Performance Time

The children had their piano recital and festival. They have been working very hard for the last 3 months getting their 2 pieces down and memorized. Some days have been hard and trying with the occasional tears, burst of anger, and frustration. They have all been stretched in their pieces and came out conqueror. I am glad that it's now over, and we can move on at a more leisurely pace. They all did so well! Now just pose for these final pics.

Singing

We've been hearing some new songs at our house.

Julene:" Straw for sale, straw for sale, fifty cents a bale." (She's the straw seller in her Kindergarten's three Piggy Opera)

Janae: "Got a lot of livin' to do." (She's Ursula in the Jr High production of Bye Bye Birdie)

Nathan: "'Cause I told you once, Now I told you twice,We gon' light it up, Like it's dynamite!" (His new favorite download)

Marianne and Jared are joining in all the singing and dancing too.

Happy Green Day!

A color we all look good in.

New milestones

Julene has learned to ride a two wheeler! She hasn't even practiced with training wheels. I think that riding a scooter has greatly helped. It helped her learn to balance so well that she just took off on the two wheels. She's already taken advantage of going around the block to play with a friend. She's also taught Jared to ride the three wheeled scouter.  I like how everyone is blossoming in the warmer weather and developing new skills.

Tanner's been chewing on his fingers and lower lip. I don't remember anyone else teething this early. If my memories right, I thought they could all chew on toys when they got to this stage, but Tanner has been growing so quickly maybe his teeth need to keep up too. I sure love this toothless grin. So glad he's mine. I love how his eyes light up when he sees me. One of the joys of being his mother.

Randy's been busy composing a song for stake conference. This is his first song with completely original lyrics. He usually likes to take scriptures as a base for texts or do hymn arrangements. He had been praying about what song to do and the beginning of the lyrics came in the middle of the night, and then he fine tuned them. Now he's working out the musical details. I'm really liking this song. I think it will be on of my favorites. (My favorite list keeps growing.) It's so peaceful and majestic at the same time.

What's been going on

This one wants to play the piano too. So I've decided to start teaching her until she officially starts lessons this summer. She loves to write in her theory book, and so far we're doing great! I thought I could attempt it after attending beginning  lessons with the 3 older children.

We also got a visit from Great-Grandma (95). She thought she was coming to see a newborn baby, but we don't have one of those anymore. We all enjoyed going out to dinner at IHOP where half the party orders from the breakfast menu.

Some of us have been having spring fever and love being able to go outside and play. The younger ones got an outing to the park. You can tell they have been cooped up for a long time and were really enjoying the freedom of being outside. I liked it until I could tell that the trees liked it too.

Nathan had his last basketball game. We've enjoyed watching him improve. Not everyone likes to stay in their seats, and their isn't much room for spectators, but we go to as many games as we all can. This picture was taken right before he made a basket.

Then off to do some clogging. So fun to watch. Still seems strange to just have one clogger right now.

I've been enjoying kissing these cute chubby cheeks. The more he grows the more there is to snuggle.

Superman has decided to make a return visit to our house. "You've got me! Who's got you!"