A Dancing Mommy

When I started taking dance again last year, I felt pretty selfish.  I am spending money just for my enjoyment.  I am taking time away from my family.  I am having to get babysitters to make my class possible about 50% of the time (at least).
But then I did the math and my class costs about as much as Derek's Husky football season tickets.  Perfect.  We each have our thing that we love.  Depending on how my hip surgery goes, I might have to miss part of next year.  But I plan to keep on dancing as long as I can!

We did an "Electric Light Parade" at the beginning of the show.  This was my costume for that part of the night.  I also got to take tickets.  It was so fun to have the kids look at me and get all excited.  I felt like a legit part of the show since I even had a costume change.  

When they started talking about doing a number will all the Disney Villanesses, and they were discussing what song to use, I said, it has to be Michael Jackson "Bad."  So, I helped pick the song for our dance!  

Super thankful to all the friends and family who came out to support us.

Ben was so fun when he came in and saw me in my Jessie outfit.  He couldn't stop smiling and laughing.  He loved the show.  

 

Proud Mommy #3: Libby

Here is what I wrote in my journal about Libby:

"I am so proud of Libby because she overcame or dealt with and lived through so some tough friend stuff.  Her reading and writing improved 100,000x.  Her math skills improved.  She continues to rock spelling.  She is a scooter riding amazing girl.  She has such great command of her body.  She was forgiving to me.  She has learned to cook a few things too."

And today I would add that she finished her dance career well!  She has been begging to switch to gymnastics for years.  I made her stick it out until Dance Arts 2.  She did it.  Now she can switch (starting this summer) and I am excited to see where this will lead her.  (Even though I wish she was a dancer like me--only better).  

Libby's dance was "When You Wish Upon a Star."  It was beautiful.  She really nailed it Friday night.  

Libby's teacher, Mrs. Jenks.  She really loved Libby and worked hard to help her live up to her potential.  

This crazy class!  Seriously, this a bit like a Molotov Cocktail of personalities and challenges.  No teacher should have had all these kids in one room.  But Mrs. Jenks made it!  And we survived.  And they actually learned along the way!

Depending on the day, these were two of Libby's besties.  And worst Frenemies.  And then besties again.  It was a bit brutal.  But they ended the year as friends.  It is always tricky with a group of 3.

These two!  I'm so glad they are so close.  

Her last recital. 

Proud Mommy Post #2: Sarah

Here is what I wrote about Sarah in my journal:

"Sarah absolutely rocked kindergarten.  She learned so much so fast.  He was everyone's friend.  So much love and kindness oozes out of her.  She passed her Hi-Cap (highly capable) testing.  She started doing and loving yoga!  She learned to hold her own against yoga and sometimes create a compromise to get her own way.  She most often is the first to create peace through compromise.  She is a natural peacemaker.  Even her teacher noticed this and sent home a note thanking her for being friends with everyone.  

She is physically so much stronger (rarely complaining about walking to and from school) even playing soccer at school.  She is also a good money saver!

Sarah & Mrs. Chase.  I was a little worried going into the year that Sarah would have 2 teachers (one for Mon-Wed and another for Thurs-Fri.  But they were so AMAZING!  They did a great job of working together and creating continuity so the kids had a consistent and awesome experience.  

I can't wait to see what summer will bring for Sarah!"

Sarah gets really into dress up days for school.  This is her "minion day" outfit.  This girl rocks some crazy outfits, and I love her willingness to be herself!  

Sarah's crazy Kindergarten crew.  I have really loved this class!  They always get excited when I come volunteer.  I got lots of hugs from them!

Sarah and Mrs. Bentley

Sarah also NAILED her dance at the dance recital.  She is a clear leader for her class.  She led out and did every step right, smiling all the while.  I love this girl's sparkle.  

Proud Mommy Post #1: Ben

This week was a whirlwind of "end of school" festivities.  I am so proud of each of my kids.  So, they are each getting a proud mommy post.  I wrote in my journal last Sunday night about how much growth they have each experienced this last year.  It is amazing to me to see my kids grow up!

"Ben has amazed me all year.  He is such a good little friend.  He plays well with just about everyone (only the most difficult kids get push back).  Ben calls me beautiful!  He gave up his binkies!  He goes potty all by himself--most of the time.  He gets dressed and puts on his glasses all by himself almost every day.  He eats by himself--oh wait, we are regressing a bit here.  But he is so cute and so sweet I don't care."

To that I would add, he is starting to learn his letters.  I heard him in the car saying various words and trying to figure out what they start with.  B is, of course, his favorite letter.  He is pretty good at sharing with his sisters.  This guy knows what he wants and goes after it!

Kid Quotes

The kids have said some hilarious things lately.  These are my favorite things to read when I go back through  my blog.  Also the things I swear I will remember to blog and sometimes I forget them almost instantly.  Here are 3 I managed to remember (because how could I not?)

The kids wanted to sleep on the trampoline on Friday night.  Like any good (or not good?) mom, I let them.  I knew it probably wouldn't last and I was okay with that.  They are a bit young.
I unintentionally scared them when we went out to settle them in.  I saw a bunch of food that they had left by the tramp.  I said, "If you guys keep leaving food out here, we are going to get rats!"  As soon as it was out of my mouth, I knew I had said something I shouldn't.  So I wasn't surprised when Ben wandered in a few seconds later and said he was scared.  But I wasn't expecting him to say he was scared of "rats and hippos."  I laughed out loud.  But happily settled him into his bed and slept through the night calmly in my bed knowing that at least he was in bed safe.
In the morning I found both girls' sleeping bags inside.  One was wet enough to suggest that someone stayed out until the dew fell.  The girls told me that Sarah was the one who made it the longest.

This quote may be a bit of an overshare, but it is too funny.  I took Sarah with me to try on bras because mine was breaking and I was desperate and short on time.  I have a hard time finding bras small enough for me.  I put on one and she said, "Mom, it looks like you could fit 2 or 3 legos inside there."  Yes, yes indeed.

Today in church Ben was listening to the speaker who said something about the Holy Ghost.  Ben asked Derek what the Holy Ghost is.  Derek said, "The Holy Ghost helps you choose the right."  Ben instantly replied, "But dad, I always go right, I never go left!"

On the way out of church today I was walking with a 90 year old sister.  Libby came and randomly handed me the handout she got from church (which incidentally was a fly swatter, still not sure what that was about), walked around to our sweet 90 year old and offered to carry her bag for her.  So proud of my Libby for offering that!

A VERY Happy Birthday

Ben has had the best birthday that a boy could ask for.  The festivities are stretching over 2+ weeks.  It started with the joint birthday party with dad on May 31, and will end with his Buddy School Birthday & graduation on Tuesday June 16th.  Nice.  He is loving the attention and the presents.
His birthday also coincided with our final decision about what big thing to buy for the backyard.  We went back and forth about what type of playset to get, and how much to spend on it for about 9 months.  We just couldn't decide.  Finally, one or the other of us said, "What about a trampoline?"  And the decision was clear after a few short discussions (using P and T so the kids wouldn't overhear and figure out what we were talking about).  I think we made the right decision.  The kids are getting WAY more exercise than ever before, and soaking up some delicious Seattle sun!  We live right next to a park, so they have plenty of time on a "P" (playset) that someone else pays to maintain!

Back to the birthday (the actual day), Ben asked for eggies for breakfast, Mcdonalds for lunch, and Little Caesar's (actually just crazy bread) for dinner.  After lunch with his buddy Noah at Mcd's, Ben went to Noah's so Derek and his friend Mike could set up the trampoline.  The only casualty was the back of Mike's shorts which did a major split act (hehehe).  I met up Sarah after school and let her play on the playground until Libby was done with soccer.  Noah's mom dropped Ben off at the school too, so the kids could all get home at the same time. They were excited and delighted.  I (on the other hand) have to totally steer clear.  I panic when I watch them all jumping.  I am sure someone is going to get hurt.  I keep barking out orders about how they need to be careful.  I just have to not watch.  Knock on wood.  4 days and no broken bones.  Knock on wood again.

We just love our little Benny (who isn't quite so little anymore!)

Ben went with me to school on Wed and Mr. Tadlock took this beauty.  

Ben wanted a car cart at Home Depot, even though I needed to buy some big stuff.  This was the result.  Ben wedged in.  Then I created a tent for him of the cushions so that he didn't get a sunburn on his bare-ish little scalp.  Love his buzzcut!

There was some crying this week too.  When his sisters squirted him with the hose.  So cute when he cries!

Ben and Noah at McDonalds...having a blast.  

The BIG gift.  When Rachel and Brad called him later that evening to ask what he got, he listed absolutely everything BUT the trampoline.  Hilarious.  Brad had to give him several hints to get it out of him.  

Ben helped me with the Boa Constrictor eating Sarah.  We tried the mom assist method.  Worked out pretty well.  

 

Summing it up...

When I skip a blogging week, it is always an overwhelming task to try to summarize the activities of 5 people for 14 days.  Okay, impossible.  Especially when one had yoga training for 3 days and one evening, and another had 5 Mariner's home games to work.  One got called as Relief Society President and had about 10 meetings in two weeks trying to figure out what she should be doing.  We had a birthday party for 2 in our rank (Derek and an early one for Ben).  2 Poems recited at the School Open House (must watch videos below), one DATE for Mom and Dad (where we got to sit an arms length from Tobolowsky aka Tobo himself!), dance pictures, dance classes...you get the picture.  The end of school is chaotic, crazy and full of overtime for daddy.  Add in 3 members in the household preparing for the dance recital, and birthday parties, and everyone gets a little stressed.  

This is what stuck out for the kids over the last few weeks.  I was gone.  A lot.  I got a few sweet notes like this.

But I am pretty happy with a few of the things that happened in these 2 weeks, so (deep breath) here goes.

I did a headstand, for longer than 2 seconds.  And it felt great!  When I see a large expanse of blank wall (anywhere) I just want to start trying to head or handstand.  I'm giddy like a little kid about my new skills I'm working on.  It is a total rush to be doing (or working on doing) something I NEVER thought my pansy neck could handle.  Turns out correct technique is pretty darn important; suddenly things become accessible.  

I made Ben a birthday "cake."  A pretty scary Hulk right?  Turns out my theory that tootsie rolls can melt enough to be moldable in the microwave was correct!  

I organized another group of kids to present the Rizzi Art book "Our Shoreline" to the School Board.  It went well.  Not as big a turn out as last time, but still really fun.  I love hearing the students say their parts so well!   

Here is a pic of the group and the school board.  Total backlight.  Ugh.  But it was super fun that we ran into Grammy Geneva there (right after I told the kids she would for sure have gone home from work by then). 

We got a piano!  And this is a very special piano.  We had a dear friend Connie that passed away last summer.  Derek and I trace the financial success of our little family to Connie starting with the work she gave him when we were newlyweds and then giving us our first Suze Orman book.  When Connie passed away, her daughter inherited Connie's baby grand piano, and sold us the one Connie had bought for her.  I am proud that it is finally in our house because organizing a piano move is serious business.  It took a couple of months to make it happen!  The kids (including Derek) are plunking away at it every chance they get.

The Poems...seriously worth the watch.

I also managed to take the kids swimming (all 3 by myself) and no one died...thanks to some alert lifeguards that is.  I have never, in all my days at pools seen a lifeguard have to go in after anyone I don't think.  I heard one lifeguard yelling to the other, heard the splash, and didn't even realize it was Ben for a second.  But it was Ben.  I didn't even realize he had wandered away from me.  That kid thinks he can swim!

But I was also proud of Libby, who passed a pretty tough swim test and then went off the diving board for the first time, and swung on a rope into the water.  She did a little belly flop and had a bit of a stomach ache after, but went a few more times.  (Peer pressure is a great thing sometimes!)

Most importantly, I survived my first two weeks as Relief Society President and so did my group of awesome sisters.  Onward and Upward!