July 4th...

Tonight we visited the Phoenix Zoo for fun, dinner, and fireworks. Jasmine rode the Merry Go Round, played in the bounce houses, and water fountains, then we had dinner. The zoo admissions are limited to 400 people on July 4th, which is really nice because on a normal day, there are typically thousands of people there at one time. It was ridiculously hot, but did cool off with a slight breeze after sunset. It never gets below 100 degrees at night this time of year. The "not so fun" part of the evening- it is usually a 12-15 minute drive to the zoo from our house, which was the case on the way there. On the way back, the freeway was closed! I guess they were thinking that because the fireworks are set off right over Tempe Towne Lake and the Salt River, which is where the freeway runs,.. that people are going to be gawking at the fireworks instead of paying attention to driving. That may be the case, but they cause a *huge* inconvenience for people trying to get home. It took us 90 minutes to get home with all of the traffic, and we even left early. So... never again...From now on, we will do something indoors and watch the fireworks on TV. It was fun when we were there, just not fun getting home. Now we are on our way to the Arizona Science Center for "Pestology Camp" sponsored by Orkin:))) When I told Jasmine she was going to be studying mosquitoes, cockroaches, flies, fleas, and ants today, she had a very pained look on her face:)) I think she will enjoy it though. Waiting to get into the zoo:) Stingray Bay was open. For a couple of years, I have been trying to get Jasmine to pet a stingray. They are so friendly and used to being petted, that all you have to do is put your hand in the water and they all come swimming over and present their backs for "petting". They feel like velvet. So, this is the first time I was able to get her to stick her hand in the water. When they came up to her, she would always remove her hand. At least we're making a little progress:) Of course, the Merry Go Round is the big attraction. All of the photos I took of her in the little "water park" came out blurry, but that was great fun also!

Happy 7th birthday, Hope!

Hope Gonzales 7th birthday swim party! I didn't really attend until the very end, but I am told that they spent the whole time swimming, then eating BBQ, then of course the ice cream cake. Hope's mom made the most amazing ice cream cake... chocolate and vanilla ice cream layers with something in between- carmel/pecan ?, then icing on the top with bananas, strawberries and blueberries in the shape of an American flag. Jasmine managed to lose one brand new earring, spill a large amount of catsup on a brand new shirt, then lose her swim suit!!! How do you lose a swim suit? I don't know. We looked everywhere for it. So...since we have swim lessons tonight, I just went to Goodwill and bought her a "new" swimsuit for 3.00 since she doesn't take care of her stuff!!

Fun day.....

I didn't take many photos because they are all online at www.MyNAMissPhotoVideo.com. Princess Division, Contestant #71. I think they will be adding many others in the next few days. We didn't win, but we had fun and learned a lot. Jazzy did win 3rd place in "Casual Modeling", and 1st place in "Best Resume"- which was kind of silly since I quickly typed it up the night before. Unfortunately, the "talent" photos didn't turn out because the photographers camera didn't flash:( He did take some others of her sitting at the piano, but not in the same dress. Jazzy and friends in the dressing room before the Finale Production Number dance. Dancing onstage for the Finale. Being introduced onstage for the final Pageant Lineup. Best Resume trophy. Finalist trophy. 3rd place Casual Wear Modeling Medal. It was fun. We'll probably go back next year!

Long day....

I have never run around like a chicken with my head cut off as I have today. Lots of wardrobe changes for all the categories. It was crazy- shoes, clothes and accessories flying everywhere all day long. Somehow we ended up with everything intact. The key is extreme organization and thinking one step ahead. We started out with an orientation and group photo of all of the princesses (age 4-6). I will have that photo by tomorrow. Next, quickly change into our business suit for the 30 second speech and personal/job interview. Jasmine did her speech flawlessly- "loud and proud". The parents were not witness to the mock "job interview", but I was mortified when Jazzy came out of the interview with the turtle pin that was her great grandmothers... almost up around her neck with the collar pinned together. It must have come off and someone re-pinned it but in a hideous way. Maybe one of the other kids did it. Oh well. Here she is getting ready, then giving the speech. Next we had a nice lunch and went to the talent competition. I really was sweating on this one because of her performance at the rehearsal yesterday. She nailed it! She sang really loud and didn't make any mistakes on the piano. Phew!!! Next, the casual wear modeling. Here she is with her friends in the dressing room, waiting to go onstage. Then off to a formal wear rehearsal. One of the other dads- John- volunteered to be Jasmine's escort. Here they are getting ready, then Jasmine in front of the judges in the Formal Wear Competition. Tomorrow is another long day.... but not quite as long as today:)

National American Miss practice night.....

Tonight, we drove over to the Paradise Valley Hilton hotel for registration and informal practice for the casual modeling and talent show. It was nice because any girl who wanted to- and of course paid for it, was able to practice walking on the stage and doing whatever talent they were doing for the show. Absolutely nothing is free at this thing. Jasmine sang and played the piano and butchered it:))) She was very nervous, so hopefully that won't happen today during the competition. I figure we have practiced that song 10 times day almost every day since November, 2012, for a total of 1800 times. We will see what happens. Here is Jasmine practicing her personal introduction in front of National America Miss Arizona Teen- with a make believe microphone:) Here are the participation awards for photogenic portfolio entry, talent entry, and casual wear modeling entry:) We got home extremely late last night, then up at 4am to get ready for today. Should have stayed at the hotel, but now we have the Guinea Pigs to take care of - which is why I didn't want to get them until October for her birthday! Oh well, alot of driving back and forth. We are staying at the hotel tomorrow night, but have to drive home again to take care of the pigs!

Lily and Daisy:)

As of yesterday, we have two new guinea pigs. Lilly is the lighter one and is very shy. Daisy is the darker one and is more friendly and outgoing. Their bigger cage- which was really a large parrot cage, and not a proper cage for guinea pigs, would not fit in my little car. So, all we have is their little travelling cage- which is way to small for two pigs. We went to Petco and got a temporary outdoor cage so they could be outside when it is cooler in the mornings. Have to order a larger indoor cage online. We got home at midnight last night from the recital, and Jasmine got up at 5am to play with the pigs!! She said she couldn't concentrate at the recital because she was too excited about the new guinea pigs. Jasmine with Daisy. 5AM this morning, in pajamas with the pigs outside in our little make- do cage system on the back porch:)

Mesa Arts Center....

Long, long, long four hour recital. Jasmine was only on stage twice for one minute each time:). They were the moths...uh..er..butterflies in the Alice in Wonderland Production. No one seems to know why their costumes were ugly grey and maroon. The rest of the night was just one big party for them backstage while the show was going on- until the finale. Then there was a slide show with photos of everyone. No one was allowed to take photos or videos during the show- which is actually a good thing. There is nothing more aggravating than going to a show or concert and everyone has their cell phone or video camera held above their head so you can't see anything! Before the show - at the entrance to backstage at Mesa Arts Center. After the show with Katie.