Mansells Unleashed

14 May 2009

Dance, Dance, Dance

The past few weeks have been all about dance. LOTS of extra rehearsals were scheduled to prepare the dancers for Lagoon and The Performing Arts Day in Ogden. Carly and I have been busy- she is in three classes this year and participates in six of our routines. Here is a picture of my gorgeous dancer:

24 April 2009

My Gus

I came home a day early to see my precious boy, who was chosen as a “student role model” to present a special program to the first grade. “Gus and Gussie” teaches kids how to respect themselves and one-another and to act responsibly when feeling angry. His teachers describe Travis as friendly, kind, well-behaved, and studious. I love you so much Travis- my buddy!

Girls Only

The girls and I spent a fantastic week in Arizona helping Amy pack up her home. I am filled with anticipation knowing that she will be moving back to Utah soon. My sisters are my best friends and the three of us have been separated for too long. I have missed her so much!

This trip provided my girl’s with their first experience aboard a commercial airplane and I cannot begin to convey in words Carly’s excitement. She insisted that take-off was superior to any rollercoaster ride. Amy had driven to Utah with Curtis a week prior to our trip and she and Waylan flew with us on the same plane to her home in Mesa. I am so thankful to Karyn and Bob (a Southwest employee) for making this experience possible- yeah buddy passes!

Carly spent three nights with her Arizona (Mansell) cousins and Sunday afternoon playing with her Arizona (Hepworth) cousins, and the rest of the trip complaining she was board (apparently moms are no fun). Carly loves her cousins and it was so good of her three aunts: Shari, Lorena, and Sarah to house her for a few nights and include her in their activities. She had so much fun! Saturday afternoon she talked non-stop about all her experiences, though after hours of pre-teen banter Amy and I had heard enough drama to last a lifetime!

My sister and I spent our mornings chasing after two busy toddlers (I bet they averaged five baths a day), our afternoons packing, and our late evenings talking about anything and everything or strolling the little ones around her block. One thing we did very little of was sleep. We did manage to spend one evening shopping for Carly’s 80’s ensemble (for her hip-hop routine) and one afternoon at the pizza parlor and water & ice store. Our first night together we watched a scary movie- at Carly’s request of course! The original plan was to leave Saturday open for play, unfortunately Emily and I spent Thursday through Saturday under the weather.

On Sunday Lindsay drove three hours round-trip with her three kids for a visit. She is amazing- I am so delighted she made the drive! We spent an enjoyable and lazy afternoon visiting and watching the girls alternate between the pool and hot shower.

The plane ride home was grueling. Emily screamed and cried nearly the entire time. Question: When a worn-out mother dragging two children, a stroller, and carry-on bags walks by, her arms feeling as though they could burst from their sockets, why is it that big strong men just sit and stare? What happened to chivalry? Thank goodness my husband still adheres to good old-fashioned politeness!

Poor Waylan- Amy said the morning after we left he ran to the guest room calling out for his “Emmy” and later in his sleep he kept mumbling her name. Waylan absolutely worships the ground his cousin walks on. He even willingly lets her scratch his nose and pinch his cheeks- in his eyes Emily can do no wrong! The two “Mabies” (May + Babies) had a blast together!