Goodbye Dance

Aubrie just wrapped up her 8th year of dance. I can't believe she has been dancing that long! She is such an amazing dancer. She really feels the music and has great stage presence. However, the time has come that she had to make a choice between competitive dance and competitive gymnastics. Since she is starting a new school, that will be more demanding, we decided together that gymnastics would be the better choice. While the studio was a second home for her, if she needed to drop out to focus on school, that would be a hardship on her fellow dancers and instructors. Choreography would have to be redone, etc. Gymnastics on the other hand is more of an individual sport, and dropping out would not significantly affect the team. Also, Gymnastics only requires 4 hours of practice on school nights, while Dance was six. Though she is a hard worker, maintaining honor roll and principals list with 12 hours of extracurricular last year, we know that will not be possible with the new school.

It was a very hard decision for Aubrie. Her emotions about quiting vacillated. Part of her wanted out because of particular girl who had been unkind to her all year, but she was going to miss the dancing and friends tremendously. While the year was wrapping up I was torn, too. I loved the experience it was for her, but was ready to be done after too many competitions, a whole Saturday of pictures, and knowing I had another Friday of Rehearsal and a whole other Saturday for Recital. The Thursday before recital, Devney (the owner of the studio) called a special meeting for performing girls and their parents. We all thought it had to do with the recital. We were wrong. Devney announced that she had sold her studio. That news was good and bad. It was hard to know the studio was going to change, but it made it easier to leave.

Friday Rehearsal was LONG! Aubrie also had problems with the girl who has been awful to her all year. I could hear her talking bad about her in the changing room, and I told the girl that she needed to stop and be respectful. It was so sad to see Aubrie so rattled. After I spoke with the girl, Aubrie said, under her tears, "thanks Mom!" That girl wouldn't look at me the rest of the weekend. I felt bad, but there seemed to be some thankful and surprised Moms. I don't speak up much about things, unless they are REALLY important to me. I've learned that unless its important its not worth the battle. So I think that someone must have told her Mom, because she was on top of her the rest of the recital. So with that drama, I was ready to be done with dance.

That all changed Saturday. I loved watching her up on stage and having a good time. I enjoyed helping her backstage during the second show. At one point, I was watching her side stage and started reminiscing over all her years of dance. I started to tear up a little. After the last Recital show, everyone was VERY emotional. There were a lot of tears shed. Teachers, students, parents, (even I) was crying. It was definitely a bitter/sweet experience. I'm grateful for a dance studio that respected modesty, and values, and still gave them a great time with dance. Sophia was hilarious in her dance, by the way. She was super cute and she had the audience in stitches. The funniest thing was after each somersault she laid spread eagle on the mat for several seconds. I had people commenting on her performance all night. Always the ham. Everyone loves her there! The girls all fight over her. Sophia will be going back next year.

CANDY

Sadly, the only dance I got photos. This was a fun hip hop dance they took to 3 different competitions. They had candy necklaces, rings, and each girl had their own silk screen candy jacket. Aubrie was Sour Patch!

Recital Picture Day

A long day (9 to 7)

Aubrie, Kaelyn & Kennedy (Kaelyn's sister)

We drove to all the competitions together, and to their Disneyland Exhibition. They are practically family!

Funny Girls

(There are a lot more pictures like this floating around)

Tearful Goodbyes

Tearful faces as they say goodbye to dance and Deveny's, where they have gone since they were three!

Aubrie and Devney

Flowers for the performers!

Sophia was so excited for her rose. She kept her rose in a vase by her bed till it died!

Summer Beginnings 2011

Well summer feels like its flying right out the window. We are now half way through week 3. Dive has been keeping us busy in the mornings. Sophia started swim last week and that has been nice having the 3 at the pool at the same time. Sophia LOVES going. Her teacher ended up being Justin Peugnet, from our old ward. He is so good with her. The boys are enjoying dive. They have had two meets so far. The first meet the coach had them competing against each other. We weren't happy with that, but the boys didn't seem to mind it. The second one, Ethan was put in a lower division. He easily got first place, and on the way to the car Ethan said he would rather be up with Boston because the other division was too easy. I was impressed that he would willingly give up first place for a challenge. Boston thought he was going to be doing very well this year after gymnastics. He was surprised when a friend from the gym, who is at a higher competing level, was on the dive team. There are actually more than that, but they are older. I guess Boston talked about it a lot to his gymnastic friends! Anyway, when his gymnast buddy was at the meet, he soon realized his hopes dominating were gone. The kid smoked him first meet. The last meet, they weren't that far apart. Boston is alright with it. I think the fact that he gets to see his friend from the gym and goof off with him at every meet makes it all fine with him. Personally, both the boys are doing really well. Much improved from last year (Ethan especially). Aubrie went to one of their practices the other day, because we were going to Wet and Wild right after. She convinced Coach Josh to let her dive. She finally got her back dive and back flip a few days before, and she wanted to show him. After, I asked her if she wish she would have done dive this year, and she said yes. I knew she would miss it. Especially being a gymnast!

Our summer days seemed to be so full. I thought once dance was over it would get better. It doesn't seem like it. I seem to remember feeling this way last year. I think that once dive/swim is done things seem more relaxed. It is nice to stay busy, though. I think boredom makes a summer too long! The kids like the busy pace. Probably because they are used to it!

They are doing really well with their daily lists. They put their checklists in sheet protectors and check their lists off each morning with a dry erase marker. They just get up and do it. Of course, Ethan gets off track sometimes, but he, too, has done surprisingly well. I have been doing my own morning checklist. I have been getting up a few hours before swim, which gives me about an hour on my own before I have to wake the kids. I try to get a work out in every morning while they are sleeping. So far I'm good for about 3 days out of 5. It's been great to keep me on task! I actually get the important stuff in that I always forget about. Having scripture reading and prayer on there really helps!

So last Sunday we missed church because I was having ongoing episodes of bad chest pains. While everyone was sleeping, Aubrie woke up on her own and went downs stairs and made breakfast for the family. She made pancakes and fried eggs. What a sweet thing. After breakfast, I looked out my kitchen window as I was doing dishes, to see Boston cleaning up the backyard. He came in and said, "Mom, I cleaned up the backyard!" I started to think, "what is going on here?" We then watched family videos as a family and about 30 minutes into it Ethan asked when we were going to church. We told him we weren't going because I wasn't feeling well. He than scurried off. We could see him going back and forth from the kitchen to the living room. The next thing we know he comes downstairs in his suit (minus the white dress shirt, he had a white t-shirt instead) and with Sophia all dressed up. He asks us to join him in the living room. When we got there, he had a bowl with torn up bread and cups of water for all of us out on the coffee table. He also had the big Family scripture book out. What a sweet kid. Ben gently explained to him why we couldn't take that as the sacrament. That was a good lesson. Then we asked him what the scriptures were out for, and he said he wanted us to read about the Last Supper and the passing of the sacrament. We then sang a song and closed with a prayer. When it was over, Boston said, "I think this has been the best morning ever!" Not the best seller on the fact we didn't go to church, but he was right. It was awesome! It's moments like those that make you think, maybe we are doing something right as parents!

Summer is here!

Summer is here, but it never quite feels like it until Aubrie's dance recital. We have all the new activities added to the old ones. At least there is not school and homework, just more creative activity planning! We started our summer with a trip to my brothers. We left Friday, after school let out. The kids enjoyed the beautiful weather and time with their cousins. They spent a lot of their time playing soccer in my brothers back yard. I guess there is something to playing soccer in a nice climate! We also had a BBQ with the cousins, went to the beach and saw the 4th Pirates movie. We had a good time.

The week we got back started up dive team for the boys. Aubrie didn't want to do it again, which actually worked for me because she would now be in a different age group, which would mean a different time. The boys are enjoying dive. Boston has really been looking forward to it. He may not like doing gymnastics at the gym, but he still has it in his blood. I think that's why he likes dive so much. Sophia will start swim the following week, at the same pool. She is looking forward to that. Ethan also started gymnastics and is LOVING it! It's perfect for all that extra energy he has. His coach said he is fearless. That sounds about right. Sophia and Aubrie have also moved up at the gym. Sophia is on the "big girl bars" now and learning more things. Aubrie is now on the intro competive team.

This week has been pretty unorganized, and basically trying to re coop from everything. Next week will start the organized summer. This year, instead of earning video game/ tv tickets, I am going to have a list of things they need to do. They will include their chores, reading their scriptures, piano practice, doing their summer bridge workbooks, doing a math fact sheet, reading for 30 minutes and typing (once I buy the program). Once they get all that done, they are free to do something fun. One fun thing will be Wet and Wild trips. Also, when they complete their reading and workbook every day for a week, they get to turn in a certificate for a coupon. We will see how it goes!

So something cute happened this week. Boston and Ethan wanted me to take them to Walmart to get some airsoft guns. After leaving the sporting good department, we walked by the toy department. Boston said, "I want to buy Sophia a toy". He and Ethan found a doll, and when when they got home they wrapped it up. They couldn't wait for her to wake up from her nap so she could open it. They both have been doting on her lately; wanting to read and play with her, and helping her with her chores, etc. Its really cute! I hope this is a sign of a good summer ahead of us!:)

Missed in the shuffle!

Every time I back track in blogging, things get left out. Here are those things!

Its official, I HATE my new camera. Well it's almost a year old, but it takes the worst pictures. The weird thing is my old camera is the same camera just the older model. Go figure. Anyway, here is a blurry picture of Ethan getting his Character Counts award! He is such a hard worker at school, always going beyond the given assignment. Ms. Nebel was especially impressed when they had to draw a desert picture, and he found a book to label everything he drew. He also did about 50 percent of the class Science Project, "because no one else wanted to do it."

This makes Suns game #3 for Aubrie. Each year the boys get a little more excited. Aubrie also likes watching the game! They were bummed we had to leave early, but after a long day of baseball and this, and AIMS testing the next morning, we had to get home!

Just some fun soccer shots that a Mom gave us. Can you tell its a picture of a picture? ha

Spring Photos. I love how Ethan put on the same clothes he wore for Fall pictures. Like those were his "official" picture clothes or something!


And though I should have had my camera ready for action, Aubrie finally got a phone. She opened it the morning of her birthday, before school. I wrapped up a Coach purse I got for 20 bucks at the outlet store a few years ago, and put the phone in the purse. I told Aubrie not to count on a phone until school started. When she opened her purse she had a considerate smile on her face. I told her to check for the cool pockets inside. There was the phone. She just said, "NO WAY! YOU DIDN'T!" Then she pulled it out, and Boston screamed and tackled and hugged her. They were yelling and screaming. Never seen Boston that excited over something his sister got. I must admit I think I like her having one more than she likes having one. It's so convenient for me! She forgets she has it most of the time, and I have to remind her to take it with her. My worries of her being on it all day long were for nothing. I won't let on how much I like her having one though!:)

Kids Activities through May

So what has kept me so busy in the last month? (Besides the normal activities)

11 baseball games (Boston's team got 3rd place)

5 baseball practices

4 Football games

5 Football practices

1 Belt Testing (Ethan got his purple belt! Yeah)

2 Dance Competitions (Recital next week)

2 Activity Days

2 Birthdays

1 Anniversary

4 dentist appts

1 music recital

1 Easter Dinner and Egg Hunt with the neighbors

1 Wedding

2 Well Child Check Dr. Appts (Shots included)

1 Poetry Reading

1 Mothers Day Tea (that I made a DVD for)

1 preschool Graduation

1 Pack Meeting

1 Science Fair

2 Testings for Aubrie's new school (many tears involved for one of them)

1 Mothers Day trip to Montezuma well

2 end of the Year parties

1 CLASS DVD put together, and copied for class

1 trip organized to visit bother

and a partridge in a pear tree! Whew! That's just the stuff on my calendar. Who knows what didn't make it! So here are some pictures....the fun part!

Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt

Held at the Park by our house, and sponsored by a local church. Was on a Saturday, and Aubrie had a dance competition, so it was just Ben and the other 3.

Turning in the Golden Egg

Cha Ching!

Easter Morning

Can I get one good picture without silly faces?

I guess a far shot is my only shot!

Man, I look tired! Sunday mornings are exhausting!

Easter Dinner with the Hawkins!

Uncle "Kag"

Silly Girl!

Coming out the shoot for the Egg Hunt! A tad bit windy, but it made for nice cool weather. No melting chocolates this time!

Ethan's Purple Belt Testing

Ethan's picture, out of the portraits I took of his classmates. Just love his smile here! ....................... and His First Grade Crush- Hannah!

Ethan's Poetry Reading

Boston's Wolf Badge

Well we weren't sure if it was ever going to happen, but he finally got his Wolf badge. He earned it, along with about 12 arrows last November, but there was a new pack leader called who didn't know how to go about getting new badges. Month after month we received apologies when we left pack meeting empty handed. His leaders started to joke that he would be getting his Bear and Wolf on the same day! Boston worked hard and we are proud of him!

Ethans Music Recital

Mothers Tea!

The Spread!

(I chose the lemon cakes and strawberries!)

Can you guess what one is me?

Sophia's Preschool Graduation!

Sophia LOVED school! She did well, and made lots of friends. She now knows her letter sounds, can write her name, and learned a lot of nursery rymes!

Mothers Day at Montezuma's Well!

It was another nice relaxing Mother's Day. This time all the kids were well, so we made it to Sacrament before we left for "the Well"! It was fun watching Sophia sing to me for the first time:) Tree Climbing! Lunch Time Relaxing Crochet Double tasking! Football, Baseball, etc.

No pictures for stream exploring!:)

Aubrie beat Ben at this game every time. Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of them playing!

The "Branch Hat" the kids found for me!

The Science Fair

All the kids participated in the Science Fair. Boston and Ethan's did a "class" project. Both Ethan and Boston did most of the work. Boston said his teacher wasn't going to do one, so himn and a few buddies did it the day it was due. Boston typed it up and his buddies fed him the info.

Ethan's did about 50 percent of his. I asked his teacher about it and she said he was one of the only ones who wanted anything to do with it.

Aubrie coupled up with her best friend, Olivia. They did it on how soda has an effect on tooth erosion. They started way in advance, and put some good effort into it. They got 100 on their science project. Only two projects in her class recieved that grade. Aubrie and Olivia were a little upset, because a friend of theirs changed their project to the same idea, once they caught wind of theirs. Their Mom helped them with the poster board, and used all these special lights and crafty type things. It placed in the science fair. I tried to remind them that they did their own work and came up with their own idea and that was something to be proud of. And also, that it was their idea that placed!:)