Flips

These were taken in Georgia's Flips gymnastics class during Show Week where the parents got to go in the class.

Working on her floor routine

A V-sit on the balance beam

With the 4th muskateer, Ally

Cartwheeling

Casting on the uneven bars

Ta-Da!

Super Beast

Here are some shots of Brody in his gymnastics class for 2 and 3 year olds called Super Beasts.

I'm Batman

Who would have thought that $2 could provide a day's entertainment? While grocery shopping in Wal-Mart this morning, the kids and I meandered through the toy section, looking for bubble wands. What we found was a batman mask. Brody immediately needed to have it, wear it and become a super hero. We got lots of stares and lots of attention, but that's ok because we have shopped with more original accessories than this. Brody thought it was very funny to growl at others and to continually say, "Hey, kid! I'm Batman" to anyone under 12 that was taking a look at him. An older kid did call him a dork under his breath, so Brody growled at him, too. I didn't know the Caped Crusader was such an animal!

Once at home, we donned the appropriate Underoos and a cape was needed, so he wore an open trash bag for the rest of the afternoon. That child has a sense of humor.

More Dance Pictures

Georgia and friends before the recital.

Georgia and Olivia

The "Original Divas"

Miss Prima Ballerina

Lexi, Carlie and Georgia

3 of the 4 of her kindergarten girl gang

Tiptoes and Tutus

She is 2nd from the left.

Georgia had her first ballet recital tonight. She was elated at getting to wear lots of makeup and there was much primping and dancing before the mirror in her purple tutu. At one point she told me "I look beautiful with all of my dark makeup Mommy...I look like you when you go out with Daddy." Now keep in mind that she is wearing stage makeup and has enough on to rival any beauty queen , or drag queen for that matter. Thanks babe!

We are very proud of her and her progress. She is becoming very good at recognizing ballet terms and being able to do them. Her favorite things to do are chasse (basically galloping) and pirouettes (one legged turns), because according to her, that is what "real ballerinas" do.

She did very well, sparkled and smiled. She was especially happy to receive flowers after her dance. Real ballerinas get those, too.

We had Pizza for Brunch. What did you have?

Brody and I joined some other MAM members and their kids for a "behind the scenes" tour of Monical's Pizza. All the kids had a blast "using" the computer to order pizza, examining the mixer and playing with pizza dough and making their own pizzas.

More cheese!

Brody thought it was great to have pizza before 10am and said that the dough was like tortilla dough and squishy.

Squishing the dough with Elliot and Trish

"Pizza Worm"

Brody with his finished product.

Pancakes, Cubs and the Cold on Mother's Day

Mother's Day was both good and interesting this year.

The Good:
I received a cute poem from Georgia and a flower hand print from Brody. We were continuing our little trip up to Chicago and had an awesome breakfast at this little hole in the wall place in Lincoln Park/Wrigleyville called Orange With A Peel. They had crazy things like Green Eggs and Ham (with this oh so good pesto), Fruity Pebble Pancakes for kids, ginormous regular pancakes and all sorts of strange mixtures. I had the Pancake Flight which is four different kinds of silver dollar pancakes that are tied together with a theme. Mother's Day was : Clean Your Room, Eat Your Veggies, You Are Just Like Your Father, and An Apple A Day.

The Interesting:

We rode the "El" since that was one of the things on my brother's "to do in Chicago" list. Brody absolutely loved the jerkiness of the ride. Our other plan for Sunday was to take in a Cubs game since we had not had the occasion to check out Wrigley Field.

Being an Astros fan, I am used to not really worrying about the weather during baseball games. Our ballpark has a retractable roof, so rain and temperature are not an issue. I should know by now not to count on weather holding in the Midwest, so of course it turned FRIGID, started raining and blowing this wicked, howling wind that cut right into your bones. THIS IS MID-MAY PEOPLE!!! We did have the sense to bring coats, but it was not enough. We stayed down where it was warm until the start of the first inning and left sometime in the fourth. The kids were troopers, but they were wrapped up in a $50 Cubs blanket that we had to buy or just leave.

My legs were cramped with the cold ( I know, whine, whine you Texan) and I was kind of bummed to later find out that Tony Romo (GO COWBOYS!) threw out the first pitch and we missed it. Oh well, we now have an Illinois souvenir to keep in the linen closet for all time. And I got a free pink Cubs cap for Mother's Day at the gate.

Uncle Drew in the Windy City

The Gonzales Clan

My little brother, hereafter referred to as Uncle Drew came up for a visit and a little R&R before his big move to San Diego. I don't think he got the relaxing part. Poor thing had to live the life of a stay at home mom, which is so much more busy than one might think. Uncle Drew was subjected to gym and dance classes, school pick up, the moms at the park, multiple Rock Band concerts in the basement and out to eat with just me and the kids. No wonder he had to buy beer by Thursday!

We did make an overnight trip to Chicago and did a few fun things, too. We showed Uncle Drew the Science and Industry Museum and the whole crew indulged my trip through the new Smart House exhibit. Chris is usually resistant to my save the earth ways, but I think he is coming around. After a quick drive past the lake, Soldier Field and Millenium Park, we headed to the Mag Mile. Uncle Drew got to try his first Chicago-style deep dish pizza

A slice of the Meaty Legend

and write on the wall at Gino's. We also had some of the best cheese sticks ever, upon recommendation of DJ our very Russian waiter with a very thick accent. He also talked us into three cheap pitchers of Miller Lite.

We missed the Sears Tower, but Uncle Drew graciously went into American Girl and the Lego Store to appease the little people.