Gymnastics & Karate Performances

First I just have to say I love technology these days. RB would have missed out on both of these events it if hadn't been for cameras and video tape. With that being said last weekend was MJ's gymnastic performance, and this week was Lil's karate performance.

MJ is doing really well in gymnastics. She loves doing cartwheels and flips all over the house. I did not put in every movie that I took of her. Just a few. MJ is still pretty shy and scared. She was really nervous for the performance saying she had butterflies on her stomach. I told her this was a good thing she was doing to perform and it was OK to be nervous. A little later she says, "Mom I'm just going to think of this as if it were another practice. Now I'm not so nervous." I'm glad she is having these experiences though so she can learn how to cope with hard things that make her nervous and shy. Plus when we got there, there were three of them to perform. Three moms, one dad, and two siblings were the audience. Pretty small, and it went by fast. She excelled in floor and the tramp, and really doesn't like the beam. On the bars another teacher had to help them since her teacher had hurt her back. There was some confusion as to what she was supposed to do, but she still did good!

 

 Little Ms M was with me since this was the weekend that RB went early to help my grandma move. He took Buddy and Lil with him leaving me with her. She did good and even got into a little gymnastic moves too.

 

 Now this weekend Lil had her karate performance. RB and Buddy went to a soccer game so we had a girls night. Lil did advance from a yellow belt to a green belt. She said it was because I had paid for it, but I told her she still had to earn it. Normally Lil doesn't pull her hair back and with that it was hard for me to know which performer she was. They came out and did a roll kick thing twice, then they lined up and took a bow. Short and sweet. I was bad though because the first time around I didn't recognize Lil. The second time around I started recording knowing she had to be coming soon and was lucky she was the second one I got. Man I am awful not even recognizing my own child up on stage. I'm glad I got it recorded though. She did great!

 

 Lastly, here is RB and Buddy as the soccer game. They had a good time!

It has been fun watching my kids perform on the things they have been practicing all year. Lil advancing to a green belt is pretty cool. Plus, on Sat. we got a letter stating MJ had been selected to be on the pre-team for gymnastics. This will give her more time with a teacher. We have a meeting next week to learn more about it and see if it is something MJ wants to do. Should be pretty cool. Have a great day!

The Great-Grandma Move

My grandma (my dads mom) is getting pretty old. Her eye sight is horrible, and she has a hard time cleaning her little apartment that she had. So she moved in with my parents. In preparation for the day, my parents redid their bathroom with a walk-in shower, and higher toilet. They also re-carpeted the rooms and repainted the walls. All which needed to be done anyways. So this was good to have a reason now to get it all done. RB went down Fri. to help move things, and then I came down Sat. after MJ's gymnastics performance. We had a good weekend. RB helped move her in Sat, we were lazy on Mothers Day, and then Monday I helped my mom get the rest of the little things in the bathroom and kitchen. We got it all cleaned out. After a quick lunch it was time to come back. 

The little kids were exhausted.

The older two were happy as always. 

Since it SNOWED all day Mothers Day, the interstate was closed down. Our way of traffic was great on the way home. However the other side, which was just opened, was packed. Glad we weren't going that way! 

My grandma is making the adjustment well to a new home. Hopefully she'll like it better than being alone all the time.

MJ's 3rd Grade Performance

MJ's 3rd grade performance was pretty cute. They did a mixture of singing and playing the recorders. They had some special parts and MJ said she raised her hand to volunteer but there were too many other students, so not everyone got one. It made me happy though that she at least thought about trying to get one. I know these photos are blurry, but I was in the back and its good enough.

Here is a little clip of them playing the recorders. They actually did a really good job playing them. I was impressed for 3rd grade!

Once again, MJ did a great job and was happy to show off to me her skills in recorder playing.

The Big Boy Train

The Big Boy train came through Ogden. We decided it would be pretty cool to go and see it since Buddy Boy LOVES trains. It was well worth it! We did not expect to stay as long as we did. We just kept walking and looking at all the different trains. Some trains the kids were able to climb on and they liked that a lot. You will notice that Lil was in a mood and is only smiling in a couple of pictures. Oh well. We had a good time!

 

The train then went through my home town. My family there chased the train for a few miles. I have many memories of chasing trains as a little girl. I was a little sad that I couldn't be there with them to chase the train. It would have been a lot of fun. I'm glad we were able to see the train though. Hopefully the kids will remember it for a long time!

Ms M & More

This is one of the best parts of the month of May:

 

RB gets his smoker and grill out of the shed. Yummy cheeseburgers, pulled pork sandwiches, ribs, and briquette. It is all sooooo good!

 One of RB's students gave him this sign. It is very fitting for our family!

Now on to Ms M.  She is sleeping in a bed now. Well most nights she stays in the bed. Some nights I when I try to check on her this is what I find behind the door.

Ms M was so tired one day at dinner she was falling asleep while eating. I remember Lil doing this once or twice. Its pretty funny watching them nod off while chewing. 

 

Ms M is quite the character. She knows what she is not supposed to do and will do it anyways. She loves to tease. Her and Lil will give each other a run for their money, that is for sure. Here she is up on the table, knowing she shouldn't be, and loving it. The little stink.

We are all happy the weather is warming up and the days are getting longer. Summer is almost here and we are super excited. Have a good day!

MJ's School Play

MJ's school did their annual school play. This year they did Alice in Wonderland. It was pretty good! I like how they set up the plays for easy transitions, and maximum student participation. Of course MJ was content being a Iris flower and not having a big part. She still gets nervous and scared. She is getting better though as the years go on. She had fun and that is what is important!

 Us waiting for the show to start.

Here is MJ during her part in the play. Her costume drowned her! She had a tough time keeping it up and out of her face.

Next to a good friend. 

For some reason I can't find the video of her part in the play. I can only find her bowing at the end. If I find it I'll post it.

After with daddy.

                                                   

MJ did a great job singing and being on stage for her part. Maybe next year she will want a speaking part. We will have to wait and see.

Update: I found the video of MJ during her part on stage. It was still on RB's phone. Here is a small piece of it. 

Easter

Easter was spent with my family this year. My brothers kids came to visit and so we came to see them. I'm glad we did. It was a blast. We had a whole family reunion! Finding eggs and coloring eggs is always a must.

Opening the loot!

Easter morning goodness!

 

I learned a new trick, to put the egg in a whisk. This was much easier for Ms M. She loved it!

 We had a great time visiting with family, and enjoying Easter traditions!