Happy Birthday Alyssa

I can't believe that Alyssa is 15!! Happy Birthday Baby!! You are an amazing young lady!!

Heroes

Alyssa is in a play at school called Heroes. It is written, directed, and produced by the students at the school. The cast is only freshmen. The show was amazing- funny, sad, thought provoking and entertaining.

I used to be Alyssa's hero, but know I think it is the cute boy she sits behind in biology. While watching the play I realized how fast these kids are growing. Please can I stop time!!!

In one of Alyssa's monologue, she talks about her lip gloss. Thus the floral arrangement. Oh I crack myself up. hee hee

Alyssa Starts High School

Alyssa started high school on Monday. She was nervous but excited. I think the nerves, learning the ropes, and the long days have gotten to her as she comes home exhausted. Of course, I made her take a first day of school picture.

Sara, Alyssa and Rachel- friends since kindergarten. I drove the girls to school on the first day. Alyssa kissed me good bye, told me she loved me and never looked back. What happened to my velcro baby?

Oops! Missed the meeting. Alyssa and I were downtown at the Jason Mraz concert. What an amazing performer that guy is. We went to a piano bar at the Drake after the concert, where Alyssa and her friends sang a couple of songs. The girls got quite the education on the way out of the concert when they saw a lady of the evening. I guess that is what you see at 2:00 in the morning in the city. We had a blast while creating a wonderful memory of summer.

Happy Birthday Alyssa

Happy Birthday Alyssa!!

The years have flown since I held a little sweet pea in my hands for the first time. It's hard to believe Alyssa is heading off to high school, and we are heading into the turmoil teen years!!

State Meet

So after perfoming at Soldier Field, we raced to the car, and headed to Alsip for the State meet. Alyssa changed in the car so she would be ready when we arrived. Alyssa did well and so did her team as a whole. Lys placed fourth in All-Around. I think she was a little disappointed in her performance, but I think she did fantastic. Friday night we spend the night downtown at the Esposito's condo, and Lys only got a little more than 5 hours sleep. It's hard to function on such little sleep, when you are not the mom! Alyssa will no longer be competing with the Orland Park Royal Twisters, but she hopes to continue her career in high school.

TAKE A BOW

Alyssa is in a singing and dancing group which performs for non-profit events. This weekend the girls performed at the Autism Speak Walk at Soldier Field. What a blast it was. We were able to go "behind the scenes" and saw the door to the Bear's Locker Room, and the girls came on the field through "the tunnel." To top that off, the girls were able to perform in front of many and saw themselves on the jumbotrons. The girls did a fantastic job! She truly is fortunate to be part of such a wonderful group. She can't stop talking about the opportunity she has been given. A special thank you to Tricia and Anna for all your hard work directing and rehearsing with the girls.

Gymnastics

Sunday was spent at a meet in Carol Stream. I can't believe that the season is almost over and Alyssa will be ending her gymnastics "career" with the Royal Twisters. I have had so much fun watching the girls work as a team, and succeed at their passion. I have enjoyed spending time with the parents. I don't know what I would do without my partner in crime, Vicki.

Be Healed

We still managed to have cake!!

Yesterday, Alyssa made her Confirmation. She still was not feeling well as of 1:30 and the ceremony was at 2:00, but we decided to try anyway. Amy, her sponsor, walked in the door and announced,"Have no fear your sponsor is here." With that the recovery began. Alyssa was sent home from school Thursday and Friday with dizziness, severe headaches and nausea. She spent last week, going to bed about 8:00- very unusual for my night owl.

Friday, we went to the Palos Immediate Care center for blood work and a chest x-ray. Everything came back just fine except elevated potassium levels. In other words, nothing to worry about, but she still was not herself.

We cancelled her party as she was not up to it, but as previously noted she went to the ceremony. After the ceremony we went to Fuji's Steak house with the four of us, Amy, and our neighbor Julie. We had a blast and lots of laughs. Today, Alyssa is feeling MUCH better. Dare I say back to her old self. She must be as she is starting to drive me nuts again. It may have been when she told me at 10:00 she needs red and black streamers for school, along with a snack for her cheerleading team. Yeah she's back! YIPPEE!!!!!!

The Tin Woman has Rusted

Monday morning arrives and the TinWoman looks sick and says that she is sick. I wonder, thinks the Mom, who believes in mental health days, is she saying she is sick so she can stay home. Hmmm. Well, I know there is a split decision in this house regarding mental health days and if she is not sick she did work hard and deserves a break. So I call the school and keep her home. Seems better in the afternoon. Good acting? only time will tell.

Tuesday- off to school she goes. I get a call at 9:00- she is sick and going home. Seems better in the afternoon.hmmm Nightime- fever 102 chills, sore throat, cough, congested, etc.

Wednesday- home again fever up to 103 it does go down to 100 when on meds.

Thursday- off to doctor fever still over 100 and mom needs her to have cough syrup so mom can sleep.

Friday- Sick again, fever 102, but moments of a sparkle in her eye. Yikes what a week!!

This week she missed religious ed class, gymnastics, cheerleading practice, basketball game, cast party, a week of school, and another party tonight. Jared thinks she is lucky.

The Tin Woman Rocked the House

Alyssa did a fabulous job last night in her opening debut at the Stagg Theater. She played to a full house only to receive many accolades. At home, we decorated the house to give it that "Wizard" feel. After we celebrated at TGI Fridays with a cute waiter named Bobby. Alyssa and her friends were drooling over him. I am VERY worried!! Why must they grow us so fast? Tonight is the closing night and we all looking forward to seeing the play with the Aunties. Remember

There's no place like home.

A man is not judged by how much he loves, but how much he is loved by others!! The Yellow Brick Road The Ruby Slippers
The Rainbow

Tinwoman, Dorothy, and Glinda

An Adoring Fan

The Tin Woman

Alyssa is starring as the Tin Woman in Palos South's production of the Wizard of Oz. The show will be this Friday and Saturday. The costume was created by Kath. It really looks great with the lights shining on it. Thanks Kath you are the best.

A Star is Born

Alyssa is fortunate to be part of a singing group that performs for different charities. It is an amazing group of young ladies with so much talent and compassion. I am truly impressed with each and everyone of these girls. The group performed on channel 5 last Friday morning. We had to be down there at 5:00 in the morning. Next time, I'm calling Karen to bring her down there!

You can also see her performance from a local retirement community on Youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80ZyH3GAxbY

Royal Twisters

The Royal Twisters Got a New Leotard

Alyssa and her gymnastics team will be heading to state on December 7th. It is such a nice group of girls who help and support each other while having fun. Their picture is in the paper and can be found at the following link.



http://www.triblocal.com/Orland_Park/Detail_View/view.html?type=stories&action=detail&sub_id=37039


Such good friends


Wow! What shiny butts they have!!

Mangia Mangia

Alyssa, Valerie (Alyssa's bestie) and I enjoyed dinner at Mangia Mangia. The atmosphere and the company were great, but the food wasn't so good. We couldn't finish our meals, so we took the leftovers with us. Val's ended up leaking all over her phone. So now anytime she uses her phone, she smells garlic. Yum!