Dance Recital 2008

I am a bit behind in posting about the girls dance recital last weekend. The dance classes start in August, and they actually start working on the recital dance around Christmas, with the actual recital scheduled in June. So, my girls have been doing the same dance for about 6 months. I stay during each class and have watched the progress each week. I say progress, but I really didn't feel like there was enough. Bridget's teacher never spent one minute of individual time with any of the kids. Even on some weeks when only 1/2 the class showed up--that was a disappointment. Becca's teacher was absent about 25% of the time. The weeks she was gone, there were sub teachers, but they didn't know the routine to practice it. So how are 4 year olds suppose to know this routine? I was disappointed with her too. On top of teacher issues, Becca is a clown in class. She listens and pays attention enough of the time to appear like a good student, but when it is the whole group doing the dance and practicing the routine, she would goof off and make faces and do her own thing.

The recital requires a practice on Friday and Saturday nights. The show is on Sunday. During both practices, Becca basically stood on the stage and watched the other girls dance. I thought, "well, it's good she is so cute just standing there". Bridget got better each practice. She really knew the routine. I knew she would be great.

So during the show I was completely shocked when Becca came out and did the whole dance! That little stinker knew almost every move and smiled while she did it. I was so proud and excited. Becca's dance was to Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.

Bridget's dance was to All That Jazz. I was not a fan of the construction cone orange costumes, but since she is still small and cute, it worked. Now let me tell you about this little show off. When they walked out there was some serious hip shaking going on. The best part of the routine was the shimmy. These girls were so cute. They all shimmy different and basically look really silly. The audience loved it and we did too!

Also this year was Kelsie's last year. As a Senior, they can do a solo act if they want. Kelsie gave a beautiful performance.

Kindergarten layout

I bought this ribbon (knowing that I didn't need one more inch of ribbon), but I really liked it and when it matched this dress so well, I was so happy. I got to use some of the KI lace cardstock too--fun stuff!

Growin, growin, growin!

I took the girls in to the doctor yesterday for annual check ups. I saved myself a trip this year and decided to take them together. It was actually so much easier because Bridget goes first, then Becca will do what she did and I didn't have to plead with her to cooperate. Bridget is SOOOOOOO GOOOOOOOD! She is a perfect example for her sister in situations like this.

I know Bridget needs some shots to start school in the Fall. The amount of required shots annoys me so I try to put them off as long as possible. The Montessori school didn't really check on these sort of things, so we were able to put this off another whole year (from Kindergarten to 1st grade). Bridget needs 3 shots to be current and Becca is current. The doctor suggested that Becca go ahead and start getting what Bridget will be getting so she will be current before Kindergarten and mostly cuz she so willingly shadowed Bridget so well. So I agreed to one of the three needed and dreaded shots for both of the girls. Bridget was perfect. She sat up all brave, gave a little "ouch" and a flinch but nothing else. No tears-way to go! Then it was Becca's turn. At this point she decided she was definitely Becca and not Bridget. She tried to hide behind me, that didn't work because I picked her up and put her on the table-kicking and screaming. She wasn't really crying--she was just mad! So, so, so mad! Her face was red, her muscles were all tight, she was sort of doing this growling sound--just as angry as she could be. I kept thinking she was going to turn green and become the Hulk. The nurse and I won though and the shot was done.

On the way home we stopped and got ice cream. Becca remained mad, glared at me, and refused to hold my hand for several more hours.

They both grew a lot last year. It was obvious that Becca had, but Bridget did too. Last year Bridget weighed in at 39 lbs and this year 46 lbs (which is in the 50%). Last year she was 41 1/2" tall and this year is 44 1/2" tall (which is the 25%). So she is growing and and average weight, just not the tallest girl and never has been. I am pretty sure that Becca is going to outgrown Bridget one day.

Last year Becca weighed 27 lbs and this year she gained ten pounds and weighed 37 1/4 lbs! That moved her into the 50% in weight. Last year she was 36 3/4" tall and this year is 40" tall (that is the 65%). I knew she had grown a lot. Especially between when school started last Sept to January. I noticed that she skipped a whole size when the Christmas clothes didn't fit shortly after Christmas!

Schaun went to a new doctor yesterday. He is really suffering, but with the non-treatment he received last year, he didn't want to go to doctors like that again. So my good friend Shawn found out about this doctor in our area that sounded like he might be different. I set up the appointment yesterday morning, and they got him in right away (always a good sign). The doctor seemed to know his stuff. He told Schaun what was wrong with the treatment last year and how they would fix him. This doctor is predicting relief within by the end of the weekend. That would be so awesome!

The start of summer fun

We have had the sprinkler out a few times and the girls love that. Yesterday we went to a park to find some ducks. We didn't find any, just a bunch of mean geese. We didn't stay long. When we couldn't find any ducks the girls wanted to leave.

Nothing much to say

There is not much going on here to report. The van is fixed. The girls are happy playing with the girls that live behind us ALL THE TIME. They practically pass out at night. They have never played outside so much. The already have tans going on. It is nice to have the neighbors behind us that we do. We trade the kids on and off, so we all get some quiet time. That's nice.

Then there is the bad news. Schaun is suffering again. It is frustrating. He hurts and seems incurable. He went to a bunch of doctors last year and they couldn't find anything wrong, so that means there is nothing to treat. The problem with that is he is still having a lot of pain.

We just had a major thunderstorm pass thru. The girls HATE thunder. I can't convince them that noise doesn't hurt you. Now it is just dreary and dark. I guess it is a good cleaning day. Better get busy.

Transition week

This was a odd week. Of course we had the holiday on Monday and that just throws this off. This was also the first week that both girls were out of school. Becca is missing her alone time during the day I think. She has not been behaving very nice. I hope that doesn't last.

Tuesday we had a tour of the elementary school that Bridget will attend next Fall. It was a fantastic school! I think Bridget is going to really like it there. I have to say that schools are so different now. Long ago when I was in elementary school, everything was all white and grey, tile floors, single desks in tidy rows, very sterile. This school was a rainbow, all carpeted, and most rooms had tables not desks. Each room was welcoming and looked interactive. She will have 5 special classes: Spanish, PE, music, art, and computer. I asked her what she liked the best and thought she would say the art room. Nope, she thought the cafeteria was really cool. She is most excited about riding the bus (which I have mixed feelings about). I am going to let her ride though. If she changes her mind and doesn't think that is so cool, I will gladly take her.

In other news, my van turned over 100,000 miles on Wed. and instantly started to malfunction. So I am without a vehicle for now. I took it to a shop, they had it all day yesterday and I am little scared because they cannot figure out what the problem is. Ugh! I am trying to be positive and remember that I have had a repair free van for over 2 years. Hopefully I will get it back today.

Before the van got sick, I drove to Kristin's new house. It is a very nice house. Perfect for them. Kristin gets her scraproom, Sawyer gets his own bedroom, and Mark gets a big garage.

I am not happy with my scraproom, so I am fixing it. Right now it looks like I just moved in again. This time I have a plan though, so it should be all good when I'm done. So that is what I'll be doing this weekend.

Bittersweet

That is how I feel about Bridget leaving the Montessori school. We are just bursting with pride about how far she has come there. Just seeing her interact with almost the entire school population is so fun, what she learned there was phenomenal, and her independence and confidence amaze me. It warms my heart to hear her teacher and all the staff say how kind she is.

The little graduation ceremony was just adorable. Each child stood up and stated what they wanted to be. Bridget said a teacher. Some of the other kids said doctor, motorcycle rider, a cop, and a paleontologist (I don't even know how to spell that one). They were so cute. They each walked up, shook hands and received their diploma from Mrs. Crawford. So, so cute.

Today was the end of the year picnic. We had our lunch on the playground, there was play time and then goodbyes. Bridget hugged her teacher and assistant teacher. Mrs. Paris got all teary and I was fighting it. Then on the way out the front, the administrator, Mrs. Young, gave Bridget big hugs and said how much she was going to miss Bridget greeting her every morning. She was crying, I was fighting it still, a little teary. Bridget seemed okay still. We got loaded up in the van and started home. About 2 minutes into the drive Bridget lost it. She was so upset. She doesn't want to leave Mrs. Paris. That was all I could take--we were both crying. I wish she could just stay there forever. I gave it my best "next year will be so fun talk", but it didn't matter. When you are sad, you are just need to be sad.

Thankfully it didn't last. When we got home, she cried for a few more minutes, but then it seemed to pass. She said, " I just had to get the sad tears out and now I feel better". Awwwwwwwwww!

What do you think?

So I was looking thru a magazine the other day and I saw this ad. I don't know what the ad was for, but I looked at it and I had to look at it again, and then a third time. Then I put the ad in front of Schaun and watched his reaction. He looked at me and I knew he saw it too.

Do you see it?















For us, it is like seeing Bridget in the ad.

















ETA: For the curious, the ad was the picture of the girl above. Notice that part of her bangs are cut. It said, 25% less bangs. Bad. Then there was a picture of a kid drinking a Capri Sun. It said 25% less sugar. Good. (stupid ad if you ask me)

The Graduates

Here are some photos of the graduating girls. Kelsie from high school and Bridget has made it all the way through Kindergarten! They both had caps and gowns, so we had to take photos! Oh and Becca was feeling a little left out, so she struck a pose for me at the end. After the little photo session the girls took a few minutes to play!

America got it right!

I'm so happy about American Idol! Let me just talk about this while some other super cute photos download. While watching David Cook rock with ZZ Top, my husband and I are agreeing on how great he is. Then my funny guy says, David Archuleta is going to come out singing with somebody like Wham! I chuckled at that, but I almost laughed myself off the chair when the guys did a group song of Wham and THEN sat astonished when George-freaking-Michael came out on stage. It was so funny! I accused him of reading a spoiler but he insists he didn't--it was a really funny moment though!

David Cook rocks! I think he could give Carrie Underwood (who sang and looked FANTASTIC tonight) a run for being the best Idol yet.

Fun photos

Before going to visit Gramma on Sunday, I got a few shots just for fun.

90th Birthday

It was a big weekend. Kelsie graduated and my Gramma turned 90 on Sunday! We took her a cake, flowers, cards, presents and a cat. The cat didn't stay of course! My mom has been having a lot this really pretty crystal jewelry made for Gramma, so we gave her a jewelry box to keep it in. She seemed to really like that. It was a fun visit and I hope it was a good birthday.