3rd Dance Competition of the SEASON!

We had our 3rd competition of the season this last weekend!  We traveled to Montgomery Alabama for it!  

Because we were going into the central timezone we didn't need to leave super early in the morning.  We actually left an hour earlier than I expected.  My body woke me up and I just decided to get stuff ready.  Kennedie must have heard me moving around in the house because she came out of her room at 6ish and started making her breakfast.  At 630 I said "I'm done...Are you ready to go?" and off we went!

My friend pre-ordered lunch for me earlier that week for saturdays competition, so I owed her a coffee from Dunkin.  Somewhere between getting my breakfast at Waffle House and the drive through of Dunkin I lost one of my rubber rings.  You can see how loose they already were.  Time to order a new set that won't fall off until I can send off my ACTUAL wedding ring to be resized.

I'm in a competitive dance mom facebook group.  One of the biggest "pet peeves" of alot of those women is people saving seats, and then on the flip side - people that do save their seats expect you to NOT move their things to fit your won agenda (which is the side of the camp I'm and most of my dance mom friends at our studio are on).  I get there EARLY in the morning and sit in the auditorium most of the day (only to leave to use the restroom, help Kennedie change a costume - or grab some food).  So I took this picture and sent it to my dance mom group with "feeling cute, saved some seats, might expect you not to touch it later...idk"

We were at the Montgomery Performing Arts Center.

I had Kennedie bring in my breakfast as my hands were fill with other stuff.  When she put it down it was upside down and everything mashed together.

Our Primo seating.  I always try and sit somewhere Kennedie can stretch out and not be in other peoples way.  She likes to draw and watch you tube videos and get comfortable for her LONG day.  This weekend she didn't dance until 7pm on both days.

We get their early so she can support her team.  Cheering on dances she isn't in and sitting on the stage for awards that she isn't receiving to show our presence as a team.

  She finally was able to get into costume.  She had Hip Hop and then one number later her production Miss America piece.  Awards was right after our Miss America dance.  Once that happened we got to leave for the day.  We were about 10 minutes from our hotel.

This small space we had to share with another studio.  I think they were a small studio and kinda stayed to themselves by the mirror behind me.  We have 50 girls on our team, this is our bags all set up.  I think some bags already vacated the area during awards when no one was in the area, which is smart.

Awards!!

 Boys went to the gym that morning, Cale had a baseball game (which is why they stayed home), treated themselves to their favorite "Five Guys" and came home.  They sent us their "Waffle Bro's" weekend picture and we sent one back!

 Since we were in the central timezone (we live RIGHT on the central/eastern timezone border) our bodies at 530 thought it was 630 in the morning.  We got stuff ready in the room and packed up.  I did my hair and makeup (which usually doesn't happen until later in the dance morning usually because we have to get there by 7!) and we decided to go to the Walmart I found on our way to the hotel.  Kennedie wanted a book-light for drawing.  We knew a good size storm was coming in and the thunder woke me up earlier that morning.

 On our way into Walmart.

 I made these SO CUTE earrings to wear Sunday.  I lost one in Walmart.  Had to put back in my normal everyday earrings.

 I found a restaurant near called "First Watch" we have one in Columbus but we have never ventured in.  We are TOTALLY going now.  It was delicious.

 My water came in a milk bottle. I think they tote they are a farm to table - so this was pretty cool.  I cracked up when they brought the glass though.

 While on the more expensive side at $10.50 for her breakfast.  They delivered delicious food.  On top of that we got FOUR pieces of bacon, artisan bread with the nuts, grains and seeds.  The potatoes were delicious as well!

 Nothing left to explore so we headed to the venue.  Got our same seats, set her bag up in the dressing room and got set up in the auditorium for the long haul.

 Picture in front of the prop trailer.

 I've been listening to audio-books lately.  During competitions I can't read very easily because the music is distracting.  I prefer audio-books and then browsing Facebook or Pinterest while I listen.  This book has 9 sections.  I was able to listen to 6 of them just Sunday alone.

Couple hours later the sun came out.  (while the storm we had that morning transitioned to our house)  While it was nice and warm for the earlier afternoon by 5 the sun went away and then temp dropped and the wind really picked up.

 Kennedie and her teammate playing the switch.

 Finally able to get ready for her last dance!

 During a judges break her team came out to work on turns and get used to the floor again.

 When there is a dance on the stage this is what I should see when I come back from anywhere.  People being courteous while there are dances on stage and while parents are watching in the audience.  I can't tell you how many times someone has moved into their seat WELL into the performance and BLOCKED my view of my kid.  I get 2-3 minutes to see her on stage and you BLOCKED ME.  Please if you are ever in the audience and it's NOT an emergency - please wait till the dancers exit the stage.

 Echo Company praying before they competed their last dance of the day!

This is how dance moms are Monday at work.  We didn't get to leave Montgomery until 930 Sunday and it's an hour and a half drive home AND back into the Eastern Time Zone.  Walked in the house at 1230!!!

Overdrive App - Library eBook System

I found this great resource a while ago but never felt the need for it.  While we were camping in Marianna, FL I had the need!  The book I brought with me to read was actually one I had already read just under a different name!  Debbie Macomber has published a few books that are older and republishes them with a new name.  Thankfully this book I found at a thrift store and only paid a $1 or so for it.  I had to call my local library to figure out what my PIN number was to get this all set up on my phone.  Probably took me about 20 minutes because I was trying NOT to have to call.  Had I just called when I first had the question I would have been done in like 5 minutes! 

So this is the APP (and I know this app isn't available to everyone but if you have access to it it's GREAT, and very user friendly!.

When you first open the app this is the screen that you see.  As you can see while we were at Blue Springs I was trying to download books, I finished the one at the bottom and was trying to turn in back in but with cell reception so low I just gave up.  When we went into town I downloaded two, incase one I started reading and didn't like it.  (it's pretty obvious I love Debbie Macomber!)

This is what the side bar looks like when you hit the 3 lines at the top left corner of the picture above.  The bookshelf brings you to the screen showing you all the books you have out (5 at a time), in the picture above.

I chose a book and this is the first page.  I was VERY afraid when I saw 406 pages (the first overdrive book I borrowed had 600 something (two books in one).  But when you are reading you go through them quick because they aren't standard page sizes.

This is the first page of the above book.

See not many words on a page.  Quick easy reading.  When you close out of the app it holds your place.

Here is how you download a book.  Click the 3 lines in the top left corner, Click your linked Library, in my case it says "Chattahoochee Valley Libraries"

That brings you to this screen.

In the search bar you search author name, title of book, theme...like you would in any online reservation system that does inter library loaning.  I clicked on "Debbie Macomber Classics"

Brings me to this screen.

Click on the book you want, click "BORROW"

In our library (and it may be different at other libraries) we have a 14 day limit.  You can go and re-borrow if you need more time.  I did on the first book I read.

You can hook it to your kindle or phone.  I don't have a kindle so I did the "Download Epub eBook" option.

Give it a second to download.

Go back to your bookshelf and you'll see it available.

This is a great option for me as sometimes I forget my book in the car when I'm waiting somewhere.  So I can just pull my phone out and continue reading.  I'm thinking this will be a great option for my daughter for school.

I will always love the smell of a paper book though, you think they make it in a candle?