FIHS Jewels

When I started working at FIHS, I was very surprised to find out that they still did a beauty pageant in the hight school.  As I've gone to see the pageant now for 10 years, I've seen that it isn't so much a beauty pageant as it is a fun experience for these girls to challenge themselves and have a bit of fun dressing up!  It is a pretty big deal in all the schools.  In the past few years, the dance team has provided the winners of the pageant, as well as the 1st runner-up!  This year, Rozzie decided she wanted to try her hand at the pageant.  Well, not this year -- since she first saw the pageant, she wanted to do it.  But as the time came to actually sign up, she got nervous and worried and nearly didn't sign up.  The teachers in charge of the pageant were great support and really encouraged Rozzie to commit.  She did and the work began.  She had to have a talent to showcase, so we got with her tap teacher and they got a dance put together.  That dance needed a costume.  Tap is a very casual style of dance so we had to be careful that we didn't get an outfit that was too casual or an outfit that was too dressy for the dance.  I found a sequined halter style shirt at Kohl's on sale for $17 and then she wore her dance team capris and it was just perfect.  When she took it in for approval, the teachers called me and and said we hit the nail on the head - thanks for not going overboard.  After solidifying the talent, Rozzie had to decide on a platform - a cause that she would support as Miss FIHS - and write a one minute monologue explaining it.  Then came the casual wear (casual as opposed to formal).  The casual wear is worn for the interview.  Rozzie's best friend's mom is a stylist for Banana Republic and is always dressed to the nines, so Rozzie asked her to come along shopping for the perfect outfit.  We ahd a good time and found something really nice.  Next was the dreaded formal wear.  Rozzie knew our guidelines and found a most amazing dress at Dillards.  We had only been shopping for 3 hours and 2 stores when we found it.  The most dreaded part actually went very smoothly.  Then there were shoes and accessories to get.  

Rozzie balanced dance team practices and pageant practices for the past 2 months.  It all finally came to fruition this past Thursday night.  Rozzie was very nervous about her monologue and, if she made finals, the on-stage question.  I was plenty nervous for her, too.  I had been a good mom and not taken advantage of my teacher status to go in and "peek" at practices so I hadn't seen anyone else's talents or anything.  The dance team always comes together to support their contestants.  However, this year, they only had one to cheer for so Rozzie got all their attention!!  It was great to turn around and see this:

FIDT - Rozzie's cheer section

So the pageant started and Rozzie looked SO GROWN UP on stage!  I was taken aback by it.  All the make-up and lipstick makes a big difference.  She walked confidently in her casual outfit.  Then it was talent time and she tapped the daylights out of that stage.  That was good to see.

Then it was time for the formal wear portion.  Travis was her escort.  Men's Warehouse donates the tuxedos for all the dads/grandpas/brothers.  I have to say, Rozzie's dress was the best one on stage.  The proof that I have for that is the number of students that told me so today!!  I had one student who never wears the same thing twice marched right up to my desk and demanded to know where we found Rozzie's dress and that it was the best one of the night.  I think she looked beautiful.  Ok, you got me.  The dress is magenta so of course I think it is the best!!  After the formal wear presentation, the top four  were announced.  Rozzie was the last of the four called (in no particular order!!).  She was just stunned.  Well, those four girls had to answer an on-stage question.  Rozzie was the last to go and she got the question of her life:  If you could choose anyone, who would you choose to sit down and have dinner with?  Well of course, Kate Middleton.  She kindof laughed as she said it and her cheering section all cheered for her because it was the answer they were expecting.  Then it was time for the big announcement.  They called off 3rd runner-up.  Then 2nd runner-up.  Rozzie was called as 1st runner-up and was just thrilled.  The girl that won is said to be a very humble, nice, smart girl.  Rozzie reported that she was really happy with the winner.  Then it was picture time:

Miss FIHS 1st Runner-Up

A number of the dance team girls.  They were so good to her!!

Rozzie and her dance team coach, Mrs. Connell

Mrs. Walker runs the pageant and is the heart and soul of the school.  

She is so excited with her placement - you would think she won it!!  She wore her sash to school today and was congratulated all day long.  The bonus is that there is a little scholarship money involved with this upon graduation!!  Rozzie went by "Rosalin" in the pageant.  It was kindof funny because the two emcees are dance team girls and they kept correcting themselves to call her "Rosalin".  Next year, Rozzie will be an emcee!

I did not take pictures during the pageant - it was dark and we were behind a row of people.  There was a photographer and I'll be sure to order a few of his photos when they are available.  The school TV production crew videoed the pageant and the DVD will be available before the end of school.  We were exhausted today, but are still very excited.  It has been a good year, so far.  No complaints.  

Ring Size = 7

You may remember in my last post that my cheerleaders won a state competition.  It was run by a cheer/dance company that hosts competitions.  As our dancers are not an official sport in Florida, this was really their big statewide competition and they had a pretty big division with some serious talent.  This weekend was the official FHSAA (Florida High School Athletic Association) Cheerleading Competition in Kissimmee, Florida.  It is just outside of Orlando.  There are many divisions in cheerleading and we compete as a small coed division 2 team.  This means that we have 4 or fewer boys on the team and that we are a large school.  The school paid for a bus to drive us down for the day and we left the school at 8am.  We arrived at Downtown Disney at about 10:30 and set right to getting lunch.  The kids had voted and chosen the T-Rex Cafe.  I had nightmares from "Jurassic Park" so this was unsettling.  All I can say is that it was very noisy in prehistoric times.  I don't know how anyone got any rest.  The kids had a great time.  We got to eat in the ice cave that you see as the purple section in the background.  The lights in there changed constantly and it was difficult to tell what was in your food and it was a strain on the eyes.  Beyond that, the food was good and the kids were pumped to get going and start this competition.

T-Rex Cafe - 2 thumbs up

We knew going into the competition that if we could hit our routine, we had a chance.  However, we also knew that our competition was very good.  There were 20 teams in our division.  Most of them have been competing with boys for years.  This was our first year with boys.  The big thing about having boys is that they do different stunts with the girls.  All our boys but one are new to cheering and have learned it all this year.  We competed twice.  In the semi-final round, we placed 2nd - .55 behind the leaders.  We had 15 minutes to get ourselves ready and into warm ups for the finals.  We went first.  We nearly lost the pyramid, but the group muscled the girl back up into position and we finished out wonderfully.  Our tumbling was right on and synchronized.  Everything looked good.  The problem with cheer competitions is that they aren't actually playing someone and they can't control another team.  They can only do what they do and then the rest is out of their hands.  So then Bartow went after us and they have some good tumbling - one part of their tumbling is better than ours and one part isn't.  Then they dropped 2 stunts and I knew the door was open.  We waited for awards and, as you know, we won - by .1!!!

My captains- Vanessa, Leslie, and Christina; and my choreographer Cortnee

It was late and we were starving so we went to Steak and Shake for dinner (at 10:45).  Then the bus ride home...I got home at 2:30am.  Travis was so excited that he was still awake!!  I was exhausted.  I had spent all day feeling like I wanted to throw up from nerves.  I kept my body all clenched up.  I get so nervous for them and I have to play the music and pretty much be in charge of everyone.  I had to work on Friday so the alarm went off at 4:45am and I was up and going.  I stopped at Chick-fil-A to get a celebratory breakfast and realized I left my wallet at home.  So, not only had I not fallen asleep (not dozing, but asleep) but I had no food either.  One of the secretaries went and got me lunch when she went out for a lunch run.  I was shaking pretty good by then.  After school there was a dentist appointment and grocery shopping.  THEN A BASKETBALL GAME...  I finally got to go to sleep at about 11pm on Friday night and it was wonderful.

Thanks for reading my story and at least feigning interest.  I'm still really excited about it.  What is really fun, is that we get championship rings!!  I already know that I'm a size 7.

January Business

January is when all the "fun" starts happening for cheer and dance.  Cheer has had a few competitions, but in January, things get serious.  Dance has their big state competition, too.  Luckily, these two competitions are actually the same competition.  I took my cheerleaders down to Daytona early on Friday.  We stopped at Cracker Barrel for lunch.  They are always so nice to accommodate us.  It was even better when three different people and the manager came up to me to tell me how nice my kids were.  One of our boys showed up on crutches with his leg in a boot ("the boot of shame") saying he broke his foot jumping off his roof into his pool - this is not a stretch for him.  I was notified early on that it was a prank, but I kept it up and all the kids were asking me what we were going to do.  I assured them that I'd seen kids out on the mat with boots.  All he had to do was lift someone and his arms were just fine.  My choreographer Cortnee was fit to be tied.  She went to him demanding to see how bad it was.  Then she came back to our table laughing and saying, "Why am I so gullible!!"  

We like to get in a practice on the beach and take some pictures before things get serious.  Our first performance was Friday night for both JV and Varsity.  Both teams did well and were in first place going into the Saturday morning.  By then, the dance team had arrived and we had a large crowd cheering us on.  It is a little different traveling with boys.  They were up early and running around the halls in sheets acting like ghosts...  We performed again on Saturday morning.  JV struggled a little.  Varsity hit the routine very well - again with a very large group to cheer us on.  It was great to see Rozzie and Maddie there all dressed and ready to go.  They are so good about cheering me on and supporting my team.  Despite the struggles of JV, they won their division and Varsity won the Small Coed division.  We also won the entire competition with the overall highest score of all high school cheer.  Considering that a week before at our regional competition, they went out and busted tumbling, dropped the stunts, and tripped over each other, it was a great accomplishment.  

Daytona Beach - Fleming Island Varsity Cheer (this is called a heel stretch)

After taking pictures and celebrating with cheer, I had to get back into the arena for the dance team to perform.  It is a great relief to shed the "coach" title.  However, the "mom" title is just as nerve-wracking.  This was Maddie's first competition and she was rather nervous.  The dance team was up against their arch rivals:  Fort Walton Beach and Bartram Trail.  These teams mean business.  The dancers did a "Men in Black" dance.  They were already in warm-ups by the time I was done with my team and got back into the arena.  They were in first place going into their Sunday performance.  

Maddie's first stage performance

After a great routine

Rozzie at the end of the routine

All we could do was wait for the second performance and then finals.  They made the awards go on and on, delaying the announcing of the Hip Hop division.  This is a great picture of the girls as they announced 2nd place and realized they had won.  It was so exciting!!

Rozzie is 2nd from the left and Maddie is 4th from the right with her mouth hanging open

 It was a lot of fun to have such a successful weekend.  The dancers got their jackets (I got mine from cheer) and so we all came home with fun stuff.  Rozzie, Maddie, and their friends took a few beach pictures before we traveled home.  The kids fell asleep in the car right as we got on the freeway.  Usually this competition is on MLK weekend and we have Monday to recover, but not this year...

Great weekend with the kids

A bunch of very happy girls

All the kids wore their jackets to school - that is 55 kids with their championship jackets.  The rest of the week was exhausting trying to go to school and catch up on sleep.  

JV Cheer, Varsity Cheer, and Dance Team in their jackets at school on Monday 

 Now I have just two more competitions (biggest ones of the year) and only one basketball game left.  I can't wait for the reprieve.  Friday night was the Pink Out basketball game.  We ALMOST won.  We were losing badly until the 4th quarter.  We pulled within 2, but then lost.  The dance team danced.

Maddie is on the far right

 And the cheerleaders cheered and put the principal up in a stunt.  This makes me very nervous.  The students love it, though.

Last week at the basketball game, there was a lady sitting in the cheerleaders seats.  I went and explained that the cheerleaders sat there and did it very nicely.  Then after the cheerleaders warmed up, we went to sit down and she was still there.  Again, I reminded her very nicely that the cheerleaders were going to take their spot.  She said she wasn't going to move.  I left her alone and told my assistant principal of the situation, knowing this lady would call and complain about me.  So the AP went and talked to her and explained that this is were the cheerleaders sit and she might be more comfortable and safe in another spot.  The lady said she was "quite comfortable."  By this time, the dance team was watching and laughing.  All the students were monitoring the situation.  The AP then told the cheerleaders to just do their thing.  My kids have never cheered so loud and so hard as they did that night!!  Finally, the deputy on duty came over and asked her to move or leave.  She left and demanded her money back.  She did not have a son or grandson playing.  She claimed she was just a citizen watching the game and wanted the best seat in the house.  SO RIDICULOUS!!  So last night, there were people in the seats wanting to get pictures of the senior night festivities.  After that was done, I explained that the cheerleaders would be sitting there and ... they got up and moved with a smile.  See how easy it can be.  Sometimes, it doesn't hurt to be easy to get along with.  And to smile.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

It has been such a nice holiday.  I know that my Minnesota family is back to school today.  In some respects, I'd be just fine with that.  But I'm thankful for a few more days of relaxation, honestly.  I feel like I have gotten so much accomplished.  I have had a few days of cheerleading and have some work to do with that, but otherwise I have done only what I have set out to do.  

Christmas Eve was spent at the Collard's house for dinner.  This picture generated a lot of "likes" on facebook.  I think it is a sweet picture of the two.  Maddie's eyes are what catches everyone!!

We got Morgan home the Saturday before Christmas.  She had the time of her life in San Diego at the BYU bowl game.  They rode buses down to San Diego.  BYU was losing most of the game 3-6 against San Diego State until the 4th quarter when BYU scored 2 defensive touchdowns in 17 seconds.  Morgan loves football and loves BYU, so it was a very exciting game for her.  I'm so glad she had that experience.

 Dinnertime for Rozzie and Maddie:

After dinner, we popped over to another Smith house for a bonfire.  All these girls have grown up together and it is fun to see them gather together.

 Then we were back to the Collard's for singing and card tricks.  You can seen Roger in the back with his uke, Scott (McCall's fiance) with the guitar, and Scott's two girls doing a card trick with Maddie.

 It is always interesting to look through the pictures after Rozzie had gotten hold of the camera.

When we got home, there were a few boys at the door waiting for Rozzie and Maddie.  These were Morgan's presents for them.  Maddie is standing with Harry and Rozzie has Niall.  These are 2 of the boys from One Direction.  They were really excited.  We have pictures of "the boys" around the house, doing dishes, etc.

 So this is the official "Merry Christmas" picture from Christmas Day as we headed off to see "Les Miserables".  Which was wonderful and I cried the whole time.  Rozzie would look over at me and look at me with the look, "Seriously, Mom.  Again?"  But we enjoyed ourselves.

And last, but not least, a New Year's Day lunch at Cheesecake factory.  Happy New Year and a prosperous 2013 to all.

As Promised

Jake and Steph, here is the promised photo. It was taken in 1981 in Huntington, West Virginia.  Travis was on his mission.  Travis heard he was coming to town to certify kids at a karate studio.  Travis gave him a Book of Mormon.  Chuck was nice enough to pose for a picture.  He did not defeat anyone.

Katie's Wedding

It is far past time for me to write about Katie's wedding!!  It was a great day and I'm SO glad that Travis and I were able to be in Utah for the festivities.  Rozzie will remind everyone that she didn't get to go.  I wish things were different, but she is right.  Maddie and Rozzie stayed behind.  

Katie and Christian were married on a sunny Tuesday morning.  Morgan and cousins hung out outside the temple and found things to interest them.  Morgan was in charge of my camera.  She took many pictures.  This is one of them:

It was really fun to spend time with Morgan!

Sara continually tried to steal the spotlight!!

Morgan and Hayley entertained themselves.

Finally, the happy couple emerged from the temple, not only married to each other, but sealed for eternity!  (That is why we try to choose well!!)  They both were just giddy with happiness and were so pleased to be married.  Katie looked absolutely beautiful.  The temple grounds were planted with pansies everywhere which matched the wedding colors.  It couldn't have been planned any better.  Throughout the day, we noticed that they were covering the flowerbeds for the winter, so Katie got married just in time!!

In addition to the wedding, there were other highlights.  Seeing some of our Pelton cousins was definitely a close second.  I have seen Marilyn and Amy a few times here and there, but have not seen Devon since...before I was married?  Maybe?  It brought tears to my eyes.  Sara, Bryan, Devon, and I spent our summers together in California during our growing up years and we were the best of friends.  This was a very special time and I just LOVED sitting and talking with Devon.  Amy and Marilyn are as beautiful as ever.  This is a very special picture to me (I'm sure it is for Sara, too).

Jenni, Devon, Marilyn, Amy, & Sara

It was also a treat to see Aunt Marylee there, too.  (I know I always say this, but I have such wonderful memories of my summers in California.  My grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins made that a treasured experience.)

Morgan, Jenni, Marylee, Dad, Devon, Amy, Sara, Marilyn

Luckily, Mike allowed Jenny to come out and party is up with us.  It was lots of fun to have her there.  I loved her dress with the yellow accents!

Other highlights of the night were seeing Katie dance with her dad to a Beatles song - how appropriate.  It made me cry.  Katie is the first grandchild on my family's side.  Sara, Jim, and Katie lived with us in our downtown Denver apartment for about a month.  She would get so excited when I came home from work and school.  She would meet me out in the hallway.  She would bring me my shoes.  Often. I cried when they moved out.  I have a video of her when she was about 7 and we were roasting hot dogs on the 4th of July.  Someone called them "hot dogs" and Katie corrected them, "They WIENERS!"  We always laugh at that.  I love you, Katie and wish you the best in your new role as a wife.  And we all think you have the cutest name!!

2012 Homecoming and a Little Birthday Action

I am taking things a little out of order here.  We just returned from Katie's wedding in Salt Lake City which was very nice, and all.  I keep waiting for Sara to post about it, but like me, I assume she is still digging out from the trip itself and trying to find solid ground underneath her feet.  My post about the wedding could be long and emotional, so I decided to do the easy post first. 

Upon returning to "the 904", I was slung into the Three-Day Homecoming Triathlon.  My first day home was the parade.  How blessed I am to have great cheer parents, cheer coaches, and dance parents that will help me out.  The homecoming theme this year was "Around the World".  The JV Cheerleaders chose "Where in the World is Waldo?" as their float theme.  The looked SO CUTE!!

Look at the shiny blue pants they found!!

The Varsity Cheerleaders chose "It's A Small Eagle World After All"  and dressed up representing different parts of the world.  My assistant, Cortnee LOVES crafts and she headed this up and was so helpful to me.  I loved the two French costumes and also the Russian!!

We played the song the whole way and we found that many of the football players were singing along.

I am forbidden to post any pictures of the dance team from the parade, lest their trade secrets get out to the enemy.

Friday night brought the big homecoming football game that we won easily.  It was chilly.  You'd have thought my cheerleaders were having their finger nails ripped from their fingers.  But they survived.  It was over 50 degrees.  I remember chillier nights at Minnetonka in my skirt and socks!!  It was a fun game, though.  It was also senior night.  It is hard to believe that 2 years ago was Morgan's senior night and that in one short year, it will be Rozzie's.  Here are a couple pictures of the shenanigans that go on on the sidelines.  Rozzie and some dancers are entertaining each other.  There was singing and dancing; not all of it was good.  

 Maddie and Maddie were found to be enjoying themselves, too.

For the past three years, the (now) former administration refused to have a semi-formal homecoming dance.  They planned the dance to be right after the football game.  So, for the past three years, the dance has been cancelled.  We have a new administrator in town and he is so wonderful!!  Time to bring homecoming back to Fleming Island High School!!  The girls had fun picking out dresses and getting prettied up.  Rozzie met up with friends Kaity, Nora, and Dani.  Kaity's parents made dinner and the girls reported having a fun time at the dance.

Sparkles are very popular right now!!

Maddie decided that since it was her birthday, a dance was called for.  She chose a lace-topped dress - also very popular right now.  She reported having a really good time, too.  She and her friend Kelley didn't go out to dinner or eat in.  But, I think they hit Chick-fil-A after the dance. 

Sunday morning brought the annual Young Women's Sacrament Meeting Program.  A number of years ago, we started this tradition in our ward and it is fun to find a theme for their dress.  This year the girls all wore white, yellow, or orange.  These colors represented three of the YW values that were discussed in the program.  And can you believe that Cammie - who I used to babysit - turned 12 four days before the program and was able to participate!! 

And finally we celebrated Maddie's 15th birthday.  She had some friends over for a taco dinner.  When we were in Utah, Holly was reorganizing her recipes and she had one I spied for "Just Like Cafe Rio Chicken".  She gave me a copy and so I tried it out.  DELICIOUS CHICKEN TACOS!!  So, here is Maddie with her 1D cake.  She wanted one that looked like her shoes that her friend painted.  hahahaha.  Best I could do.  She was happy.  And now she will take her permit test tomorrow.  This summer she commented to me, "Driving seems to be a very big responsibility."  I think she'll be just fine!

I have ESPN and so I knew everyone would want the recipe for the Just Like Cafe Rio Chicken.  So here it is:

5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast
1 small bottle Zesty Italian Dressing
1T chili powder
1T cumin
3 cloves garlic - minced

Mix all ingredients in a crock pot.  Cook on high for 6-7 hours.  Remove chicken and shred with a fork.  Put chicken back in crock pot juices so it will be juicy and yummy!!