Vietnamese birthday....

After swimming tonight, we visited Jasmine's favorite Vietnamese restaurant-Pho Van. Everyone knows her there because the owners go to "Power Brain":) She had her usual Pho, then we went to the next door Gelato store:) She said, "That Vietnamese restaurant has everything a Vietnamese girl could want for her Vietnamese birthday":)) Of course, I forgot the camera, but how many photos do we need of Jasmine eating Pho at Pho Van restaurant anyway!! Going to bed early tonight to take Jasmine to school early so I can go to yet another oral surgery. The "failed" titanium rods are being removed, then a bone graft will be done with cadaverous bone. We are not going to place the new Zirconium implants at the same time- which was the mistake that we made last time- doing the bone graft *and* implants at the same time. I just hope my body doesn't reject everything again. Chewing on "bio glass" for a few weeks was bad enough, but chewing on cadaverous bone would be worse. Had to take out a loan for this one:((((

First day of Grade 3 already!!

So, this morning I got a dirty look for forgetting to purchase a couple of colored folders in her "school supply list". I did get them later today though:) Here is the morning of first day Grade 3:) Minnie Mouse is the rage with Jasmine this year! Then, she wanted me to walk her into the school holding her hand. She immediately dropped my hand when we got close to the classroom, then I got this dirty look when I started to follow her into the room:))))) Love these looks nowadays. I'm so used to them now- they don't even phase me anymore. Jasmine and Mrs. Kathy Spoonhunter, her new third grade teacher. Mrs. Spoonhunter is an avid NASCAR person. The entire classroom is decorated with cars, racing chairs and all kinds of things. One of the fathers got into a long NASCAR discussion with her!

Very funny:)

I was listening to a tape/CD in the car on "autism". The person kept using the words "autistic children"- the treatment of "autistic children", recommended diets for "autistic children, etc. Jasmine thought the speaker was saying "ARTISTIC children". When we were getting out of the car she said in a sad kind of voice... "that's me, artistic child". I then had to explain the difference between artistic and autistic, then we both broke into uncontrollable laughter. We were both laughing for at least 10 minutes. I was laughing so hard that I was crying. I'm glad we got that cleared up so she didn't think that artistic children need to be "treated" with something!!:)))

Camp Pick Up..

Spent pretty much the entire day yesterday as a bus chaperone to and from Shadow Rim Ranch in Payson, AZ. When I first spotted Jasmine, she was picking blackberries. Jasmine's hands, face and part of her shirt were bright purple. I also noticed that she looked like she had not taken a shower or brushed their hair in three days. I was correct in that assumption when I found clean towels and washcloths in Jasmine's bag. She did, however, go "swamping"- which I guess is kind of like swimming except that it takes place in the pond or "pake" (too big to be a pond, too small to be a lake) where they earn their canoeing badge. I am told that they just purposely flipped over the canoe and "went swimming" in about 2 feet of muck. Here they are getting ready to get on the bus. Notice the purple stained face and lips- Jasmine in particular:) The other girl next to Jasmine is also a "Jasmine". Two Jasmines in one cabin of eight girls! Here is a photo of a photo of the group on the last day of camp. (July 30, 2014) Apparently, someone lost a tooth. The tooth fairy did not show up, so they asked for "help":) One of the crafts they made was a "wish stick" with special powers. I used it this morning, and it seems to work pretty well! Camp Journal. Only writings in it is just phone numbers of various people:) Camp tee shirt. Way too big- she didn't even wear it. Maybe next year! Canoeing badge. I have been very negligent about ironing these badges on a sash. Jazzy with all of the camp counselors. Back to school in a few days!

Off to Girl Scout Camp....

Shadow Rim Ranch in Payson, AZ. Three day "Splash Camp". Going to do a lot of canoeing, crafts, games and I don't know what else. I did get to ride up on the bus with everyone since I was a "helper" and chaparone, but didn't get to see where they are staying. Jasmine is staying in the "Homesteading" cabin. Helping me sort "luggage tags" as I was checking people in. Just arrived at camp- WAY off the beaten path in the middle of nowhere:)

Top 20...

Very proud and very surprised. Top 20 out of 103. Maybe in a few years, we'll start getting this whole process down. We'll get the professional photos and DVD in about 6 weeks. Seems like an inordinate amount of time:( Then....the resort, Scottsdale Doubletree Resort, does not have enough parking. I had to use the valet parking for the past three days. This afternoon when we went to get our car, they had lost the keys. At first we thought they had just locked the keys in the car, so we called AAA. AAA got the door open, but no keys to be found. Then they had to call a locksmith to come out and make a new key:(( I was tired and wanted to go home, but we did get a free lunch in the restaurant. I am guessing that they will find the key and key fob in someone's pocket in the next couple of days. So, now I only have one key fob for our new SUV:(( The locksmith is going to get another one for us... at the hotels expense. Ugghh.

National American Miss...

Wow- What a long and challenging couple of days. Thursday night- "check in"- a very long and tedious process that takes a couple of hours going from station to station making sure that each "card" for each competition category is filled out properly. Then practice sessions for "Talent" and "Casual Wear Modeling". Practice session for "I Love You Arizona". Yesterday we were at the Scottsdale resort from early in the morning until around 10 pm. I brought a cooler of food for Jasmine- which she ate - somewhat unusual. We had an orientation and "group photo". One hundred and three girls in her age group (7-9 yrs) "Jr Pre-Teen. Next was the "Optional Talent". We have been practicing this for almost a year, stressing the importance of a smile. Not a single crack of a smile from Jasmine during the performance! Waiting in the dressing room then waiting to go onstage. Next, some quick "workshops" for the formal wear program later in the evening, then the "Top Model" photoshoot. Parents not allowed- which is a good thing. I am not sure how she did yet. Making the goofy face- as usual. Then, the actress competition which again,- we have been practicing for around a year or so. Jasmine did a commercial for "Claire's". Not a single smile from her again:(, although she said her lines really well. Casual wear modeling was next. We chose and outfit (shades of pink, of course) and the theme "Sunday Out" Next, "personal introduction" onstage and "personal interviews" with the six judges. She did smile a little and spoke really loudly when she gave her 30 second introduction. Not sure how she did with the individual judges because parents not allowed again. This part of the competition takes HOURS. Since we are at the end of the alphabet, we were one of the last ones to get out of there. However... the people at the end of the alphabet get to show up later today, rather than earlier.. yeah! Waiting for her "personal interview"- making faces, as usual! We had a little break before the formal wear competition. I'll be glad when all those teeth grow in:)) Annali and her mom Kathy came to watch the formal wear competition! It was a fun and hectic day. Not really sure we'll be able to do it again due to the expense. I'll be really happy if Jazzy makes it into the top 20- but we'll see. There were several "older" girls who had already turned 10 who were very articulate and uh...better behaved than Jasmine and the younger girls. We'll find out later today!