The Circus

We love the Circus. We got our tickets for a Saturday night show, with the PureNRG concert following just for Savannah. We knew it would be a crazy night with getting home so late(midnight), but decided to go for it. PureNRG is her new favorite group and they are so awesome! They are a Christian group and do back flips and dance... they're amazing! Our good friends The Langstons went with us. Their girls LOVE PureNRG too. Well... anyway I always get myself worked up over this stuff. First I made sure everyone knew that since we were going to be out nearly all night(by our standards) that we WERE taking a family nap, meaning everyone in the family WILL take a nap! This was serious business. No nap, maybe no cotton candy. YIKES! I was so stressed about getting everyone one down AT THE SAME TIME I couldn't sleep a wink. Savannah did give it her best try, but ended up being quiet the whole time.. but never actually dozing. We eventually make it down there. We all walked up to Victory Plaza, which is quite incredible... get out the tickets, hand them over, and proceed to walk in. THEN they ask to check the bag. Well, we had a little problemo with that considering it weighed a ton b/c of all the candy I had stuffed in it. And I do mean the mother load. My kids LOVE candy and by golly I was gonna let'em eat some serious candy while at the circus! There was just one little problem. That was the fact that they had a gazillion signs stating NO OUTSIDE DRINK OR FOOD ! Surely, they wouldn't search an innocent diaper bag that thoroughly? Would they? I've snuck outside stuff in before, but never this much... would they really take it all away? Sure enough they did! Oh heavens, I can't even begin to tell you how much they proceeded to pull out of my bag! The line was being held up ya'll, over candy! It's not like we were takin in beer or other paraphernalia! I personally think the lady that dug it all out was just tickled to death about finding it. I can picture her sitting around talking about her big bust! Another big security man was staring a hole through me with utter shame in his eyes as he waved that dumb metal detector wand thingy around. He has "I wanna be a real Police" syndrome, I'm sure of it. I tried to stare him down and say with my eyes, "DO you know how much more candy I get at the dollar store than I ever could here!" I ended up being lead to the "office" where they took all my candy... ALL my ring pops, ALL of it I tell you to be held until the show was over. I was horrified, embarrassed and mad all at the same time! After I walked out of the "office" I held a finger up to Troy as to say, "I just need a moment to myself" and walked into the bathroom as fast as lightning. Or so I thought. Seems as Duncan walks that fast too when he sees his mama's upset. Before I even knew it he was in the stall asking, "Mama, why'd they take all our candy?" All I could say was, "Cause it was against the rules baby." I burst into tears and it was just ridiculous. Seriously, I was crying over Milk Duds for heaven sakes! Duncan was like, "It's OK Mama, we can still get cotton candy." So I sucked it up, wiped my tears, stood up tall and said, "That's right Duncan, we sure can!" Let's go enjoy the circus! So out we marched and all was fine. After we found our seats we decided on starting out with some popcorn and coke, so Duncan said he'd go with me. We had to wait a while in line and Duncan was being so funny asking cute questions and just being his sweet little self. But the last question was the best. He said loud and clear, "Mama, did you know it was against the law to put ALL that candy in the bag?" Ahhh yes... the innocence of a child. I just told him that I wasn't completely sure. They didn't however, take our glow sticks which were a huge hit! Kendall waved her's the entire show! Check out Duncan's serious face while watching. My friend that went with us said that she hoped he wasn't getting any ideas about the dare devil tricks!

The show was amazing. Bello was the star of the show and he's awesome! He even stayed for the PureNRG concert afterwards and gave a small testimony saying that he had a lot of things; toys, possessions, but the one thing he was most proud of was his relationship with God. Very Cool Clown that Bello fellow. Savannah and her friends had their picture made with the group after the concert and got autographs. It was a lot of fun and the ride home was great. The Dallas skyline was all lit up and the kids loved it!

Now starring... Kendall

Just an impromptu performance from Kendall... we were finishing up dinner and she broke into song! Thought we'd share. Sorry you have to turn your head sideways, but I don't know how to turn it.

The Beach

Vacation's all I ever wanted, vacation HAVE to GET away! Vacation dumey doo fishin line...duh duh duh duh DUH DUH! I don't know why I feel the need to start the latest blogs with a tune, but I do. Even if I don't know the words to the second line! Don't laugh unless you can email me the words people! I bet you don't know'em either!

We just got home from our Gulf Shores, AL beach trip and it was awesome! Instead of boring you to death I'll just try to tell you some fun stuff. We went with my parents, my sister and her family. We stayed at an awesome place. The kids could ride their bikes to the park and back at their leisure (it's a wonder we survived doin that!) and fish right off a pier and go crabbin there too! It was so so so much fun! We went to the beach EVERY DAY and I think that is the very best vacation for families.... I didn't know how much my kids could dig, dig for shells, dig for clams, dig a chair for yourself, dig to see if you could dig deeper than your next door digger, dig to China, build a great wall OF China, well.. you get the picture. Troy and I even had a date night out and drove to FL since he'd never been... but he has now! We tie dyed t-shirts. Don't ever do that on vacation. We had a talent show. I won. Just kidding. We made hand prints in the sand with plaster paris and sea shells. Don't do that either. BUT the kids loved it!! We just had a grand ole time I tell ya here's some pics and video to prove it. Don't be too alarmed with Kendall's head in the cooler. She literally ate all the ice out of it the first day at the beach and then entertained everyone walking by with her new trick.

Funny Stuff

Today Savannah and Duncan were separated into different rooms in the house b/c they were arguing and buggin the fire out of each other. It was so peaceful. But then Duncan yells from his room, "MOM! Can I run and give Nina a letter? I wrote it for her!" He calls her Nina for those of you who don't know. Anyway, I was thinking how sweet, he must be giving her an apology or something. He delivers the "letter" at lightning speed...and runs back to his room. Again, peace... until... "MOM! I have another letter. Can I take it to Nina?" I answer that he can. He runs back and then AGAIN, he yells to ask if he can deliver yet another letter. I stop and yell back, "Hey! Where are you getting all this paper anyway?" His response, "My diarrhea!" "You know... the pirate one!" Yes it was from his pirate diary he writes in.....

Summer...it turns me upside down

Summer, Summer, Summer... it's like a merry-go-round! I hope you know the tune. It's a good one and explains our last few weeks. But PLEASE know it's been an awesome merry-go-round and it's been a fun upside down few weeks! Let's start with Savannah making it home from camp safe and sound. I was so happy to see that girl I couldn't stand it. And I was so happy to see her sleepy little butt get out of the bed each morning and tell me good morning this week! She, on the other hand said she missed us, but I don't believe it. She smiled and was like ,"Hey mom." Notice I didn't put and exclamation point after that! I told Troy that I swear when she grows up and leaves the house she's a goner. She'll be off to do her thing and that'll be... well, I don't even want to think about it, it'll be a lot of things... OH gosh I think I just had a small heart attack or severe heart ache just typing that! Stop the madness...

OK, onto the next adventure. After getting Savannah in LA we drove over to Troy's folks where his sister and her family have been since moving back to the states from Germany. They are in route to N.Dakota. We were able to bring Nathan home with us for a week! It was just so much fun having him here, KAMP KELLYE was in full force I tell ya!!! The first few days were like OK everyone we have a VERY special guest, please be on your best behavior! But then it was like we just had 4 kids instead of 3 after a few days! He was just one of the family! It was busy...but so fun! They swam so much their little toes were blistered, and played in the sandbox by the pool for at least 5 hours last week! We had Sonic drink stops, ICEE runs and lots of Popsicle... BIG FUN I tell ya!

Savannah's birthday party was yesterday. Troy's sister and her family and Nona and Pops (Troy's parents) came in for the occasion. I think Savannah felt like a rock star having them all there. Her "official" bday is Thursday. She had a roller skating party and it was so fun! She was so cute skating around and visiting will all her friends. She loved every minute of it. Duncan skated like a madman and Kendall even tried it too. What can I say people it's in their blood. Troy and I both spent lots of time at the good 'ole Hot Wheels in S'port. My mama dropped me off every Saturday for a 3 hr. session! I think it was secretly like her "moms day out" program. I still dream about it and have my big boxy metal looking skating case in the garage as I type this...yes, I loved me some skatin. Yeah, all you Sheveporters, you know what I'm talkin about!!

Oh, I just can't believe she's going to be SEVEN!! I've been a mom for 7 years! What a blessing....

Camping update

OK, I'm not so sure many of you read about the Conly Crew, but thought I'd update you on Savannah's camping experience. She's loving it!! Kim and I talked last night and there was a gazillion girls talking and giggling in the background... but not Savannah and Bekah. They were totally and completely crashed out! Isn't that so funny! Believe me if she's sleeping through the action at night, the girl is tired! Kim said after swimming yesterday she crawled in her bed and slept through the shower time, which I think she may have planned since she hates to shower! Anyway, Kim gave me a surprise call today at lunch and said she had lots of pep in her step and was going strong and doing great! The big news... she did the BLOB! That's one of those big pillow things on the lake where you jump off a platform onto the pillow and that catapults someone else on the other side of the pillow into the lake. Then you crawl to the other side and someone jumps onto the pillow thingy and you fly off into the lake! The one thing I told Kim is TRY to keep her off that thing! Well, Kim said she was fine with letting her do it and Savannah was not scared one little bit... CRAZY NUT! Oh well, camps for doing the blob, eating what you want, staying up late and let's hope she's gettin' a little bit of Jesus in between! I'm sure she is... the guest speaker, "Karate Man" is a personal friend of my aunts... and I hear he's awesome. Counting down the days....
Kellye

Here's what Duncan's been up to with out his "Nina". Kim gave me all her boys' LEGOS and he's in LEGO heaven. Seriously, that's what he's been doing since Monday night when I brought them home to him. Kendall asks for her when she gets up from sleeping, b/c Savannah's the one that loves on her after naps.

Camping Queen

Well, I took Savannah to camp yesterday to meet up with her cousins and my sister, Kim. She'll be her counselor..bless her soul. They were all happy to see each other. My adorable nephews came running over with all their friends to introduce and were so happy to see me. Made me feel like a rock star. Savannah was tired of me kissing her goodbye and was acting too cool to have me hugging all over her. It was our first car trip alone, just the two of us. We had some interesting conversations to say the least. We aren't really allowed to talk now that she's at camp, but I got an update from my sister and here's what she told me... Savannah passed the swim test, so she can swim in the pool, she was standing in line at the "bank" to withdrawal $12 to get a camp video, which is about what we sent for the entire week. After Kim told her I didn't send money for that, she was fine with it. I guess she thought it was worth a shot. I did send money for a tshirt. After Savannah and Rebekah went to the concession stand Rebekah came back with a water bottle, which was shocking since she figured they would just get junk. Savannah was sure to tell Kim that Rebekah got the water because it was ONE and the ring pop she really wanted was FIFTY! Seems to me that Kim needs to give a little lesson in math. I told Troy about it and he just about died. I laughed hard at him and he shook his head a lot! He said he still isn't over her throwing away a penny about two years ago. You have to really know Troy to appreciate that. At least she knows 50 is more than 1! She was trying to do the right thing I told him, she just got confused about the dollars and cents thing!

The camp was pretty with lots of tall pine trees. She's not used to that for sure... she picked up a pine cone while in LA and said, "MOM! What IS this?" Seriously! I laughed, but I couldn't really believe it. But there aren't pine cones laying around the yard in TX hurting your feet like I remember growing up in LA or the mounds of pine straw we had to rake up as a kid. People pay for that stuff around here! We are one of the few neighborhoods in our area that actually have big trees, but they sure aren't pines.

And if she gets a wink a sleep, I'll be shocked. When I talked to Kim last night it was 10:00 and Savannah and Rebekah were outside the dorm eating popcorn. They have about 50 bunks in one dorm and she got a top bunk, of course. I'll write more as I'm updated. I made shirts for the girls that say Double Dare... get it, Savannah Dare and Rebekah Dare.... you can't read them very well in the picture, but aren't they a cute pair? I made the shirts at my annual Supper Club weekend get away on Saturday night. I have been getting together with 7 other girls monthly for about 3 years now. We rotate houses every month, eat a lot of yummy food and talk till we can't talk anymore. It's a true blessing to have them in my life. This is our 2nd year to go to Grapevine and stay the night. We had a ball like we always do when we're together. These girls are like my sisters and I love them a lot. Here's some pics from the weekend.