Play Ball!

Tonight, Keree had the great honor of not only getting to sing God Bless America during the opening ceremony of the Grizz lies game (think Minor league baseball) but she also got to start the game! Being that it was a Monday night game and also that it was 116 degrees (without heat index), the crowds were a little light. But if you saw the shaded side of the stadium, it was packed.  My Mom, myself and my Aunt P was able to watch this amazing moment in Keree's life. 

This is the head of promotions walking Keree out to the dirt right behind Home plate. 

 Keree singing God Bless America. I was amazed to look around and see quite a few people wiping tears from there eyes. Not sure if it's because of the song or because of how amazing Keree did. I'm going with, how amazing Keree sang!

The flag is in Center Field, so that is why she has her back to the stands. 

 This is Keree with K urt Cope land getting ready to start the game.

The microphone wasn't working at this point, so Keree had to yell "Play Ball." Which, she threw her arm up and yelled Play Ball. It was so adorable.

 Keree with Izzy, he is the mascot of the Grizz lies baseball team.

The view from our seats. Tonight was also $2 nacho night at the ball park. Since none of us had eaten, we decided to try their pulled pork and buffalo chicken nachos. They were so good and none of us were able to finish our plates.

 One of Keree's many favorite moments of the nights, the running of the eyeballs. Seriously, it is hilarious to watch a bunch of eyeballs bounce around the field.

 Keree got a game-used baseball signed by all the baseball players. She was in heaven. Kurt chuckled and told us how adorable and smart she was because when he handed back her baseball, she gripped it only on the red seams. To top off such a wonderful night, the Home team won 12-6!

Prin cess To ma to

We got to the festival early, it was already close to 100 degrees at 9 am. So, everyone was taking bets on how quickly the ice sculpture would melt. It was pretty much gone by noon. Because we got there early, we got to visit with our neighbors who had entered two of their classic cars into the car show that was also being held there. Right around 10 am, we went to find our seats for the pageant, we wanted seats in the shade and in the front row. It was so nice that two sets of neighbors and then a few of their friends came to cheer Keree on. What was even more amazing is that my Aunt P actually showed up on time and was also able to cheer Keree on. Around 10:45, my Mom took Keree to get dressed and ready. 

Keree was contestant number 7 in the line-up. The other girls who came before her either forgot their fun fact or did great. Keree went up there and didn't miss a beat when repeating her fun fact. Which was "The Cat sup bott le was finished being built in Lousville, KY in 1949."

 Keree then sang acapella, I make my own sunshine. Because at first all you do is humming, I really think that a lot of people thought that was all she was going to do. But as soon as she started singing, she had the crowd captivated.

 She even had a few hand movements to it.

This was after all the contestants competed. There were eight girls and two boys. It was driving the director nuts that they didn't have the results done quickly. I guess it was a tough competition.

Even though it was 112 degrees at this point, Keree still kept a smile on her face waiting to hear...honestly she was just waiting for her bottle of cat sup that they even forgot to give out. Keree really is all about the cat -sup.

First they gave out the awards to the boys and then it was time for the girls to get their awards. I honestly wasn't sure if Keree was going to win Queen but when she wasn't called for first place. I just knew she had won. This is Prin cess To ma to 2011 crowning her.

 And here they are putting on her sash.

Another picture of them trying to put on her sash. 

So here she is, Prin cess To ma to 2012, our Keree. 

 

After the pageant, we stayed around the festival. We got a few pictures taken with our neighbors classic cars (which were happy to say that they also won a few awards). Keree meet some NFL cheerleaders, ate some of the birthday cupcakes and then.... 

 she played some class birthday party games. Her favorite was pass the cat sup bottle.

 At the end of the festival, actually we left with about an hour left. Our Neighbor treated Keree to a snow cone. Keree was excited because she was even able to add her own flavor. She went with orange sunburst and very wild cherry. When we got home, Keree spent her evening calling the Great-Grandparents and her Uncle to tell them that she won. She's so excited to be Prin cess To ma to.

Brain Fried

When I went to download my pictures from today, it turns out that I didn't take any. I know it was 109 degrees today and I guess for once, I can say that the heat got to me. I remember picking up the camera and I remember Keree posing for me but I guess I didn't actually press the button to take the picture. 

So in all honesty, we didn't do much today. Keree sang through her song a few times getting ready for tomorrow but otherwise we just watched movies and tried to stay cool.

I Hoppy Friday

So, we got up early this morning to finish up our errands from yesterday. First on our list was to sign up for Keree's next session of Irish step dancing. Keree really loves it and honestly their time and place just works with our schedule. After making a few other stops, we finally decided to use a gift card my Mom got for her birthday back in April. Since it's a blistering 110 degrees outside, we opted to eat inside I hop to enjoy their air conditioning. Keree and I split lunch which was a pot roast sandwich (it was so good) and some cheesy potato soup, which Keree ate the most of. Of course, she also had to eat the majority of my Mom's pancakes also. 

When we were finished we headed home. Since it was so hot, we ended up all falling asleep in front of the fans. Which was sort of a bad thing because we needed to finish up Keree's outfit for the pageant this weekend. Once we were up, we got Keree's outfit done. Keree was hungry, so she finished up Grandma's pancakes for dinner. And, Before we knew it, the news was on.

Happy Veteran's Day

Since today was Veteran's Day the schools here are closed in observance of the day. So that meant, Keree didn't have any school. I had also called her Homeschool coordinator because I had heard nothing from her and I was just assuming that it was canceled today also. We spent the morning, running a few errands, I needed a certain color ribbon for an order and we also had to pick up a few balloons for the parade. When we got home, the Homeschool coordinator called me back, she apologized for not calling and then explained to me, that they hired a new Homeschool Teacher who would be visiting us. But she won't start for 4 weeks and so in the mean time, we won't be meeting with anyone. Not to happy about it but it is, what it is. We have a field trip next week with the group, so we are looking forward to it. In the afternoon, we then headed up to the car dealership who was driving Keree in the parade today. We were super excited that they had agreed to drive her as Princess Tomato. So after a few snafu's, we headed to the park for line-up. We decorated the car, well actually, all we did was add a few balloons and of course the magnets that said who she was and what her title was. While my Mom, Keree and the driver waited for the parade to start, I went and parked the van at the ending of the parade. I then hiked back to the park (16+ blocks) to take a few pictures before the parade started. I'm not in the best of shape, I'll admit it but it didn't help that it was in the low 90's today. I then walked to about the 1/4 mark so I could take a few pictures there while the parade was going. I was so excited when Keree's car finally reached where I was. She was smiling, waving and having a blast. As soon as I snapped my pictures there, I took off running to try getting to the 1/2 way mark. So off I go, through a back alley and as I was running across a parking lot, I realized my sandals were just not cutting it today for running. So I slide them off and ran almost 2 blocks in just my feet on the pavement (as I think now how stupid a move that was but hey, my baby in a parade is a big deal!). It was also quite interesting all the people staring as me running in bare feet. I made it there just in time to snap some more pictures. Of course after I got them, I ran to 3 other places just to get pictures before the parade was over. The Driver, my Mom and Keree had such a nice time. Keree loved waving to the crowd that had came out to watch. As for me, my feet are killing me, I have two huge blisters on the bottom of them. Of course, you know our day couldn't be without drama. When I got home, I had a few frantic messages about cheerleading. It seems even though yesterday's practice was do or die and the Coach strictly said "if you don't show up your not in the competition." There are 2 girls, who's parents are begging for them to be involved. My thought is too bad. The girls worked almost 3 hrs last night re-learning their entire routine because only Keree and 2 other girls showed up. Plus they want to hold another practice tomorrow night, which is impossible for us to make because we have show set-up. Of course, the decision to hold the practice was already made before we even got the call. So they are adding in these two other girls in the back row and we can only hope it's not a total disaster come the competition on Saturday! And to add to all the fun, tomorrow is Keree's parent/teacher conference. I'm heading to bed, it's just been way to much fun today...NOT!

Bee Rash, Bee Rash, Go Away

Keree wasn't happy last night when Uncle said he was going to visit his girlfriend in Texas today. Like I've said before these two are super close and their good-byes are usually tear filled. Because of this Keree had a super rough night last night. She didn't want to go to bed. When she was finally asleep, she woke back up at 130a totally freakin out. She wanted to sleep with me and I knew if I said no, I wouldn't get any sleep. Once she was asleep next to me, she tossed and turned. The alarm went off at 330a and my Mom was nice enough to drive my Brother to the train, because she knew if I moved, Keree would wake up and most likely flip out. When she woke up at 426a, she asked me where Uncle was. I told him he had left to catch the train to the airport, she just started sobbing. I finally got her calmed back down, she fell back asleep but then she was up almost every hour on the hour until 7a. I convinced her to stay in bed till 8a, which I had really hoped she would fall back asleep but no luck. Once we got dressed and going, she was still in a funk. I had planned on doing some lessons but she was in no mood. I finally pulled out a Word workbook and since it was more like a game, she really got into it. We actually almost finished the whole book and I was surprised at how well she did on this book. We had worked on it a few months ago and she totally struggled. Now all I had to do was read the opening statement and she did the work on her own then. After we finished up, we decided to play a game. At the beginning of yard sale season, I scored a whole bunch of games for 50 cents and $1. So most of the games we are playing are new to us. We decided to play Milton Bradley's Wheels on the Bus, this is a great starter game and we did have fun playing it. But for Keree it was no challenge and for us adults it was sort of boreing. Again, I know this is for the average 3-6 yrs old and I know it would be perfect to play with some of Keree's cousins and friends but otherwise it doesn't score in my top 5 to play. Overall though Keree did enjoy the Wheels on the Bus song playing between bus stops. By then it was time for lunch, so I fixed Cucumber salad. I can't tell you how refreshing and good it tasted. It was then time for nap. I knew Keree was overly-tired by then but after 20 minutes and not falling asleep, she went into total meltdown mode. I went and sat on the bed with her, one minute she would calm herself down and the next she's screaming that she can't calm down. I held her close for awhile and sang to her, then she wanted down. Finally she settled enough, she told me she missed Uncle. Then, she had to have both her legs on me, me rubbing her legs and I had to sing Farmer in the Dell but she went to sleep. Of course, I couldn't move because she needed to feel that body contact. I know this isn't a normal kid reaction. I know that her grieving stems from something much deeper in her past. But I also know what she needs to get through this type of day. Once she woke up, she was a different kid. She still missed Uncle but she knew he was coming back on Sunday and then he was going back home. I still find it strange she's ok with him being at home, with us or doing something with work but he can't take a vacation to somewhere else.
So after she woke up, we headed to Wallymart. Remember the bee sting I got on July 1st, well I ended up getting what is called a Bee Rash. It's a reaction that occurs within the next day or so after your stung. I have tried everything to stop the itching, to get rid of it and just get some relief. I finally saw an article that says you need a cream with antihistamine in it. Well after going to several pharmacy's, no such cream exists (with & without prescription). And all the Pharmacists recommendations are everything I've all ready tried. I am so beyond miserable and threw with this intense itching/pain on my foot. So since I was out of Anthistamine pills, I bought some more. We weren't even in Wallymart for 10 minutes and when we went to go to the car, the rain was pounding down. I ran out to the car to unlock it and even though we were in a handicap space, I was soaked (heck my hair is still wet at 1130p tonight). We made one of the plastic bags into a coat for Keree and she stayed pretty dry. We drove home in blinding rain and flood waters creeping onto the roads. Of course when we got home, my sidewalk had a good foot of water and it was closer to the house than normal. Thank goodness my front door is a few inches above ground level, otherwise we would be flooded. We spoke with my Grandparents tonight, I was hoping she would have some old time natural remedy in one of her vintage books, no such luck. Otherwise, Keree sang to my them God Bless America, Over the Rainbow and You are my Sunshine over the phone. Keree at the last moment has changed her mind and has decided to sing a different song at the pageant on Sunday. I hope she does well but she keeps changing her mind on everything, so that worries me.

Rhythm

My Mom had PT this morning by herself, so it gave Keree and I some time just to cuddle in bed and watch educational cartoons together. It was nice to have some alone time. Once my Mom got home, we decided since it was so cool and nice we would head outside to play. Keree swung, watched for butterflies and we talked about all the bees we saw on the clover. After awhile Keree found two sticks and she started using them as rhythm sticks. We ended up turning it into a game, where one of us would play rhythm and then the other person had to repeat the same rhythm. I'm not sure how long we played that before we headed inside. It was way after lunch time at that point. So Keree laid down for a nap but what she failed to do was actually fall asleep. She wandered out of her bedroom, right before it was time for us to leave. We had to head into Cville to drop off her registration for the local Ketchup Pageant that's in a few weeks. More than anything it's just a fun Sunday afternoon event and festival, plus Keree had so much fun last year competing in it. Well the Director who we were dropping the paperwork off to, failed to tell us that the roads were under construction and the usually short 20 minute drive, turned into almost an hour. But thank goodness that everything is now turned in. We then headed to a new beauty supply place that was having it's grand opening. There is a shortage of complete metal double prong alligator clips in my area (literally they have been sold out for months now), so I really hoping they would have some. When we found them, I basically jumped for joy. There prices are cheaper than any of the other places in town plus we got a Grand Opening discount of 20%. We made one final stop before heading home, we decided to treat ourselves to a Slushie from QT. Keree had Orange Dreamsicle, Mom had Pina Colda and I had Black Cherry. I think I ended up drinking a majority of my Mom's Pina Colda because it was so good and refreshing. I told her all it was missing was a little rum. When we got home, Keree and I fixed Bratwursts for dinner. She had so much fun in the kitchen. After we finished dinner, I helped my Mom while Keree played. We let her have the red webbing bandage that was on our arms from the blood drive. She wrapped up all of Kitty's appendages pretending they were hurt. Finally she ended up wrapping up his head pretending it hurt. Then she asked Mom if she would help her wrap her head. I couldn't quit laughing seeing Keree and Kitty with boo-boo heads. We ended our night by changing into our pajamas and watching Toddlers and Tiaras.