You can take the girl out of Southern Delaware...but you can't take the Southern Delaware out of the girl:-)

This week, I am embracing my Southern Delaware roots...It's Fair Week!!!  I know that my redneck points are going to go up several points by admitting it but...I LOVE the Fair and am actually a stockholder!!!

When I was young, my Dad worked for Chambers and spent his work week at the fair and because of that my brother, sister and I were able to spend a ton of time there.  I would guess that we went pretty much every day for the entire week.  I'm going to date myself a bit but back in day the fair had Hardee's Day every year, where you could ride rides all day for $10.  My siblings and I would count down the minutes until Hardee's Day arrived and then spend the entire day riding one ride after another!

I have tons of happy memories of the fair:  riding rides with my friends and family, going to concerts (yes I did see both the New Kids and Milli Vanilli), going to the demolition derby with my dad (driving in the demolition derby is actually on my bucket list...redneck points just went up again), working there with Department of Elections,  Riding rides with the Governor as Miss Delaware, eating lots of yummy food, competing with my cheer and dance teams...This could go on for awhile!

We had a busy week this week and didn't get to go as often as we would have liked but did make it a couple of times.  On Monday night Dan surprised me with Toby Keith tickets.  It was a GREAT concert.  For his encore he brought up some members from the military and did his America Hero Song.  It was amazing to see them standing on stage while the entire audience waved American Flags....very cool!

On Wednesday we took the kids to the fair.  I love that they both love it!  We watched part of the circus (loved the acrobats but felt horrible for all of the animals) and the parade (twice).  We then went to visit all of the animals and the petting zoo. Brynn was able to hold a baby chick which she thought was just fabulous. Colton wanted to hold one too but he was not what I would call gentle so we had to put an end to that pretty quickly.

I wanted to take a picture of Colton sitting on a tractor so we went to do that.  We put him on a big John Deer tractor and then could not pry him off...HE LOVED IT!  I think he would have happily sat there for the entire night...my little country boy:-)  Brynn sat on the tractor too but was eager to get to the rides at this point.

Both kids had a great time on the rides but boy were they expensive!  When is Hardee's Day...lol?

We topped off the evening with ice cream and cotton candy...after all, the junk food is probably one of the most important elements of the fair!!

We had a great time and can't wait until next year:-)

Girls Night Out

Every now and then I get together and go out with my girlfriends for a girls night (aka: adult conversation and drinks).  Brynn used to be fine with this because it meant she was able to spend some quality time with Daddy.  However Brynn has now reached the age where she believes that she is one of the girls and doesn't quite understand why she can't come to girls night.  Last week, I went out with some friends and Brynn was good about it but really thought she should be invited.  So...after giving it some thought, I decided that she and I would have a special Girls-night-out just for us.

So we started our night of fun with ballet class (mostly because I can't skip it because I'm the teacher).  Dance class is usually uneventful but this one was kind of special because Brynn has all of the sudden learned to skip.  I have tried to teach her to skip for several months now with no success (I swear I'm actually a very good dance teacher).  However, she was playing around on her own before class and just began skipping like an old pro.  I had nothing to do with it but still plan to take credit:-)

Brynn just loves to get her nails and toes painted so after dance class we went over to the nail salon to get our first mother/daughter pedicure.  I have to admit that I was super excited for this.  Since the time I found out I was having a girl, I have looked forward to doing this type of girly thing with my daughter.  Brynn got to pick out her very own polish (and naturally chose the brightest color they had).

This is the one:-)

She was a little nervous at first and was so tiny that her little feet couldn't reach the water so she had to stand in the foot bath.  It was just adorable!  She went through the entire pedicure with a grin on her face.  I was in the chair next to her getting my own pedicure but I honestly couldn't even pay attention.  I just sat there and enjoyed every moment of Brynn's.  She is such a girly girl and everyone in the salon got a good laugh when Brynn got a case of the giggles as they were tickling (massaging) her feet.  The person doing Brynn's nails was so sweet. She made Brynn feel like such a big girl and took some extra time to paint flowers on Brynn's big toes at no extra charge.

We finished our Girls-night at Brynn's favorite restaurant...McDonalds!  It was a perfect girls-night out...I can't wait to do it again:-)

Getting Dirty

It's official...I will be running the 2011 Delaware Mud Run on September 25, 2011.  The Mud Run is a 5K race through a mud filled obstacle course.  I have always wanted to do this and I have no clue why.  If you follow my blog, you know that I do not like to get dirty and I hate to run.  So...why the mud run?  I have no idea other than to say it looks like fun and sounds like a good fitness challenge and hey...it's for a great cause.

Last year a couple of friends and I decided that we would do that Mud Run in 2011.  I was super excited at the time but unfortunately a year later no one was available to do it.  One friend has a stress fracture, one is getting married and the last did not answer my texts when I asked if we were doing the Mud Run (that's you Kim Rigby...still love you though:-).  My husband had put together a team of his guy friends and I was just jealous so I put a message out on facebook to see if anyone would join me.  In a matter of minutes my team was born.

Team "Dirty Dancers" consists of myself, Terrianne Utley, Misty Yencer, and Heather McKinney.  We are all friends through dance and still involved in dance so we thought the name was appropriate.

I will be sure to keep you posted as to how it goes!  You can check us out at http://www.delawaremudrun.com/.  Just look for Team Dirty Dancers (I'm hoping to add some pics to our team page soon).  If you are interested, you can also make a donation to our team through that site.  All donations benefit the Leukemia Research Foundation of DE. 

Wish us luck...

This is a pic of one of the groups from last year.  Looks fun...right?

                             

My "Little Sister" is Married!!!

This weekend my "little sister" Linda Kurtz got married.  Linda is not my blood sister but she is my sister by heart.  Linda was one of the "little girls" at the studio where we both danced.  We took to each other very early on it wasn't long before Linda was following me everywhere (which I just ate up).  I am the youngest in my family so I eagerly adopted her.  She and I have a ton in common and I was proud and elated when we became official sisters when she won Miss Delaware.

Linda and I at this year's Miss Delaware Renunion

The wedding was at hotel DuPont and it was honestly one of the best weddings I have ever been too.  I'm a bit of a wedding snob in that I only like weddings where the bride looks completely happy and in-love (not a bridezilla fan).  Linda's wedding did not disappoint. She was so relaxed and happy and the love that she and Dennis so obviously share was radiant. 

Supermodel:-)

Because the bride and groom were so relaxed, all of the guests were as well.  It was also so wonderful to re-connect with some of the other girls from the dance studio and to of course hit the dance floor with them.  I can't even remember the last time I had this much fun!!

Luminita and Cathy from my dance studio...hadn't seen them in years.

                                

Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Risk...aren't they gorgeous?!

After the wedding, we all went to the Logan House in Wilmington to continue the celebration.  I will post more pics just as soon as I locate my camera (that's a story for another day).  Congratulations Linda and Dennis.  We are so proud that we were able to share your special day!  Love you both:-)

On our way to the after party...

                                                        

Colton's First Playground Scuffle

Colton came home from pre-school with a bite mark on his arm today.  Apparently there was some sort of scuffle over the slide and Colton ended up with the worst end of the deal.  Dan and I were immediately up in arms and furious.  Why weren't they watching them better?  I hope that little delinquent (yes I know the child was 1) gets in big trouble! 

Several minutes later, the rational side of me did come around and I realized that these things just happen in a 1-yr-old classroom.  In reality, I adore Colton's current teachers and think they do a fabulous job. Colton has been known to purposely pinch his sister (hasn't happened to another kid at school that I know of) so it's slightly possible that he isn't completely innocent.  I'm sure it's actually pretty common but I want so badly to protect him from everything hurtful...not super realistic I know.  Sigh...this parenting stuff is tough!!!  If I react like this over a bite mark can you imagine how I will act the first time some little girl breaks his heart?! 

My poor baby:-(

                                                   

Hibachi

Last night was my first experience at Hibachi (who know if I spelled that right?).  My "little sister" Linda Kurtz is getting married this weekend (more about that later) which means that a lot of my pageant peeps are going to be in town this weekend.  So, last night a big group of us go together to celebrate the return of JerriLynn who lives way too far away at this point. It's been forever since I have see JL so I was super excited to see her and have dinner with the whole crew and my wonderful hubby stayed home with the kids so I could enjoy the evening:-)

The gang

                                                                      

 
The restaurant was a lot of fun.  If you have never been to Hibachi it's a lot like going to dinner and a show. They cook your food right in front of you and they cook with flair.  I was super impressed when our cook threw the egg up in the air and caught it on the side of his spatula in order to crack it (I have a hard enough time just cracking an egg in a bowl).

                                                                  
Dinner was great but the best part was spending time with old friends.  I got to spend some time with my "other Dad" Bob who I haven't seen in ages.  It was so nice to have time to catch up.  At the end of  dinner my "other Mom" Sue was able to stop by for a couple of minutes.  I didn't get to spend much time with her but it was good just to give her a hug.  I miss them so much and hope we will have time to get together again with them soon.

Bob and I

                                                                       Bob and I:-)
Great night!

Dance Like No One is Watching.

I have been a dancer since I was 7 years old.  I would say that I spent most of my childhood/teen/college years very happily in a dance studio either taking class, practicing, or rehearsing for some show or another.  I loved it and I still love it.  I am currently a dance teacher at the First State Academy of Dance where I teach Intro 1 and Intro 2 which are combined ballet/tap classes for kids in the 4-8 age range.  Teaching dance is not my "real job" but one I do for a couple of  reasons. 

The first reason is that because I teach, Brynn gets to take dance classes for free:-)  I know it's not the best reason in the world but hey...dance lessons are expensive!!!

Some of my Intro 1 class (that's Brynn in the middle).

One of the best things about teaching this age group is that my classes are the first ones in the evening.  This means that if I get to the studio a little early I am the only one there.  When you are a dancer, there is nothing in the world quite like having an empty dance studio all to yourself.  I turn the music up and just "Dance Like No One is Watching."  It's an amazingly free feeling to just put it all out there without worrying about technique or what you look like or really anything for that matter.  I just let it all out...best therapy in the world!!!  As adults, we very rarely have opportunities to let it all hang out like that...which brings me to my next reason I love teaching dance.

I adore teaching this age group (in spite of the fact that I have to sing, dance and do flips in order to maintain their attention span) because I have them at a point in their life where they dance with total abandon.  They have not yet reached the point where they are self conscious.  They just move however their spirit takes them.  In just about every class, I have at least one point where a child is in a corner of the room putting on the performance of a lifetime without a care in the world as to whether or not anyone is watching.  I LOVE THAT!!!!   I know how free and happy they feel and I just want to bottle it up for them so they can have it their whole lives!!

Earlier this week, we sat down to watch Brynn's recital video. After her dance was over Brynn wanted to watch the other girls too.  So, we let the DVD run.  Shortly after Brynn's class, the hip hop class came on.  The music was Willow's, Whip My Hair.  Both of my babies started busting a move.  Colton was seriously "dropping it like it was hot" (I'm going to try to video his moves and will post if I get a good one).  It was one of those Mama moments that you know you will remember forever....perfect innocence, a total lack of inhibition and their whole hearts enjoying the moment....

"Dance Like No One is Watching"  has always been my favorite quote.  It just makes perfect sense in my life.

Happy Birthday Leigh!

This weekend marked my sister-in-law's birthday.  In honor of the occasion, Dan and I packed up the kids and traveled to MD to be with her and her husband.  The day started with a "Kegs and Eggs" theme birthday party which was a lot of fun. This was not like the college "Kegs and Eggs" parties that I remember (or maybe it would be more accurate to say that I "don't remember").  There were several couples our age there who all have children within the same general age range so it was very laid back and fun.  We all ate brunch and enjoyed Mimosas (probably spelled that wrong) and Bloody Mary's (well some people did but I personally think they are gross).  There was a mini-keg there and we were all very excited when they managed to kick it at about 5:30 p.m. (I told you that it wasn't like the college days).We then watched the kids have a birthday egg hunt (get it?...goes with the Kegs and Eggs theme).  Once the party wrapped up we were able to get the kids down for a nap while all of the adult laid around and chatted.

Kegs and Eggs birthday cake

                                                  

The kiddie table at brunch

Colton loved the Egg Hunt!

For dinner, we had a crab feast.  I love crabs but even more than that, I love the time it takes to eat crabs!  I have tons of great memories throughout the years of sitting around a table with great friends just picking crabs, drinking beer and chatting (and it's one of the few ways to get my husband to take his time instead of gobbling down his meal).  The crab feast was no exception. Thankfully (and perhaps miraculously) the kids cooperated so we were able to just sit there for a couple of hours enjoying the company and crabs.

CRABS!  This cracks me up!  We were order #A55 but I think it looks like it says something else.

             

Getting set up for the crab-feast! Mmmmmmmmmmm...

                                         

 Colton stacking stones on the keg...don't worry it was already empty.

The birthday fun did not end there.  Aunt Patty and Uncle Ross volunteered to babysit all four of the kids while Dan, Bill, Leigh and I went to the movies to see Harry Potter.  I can't even remember the last time Dan and I went to the movies but I'm pretty sure it was pre-Brynn. I was a little nervous for Patty and Ross because as we walked out the door both boys had a total meltdown. Fortunately it was bedtime so there was an end in sight. I though the movie was great and I'm not even a huge Harry Potter fan (the movies got a little too scary for me somewhere around the third one.  I had nightmares about Dobbie for weeks! Sad but true!)

Happy Birthday Leigh!

                                                              
We were able to make it back home for church on Sunday and then just spend the rest of the day bumming around the house (which was fortunate because both kids were exhausted from all of the fun with their cousins).

It was a great and relaxing weekend.  Looking forward to this week and weekend. Lots of fun stuff coming up...

I Miss My Sis!

My sister's husband is in the Air Force and thus my sister and her hubby are currently stationed in Monroe, Louisiana.  I miss her/them like crazy.  Kim and I are very close (she is my "go-to/tell everything to person") so this only seeing each other once or twice a year stuff is just crap.  I'm not sure why it has hit me so hard today.  There is nothing really significant happening but man I would love to just sit and have a glass of wine with her!!  Love you Kim<3  I'm going to go research flights to Monroe...

Kim and I acting crazy together a few years ago

Baby Talk

Colton is officially 16 months old!  I can't believe how fast it has gone.  He is full of personality these days and is picking up new words everyday.  I recently read a friends blog in which she listed her little one's current vocabulary list.  I know that it will be super boring to anyone who is reading my blog but I also know that I will look back on the list and just adore it so I'm stealing the idea (Thanks Destiny!).  So here it is...Colton's words at 16 months.

Shoes (this is my favorite because he puckers up his little lips when he says it...too cute!)
Nana (meaning either Banana or his great grandmother)
Mama (and my heart melts every time)
Dada
Dog
Please (he also signs this one)
Milk (this one sounds more like ilk but he can sign it too)
All done (loves to sign this one)
Eat (I think this is his favorite one or maybe it's just the one we hear the most. He used to sign it but just demands it now)
Duck
Quack
Yay
Itsy-Bitsy
Alligator (thanks in large part to the alligator song which he is currently obsessed with)
Ball
Thank you
Grandma
Grandpa
Mommom
no (always accompanied by head shaking)
Night-night
sleep
hello/hi
Bye
outside
kiss
up
out
Uh Oh
school
fish
trees
What's that
Cheese
nose
eye

I know I'm forgetting a bunch so I'll try to add them as a remember:-)

Colton Daniel

                                                                  

Kickin at Killens...and at the Nanticoke Riverfest

If it looks like the String family is busy...WE ARE!  I was just checking out my planner and noticed that we don't have a free weekend for at least four weeks (and that's only if I haven't forgotten to add something to my planner).  I guess that just means that we have lots to look forward too but I am also looking forward to a weekend where we can just lay around the house:-)  This weekend was no exception to the craziness...

Saturday morning was race day for Dan.  He competed in the "Kicken' it At Killens Race" at Killen's Pond along with his good friends Jim Lober and Dave Greene.  The race starts with a 10 mile bike ride and is then followed by a 2.6 mile run around the park.  But that's not the end.  Just in case that wasn't enough of a workout for you, you then had to kayak for 2 miles.  The kids and I were on hand to cheer for all of our guys.  There wasn't much we could see except for the spots where they dropped off their bikes and picked up their kayak so the kids and I (along with Dave's family) visited the Nature Center and the Pond in between waiting for the guys to get to the drop off/pick up sites.  The guys did an impressive job at the race and I am very impressed to tell you that Dan finished in Second Place!!!!  I don't know how he did because it was extremely hot and I was exhausted from just walking the kids around the park.

Jim, Dan and Dave getting pumped up

Danny's biggest fans:-)

                                                   
Following the race, Dan (who apparently had boundless energy that day) headed to the Float-In at the Nanticoke Riverfest in Seaford.  If you have no idea what the Float-in is, it is exactly what it sounds like.  Hundreds of people throw rafts, barges and tubes into the Nanticoke River and just float down with the tide.  It takes about an hour to go down the entire river.  I have never participated but it looks like a lot of fun. So, Dan joined in the Float while I took the kids home for a nap. 

Once Dan was done floating and the kids (and I) were up from their nap we met Dan at the festival.  It's a typical small town festival:  Lots of really bad food, a few rides, some vendors and some really great people watching.  We spent some time seeing the sights (which were awesome by the way:-)  ). The best part of the day was playing in the fountain in the town circle. They had thrown a bunch of beach balls in the fountain and were allowing the kids to climb in and play.  I had originally told Brynn that she was not allowed to go in but when I saw the look of longing on her face, I couldn't resist and I am so glad that I didn't!  She had a blast climbing around in there and I had so much fun watching her!

Colti just wanted to hold the balls

                                           

So much fun...

Next we went to dinner at Grotto Pizza with our friends.  I know...we could have have eaten at the festival and supported the local businesses but let's face it...Grotto's is air-conditioned and the Riverfest is not.  Everyone was thoroughly exhausted after all of that so it was an early bedtime for the kids.

I finished off the day with a workout.  My friend Dave had brought me Zumba for the Wii.  I love Zumba and was so excited to try it out that I could not wait even though I was pretty worn out from the day.  In my head, this was going to be super fun and not like working out at all.  Ummm...yeah...SO not how it turned out.  Zumba Wii kicked my booty!!!  About 30 mins into it, I was praying to the Zumba gods that it would soon be over so I could crawl into my shower and then bed and put myself out of my misery.  I was completely drenched in sweat and panting like a dog!  Great workout? Yes!  Will I do it again?  Definitely!  Fun?  No!

Sunday was a lazyish day for us spent attending church and then the rest of the day  napping, swimming in the pool and topped off with an amazing surf and turf dinner cooked by Dan. Sigh....I love weekends!!!!

Heading to church

                                                              

Q and A with Brynn (4 years old)

1.  What are you going to be when you grow up?  Mama, I don't really feel like answering that question right now (bad start)

2. What is Colton going to be when he grows up?  A Doctor
    Why?  Because he is a boy (which was quickly followed by a lecture about how girls can be Doctors too and examples of female doctors that we know...grr!)

3.  What is your favorite part of school?  I can't really think of anything.

4.  What is your favorite thing to do with Mama?  Go shopping and play dolls

5. What is your favorite thing to do with Daddy?  Play toys

6.  Where is your favorite place to go?  Walmart (Lol...oh boy)

7.  What do you want to be when you grow up?  You already asked me that and I don't want to answer that question.

8.  What things are you very grateful for?  Cards (?), Love, and school

9. Who do you want to be like when you grow up?  Mama and Heather Mininney (she means Heather McKinney, her idol) and then I will know all of the dances (I think she is talking about the choreography at Miss Delaware)

10.  What are you going to ask Santa for this year?  Ummm....I'm going to ask for Bullseye (the horse from Toy Story).  Is it time for Santa to come yet?  Will it be time soon?

11. What do you like about ballet class? The dancing

12.  What do you like about soccer?  I like the games but why do we have to wear the knee things (she means that shin guards).  I bet it would hurt if you get kicked without the knee things on but I still don't like them.

13. What is your favorite movie?  I like the new movie.  The princess one that you sing with.  Did you know there is a new movie coming out.  I think I would like it if you bought me that new movie.

14. What is your favorite thing to eat?  Grapes and Cookies.  Oh and Cupcakes.  I almost forgot about cupcakes.  I'm so silly.

15. (asked by her teacher a few days ago)  Are you going to be Miss Delaware someday?  Well...I already did that.

                                                               

Happy Birthday America!

In order to celebrate the Fourth of July my family and I went on our annual camping trip.  We have gone with my brother and his family for several years but this year we also added my cousin and her family to the crew (it was their first trip in their new camper).  It was a lot of fun having everyone together and spending a few days being lazy, eating lots of yummy food, swimming, sitting around the campfire, watching the parade and fireworks.  It was a great way to celebrate the good old USA's birthday and I didn't even mind the bugs, dirt, and dirty feet (well...not too much anyway). I will share a few pics from the trip.

Our newest tradition brought to us by my brother....shrimp boil = delicious!!!

 

This is my new favorite picture.  My brother falling off of his raft:-)

                               

Fishing:-)

 

Our crew waiting for the parade to start.  Sigh...I would totally freeze this moment and live it over and over if I could.