Rain on Kelsey's Parade

For the first half of the summer, we had REALLY dry weather. Everyone's grass was brown and people with flowers had to water them everyday. THIS month, it's rained almost everyday. I feel like a duck - living in the water!!

Today seemed like it was going to be a pretty nice day, and I was excited about that...Kelsey was going to be in the local parade with her dance class for our annual town festival. The sun shined all day today, right up until 15 minutes before the parade was to step off and head downtown.

All of a sudden the sky started getting dark and the wind picked up. My friend Erica and her daughter were with us since both girls take classes and all kids under 8 had to be accompanied by at least one parent. We asked the girls if they wanted to go home or if they wanted to walk in the parade and take a chance of it raining on us. They said they wanted to walk. Jordan said, "You made me come to this, Mom - I'm not going home because of a little rain!" So it was settled - we were walking anyway.

The parade started - so did the rain. Sprinkles at first. Then it started picking up more and more. The further we got downtown, the faster the rain fell and the darker and greener the sky got. The sky changed from light to gray to black to an eerie green color. The wind picked up and the rain drops began to fall so hard that they stung when they hit us.

When we were about 2 blocks from the end of the parade route, Kelsey's dance teacher came up from behind us and told us that we needed to go in the Senior Center and that everyone needed to get inside because a bad storm was coming (obviously).

We started jogging toward the center and then the tornado siren went off. It scared me, I can imagine how all the kids were feeling. A lot of them started crying. Jim scooped Kelsey up and put her on his shoulders. Erica grabbed Jordan and we all started running. We got into the Senir Center and assured the girls that we were going to be just fine. Erica was shaking, she was so nervous.

We sat there for about a half hour with all the other "refugees". I've never had to utilize a community storm shelter before, and although I appreciate the fact that they opened their doors for us, I really hope I never have to do it again. I'd much rather be at home in my own basement than crowded in with a ton of other people. Don't get me wrong, I REALLY appreciate the fact that we had somewhere to go this evening!!

Eventually they made an announcement that we were clear to go. There had been no tornado in our area, just extremely high winds and the city officials didn't want anyone to be injured, so they sounded the alarm and urged us all to go inside. Although the siren scared a lot of the kids, they were probably much more comfortable inside the Senior Center than they would have been outside during that storm!

I don't have any pictures from the parade - the weather was too bad. But we have an adventure to remember. On the way home Kelsey said, "We're not going to walk in the rain anymore!"

Dance Camp

Kelsey had dance camp last weekend. She was gone for the whole day with the other kids in h camp. Even though it wasn't the traditional overnight camp most people think of, it was her first experience like this and she really seemed to enjoy it!


They learned a new dance routine, had pizza for lunch, played group games and went swimming. At the end, they did a performance for the parents.


The Hula Hoop Game - Kelsey really likes this one. They passed the Hula Hoop around the circle while holing hands the entire time, they had to climb through it to pass it to the next person.




Part of the Dance Routine

See the little boy to the right of Kelsey? He kicked her in the mouth on accident right after this was taken. But she was a trooper, instead of crying, she kept n dancing and her eyes only watered up. Bless her heart!!


The Group Shot - see how Kesley has her hands on the little boy's shoulders? She forgives quickly!

Dance Pictures

We enrolled Kelsey in dance classes back in the fall. She really looks forward to going to class each Saturday morning! Her recital is coming up toward the end of April, so we go her costume this week and picture day was this morning. I can't get over how CUTE she and her friends are in their costumes!!

I'm posting some pictures that I took this morning - hope you enjoy them!!

Note: It was highly recommended by her dance teachers that we put make up on her for the pictures because some of them were taken in black and white and the make up apparently makes those types of pictures look better. Also, the make up will be mandatory for the recital, so it was good practice for me - it's hard putting makeup on such little eyes!

Getting ready to leave hte house. She had to wear a robe over the costume, and the ruffles make her look like she has a ghetto booty! LMAO

Strike a pose, cutie pie!

Kelsey (middle) practicing her dance with some of her classmates - aren't they beautiful???