Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Vacation and Surgery

In a matter of 3 weeks we have been very busy....on top of the regular holiday business.

Rewind Dec 8th, 2 days post Disney, I had to go have x-rays done of my kidneys.... I did and it was quick and easy I assumed I was done....do you hear Murphy laughing???
Get a call Dr wants to see me, schedule appointment for the 15th? and go . He says you hurt....NOPE feel good actually....well you have a lot of blood in your urine and come look at this....You have 3 kidney stones to pass, 2 on the left and one one the right....here is some pain meds and wish you good pee's....not in those words but the synopsis is accurate. So I have mild pain that week....on the 19th we did the kids class parties, and sing along that Bepaw came and played in the parent school band which was very cool of him to do. Sunday the 21st I started to hurt, and the 22nd all day was AWFUL, and sadly Mama Sam and Troy came into town that night and I was in bed, Tuesday I felt pretty good, as well as Wednesday, and Thursday, Friday and Saturday....not wanting to run a marathon but could be upright and speak and cover what I was feeling to an extent. Sunday hit and again pains, and Monday was again Awful, went to have more xrays on tuesday still in pain, and called my mom and finally caved and asked her to come get the kids, who were at daycare....It was too painful. So they pack up and head to San Antonio, and I get the xrays and head to the dr....feeling better as the pain had eased, just a back ache. I see the dr and had felt like all the pain was deep pelvic so the stones were low and in a day would pass. He says come see this....there is a huge stone up HIGH on the left....I was crushed, "we need to operate on it , you cannot pass it's too big, and if we do not you could very likely end up in the Er in Colorado" ....which we were headed to on Friday...this is Tuesday! Sound FUN. So we set up surgery on Wed....the 31...happy new year. I go in feeling pretty good, just a major back ache, no pain meds as I could not have anything to eat or drink, but I was ok. Surgery went well... he saw the stone....to big to basket, he shot it with the laser and basket ed out the pieces and placed a stint in to help flow with the swelling. I head home and not 2 mins in the drive I and in tears and monstrous pain...cannot speak, writhing in pain...this continues all the drive home.....5 pm...holiday traffic, across town....NOT FUN. Duke went and filled all the rx's, I tried to lay on the couch as some took effect. Next day I actually felt fair...minus the feeling to pee all the time from the stint, but felt ok even went to the store...fast forward 2 hours and back in pain....huge pain...I took a bath...nothing...tears to duke to call the dr and see what else I can take safely. The Dr tells duke to remove the stint. In my first stone surgery prep it was seen that I have 3 kidneys 2 on the left and one on the right....the 2 on the left are small and make one regular size, the other is small but normal....so the ones on the left are smaller....ureters are smaller too....and to be even more circus like the kidneys each have a ureter that join together to make a Y and travel to the bladder. I my past I did not tolerate the stint which is just a tube from the kidney to the bladder, my urters spasmed and landed me in the hospital overnight. So my Dr was aware of this potential and this is why he allowed Duke to remove it, 2 days early....and it is easy to remove but gross and we all can appreciate medically trained staff in these situations...which my husband is not...but he was awesome and out it was....relief for an hour....and then BIG PAIN...my mom showed up with the kids as she was to drive to Austin and fly with the babies to Colorado the next morning 6 am...and so were we. Duke caught her outside and said we can't go like this....so they convince me to go the ER...and my DR sends us to a hospital 30 mins across town, yet there is one less than a mile away...never again, I will go to my own and they can accomodate me, besides it being VERY crowded we were also one of the few with insurance coverage...we arrived at 5....were there until 2 am....they did xrays...nothing, small clot to pass, why the pain....no clue, the dr even looked at my back to see where the stint was....NOT there....it is placed inside the "tank" so he was not really knowledgable but did dose out pain meds....shots of torodol...nothing...morphin...I was numb but still felt it, I did not tell the Dr out of fear they would keep me overnight and since the pain came and eventually went I felt ok to go so we went and headed home packed the last of the stuff and had a no kidding 30 min nap and went to the airport for a 6 am flight. Mom changed her flight to go with us which was a huge help, the pain came back on the plane but stopped, came back after breakfast with everyone, and again while getting skis and groceries. I skied Saturday and hurt only a bit....it was a one pain killer pain so I was ok...I figured if I needed 2 I had no business skiing....I did end early and watched macy/ reid ski, felt good that night and good the next morning and lunch hit and I hurt, so I skied one more run and went down and played with Macy and this episode lasted all night and I finally took and Oxycontin and had crazy dreams about BIG feet and people skiing on stilts, rested on Monday and took the kids swimming and stuff....felt ok. and that morning I spoke with my Aunt a nurse and said with all the pain killers I numb me but the pain and spasm sensation is still there .....I thought about AZO.... a bladder infection med that alleviates pain and urgency with that and maybe it would relax my ureters too....I took one and maybe it helped....I took more at dinnertime but had no food in my stomach and threw it up....SOOOO GROSS...but I had a numbness in my nose and throat...not totally numb but a little bit....So the next day, I ate and then after breakfast tuesday took another....felt awesome all day, good that night...and since then have been ok and not on any pain killers since monday....which is nice.....so that was my Christmas, New Years and Vacation from the medicinal point and here is some from a family point.

Macy SINGING Frosty the Snowman....with boo bood lip

We saw Santa, Macy wants a barbie, Reid grabbed a candy cane and ran, and Dale said that Mr Juan not santa....his days are numbered.
We went bowling with Troy and Mama Sam and discovered that Mama Sam has untapped bowling potential. I was Tim Duncan twinkie b/c I used the largest bowling shoes the rink had...sz 18, only used by Timmy and ME....the laces would not even tighten around my foot so I put my shoe in it and bowled looking like ronald mcdonald....but we had fun. we also made one of the ugliest gingerbread houses in the history of gingerbread houses....but the kids had fun and the time with Aunt Carolyn and Uncle Troy was great

We had an awesome christmas with the Troy Daniels and Mama Sam, Dollhouse, Wii's, Ds's, jeep doors, Blackberrys, Lawn Mowers, Paintings....we are truly blessed
We also went and drove thru Santa's Village for our Christmas light fix with Grandma and Bepaw.

I did manage to get all my christmas stuff put away the day after Christmas...and good thing since life happened to toss me a curve ball.

We met up with 14 others to ski in Colorado....really great to do that, my kids LOVED spending time with Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and having all these new people to receive attention from.

My ski'n family

The whole crew...minus the few non skiers and ski schoolers Snow slide fun
We celebrated Reids 6th Birthday with a yummy cake and gifts and balloons during the UT game and UT won so that was a nice gift too....

My boys can SKI....Dale is a little machine and does awesome, and Reid too....when you ski with them it is like playing chase.....you simply try to catch them...since they do not need rest breaks they just go...but it was fun AND Macy was up on ski's...and she loved it, we did a few runs as a family on the bunny hill which was neat for me.

Macy on the chair lift with DaddyMy little unicorn....their helmet heads were a hit....it all began b/c I owned a blue helmet that Dale and Reid wore and Macy refused since it was Blue....so I purchased the cover for less than the helmet rental...and got ones for Dale and Reid and I tell you it was a piece of cake to pick them out on the mountain.The Happy Puffer Fish An all skied out crew....called it a day to go play in the snow.

Macy's iniation to the ER

Macy today with Lula...her cat she prepared for a party

So Macy had never needed to visit the ER. Both Reid and Dale visited too many times, for a marble statue dropped on a foot...Dale 2 yrs old, Hernia...Reid 9 mos, for head bangs, strep, flu, also undergone surgeries for tonsils, hernia, 2 sets of tubes...the list goes on. Macy however managed to miss out on all the trips...shear luck. Well her luck ran out on Saturday night in Kerrville. We went down to visit Grandma and Bepaw and Lucky their dog and celebrate Grandmas Bday. Scott and Tanya and Sammy joined and brought their dog Shelby. The dogs get along great, and the afternoon was uneventful. We had a yummy dinner and when it was done were sitting and chatting at the table. Shelby came and sat by Macy and I's chairs, tail wagging as we petted her...and the next second something set her off and she bit Macy. So I picked up Macy and rushed to the kitchen got ice, Mom got a rag, Duke got my purse and Dad led us to the ER. About 3 hours later we emerged with a glued Macy, and a Bozo bear from the ER. Glue should flake off in 5-7 days. We returned to Grandmas house and Scott and Tanya were mortified, in tears, very upset that their dog had done this, not understanding why since there was no threat, force or food involved. So we all head to bed with Shelby literally in the dog house. Macy appeared to have no issue with Grandmas dog, or Shelby for that matter, however, that contact was only through the patio door, had a sore swollen lip on Sunday but I am grateful it was no worse. The police/ animal control had to be notified since it involved an animal, so one visited us in the ER, we obviously chose not to press charges since I KNOW Scott would have traded places with Macy in a heartbeat, and honestly Shit happens...and it stinks...but it still happens. Sunday, we came home and I took her to the Urgent Care clinic since one side of the cut had cracked open and was bleeding and it looked icky...but I am no judge of dermabond since in all our mishaps we have never used it, but I would like the minimal scar possible, and what to know all is ok. They look at it and said it does not look infected, but she needs to be on antibiotics so we get those and head home. After the bath last night it looks much better, its sore and hard to wipe a runny nose but looks pretty good. Sunday morning I did notice that it was more than a nip...Shelby had actually had a pretty open jaw in the bite. There was scratches and a bruise under Macy's chin...added with the scrapes from her teeth down the side of her nose, we saw at the ER....and only broke the skin at the lip...huge blessing. So Scott and Tanya are talking of getting rid of Shelby, which is heart wrenching, but I conquer since it is not the first attempt to bite, but her first success, and they have a 6 mo old, that you would like to believe she would never harm, but who's to know when Sammy falls on her when he is learning to walk or crawl, or takes her favorite toy. They have neighbors/ friends with little kids and God forbid it happen at Sammy's 1st or 2nd bday party with all the little kids and chaos, and them have had the knowledge of the liability....none the less heart wrenching, since Shelby has a good heart, Scott and Tanya adopted her from a rescue, so she had it hard as a puppy and a bad past is something that is hard if not impossible to train out, but think w/o kids she would be great. Duke and I were talking last night about how awful to be in their situation. But truly No hard feelings, no blame or judgement from us...simply empathy.

Disney 2008

Just got home from a great trip...and not in any attempt to bore my few if any readers this one is more for me for historical documentation. Saturday we flew to Orlando uneventfully...which is how I like to travel and I did get my Dunkin fix at the only SA Dunkin Donuts...for those of you with them near go get a half hot chocolate/half white chocolate.....HEAVEN in a cup. So we are greeted by Mama Sam, and end at the Grande Vista Marriott....in our 2 2bed condos, and have 4 king beds, 4 pull out sofas, 4 baths, 4 kitchens...and there are 6 of us so space was not an issue. We ended the day in true Mama Sam form and had a few gifts and toys for all....mine was this UT blanket poncho...that came in VERY handy in the parks. So Sunday we went to Hollywood Studios and immediately rode Tower of Terror and Rock and Roll Roller coaster, met up with Paul and Brandy on the Toy Story ride then tackled the Star Wars ride and some play time in the bugs life play area before lunch at Sci Fi drive in....an then the rain came down HARD....we made it back to rock and roll roller coaster and rode it one last time and called it and left to go to the Hoop Dee Doo review....which was some amazing food and fun. Monday we went to Magic Kingdom, meet up with Paul, Brandy, Jake, Mia and Pauls folks and grandma and rode roller coaster after roller coaster... Macy was picked as a cotton candy taster for the day and scored them 2 bags of cotton candy to nosh on, the best was when jake borrowed Reids boots to ride Space Mountain...Reid wears a size 12 and Jake is a 10....he was walking like a clown a bit but it was successful and he rode the ride and loved it. Tuesday we went back to Magic Kingdom Park and Macy was made into a princess at the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique....so cute. She was in awe that she was where the princesses get their hair done in the mornings... she loved getting the makeup, nails, and hair all dolled up and the fairy dust was so sweet...but it is still stuck to her scalp after 2 washings and 2 swims. She also wore her princess overalls with the tutu...very sweet and worked well since it was 40 degrees. That night we did the Very Merry Christmas Party and it was COLD but felt very christmassy....this is where the blanket came in handy and kept the kids warm. Wednesday we went to Epcot and rode all the coasters there and reids favorite was test track...go figure driving cars. Duke and I did the Disney Dive Quest and went and swam/scuba dove in the aquarium.....SO FUN..... we got to see the kids which was cool and got to interact with the diners in the restaurant windows....and we saw some cool 250 lb groupers, sharks, and turtles, and rays...and all sorts of fish but the windows were the coolest...we got out and said weve seen fish ...but never windows...very cool and all the costs go to conservation funding, and also got a behind the scenes tour of the facilities, a DVD of the dive, a tshirt....super cool. Thursday we went to Animal Kingdom for Mama Sams 60th, both boys rode Everest, had an awesome lunch at Tusker House, enjoyed the safari and headed to downtown Disney to shop and eat at Wolfgang Pucks place..Portabella Yacht Club. Finally on Friday on Dales Bday we went to Universal and ate with Spider man, Things 1 and 2, and The Cat and the Hat....rode every possible ride and played for over an hour at the ball house and rode the Woody Roller coaster 5 times...as per Macys demands....and finished the day at Bubba Gumps for a great dinner. So I think all of the food we ate might have been walked off but probably not. None the less a fabulous time and highlight have to be Macy watching the parade and truly thinking those were the real princesses....and she waved and waved....so stinking cute to have that imagination. Reid wanting so bad to be big and tough and riding all the rides and liking them but really wanted to go to the hotel and swim, Dale riding every coaster and loving every one....daredevil....and Duke and I able to watch they enjoy.... a GREAT trip

Merry Christmas for ALL

Daniel Family Elf Disco

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Basketball Halftime Creighton University Omaha NE * © Human Slinky

COOL HALF TIME SHOW

Murphy ....take a HIKE

We had a "We Just CANNOT have nice things" moments the other day....enough time has passed and I am less delicate and can annotate it here. Ok you must rewind a bit....I have 3 great kids, we have a playroom that is truly the kids domain...the other night (Monday) all 3 were playing and doing great. Dale comes down and says Mom I need to show you something....come on..... so I walk upstairs to see a broken play table...leg snapped in half....Reid appears blotchy faced and sobbing, Macy is sobbing also, as this is HER table....she then begins with the "where will I have birthday parties? where will my babies eat? I am so sad? sob sob....Reid is too upset to even speak. I scream... and part of that scream is WHAT HAPPENED? Turns out Reid was trying to ride the table leg like a horse....WHAT?? GO TO BED REID! Duke appears and we take the critical condition table to the garage where we work with JB Weld, Gorilla Glue, Duct Tape....managing to glue the leg....albeit shaky prognosis is stable...but only time will tell. I return upstairs and I calmly discuss with him how we have TALKED and TALKED about NOT BEING ON THE TABLE, using it right, respecting others things..... he says "I feel sad for Macy" with my reply "good you should, because she is sad" to which he says "Can I not be in trouble anymore...in sobs" A day passes and all the efforts manage to hold the leg on. So that night Duke brings the table in, puts it in the pool table room, we decide to give it back the following day after school. The table is from IKEA...not pricey and really stable...but this is principal and Reid broke the other table when he was 2... by standing on it. OK so the next morning arrives, we are eating, all is well...right. Well it just happened to be Reids day to shop at the book fair at his school, I let Dale get a book, so I was going to allow Reid to do so as well....UNTIL...as I am looking for the money for the book....he instinctively walks to the healing table, flips it on its side, steps on the broken leg and leans on the table....CRACK....In rode the wicked witch of the east on her broom....I LOST IT! WHAT ARE YOU DOING! WHAT WERE YOU THINKING! YOU JUST BROKE IT AGAIN! His response " I forgot" forgot what the fact your not a rodeo rider, the fact that tables do not bend, that you are not rock climbing????WHAT....so I decided NO BOOKS FOR YOU...tears....Reid tell me WHY you do not get books "Because I broke Macys table.....again" They walk out the door and Dale hits my seasonal duck with his backpack....NOSE dive...dead.... severed/shattered beak, he says sorry and it was accidental but none the less....MINE....I return to the kitchen to try and find composure and walk past the back door and do a double take....is that????NO?? MY TURKEY! Ok I LOVE to decorate for the holidays...not with a bunch of stuff...and not expensive stuff and honestly lots of my items are gifts from friends....this one was one of those items...a little turkey that waddled, and danced, and sang The turkey and the straw....not priceless but MINE. He is OUTSIDE on the deck....covered in sand....reappear the witch and broom to go get my molting turkey...try and shake him clean...no luck and into the broken item infirmary that is my garage and is pretty full of kid carnage already. Macy apparently thought he was cute too...and wanted to play with it...WITH OUT MY PERMISSION. I was at a LOSS for words...now I had plenty but withheld them as to not teach my kids all I know of the art of curse words, and I intentionally distanced myself b/c I could have punched a hole in a wall and not felt it, I was HOT..and I am not stupid to discipline in anger is not effective...more like I'm pissed and your gonna pay. So we head to school in silence...Macy says "mommy?" Seeing as there in NO blood or danger to her, my reply is "Macy mommy is done, please be quiet!" So that evening we had a heart to heart big time. I am now going to with out warning give discipline and dole out consequences when I see any misuse of toys, disrespect, use of my things with out permission. The table went in toady's trash...I hope Macy does not see it as the tears will begin, the Duck now has a bright orange playdough/ gorilla glued beak...I need to paint to see if it will do....and the Turkey is healing, cleaned the battery areas and he is still dumping sand when it trys to dance. AGGGGHHHHH WE JUST CANNOT HAVE NICE THINGS....and my secret pal gave me a new yard flag....well of course I hung it and Reid noticed it right off...saying MOMMY where did you get that....I snapped "DON'T touch it its mine, my secret pal gave it to me and it is special"...."ok mom,I just think its cute"...."thanks Reid." so to end in song......Momma said they'll be days like this....days like this, momma said, momma said, MOMMA said! Did momma end all those days with a big ole drink....maybe that was my problem, I had to end with football practice.... And yes I do wish everything was made like Rubbermaid.... pop it back into place, hose it, dry it, and good as new.....aaahhh

Ok so for my million dollar question.....Do I buy another table? Out of principal I say NO...but she really loved the table...used everyday....honestly I am torn and seeking advice on this issue...tell me what you think.

So on the football side....Dales team lost, it was sad, they just did not play like themselves, and about 3 thousand penalties for offsides...Dale did have an amazing tackle and made the runner fumble the ball and we recovered...but a loss and that season ended. One of his coaches wants to start another league taking a few players just for fun, much less intense, less practice, and Dale wants to play. Actually Dale said I do not want to play anymore football until I play for the Longhorns....I informed him that he has to play and practice and be the best to be picked to play for the Longhorns...then I want to play was his response. Reid's team won and are now in the state quarter finals, but it is a bitter sweet as he is not on the "dream team" that gets to play, so we go to watch Reid stand for the most part...which he mastered at about 9 mos old so he is really good at that. He did say yesterday that football is fun but the part when you watch is not....and in the games when you just want to go try and help....it is hard when they will not let you......out of the mouth of babes. But he still wants to go, so we go, and support his teammates, and he gets a few concession plays when we get WAY up. Not that everything needs to be fair and equal as I am well aware life is not....but had hoped for a little less cut throat at age 5-6 first time ever playing the game....I digress, live and learn, and if you are putting your kid in flag football next year for the first time....I can give you some good questions to ask first!

Forgive me Amy for I have sinned

Ok so this morning begins and Reid is sick....upset stomach....he proves it with a trip to the toilet and I say ok you can stay home. So we make the necessary calls and are home bound. He did have "issues" a few times but other than that; this kid is FINE...he and Macy are all over the place...jumping off couches, making forts, hid and seek....he is so going to school tomorrow. Anyhow since he was sick I had to cancel an appointment....turns out a very very necessary appointment. I also had to run up to the Elementary school and make copies of the Newsletter and deliver them....I cannot do this with kids as they are clearly not needed in the copy room, and one is sick....so I had Duke man the kids and I went during his lunch.....since I had a minute to have my brain reload, I remembered we needed Benedryl, duck tape and flash cards....to drug the kids, tape them down, and then force feed them education...no no no....not related just needed....so I also made a run to Walgreens....walking to the Benedryl I see a product, "HEY I can use that, save time and money....how smart am I...smart purchase definitely" so I walk out of the store one item heavier, and patting myself on the back. Get home thank Duke, and I think this is going to be a productive day after all. We go get Dale from school, return and the kids are eating snack and watching TV....perfect time... so I head upstairs, open my product and then the fun begins. My product that is saving me time, and money is wax....Amy is my fantastic anestitition ...she is American, clean, funny, reliable, her room smells like lavender and has relaxing music...granted I do pay her quite nice, and have to have an appointment, but today I decide I can for-go the scent and music and do it myself. JUST eyebrows folks....anything else is sooo left to professionals....trust me I have tried and it was awful, I felt like a cat that had tape all over its feet dancing around, and on top of it I was fixing to be put in a tub of water by an alternate internal personality and there was lots of self conflict....I was that cat, it was BAD... But this time I think I can do this, I have before...no biggie, I even got the sensitive skin kind, that can be used cold, and is water soluble...I think win win win. SO I open the tub of wax...smells good, a fake chocolate....I pull some out and put it on my brow, add the paper, smush it and rip....Yes it hurt, but worth it right...NO the stuff did not work, so I try again, and it was a bit harder to pull off the second time...but marginal success and I clean it up with tweezers.....begin brow 2... apply goop, paper, smush HARD, yank....nothing, clearly 2nd time is necessary...appy goop, paper, smush hard over and over....and yank....it worked! a little too well and yanked off half my brow...I hear the kids yelling...have to go be a mom...they are wrestling in the living room, have a ring and all...a few re directions and back to the task at hand....Almost BALD- EYE Brow....so I clean up with tweezers since the wax did not even get the hair I wanted, and we are NOT trying again, and then have to over pluck the first brow to make this look intentional.... we are going for the thin brow this month...and I still have to color in the other one b/c there is a NICE bald spot....so lessons learned
Do not try this on a day when you have been a MOM all day
Apparently the music and scent is necessary...wrestling and fake chocolate smell does not cut it.
11 for the crappy wax, and now more for an eyeliner pencil....I am not saving any money here
RED just plucked chicken eyes are not attractive....at least I have the junk Amy sold me to help with that, and I will NOT miss my appointment next month....I do not care who is sick...I will be sicker if I do this AGAIN. So my self inflicted beauty confession punishment....say 3 Hail Amy's and buy a good eye pencil!

Political Revelation

Ok so I am apart of History in the making, Barack will be our new president. I hope he and the congress and senate will make sound decisions for our nation. I must say it does scare me that the democratic party has majority control, so much for checks and balances. I also want to voice my frustration with the notion that so many voted for Barack simply for the "different, cool, history making" reason. In my mind with America being the melting pot that it is race/ gender, should have no bearing...if you are the best then so be it, but as long as there are racial differences there will be racism. I do find it a testimant to how far we have come as a nation, to elect an African American to lead our nation. That is outstanding, I just do not think he was the right individual, and so many were too eager to be the ones make this election be historical....not in any comparison but Hitler made histoy as well. I am not saying that McCain and Palin were the all knowing/ fixing pair either, I questioned his judegments and her on NUMEROUS occasions, just the lesser of an evil in my mind, however IF he had been elected with the democratic majority in Congress and Senate he would have been powerless as well . I will support him as our leader, and do find a little solice with the fact that he did win the majority vote of the nation and not simply the antiquated electorial college votes.....don't get me started on that..... maybe we should make candidates in future elections wear masks and supplied uniforms to limit the amout of superficial judgments avaliable to the public, and force Americans to hear the issues and judge on that alone... but then where would SNL get material.... on a lighter note here is a funny story I had emailed to me...

A young woman was about to finish her first year of college. Like so many others her age, she considered herself to be a very liberal Democrat, and was very much in favor of the redis tribution of wealth.She was deeply ashamed that her father was a rather staunch Republican , a feeling she openly expressed. Based on the lectures that she had participated in, and the occasional chat with a professor, she felt that her father had for years harbored an evil, selfish desire to keep what he thought should be his.One day she was challenging her father on his opposition to higher taxes on the rich and the addition of more government welfare programs. The self- professed objectivity proclaimed by her professors had to be the truth and she indic ated so to her father.He responded by asking how she was doing in school.Taken aback , she answered rather haughtily that she had a 4.0 GPA, and let him know that it was tough to maintain, insisting that she was taking a very difficult course load and was constantly studying, which left her no time to go out and party like other people she knew. She didn' t even have time for a boyfriend, and didn' t really have many college friends because she spent all her time studying.Her father listened and then asked , "How is you friend Audrey doing ?"She replied, " Audrey is barely getting by. She takes are easy classes, she never studies, and she barely has a 2.0 GPA. But she is so popular on campus, college for her is a blast . She's always invited to all the parties, and lots of times she doesn 't even show up for classes because she' s too hung over." Her wise father asked his daughter, "Why don' t you go to the Dean' s office and ask him to deduct a 1.0 off your GPA and give it to your friend who only has a 2.0. That way you will both have a 3.0 GPA and certainly that would be a fair and equal distribution of GPA. The daughter, visibly shocked by her father's suggestion , angrily fired back, " That wouldn't be fair! I have worked reall y hard for my grades! I've invested a lot of time, and a lot of hard work! Audrey has done next to nothing toward her degree.She played while I worked my tail off!"The father slowly smiled, winked and said gently, " Welcome to the Republican Party ."

Elementary Rocks the vote

Dale and Reid had a mock election at school today and Dale voted for John McCain.....and Reid voted for the one that started with a "B"....why I asked, thinking they gave some background info and this affected his vote? Nope it was "Becasue Cody's last name starts with a B and I like Cody." So even the elementary crowd is torn durring this election.

It's Monday ALLREADY

Wow that was a fast weekend, I do not think I stopped once. Friday we went a-treatin'. Dale as a scary skeleton...but still with a smile, Reid as a goofy skeleton, and Macy as a fairy, and me as Ugly Betty. It was funny b/c most of my neighbors did not even recognize me and one said...who is that walking with Macy, only to recognize me after I spoke. I guess that should be a compliment that they think I look nothing like Ugly Betty. Macy caught on quick that everyone thought she was so cute....she kept saying "everyone thinks I am so cute...right mom" Her ego barely fit into the door opening to knock on the door. Reid wanted to come home as soon as his bag was full and heavy....so I left Duke to tote Macy and Dale around and Reid and I went home to dish out candy and watch a Halloween movie on the projector we set up out front. We now have a HUGE basket FULL of candy up on the fridge so it cannot be consumed with out assistance. Our neighbors also had a party so we went and had a good time there too.

Saturday morning 6 am Macy and I are up getting ready for her competition...downtown by 7:30 am, I delivered her to her coach and then another cheer mom and I got lost in 5 block radius and found every one way street in that 5 block radius while trying to help move one of the coaches cars from a metered parking to a lot...ultimately successful but a little adventure non the less. So the competitors go in at 8, we are not allowed in until 9, but with the car adventure it was 8:30 before I was even ready to go in, so I hung out for 30 mins, we get in and sit , individuals go first, then the mascots....which is Macy's group. There were about 18 mascot groups and they were the last ones...she performed at 11:30...ok long morning but I am in the mind set I will be done soon....WRONG her coach walks by with the girls and we all gush about how great they did...we are so proud of they efforts..yadda yadda. She then says we are going to eat their lunch and then I will bring them back to you...they eat come back and she then says they cannot leave the auditorium, they have to stay until the end....this would have been good info to know, as I had NO lunch, and the concession was OUTRAGEOUS. 3 for water, 2.50 for a granola bar, and 2.50 bag of chips...no thanks I'll starve, than pay 8 bucks for a snack....but thankfully Macy's tiny appetite came in handy as she did not eat all of her lunch, and wanted to SAVE it... so I had 1 piece of bread, a piece of turkey, her leftover chips and a cookie ....and I only paid 5 to feed her...and me. So I contemplate leaving only to realize her poms, warm ups and pillow are in the team section and off limits to me...dang, we manage to get her stuff, and she does not want to leave, so I have her lay down for a little bit...as soon as she stopped moving she was OUT ...2 1/2 hours later she wakes up and we hung out, my plan was that as soon as she melted down we would go...but she never melted, so we watched all the girls compete, and I played more brain age/ sudoku on the DS than should be allowed. Finally we have the awards and they get little medals for competing, she did not win but we made it out by 6:30, home by 7...over 12 hours of cheer fun. I was wiped out from a day of doing nothing and was in and out during the UT game that night and it was kinda nice to be incoherent during the end of that emotional game. So Sunday we enjoy the extra hour of sleep....at least I did, and then we headed to Dales football game, they played great and won...so we are off to playoffs...YYYYYEEEEeeeaaaaa. so more late nights, dinner at 4, practice 3 nights a week and rushing in general but there is a light ...unsure if it is daylight or a the train light...guess we will find out soon.

Also another funny Macy story....we went to vote on Friday morning, I am holding Macy and a man joins the line behind us and she yells out YEA ORANGE..... YEA WHITE....YEA LONGHORNS ....FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT....he had on a longhorn shirt and numerous people smiled and laughed. However the game result on Saturday was less that desired and left Duke a little delicate.

Lit at both ends

The ZOO With Reid

Reid and his Buddy

This frog cracked me up....thinking I am so outta here....dang that glass was clean

Playing with friends

Cool Jaguar Up Close

So Lit at both ends....not literally lit... But physically and mentally ...SOOO on fire.

This week is the last of regular season football and cheerleading...YEA! Reids team has secured their spot in playoffs, Dale's team will secure theirs on Sunday, and Macy has cheerleading competition on Saturday. So hopefully after this week we can take a breath, eat at a normal time, and make my house a home and not a drive thru....what am I saying we have playoff practice...maybe my pipe dream will be a reality by Thanksgiving.

I am not saying I do not love football and I can divulge here that to watch Dale play is nothing short of amazing. That kid GETS football, and he is good, quick, fast, and smart. I know I am bias but I even have other kids parents who are impressed by him...crazy but fun. He knows I am proud of him, but has no idea the satisfaction I have when he takes out a kid 2 times his size, or blows past tackles that should have stopped him. So to have it end is bitter sweet, but to have back a normal week will be nice.

Last week I was super mom, on Thursday I went to the zoo with Reid and his class, very fun to see the animals that were out and the SA zoo is under renovations but it was fun. That night, I dressed the crew for football and cheer, and Duke took them to practice, and I went to see the SO funny Kathy Griffen. She was funny and had lots of political material, and I found it interesting that she will insinuate inappropriateness in celebrities without a thought, use EVERY word under the sun, but referred to the N word as "the N word"....so that is apparently the ONLY word off limits. Not that I approve of the word or usage but when she goes to 12 on a scale of 10 all the time what is the big deal with that taboo word....but super funny. So then Friday morning I went to the Pumpkin Patch with Macy and her class ....so much fun and so cute, then had practice Friday night, Duke went out of town on Saturday and we had Homecoming games Saturday and more on Sunday. Can I just tell you tired did not even come close to describe me....dead was more ap-ri-po. So this week I needed a break...NOT IN THE CARDS... we had a game Monday night, Tuesday and Wednesday I ran the office at the day care, and had practice at night, have practice tonight, Halloween tomorrow, a cake to bake, a party to attend, competition on Saturday, and Dales game Sunday. SOOO Yea.... hopefully normal dinners by thanksgiving. SO if I am as tired as I know I am ....then the kids are the true victims since they are the ones doing the doing...I just do the going and they have been troopers but I think we are all ready for a break....and laundry that is in drawers and not on the pool table!

Macys competition is a whole different blog...they want her downtown at 730 am... parents are not allowed in until 9, and she does not preform until 11...I think it is poetic justice that I cannot be with her during the day, and hope the mascot area is in close proximity to the individuals that determined one time check in is a good idea, when every melt down of every 3 yr old happens. I also find it really funny that she is allowed to bring a pillow and blanket....I have have to carry it....I cannot be with her as I am not a TYFA registered person, and she cannot be with me b/c she has to be with her team, ok easy fix... blanket in a bag give to the coach....NO... she is not allowed to have a bag of any kind to put stuff in...so I see a lost pillow and blanket in our future and I see me using it at 7:30 on a park bench in downtown SA like a bum after our Halloween party Friday night.

Pumpkin Patch

And she was SINGAN'

Her scarecrow-ette had a purse to go shoppin'...but no head...ahhh details

Total side note...the kids sold fundraiser stuff earlier this school year, and the enticement was a stunt show they would be treated to .... then a note went home after the sale saying since we did so great everyone gets to go to the show...well our order came in today from Great American Opportunities more like DISAPPOINTMENTS ... we had several great friends support the kids...one ordered a standard peanut size can of crumbles...14.50..better be real gold... a tiny cup of jalapeno cheese for 8.50, wrapped Carmel's...maybe 12 in the bag...for 12.00, a bag of fruit slices for 6 bucks....the list goes on and I am so grateful they ordered and supported the boys, they were really excited people bought stuff....but what a rip off.....good lesson learned for future years, I should have known they would have to let all attend.....

Ok I digress as I still have to straighten the house so Rosie and clean tomorrow and NOT run screaming from the carnage....Rosie is my touchdown angel in a football storm....

I'm voting Democrat because I'm way too irresponsible to own a gun, and I know that my local police are all I need to protect me from murderers and thieves.

I'm voting Democrat because I love the fact that I can now marry whatever I want. I've decided to marry my horse.

I'm voting Democrat because I believe oil companies' profits of 4% on a gallon of gas are obscene but the government taxing the same gallon of gas at 15% isn't.

I'm voting Democrat because I believe the government will do a better job of spending the money I earn than I would.

I'm voting Democrat because freedom of speech is fine as long as nobody is offended by it.I'm voting Democrat because when we pull out of Iraq I trust that the bad guys will stop what they're doing because they now think we're good people.

I'm voting Democrat because I believe that people who can't tell us if it will rain on Friday CAN tell us that the polar ice caps will melt away in ten years if I don't start driving a Prius.

I'm voting Democrat because I'm not concerned about the slaughter of millions of babies so long as we keep all death row inmates alive.

I'm voting Democrat because I believe that business should not be allowed to make profits for themselves They need to break even and give the rest away to the government for redistribution as THEY see fit.

I'm voting Democrat because I believe liberal judges need to rewrite the Constitution every few days to suit some fringe kooks who would NEVER get their agendas past the voters.

Ok this is not a me original...but it is good I got it from a friend and if it is her original...then She rocks and CINDY for President, if not then let the plagiarize-ation continue!

You Win..and You Win...And You TOO!

Friday Dale and Reid had Bike Rodeo at their school. We went and practiced for 20 mins on Thursday afternoon before Football as per Reids request and it paid off. Reid won 2nd place for his grade, he is a very good bike rider but would rather do jumps, wheelies, and stunts rather than ride a circle and weave cones, none the less Friday he did the less "FUN" drills with ease and perfection. I think he got second rather than first b/c there is a drill where you ride AS SLOW AS YOU CAN thru 2 lines...he did it in 15 seconds, and the winner did it in 28...they want it to take 30...but "riding slow is boring"...and Dale did great as well, but tapped one cone on the weave thru the cones drill, did his slow ride in 27 seconds however his grade had about 85-90 participants so there was LOTS of competition. All in all they both had a great time and had fun.




Reid being so tollerant and loving to Macy....she was in heaven with all the attention.
Dale going SLOW
The BIG winner....looking oh so cool and collected

Duke and I on Friday night went to see Avenue Q at the Majestic. It is a play on Sesame Street, as the characters are puppets and humans and the dialogue is racy, non pc, but very entertaining. Basically about a recent college grad, first job, first lay off, realizing college doesn't really prepare you for all life situations you encounter. Cute Cute Cute.

Truly Friday was a tornado busy...bike rodeo, play date, babysitter, play, laundry, errands....I amazed myself with all I was able to accomplish and tote Macy with me.

Saturday was also a busy morning we had away games that were an hour away and Reid had to be there at 8...so gone by 7....meaning up at 6 to eat and dress...ekkk. Reids team was defeated by a really good team...they could throw/catch/de-flag/and RUN...there was one kid who I think had a Monster energy drink for breakfast...he had a speed no one else had. Dales team won, and true to form Dale had some great tackles....several for a loss of yards, and had a few good runs with the ball too, and also added another position to his resume as flanker and had some great blocks that resulted in touchdowns....he really gets this sport. The kid in the center blocking is REID

Dale on the run

Duke was intensely watching Dales game....and his Blackberry as the RED RIVER SHOOTOUT began during his game....so the drive home was tuned into BIG 12 on Satellite....did I mention it was over an hour away.....that was a long drive home...with only a DS to appease the mass, and Macy and Reid making up games and nonsense, not being silent allowing the driver to listen to the game....and I offered to drive....I wanted to drive, but he claimed he needed the distraction. NICE that driving is a distraction to the game....which probably makes sense to the males in the world. So we get close to home and I asked him "So are you going to stop the car before you bolt inside?" "Yea....only b/c I need the keys to open the door." So I have to tell you I was elated when UT beat OU.... since I all but had a deposit on a hotel room for me and the kids. Another tid bit I have to share is that this is the one day a year Duke allows the kids to say OU SUCKS..... which is HUGE since stupid and dumb are BAD words in our home....funny that Dale said "OU" and hesitated and looked at us and whispered "sucks"...or waited for Duke to boom in with the latter part.... and tonight we were playing catch and he was singing the fight song and adding that verse...I told him he had 2 hours to enjoy it and that was all until next year.

In other football news Nebraska and Texas Tech met up which is a big deal as my folks are Nebraska alum and my brothers are Tech alum...my Dad always said it was great if Nebraska won, but great still is Tech won as he was paying ALOT of money there too...so win win, however Nebraska lost and Scott and Brad get bragging rights for a year on Dad, Uncle Tom and all the other Nebraska relatives....even better that Brad lives in Nebraska now and today went against the grain....my guess is he and Jonelle watched the game at home alone out of fear of being corned to death in the streets in Tech garb.

Football and Family

FOOOOT-BALL...it's the sport of kings .....better than diamond rings.... well that is debatable but none the less it consumed our weekend.

We bagan Friday with pictures. Which on a personal note why does it seem that all picures are stressfull...demanding the kids do a natural smile on cue, and then the pleading...ugg I am not a big fan of pictures can you tell?? We did the kids individually and then their respective groups. For groups, I was in charge of Macy, Duke maned Dale and Reid. Reid...did great but possibly had a forced grin, but appeared pleasent, Dale did well except for his "football face," in the last shot , and Macy...well lets just say that by the time it was time to take the group picture she had been standing in the same place ready for the picture for 15 mins, the photographer was unhappy with the line up and changed it and changed it. SO then the simple command... put you hands on hips....hers were up under her arms like chicken wings, then the next one she resembled a body builder flexing complete with a grr face and arms bowed infront of her body, one she is looking sideways....ugg a disaster..but a memory none the less forever recorded. Then saturday...early...too early on a Saturday in my opinion but at the crack of dawn we drove to the games in Pflugerville. Reid's team stomped the hawks 36-0., Reid played defense.... and Dales beat their Hawk team 19-0.

Dale played both ways and did some amazing runs and blocks....he was very pleased with himself and so were we, and he scored the extra point!

Dale running

Dale Tackling

the end is Macy doing a her cartwheel...which is more like a flop...but she tries....I have another great run of Dales, and Macy cheering but these videos take a LONG time to load so maybe tomorrow.

Also a huge plus was that Uncle Scott, Aunt Tanya and baby Sam came to see them and brought freinds Matt, Stacey, and baby Kendall. It was a huge treat to see them, since we have not seen Sam for well....too long. Here is Sam in his doo-rag...so stinking cute huh.Then Duke and Dale went to the UT vs. Rice game with some tickets from Becky and Luis, thank you so much Becky, they had the best time. Duke is so eager to share in football with Dale now that Dale gets it and the positions and all so it was a bonding time, and the seats were great to see the game, in the shade, and we stomped Rice so that was AWESOME! I drove them in and dropped them off for the game, went back to Scott and Tanyas and had some great pizza from Papa Joes...it is a take and bake and they have gourmet and kid freindly versions and some killer cinammon sticks that we deamed practically a health food, since they were made with whole wheat flour and oats...AMAZING...I wish we had one here. Then we hung out with Scotts neighbors a bit and then when the 4th quarter began, I loaded up the truckster with Macy and Reid and picked up Dale and Duke on the side of Red River and hit the road home....and made it here LATE. Here are my 3 monsters all crashed out and peaceful....ahhh....Thank goodness we had a relaxing sunday and recooped for the week ahead...hope you had a great weekend also!

love this song

Weekend all over Texas

So our weekend began in VonArmy, 40+ mins south of San Antonio for football games. Both Reids and Dales team won their games, and Macy cheered a little....and looked super cute in her uniform. Then the kids went to Kerrville with Grandma and Bepaw and Duke and I ran home, showered and changed and drove to Austin. There we met up with Troy, Carolyn, Mama Sam, Terry, David, Brie, Magnus, Cory and Tammy at the Texas 4000 Tribute. This organization honors a group of UT students who ride from Austin to Anchorage Alaska over the summer break. They do this to raise money for cancer research, and educate the individuals they come in contact with on cancer prevention material, and also stop at hospitals and such on the way. It is a powerful event....not everyone can ride 4000 miles on a bike, I think the will power alone must be enormous. Each day each team, there are 2 the Rockie team who rides the Rockies, and the coastal team who go up the California coast, begin with a dedication of who they will ride for that day....mom, dad, someone they just met.....it is cool. The tribute has an amazing dinner and great auction, and dancing as well. This year Carolyn put up an amazing painting, Icons of Austin....check it out its great... and duke and I got some UT tickets for he and Dale to go to a game. It was a fun night and then we drove home that night. It was a LATE night but our own bed is so worth the drive. Sunday afternoon the kids returned and we were invited to a friends house, Becky and Luis's, to swim and eat. The kids had a great time....thanks again Becky. And so back to the weekly grind and football/cheer 3x's a week....is is wrong to hope Hurricane Ike rains out practice a few times!

Were CLOSED

On Wednesday afternoon Duke and I closed on a some beautiful little acreage in Bulverde. This will be the new spot for our family's home. The plan is to start construction in a year, and move there in about 2 years. We are all excited, as the kids can ride 4 wheelers out there till their hands hurt, and not bother anyone too much. Each one of the kids has drawn a house, Macys has 30+ rooms off her room for all her babies, Reids has a huge garage for the cars and 4 wheelers and even bigger pools...yes like 4 pools, and Dales has secret passage ways and tunnels....not sure if all of that will make the final cut but we'll consider it all. It is on a cul-de-sac which is important to me and so many other perks. The kids will have to change schools, which is sad, but thats at least a year off, and they will eventually attend Smithson Valley HS, which is a great school, and small perk, it has its own stadium, something that is not an option where we are now. Not a big deal but I think it is cool to have. SO now we have to come up with a floor plan and architect and start from scratch including a well and septic....but it will be our original and have a huge garage for Duke and a pool for me and beyond that we will see what time brings. Hopefully Duke and I can work together well in this endeavor....could be interesting, as I am opinionated and he is smart....especially when it comes to building stuff....I may have to let him win a couple of battles but we will both win the war when the house it finished! I am sure we will keep you posted.

More Milestones

Yesterday was the first day of Reid's school career. He is officially a kindergartner. He has Mrs. Washington, who Dale had in kinder and we LOVED her. On last Monday, we went to help the PTA deliver the kids pre-ordered school supplies to classrooms. When we went to make sure his supplies made it to his class, she was there. She allowed him to pick his cubby 1st, and he chose the best one (in his mind), and then helped her in the room for a minute and we left. We returned on Thursday for meet the teacher and realized a friend from pre- school was in his class, and Reid helped him pick his cubby...the one next to his, they colored a picture and we departed to await Monday...the first day. I have to admit Reid is the one I worry about, he is my sweetheart.....not sure if it is a middle kid thing or what but he has such a tender heart. Mrs. Washington asked for a note about the kids and this is what I wrote:

Mrs. Washington,

Here is a summation of Reid; I hope he will be an asset to your classroom this year. I am very excited that he has a teacher I adore, and he already has a connection too.

Reid 101, to keep this brief, he is reserved, and very shy, until he is comfortable, then is goofy and silly. He is affectionate, loving, eager to please, imaginative, listens well, wants to learn, and plays well with others. He enjoys learning, but will come up with excuses of why he cannot do it, when he gets frustrated or bored with the task. He loves to be a sidekick and helper for Duke and I at home, and for his pre-school teachers. I must add that he is a fantastic help too. He also wears his heart on his sleeve, when he gets upset at home his first reaction is to run and hide. If he dinks his toe at home, and Mom is near, he is very emotional. However, if he gets hurt with his peers, he is generally very stoic and tough, resisting emotion unless there is immense pain or blood involved. Reid is my sweetheart, and is a mini version his daddy, which is possibly why he holds a special part of my heart.

My hope for him for the year is to have a positive exposure to school. I am confident in your teaching abilities and techniques, and know you will prepare him well for his school career. I will facilitate all I can at home to reinforce what you teach in the classroom. Please let me know if there is anything more I can do to help him learn.

Reid and Mrs. Washington

He said when I picked him up, that he had fun, and would go back tomorrow... I take that as success.

Reid here is the beginning of a new chapter in your life, you are bright and strong and have so much to offer, I cherish that I will be able to watch.

Dale also started 2nd grade. I swear he has not been alive long enough to be in 2nd grade...but time flies apparently. He has a great teacher that is very well spoken of, and he has 2 friends in his class. He DID NOT want to be walked to class, so he went solo and did great on his first day too. It is strange b/c Dale is now a "big" kid at the school, and yet so still my little man in my heart. I have to share that Dale astounds me with the nurturing and caring he does for both Reid and Macy, Dale is walking Reid to his class each day to make sure he get there and last week at Fiesta Texas he helped Macy get into her seat for all the rides and got her settled, then after made sure she got out ok and held her hand to walk her out....it was a pictureesque moment that actually happens frequently and made my heart melt and also felt so proud of him....I guess he is getting bigger after all...

On a side note that is actually a huge plus for me....I got the boys an alarm clock. Initially I thought they do not need one...but then thought about how grumpy Dale can be in the mornings and thought maybe I can pass the "bad guy who wakes me up" tag to someone or something else. So bought the clock, set it to a radio station, and guess what.... this morning was SO drama free it was scary. The boys both woke up to the music at 6:50 am, got dressed, and came downstairs and made their own breakfasts....even Macy got up and got dressed....since she felt the need to sleep in their room last night. I went in at 6:48, and decided to wait and see what the 2 minutes would bring, went to finish getting ready and those 2 minutes brought me a slice of HEAVEN. We have become the family of planning to combat mornings...with the mantra of IF it can be completed the night before it is....bags packed, lunches made, clothes and shoes laid out....all to ease the tension that some mornings bring when you toss a tired, grumpy kid in the equation. I hope this is a trend that continues.

Macy also starts in a new room, but has the same teacher as last year but is no in a 4 yr old room. So she too will be learning new and fun things....here she is doing one of her cheers.

Twinkle Toes

So Dale is actually HITTING people in football....he was leery at first and that night Duke and I made him tackle us in the front yard...and it clicked. The next day when they did drills he nailed into a big kid and took him down....YEA DALE, not that I am all about the physical contact but it is a part of the game. Then he had to go on the opposite side and attempt to run past defenders and he blew up the sideline like an all-star....pretty cool...you gotta take the perks when they come b/c he will get hit and he did later that day but he made it past a good half of the time.


One TIRED TITAN

Reid is doing great as well, he has some very patient coaches and they are working on breaking a huddle and the hut....going on 2 has proven to be a tough concept for the 5-6 yr olds....but it is funny to watch. Also another favorite of mine is jumping jacks.....not many have mastered the skill and it is a show.



Macy is a fair weather cheerleader...she takes lots of breaks, but is learning the chants and cheers...and she hollers them out at home so I think her performances will be video worthy. But every time I try to record her she sees me and runs over to say HI.

Macy ready to Cheer

Fantastic Contraption

Our entire family has been taken hostage by this cute little frustrating game..... you have to try it....it is very brain training....Fantastic Contraption.....it is all about physics and Duke is very good at it...I am sub-par and the Dale is ok....Reid thinks he is awesome but hes not. Some of the challenges are super tough and once you beat it you can view others ideas....and some are crazy cool.

Attack of the Titans

Ok we are officially a Texas Youth Sports family. Dale is playing tackle football #10 he picked it, Reid is playing Flag #8...his choice, and Macy is one of their cheerleaders, she opted to cheer rather than ballet...for the Stone Oak Titans. It is a total time hog, and physically challenging but the kids are loving it. Last, this, and next week they all have conditioning practice EVERY day from 6-8. Dale was given pads and his helmet today. Macy ordered her cheer leading uniform today as well. It is tough but they are giving 110%, and I am pleased thus far with the organization, it is organized, they are teaching some actual skills, that are both good on the field and off the field. Once school begins Dale and Macy have practice tues, wed, and thurs and Reid has it tues, and wed. The best part is they all practice at the same place, same time, and games will be at the same place, Reid first and Dale second games each time, and Macy cheers for both games, if she wants....so even though it is 3 times a week....it is more like one for each kid, which I would have anyway if all three were in activities. The only down fall is the dumb fundraiser that you have to do and each child is on the hook for 100 dollars, or you have to sell 9 discount cards at 20 a pop to Nike...where you do save about 60% on merchandise but it is only a discount coupon card, but what you do not sell you have to still fund the remaining money....so any of you aunts and uncles and godparents, grandmas, grandpas and the like feel free to purchase a card....PLEASE...none the less I think it will make it neat that all are in the same organization, and are sorta together in spirit. Macys uniform is SOOO cute and they actually go participate in a competition on November 1st. She is a mascot and there are 3 other 3 yr olds participating and they just try and get what they can out of them as far as practice goes...and she is a ham so I am sure she will do great especially since there are bigger girls there and she loves to feel big too and will copy them. I am sure there will be plenty of updates and pics to follow. To say they are tired at the end of the day is an understatement...they run so much, but the objective is to be the best conditioned team on the field so they can finish strong in the 4th quarter...go TITANS.