Elise's piano recital

She is so cute!  Elise set up and did a wonderful job on the William Tell Overture.  I was to play the duet part for Lieberstraum.  We each tried to compensate for the other, guess we hadn't settled that she should play and I would catch up with her.  But we got it together for the second half of the song and ended well.

Trisha wowed us all with her Racmaninoff!  Amazing!!!

Dance Festival and 6th grade graduation

"Cotton-eyed Joe" and the "Virgina Reel" were the 2nd grade songs.

The sixth grade boys danced to "I'll be Your Everything" and then combined with girls for the "Ho Down Throw Down."

Parker with Mrs. Hoyt

And with Mr. Finch

Everyone really should have a Parker

May 24: Nuf said!

End of Days

Really I must be getting old because it seems absolutely impossible to consider we have completed yet another school year. We've made it through early morning seminary and three different school schedules and taking three hours each day to launch all the children.

Cambry has had her final choir and band concerts. She's attended her honor society banquet. She danced at all the dances available to her. She has graced through the transition into high school. She has met her goal of staying boyfriend-free this year, two more to go. She's progressing as a bassoonist and has a wonderful group of friends; what would we ever do without Brittney? She has her typical 4.0 almost all year long. She stands out and is appreciated.

Riley has completed some fun projects in Mr. Aston's class including video game programming and a beautiful wood encased pen he made me for Mother's Day. He also had a wonderful time making a compound machine using milk boxes from Costco, steelies, motors, and a wood car that finally popped a balloon. He played his final concert of the year as a wonderful first trumpet. Oh yes, and let's not forget that he finally met his goal for the year of a 4.0 (at least we're pretty sure that's the final score).

Parker is making it. Two weeks ago he was completely failing all of his subjects except one. But he has worked, most independently complete and turn in his assignments. Within 12 days he brought all those grades up to passing. When he was writing his talk for Mother's day, Dave had him list women who have influenced him for good. His current teacher, Mrs. Hoyt, was on the list. He has learned some important lessons, worked through some relationship troubles, taken responsibility, and learned a thing or two about reading, writing, and 'rithmetic on the way.

Elise has made it through a wonderful second grade year. It seems funny from this point to remember that she was not happy with the class selection she'd gotten. Today she loves Mrs. Hutchinson and all of her friends. She has developed quite a discipline with her school work. She is looking forward already to next year.

Spring Fling

For spring fling, a girl's choice dance, Tiffany, Britney, and Cambry took dates Steve, Chris, and James. Cambry knew James from early morning seminary and she was his first date.

The group got together Saturday to decorate their t-shirts and take pictures. Some of the group then walked down to the river bottoms and colors the walks with chalk. For dinner the girls served lasagna, rolls (which Cambry made solo for the first time, go girl!), and salad over at Brittney's. They had a nice time.

Mother’s day

I'm getting better at this Mother's Day thing. It used to be that I didn't want any fuss put up for me. This year, I basked in the gifts of the day.

I got a yummy bagel and cream cheese breakfast with yogurt and fresh fruit. Cambry made a dessert for a big family gathering up in Layton. I soaked in a yummy bath with sandelwood and rose oil. I fixed a dress I've had but only worn a few times. Dave helped Parker prepare a talk. I got to speak in deacon's quorum for a few minutes.

My mom and dad have brought Grandma and Grandpa Bramwell into their home for a few weeks while Grandpa receives treatment for a serious blood infection. After a nice dinner at Ben and Nanette's with family, we got to go visit with them. It was marvelous to get to talk to them. Grandma requested that we tell her the story of the prom dress again, though she'd already heard it.

While we were in visiting Grandma and Grandpa, the kids played hide and seek. Riley, nicely attired in his Sunday best, found the best hiding place and enlisted Eric for diversion.

It was a wonderful Mother's day and I sincerely appreciate my dear Dave for his insistence that my Mother's day feel queenly.