Parade Fun!

Happy July 4th!! While we are missing Virginia and especially Yorktown today, we are keeping ourselves busy with the Lubbock Moonlight Musicals float and the Lubbock parade. 

For the passed few days, I have been helping the LMM crew decorate and build their entry into the parade. There is a $500 purse so LMM wants to win!  Our theme was the USO and of course, LMM.  The ANNIE gang of orphans and the HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL leads and cheerleaders performed on and next to the float.

We got downtown to the parade site at about 7:30am.  There were some clouds in the sky (very welcome cuz it kept it cool, but we wondered - could it possibly RAIN!!?) as we parked and hurried over to the float. We got Livi dressed in her ANNIE outfit and wig.  It seemed like we stood around for a long time, but finally it was time to get started!

Aidan was so happy because he got to ride on the float!  Olivia was thrilled because she got a mic and got to sing on the float! There were lots of smiles.  Until . . .

It started to sprinkle!! We couldn't believe it! It hasn't rained hardly a drop all year and now it was going to RAIN!?! Okay, so we jumped the gun a little. A few sprinkles does not a rain storm make!  It cleared up fast and we were good to go.

Here are some pics from the event:

Proof!

I know you have been waiting for the ANNIE footage - and, here it is!! I have made three movies to fit all of the footage in.  One is of Olivia as a regular orphan and the other two are Olivia as Annie.  Enjoy!!

ANNIE Video!

Birthdays

Both the kids turned another year older this year - as they should!  You know I love to throw a fantastic birthday party!! Both of them had fun parties and both of them felt loved and very special by all that contributed to the planning, gifting, phone calls, and hosting. 

Aidan's party was LEGO themed. He invited some friends from school and some friends from our "PhD Group."  I think he had a wonderful time, don't you!? (click the link for the video!) Aidan's Video

Olivia ended up with TWO parties this year - yikes! Not at all what I intended but then ANNIE fell into our laps.  She made such amazing friends through her participation in ANNIE, that we just had to include them in her June birthday fun.  So, that meant a school friends party in May and an ANNIE friends party on her actual b-day. Whew! Lots of work but completely worth it!!

The May party included lots of junk food (notice the cool popcorn cupcakes!) and playing dance games on the Wii:

The June party also included lots of junk food, but this time the girls went to the pool:

Annie!!!

As you all know, Olivia was cast as Annie in ANNIE this summer! She couldn't be happier and we can't be prouder.  She is double cast as Annie and as an Ensemble Orphan.  The pics below show her as both. Enjoy!

Orphan Ensemble first. Do you recognize her under all that hair and dirt!?

Next up, pics as Annie. She looks perfect in that wig, doesn't she!?

 Hanging out with ANNIE friends in the dressing room!

I hope to have more pics of her soon and some video!