Busy Year

Too, too, too long since my last post! I know, I know. As much as I love to blog about our life, we have been terribly busy this year and I've been too tired. I am happy to report though that this coming year looks to be slower and I am so looking forward to it! Evan and Lauren, this post is for you--I'm still hoping one day to get my blog posts in a book format so you can look back on them when you're older and be able to relive some memories.

We are going to start with Lauren, because unfortunately one thing about being the youngest is you don't always come first. Lauren, you've had a great 2014 so far! One of the best and biggest memories from this year was your competitive dancing with The South Y Dance Company which then changed to Y Diamond Dance Company. You shined like we knew you would--God has greatly gifted you with the art of dance. You of course were not shy in front of the audiences at competitions and you always captivated people with your facial expressions. You are a natural. The last competition was extremely impressive. Grandma and Grandpa from Colorado came out to see it. Both of your dances finished in the the top 3 for your age group! What was really special about that was the fact that 2 days before this competition one of the girls was asked to leave the team, so your dances had to be redone quickly. Also, at this competition you got to receive one of the rewards for the second place dance, got a medal, and the group received a check.

Piano has been another part of this year you have grown in. At your June recital, you played two pieces by memory. You also received a summer discount rate and two movie theater tickets because you are so diligent in your work. Miss Connie has told me you make her excited and she is so impressed by how well you learn your music.

Evan, one of your biggest memories is the Lego Robotics Team at WWHM. You were on a great team this year. You figured out a design for your robot, and completely made it around the practice course early in the season. When competition day came, your team got 1000 points--a perfect score! It was thrilling when the wwhm team came in 2nd place! It was funny how we were all hoping for 3rd or 4th place, and when our names were not called, we though for sure we had not done well again this year. So, when we were called for 2nd place we were stunned, as well as elated!

Sheltered Reality drumming became part of your life this year. We were introduced to them in January when mvps brought them in as a school event. We decided to join and you have done two performances. You are getting along so well with the other people you meet at the shows, and Steve and Jordan are so impressed with how quickly you are picking up on the songs and choreography.

No pictures in this post, but there were some taken and I plan on including those in a 2014 digital scrapbook I want to make when this year's over so that each of you will have that for your later years. You both are awesome and I'm proud of the things you've accomplished, and how hard you work at things. You are both maturing in so many ways and you make me glad and proud to be your mom!

Piano Recital

Lauren had her first ever piano recital Saturday. There were probably 20 students who performed, but the pieces were short, so the recital took around an hour. However, the music was so pretty that it almost lulled you to sleep. Lauren was the second to perform and it was a duet with her teacher. What didn't get caught on the video was she had to say her name and announce the name of the piece she was playing and the composer: Fire Dance by Wendy Stevens. She spoke clearly and loud enough for the audience to hear her. We were so proud of her. I think she was proud too as you can tell by the smile she's wearing after her curtsy. She's only been playing since the beginning of February. Her teacher literally lives 5 minutes down the street from us; how great is that?! She will have 6 lessons throughout the summer, and then every week when the school year begins again. She's enjoying it. Now, if we could just find her a piano so she doesn't have to practice on our keyboard.....

Last Tuesday

Last week Lauren had her piano lessons--she started in February. She is doing so well with them just like I knew she would. Now, if we could just find a really cheap, yet nice piano to buy. We have a keyboard and I'm grateful for that, but having a piano would be better. Some day..... Anyways, her piano teacher is so nice and only lives literally 5 minutes down the street from us. There will be a recital June 1st.

After piano we went to the orthodontist so Evan could get his bottom braces on. He is doing really well with these. He's never complained of hurting or pain, just some soreness, but with both of his top and bottoms, after 2-3 days he's eating regular food again. He is so happy to have them. He's had his tops for 9 weeks now and his front tooth gap is already closed and his teeth are definitely straightening out allowing room for those teeth that haven't come through yet. They also added springs to his top wire which will allow some adjusting room for when those eye teeth grow in.