Get your Cheetah on!

I took my daughters to their first concert yesterday, The Cheetah Girls and Hannah Montana. For those of you who have daughters younger than 15, or frequently watch the Disney Channel, you'll know who these acts are. My husband and I talked about getting the tickets when the Cheetah Girls concert was first announced, but decided against it, our girls like the group but we could have skipped it... until we found the "special guest" was Hannah Montana. As my oldest daughter said yesterday, "I'm pretty sure I'm her biggest fan."

So we purchased the tickets and told the girls that mommy was taking them. They've been anticipating it ever since. About two weeks ago, we saw the Cheetah Girls perform on Regis and Kelly - and then in the interview portion, when Regis asked what you would need to do to get ready for one of their concerts, the Cheetahs said "First, you need to get your Cheetah on!", which means you have to dress the part (cheetah print clothes) to attend the concert. Well, as adults, we know you don't HAVE to dress the part, but try telling this to two girls under the age of 8...

My youngest daughter had a sweater set that would work, although it's a little small, it would do. My oldest daughter had been bugging me to find something. Even though in the last year or two you haven't been able to go to any little girl section of a clothing store without running into cheetah print clothes, I couldn't find anything anywhere! Fortunately, the night before the concert I found some pajama bottoms, which I told her she could wear. She thought I'd fallen off my rocker, but she also thought it was very cool!

So we headed to the concert, just the three of us. When we bought the tickets, I considered having them invite friends... but then I knew I'd be nothing more than the chauffeur who would take them to the concert and chaperone. I really wanted this to be a bonding time between me and the girls, especially since it was their first concert. I had to laugh while we were in the car because they said "mommy, we're the Cheetah Girls and you're the limo driver!" Okay, guess I was the chauffeur anyway.

With the exception of my youngest daughter crying during the first song, (performed by the opening act "Everlife") because "I don't like loud noises!" (My husband, a rock concert regular, is not really sure he can claim her as his own) - the girls loved it! I cringed at the prices of souvenirs, but my favorite part was when my girls would stand up, dance and sing along. See... my husband would be proud, afterall.

Heading to the concert, with their Cheetah on.... (mommy couldn't find anything - and didn't want to go in pj pants)


With their souvenirs, looking Cheetahlicious (a word in the Cheetah girls vocabulary)


Hannah Montana (a.k.a. Miley Cirus, daughter of Billy Ray)


Cheetahs!

Happy New Year

Okay, it's not Jan. 1... but doesn't the first day of school seem like more of a new "beginning" than some old date in the middle of winter? This day has provided big change for me every year the last few years: Three years ago, the first time I sent my oldest child to preschool - two years ago, the first time my oldest went to school every day of the week and rode the bus (Kindergarten) - last year it was the first year my oldest went to school ALL day, and the first time I sent my youngest to preschool.

And another first this year, my youngest in Kindergarten, going every day and this time SHE gets to ride the bus. I have to say, emotionally, I did the best this year. Maybe I'm getting used to the changes, the fact that my kids are growing up and moving on. Maybe I'm excited about my new freedom (even though it's only 3 hours a day at this point). Either way, today I was a little nervous, but mostly proud.

The first day of school is one of my FAVORITE days to take pictures! It captures so much emotion, as well as just documents the day - how big they look, what backpack they have and how just how cute they are! You can see the trepidation in my youngest daughter's eyes and body language. She was very nervous about going to school, until she walked into her classroom and saw her teacher (who she knew because my oldest had her in Kindergarten, too). She gave her a big hug and was instantly fine and ready for us to leave. My husband and I stayed for a few minutes, anyway... purely for our need, not hers. Making that break is a little harder for us.



Daddy taking his baby to Kindergarten...



My oldest couldn't WAIT to get back to school, and better yet... her desk is by one of her best buddies.