Relay for Life

In April (or May – I can’t remember now), the competitive teams from Emma’s dance studio performed at a local Relay for Life. I couldn’t take pics and video tape at the same time, so I only have before pictures. But, they’re still cute!

Emma’s Spring Recital ~ May 2010

May found us extremely busy gearing up for Emma’s dance recital! Because she’s on the competitive dance team, she was participated in the opening number at the recital. This required extra practices. So, between regular class times, class pictures, extra practices, and 2 FULL days of recital…we were so busy! Every single minute of it is worth it once I see her on stage. She really loves it!

Here are a few pictures from her recital…

Here’s Emma before the recital started Saturday.

Hannah and Emma are ready for tap. Emma’s class danced to Tony' Bennett’s ‘Stepping Out With My Baby’.

 

The studio performs an hour-long ballet at each recital (both days). For the winter recital, it is always The Nutcracker. For spring, it changes each year. This year it was Sleeping Beauty. Emma’s class was Little Red Riding Hood. (FYI for those who don’t know – at the end of the ballet when Sleeping Beauty marries the prince, Red Riding Hood and Puss in Boots are at the wedding ceremony.)

Emma’s jazz teacher picks the ‘funnest’ songs! This time, they danced to ‘Five Little Monkeys’ by Go Fish. I love GO FISH!

 

Here’s Emma after the recital on Sunday night. Her last number was her competitive routine called ‘Jive Bunny’.

Now, we are on the tail end of our ‘early summer’ break. We had two weeks off. Classes start again next week. The following week, Emma will attend dance camp. This is a required one-week ‘intensive’ camp for competitive dancers.  She will have classes through July and then enjoy another two-week break before fall classes start in August. She’s a bit excited about summer classes, because she will have a new teacher. I’m glad she’s excited instead of nervous about ‘new’.

Week in Review 2/7-2/13

Sunday – This is Emma’s first year on the competitive dance team at her dance studio. (She’s the one in green on the left.) Her team consists of 1st and 2nd graders. Three of the kids were on the team last year, and the other three are new. She is loving it! Sunday, they had a “full” dress rehearsal – which means full costume, stage makeup, hair piece (a full ponytail). They are dancing to a compilation of 50’s music which includes Hound Dog, Wake Up Little Suzy, Shake Rattle and Roll, and more. It is too fun to watch. They have one more dress rehearsal before their first competition in two weeks.

Monday – Here’s Emma doing school. She is (in this picture) working on a Valentine’s Day unit study. It involves written work and work on the computer (reading a bit and watching some video clips of how chocolate is made, etc.). As you can see, she loves this study!

Tuesday – Early Valentine’s gift: Matt is horrible about waiting when he’s excited about a good find! I have been talking about wanting a hand-blender and a mini-chopper for months. He came across this one today while looking for bedding at Bed Bath and Beyond, and he couldn’t wait for Valentine’s Day to give it to me! I can’t wait to use it!

Wednesday – New rug and living room furniture: Matt found this rug while out shopping for bedding. I love the way it pops with the new living furniture.

Thursday – Snow people: We got snow, and we got lots of it here in TX. While Logan and the rest of the kids went off to school, Isaac and Emma made snow people. Isaac created “Bob” the Titans snowman. Emma created “Sarah” the snowgirl. The kids were so excited by the snow. That’s one thing they really miss about Cincinnati (besides their old friends).

Friday – Chocolate Chip Pancakes: Because of all the snow, Logan was out of school today. I try to make a hot breakfast when he doesn’t have to be at school early. (He normally has to be at school by 7 for track practice before school.) So, today I made homemade whole wheat chocolate chip pancakes.

Saturday – Logan and his new car: My sweet boy turned 16 right before Christmas. Today, he got a car!! We are all so excited for him. He is happy to have the freedom to go where he wants (within reason), and we are happy not to have to drive him there! Tonight, he picked up a friend and went to dinner. Then, he met more friends for a movie! Could life be any sweeter?

**Be sure to visit The Mom Creative to see other Project Life updates.**

My Weekly To-Do List 1/25-1/29

Sunday:

• prep for school
• bake bread
• laundry
• submit job application
• clean game room

Monday:

• grocery shopping
• send pics to Walmart to be printed

Tuesday:

• library
• Emma’s dance class
• socks for dance team

Wednesday:

• Emma’s dance class
• laundry (again)
• make room for new furniture
• move our bed to Isaac’s room

Thursday:

• pack for the kids to go to visit grandparents for the weekend
• make Emma’s wreath

Friday:

• new furniture will be delivered today
• sew initials on dance team leotards
• make Valentine’s wreath

Saturday:

• Mom’s Night Out (WOOHOO!!!)
• pic up pictures from Walmart and put them in album
• grocery shopping before kids come home

Winter Recital 2009 – Day 2

Today was even busier than yesterday. We started the day with a dress rehearsal for Emma’s competitive dance team. Then, it was time for the second day of the winter recital. Emma performed her tap routine to Polar Express. She did not like tap last year and quit after the winter recital. She decided to try it again over the summer, and found a new love for it. She did really well on stage this afternoon.

Here is a picture of Emma and her best friend before heading on stage to tap. There are two boys in their class, but I couldn’t get the group together for a shot.

Emma’s jazz class performed to Go Fish’s version of Joy to the World. They did a fabulous job!! This was her favorite from this recital.

That’s the end of our “winter” season. Next up, they will begin working toward the spring recital after Christmas. Also, Emma’s team will polish up their routine in anticipation of their first competition in February.

Winter Recital 2009 – Day 1

I love dance!! Well, at least when Emma does it (not me!). This weekend is our winter dance recital. Each winter the studio performs The Nutcracker. Emma’s ballet class danced the Russian Divertissement. She really enjoys dancing in the “big ballet”. Not all the ballet classes perform in The Nutcracker, but hers does. Here are pics of her in her Nutcracker costume…

Emma is ready to go onstage.

Emma in the dressing room ready to go on stage.

Emma and a few classmates waiting in the hall before the ballet.

Emma and her best buddy (and her buddy’s brother) after they performed in The Nutcracker.

Emma and her ballet teacher after the recital.

Tomorrow, we have day 2. She will perform her jazz and tap routines tomorrow, as well as The Nutcracker again.

TX State Fair 2009

I took my monkeys to the fair! Twice!! Friday, Emma and the dance team from our studio performed at the State Fair. They helped producers unveil a new superhero character, ZR. (You can check out zrtexas.com for more info about him.) I was so excited to see Em on the stage. She didn't dance in the "main" performance, but the production crew wanted some kids to act as "extras" to fill the stage. So, Emma was an extra. She had a really good time.

I'm not usually a "fair" person. I think the prices are outrageous, the crowds too big, and so on. We ended up having a wonderful time. We met up with some friends and rode the DART rail to the fair. The kids thought that was a blast, and I didn't have to drive downtown! We were able to take advantage of the many free exhibits they had - the butterfly gardens, Little Hands on the Farm, and a "Pirates" dive show. Emma even lost a tooth there.

Isaac was supposed to be an extra that Friday, but he stayed home sick. He was so bummed! So, on Monday before my mother-in-law went back to MO, she took us back to the fair. We picked Logan up from school and headed back downtown. We rode the DART again, saw a dog stunt show, and rode the bumper cars. Isaac was bummed when we had to leave in time to get him to football practice. But, all in all, everyone had a good time.

Spring Recital 2009 - Snow White

Our dance studio spring recital was this weekend. The ballet students performed Snow White. Emma's class was dancing flowers in the "happy forest". They were absolutely adorable!!

**Emma came down with croup over the weekend. She felt horrible, but she did perform!**


Emma and her buddy, Hannah Beth

In the dressing room

My sweet girl!

Dress rehearsal