Friday, May 31, 2013

The Last Day


Gabby received a 4 year ETHS Orchestra Award


The last day of Gabby's high school career was yesterday!  

The last day of high school ended with a VERY LONG last Orchestra concert.  

Gabby started out playing the flute in 4th grade (for 1 day).  On the first day of orchestra, she discovered that every other girl in 4th grade was playing the flute too!  In classic "Gabby style", never wanting to follow the crowd, she switched to the Cello.  After breaking two previous Cello's (neither break was her fault, one got jumped on and the other got run over by a cart) Gabby found a way too big Cello that she loved.  She eventually grew into it and hasn't strayed away from it.

After 9 years of playing the Cello, Gabby has officially retired from the beautiful instrument that collects lots of dust in our dining room:)

Another Senior moment and still no tears!

Graduation...June 9th!


Sunday, May 19, 2013

Senior Prom


Gabby made it home safe and sound from Senior Prom this morning at 3:06 am 
(I know because I looked right at the clock when I heard her key in the door).  


We made it though the prom season!  No fights, no attitude, no drama and no tears (from mom at least).  As far as I'm concerned, Gabby was calm, confident and beautiful for her big Senior Prom day.








The family came to see Gabby off and cheer her on, as she is the first grand daughter and niece to go to prom in our Aiden clan.  


Eric, the best dad ever, presented Gabby with a corsage.  



No date necessary, just a bunch of friends, loading into the party bus limo, off to enjoy the festive night and each others good company.





After taking 100's of pictures, we said goodbye and waved off the party limo bus.  


A deep sigh of relief and the feeling of pride came over us as Eric and I gave each other a 
high-five...we did a good job so far as parents.  

Now on to the next senior moment!


Sunday, May 12, 2013

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!


The Aiden girls are blessed.  

We have managed to surround ourselves with a magnificent group of women who constantly love, support, encourage and inspire us.  

Not all of these women are mothers, but it doesn't make them any less nurturing, they have loved my children (and me) unconditionally.    

Many are my colleagues that continue to help me learn and grow in my profession and listen patiently to my mothering stories.  

Many are mothers of others, that have taken my girls under their wings, carpooled them to numerous places, welcomed them into their homes and looked after them as if they were their own.  

Some are teachers, grandmothers, mothers, friends and neighbors.  

All of these women have made a profound difference in our lives.  

All of these women are powerful, strong, wise women, who have a place in our hearts and will be forever in our memories.

For your contributions to our lives we say...


Happy Mother's Day!

Friday, May 10, 2013

It's Been A While



I apologize.  It's been a while since my last post.  Life in the Aiden household has been crazy, busy and moving towards many transitions in our lives.

Let's see...my last post was in April, for Sinobia's Birthday.  She's 13 and totally a teenager.  Teenage-hood is what she has been living for; sassy, attitude, brooding, wanting to be independent, and challenging authority!

So, what has been going on with us?

Gabby finished a 6 week run of the show at Actors Gymnasium, Skooled. After being at the gym since she was 8 years old, this was her last show (off to college next year).  despite the fact that she re-sprained her ankle 2 days before the opening of the show, it was a fantastic run for her.   What was most special for her, was the support she received from many her friends and family as they all came out to see the show (her Nana flew in from Louisiana to see the closing show).


Sinobia scored a part as a pirate in the Chute Middle School musical production of Peter Pan.  These musicals are a big deal, as they only happen every 3 years, so you have 1 chance to do it during your middle school career.  What was even more special about this production is that it was Mrs. Gloria Bond-Clunie's (our very famous Drama Teacher at Chute) last musical, since she is retiring from Chute this year.  Of course, Sinobia embraced the role as a pirate and gave it her Sinobia touch.  It was fun to watch her perform on stage with the cast (I saw it twice), I could tell that she was having the time of her life!


Yipee!!!  Gabby got her braces off at the end of April.  We insisted with her orthodontist that they needed to be off for prom.  It was a bit of a struggle with him, since he is a perfectionist, but he granted her Senior wish.  I have pictures of the day she got her braces on and wanted to do a before and after post, but Gabby was totally against that idea.

We survived college season!  What a stressful time.  I'm not sure if having college options is a good thing, as it made Gabby's decision agonizing.  This is the most important decision she has had to make in her 18 years of life, and she took the process seriously.  After plenty of research, college visits and considering locations and weather, a decision was made....San Jose State University in California!

Sinobia continues to swim several times a week and also made it on the Chute soccer team.  This time of year is busy for her when she is trying to juggle 2 different sports in the same season.  She hasn't slowed down and is enjoying going from the grassy field to the cold pool, sometimes all in one day.

Prom is coming up and then the Class of 2013 Graduation.  No time to stop and breathe, we are moving through life at warp speed.  And Sinobia?  She's sitting back and waiting for the day when she will be the "only child" of the house:)