Family Road Trip. Destination....San Jose State University!

There have been so many "good-bye" moments over the last few days.  Gabby will begin her Freshman year of college in a few days.  The farewells were not as I would have predicted.  I imagined Gabby slipping out of town, with very little fan-fare, calling as little attention to herself as possible.  It didn't go down like that at all.  There was a weekend full of parties, sleepovers, get-togethers and tears. On Monday, as we packed Gabby up, at the last minute, there continued to be a stream of friends and family stopping by to give Gabby hugs, kisses and wishes of good luck.  At one moment there were 5 girls on the couch, then girls outside having a picnic in the yard, girls crying in the living room and then aunts, cousins, grandma and more friends stopping by.  

Finally, around mid-night Gabby was packed and ready to go.  

By 6:00 am we were in the car, heading west.

Picnic's and couch time @ the Aiden House

"The Last Supper"  Farewell dinner @ the Brennan's house

Grandma's First Grandkid is off to college

Cousins get together for pizza and some final hugs.

We are on our way to San Jose State University.  It's our family road trip to take Gabby to college!

I slept through Iowa.  Apparently there is not much to see in that state anyway.  

Nebraska was a coffee stop and an Instagram photo opportunity.  

I couldn't resist taking a picture of the Poop Deck sign!

We have settled in Wyoming for the night.  Dinner, some TV, blogging and a comfy bed!  

More states to pass through tomorrow.

Congratulations, Farewell, Good Luck, See You For Christmas!

On Sunday afternoon we threw Gabby a Graduation/Going-Away/Trunk Party @ Lovelace Park.  She will be leaving home and heading to San Jose State University in 1 week!

Gabby was surrounded by friends and family that wanted to send her off to college with plenty of love and dorm room essentials.

Since Gabby hates being the center of attention, no toast, no speech and no tears were allowed.  Everyone at the party did, however, write a note filled with love, advice and wisdom for her "party memory book".

So now she's got a trunk filled with sheets and towels, a book filled with memories and notes and a heart filled with love.  What else do you need for college?  Oh yeah, a case of Ramen Noodles!

Good Luck Gabby!  We are all so very proud of you!

...and see you for Christmas!

Summer Intensive 2013

This past Saturday, Gabby performed @ The Actors Gymnasium (http://www.actorsgymnasium.com/).  After taking a 6 week Summer Intensive class, students are expected to perform routines that they choreograph on their own or with a group.

Last year, Gabby choreographed a routine with her friend Hannah (shout out to Hannah Schwimmer!!), this year they were at it again.  I have to say, this may be one of Gabby's best performances.  I may be saying this because I know it is the last performance for a while, as she is off to college in a few weeks, but I also noticed a maturity in her performance that I have never seen before.

Sniff, sniff...maybe I'm getting a little sad and sentimental?

Watch the video and see for yourself:

http://vimeo.com/71278265

The two girls choreographed and performed their routine on the Lyra this year.  They were too far apart from each other for me to get them both in my phone camera lens, so you just see Gabby.

There was also a really cute dance/tumbling act that she was in with her friends Alison, Brandon and Justin:     

https://picasaweb.google.com/107652494773560937054/20130730?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJaQxcfQn4zRDw&feat=directlink

Once again, I am forever grateful to the Actors Gym for taking my "always climbing on something" little girl and turning her into a crazy, strong, confident, and fearless woman.  I couldn't have asked for a better place for her to be so many afternoons and evenings after school.  I couldn't have asked for a better second family for her than the circus family she has gained over these last 11 years.  Until next summer....so long Actors Gym:)

We Made it....Graduation Day!

I think that I may be saving my tears for San Jose.  

Gabrielle Ollie Aiden graduated from Evanston Township High School today 

(and not one tear was shed by momma Tracy)!

There was no need to cry today.  It was all a "proud moment" day.  

Couldn't have made it without you, Ms. Graham!

I am not only proud of Gabby and all of her High School accomplishments over the past 4 years, but I am also proud of Eric and I and how we have worked tirelessly to raise this amazing kid.  

18 years ago, we had no idea what we were doing.  We were young, full of energy and full of crazy ideas about what  kind of parents we were going to be.  Well, one kid down and one to go...and we've finally got the hang of this parenting thing.  For us it's not the kind of parents we want to be, but the kind of people we want our children to become.  We have strived to raise smart, loving, generous, risk taking, assertive young women.  We want them to feel comfortable about the girls that they are and the women they will become in the world.  We want they to follow their hearts, not follow the crowd.  We want them to be humble and grateful for all they have, especially the loving and supportive family and friends that they have.

The Gabby Aiden Fan-Club @ graduation!

Congratulations to Gabrielle.  We are so proud of you and the young woman that you have become.  

Enjoy your journey as to head off to San Jose State University!

Class of 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!

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!

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!

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:)

I'm A Teenager Now!

Today, April 11th, 2013 is Sinobia Carrie Aiden's Birthday!

Sinobia is turning 13 today.  She is officially a teenager!  Although, to Eric and I, it feels as if she was born a teenager.  As much as we love and adore our Sinobia, nothing comes easy with her, she makes each day special, unique and worth living for.

In honor of Sinobia's birthday, I was going to list 13 Things about Sinobia you have always wanted to know, but went way past 13, so here it goes...

Facts About Sinobia's 13 Years Of Life

1. Sinobia walked at 9 months old.
2. Sinobia gave up breast feeding at 3 months old and decided she wanted food (baby food).
3. Sinobia was potty trained by 2 years old.
4. When Sinobia was 5 years old, she saw our neighbor, Doug, riding his bike without training wheels one day and insisted that she learn to ride without hers too.  She learned how to ride a 2 wheeler that day!
5. Sinobia's favorite drinks as a little kids were prune juice and chocolate milk.
6. Her favorite food now is Chipotle (guess what's for dinner tonight).
7. When Sinobia was little she wanted to be an animal trainer, then a pop star and now she wants to be a journalist.
8. Sinobia was bit by our pet turtle (Max) when she was 3 years old.  I had to pry his mouth open to get him to let her go.
9. Sinobia cried everyday for 1/2 the year when she was in kindergarten.
10. Sinobia speaks Spanish (a little).
11. It took Sinobia a REALLY long time to learn how to swim, but now she is a kick-ass swimmer.
12. Sinobia is also a soccer player.
13. On the weekends, Sinobia likes to watch Dance Moms, The Voice and The Kardashians.
14. Sinobia is a 1 Direction fan!
15. Sinobia has a pretty good sense of humor.  She's funny!
16. If you don't want an honest answer, don't ask Sinobia!  She has no filter and will tell you like it is!
17. Sinobia is always the one that will just say what everyone else in the room is really thinking:)
18. Sinobia has to be reminded to take the dog outside every day.
19. Sinobia's favorite treat is Flammin' Hot Cheetos.
20. Sinobia is loved and cherished very much by her entire family!

Happy Birthday Sinobia!

Swim Marathon 2013

Seven days of no swimming makes one weak. 

 ~Author Unknown

This year Sinobia participated in 18th annual Flying Fish Swim Marathon, a one hour continuous swim, with her swim team.  It is her 4th year being a part of this event.  Her coaches estimated that she could swim 110 lengths in an hour. She swam 138 lengths in an hour! 

(These funds help the YWCA continue to provide healthy aquatic programming, provide financial assistance to families who cannot afford the cost of swim lessons or swim team participation, and support YWCA services in the areas domestic violence and violence prevention.)

I love this event.  This is Sinobia's moment to shine.  You see, big sister Gabrielle counts her laps for her every year.  Each year she continues to be amazed at what a great swimmer her sister is.  Each year Gabby is in awe at the strength and stamina that little sister Sinobia has.  This is the one thing Sinobia can kick her sister's butt at!  She rules the pool in our family!

There is still time to sponsor Sinobia and her Swim Marathon cause (you have until February 25th).  The YWCA has made it so easy this year, they set up web pages for each kid, so you can click on the link below, it will take you straight to Sinobia's web page, where you can make a donation (and/or see her cute picture).  

Follow This Link to visit my personal web page and help me in my efforts to support YWCA - Evanston/North Shore

Thank you to everyone who has helped her meet (and possibly exceed) her goal!