.

The entire episode was draining for all of us. Matthew is very hoarse today because of all of the screaming he did. I took photos of the early part of the meltdown in hopes it would stop him. I told him I was going to show his teacher but he did not care! Today was a much better day.

Our elf Hershey came back during the meltdown. I thought that once Matthew saw Hershey, and remember that Hershey would tell Santa EVERYTHING, it would stop the behavior. No such luck!

Needless to say I fall into bed, exhausted, each evening. But, we are happy, healthy and as we've been reminded, very blessed to be a family!