Kenedy in Moab

Over the weekend Kenedy went to Moab, Utah with some of her roommates and college friends. She had a lot of fun and sent me some pictures of her good times.

Ty, Cassie, Ashley, Kenedy, Adelaide, Jack and Zach

Avynlea's Turning Point Ceremony

Avynlea had her 8th Grade Turning Point Ceremony about a week before school got out. I thought it was a little strange for them to have what is essentially a graduation ceremony when they still had finals to take but I don't make the calendar. I was helping Cyndi that morning put stuff away from our dance recital the week before and so by the time I got to the school for the ceremony there was a line out the front door. Alison arrived before I did and she had a place in line saved right by the doors. When it was time to go in the line was almost to the parking lot, it was pretty crazy but I was so happy we were in line closer to the front. There were only two of us so when we finally got inside I managed to find seats in the second row on the side. I was pretty excited with how close we were to the front. There was an extra seat next to us which I saved for Sadie Niblett's Mom. She didn't know I was saving her a seat so I searched the audience until I found her.

Avynlea's jazz choir performed a couple of songs and it was fun for her to have one last middle School performance. 

After way too many speakers and musical numbers it was time for the turning point. They announce each kids name and then they go over to the light board, turn on a light and then make their way past all of the 8th grade teachers and go back to their seats. 

After Avynlea had her name read she went to turn on a light and had a bit of a struggle finding a bulb that would turn on. The poor thing, she kept trying and trying until she finally got one lit. Once she was done she headed past the teachers. This is my favorite part of the entire ceremony. I love watching the teachers congratulate and hug their students. It is always such a good feeling to see how much these teachers love your child. 

After the ceremony was over I took pictures of Avynlea with her bestie Sadie and then some pictures of her on her own and then with me and Alison.

Avynlea asked if she could have a new dress for her turning point and so I took her to Kohls where she tried on a bunch of dresses that were too short or too low cut. While she was in the changing room I went looking for some more outfits and found a really cute pencil skirt and top for her to try on. She loved them and they looked so cute on her and she was pretty excited with the new outfit.

All About Rylee

For some reason it was dress up week at Rylee's school and the only day she wanted to dress up for was Hawaiian Day. We found a cute flower shirt in her closet and paired it with jeans and a pair of my sandals. She really wanted a Lei so we went to the Dollar Store where we found one plus a matching flower for her hair. She definitely had a cute Hawaiian look.

Rylee went to Tayci Olsen's 12th birthday party and her Mom sent me the pictures she took of the two of them. What cuties!

Rylee was in Student Council this year and really enjoyed it. But when she got a letter inviting her to apply for the National Junior Honor Society she decided she wanted to try for that and said if she got accepted she would do that instead of Student Council in 7th grade. She filled out her application and submitted it and I told her not to worry if she wasn't one of the kids chosen. I said she was a great student but a lot of kids were trying for NJHS and I didn't think they would accept everyone. The day she got her letter she came home and said when opened it and first started reading it that she initially thought she got rejected and she was pretty bummed about it. She was walking with her friends and told them she didn't get in. They were sad for her but then she continued reading her paper and read that she was accepted! She is so funny! She told her friends that she really was and they were happy for her. She was super excited to tell me her good news when she came home from school that day.

One of her duties for Student Council was to take a group of 5th graders and show them around the school. Her group was the Wagon Wheels and she seemed to really enjoy her sign.

Monday night Alison and I went to Star Middle School for Rylee's induction ceremony into the NJHS. Avynlea, Kefford and Ryker went to Ryker's Golf Banquet, it was a divide and conquer kind of night.

Once Rylee got her certificate we had to leave to go to Eagle Middle School for her end of year Orchestra Concert. This was such a busy night and I am glad we were able to fit it all in.

Rylee did really well in her concert and even had a duet with another student. I thought it sounded pretty good but she said she messed up a little in the duet. I am pretty proud of her for all of her hard work in learning a new instrument this year. I am excited to see her progress in her Violin skills as she continues in orchestra next year.

I was on the phone with Heather when Kefford and Rylee left to go to the Goodwill. Heather wanted me to take a picture of the items RYlee brings home with her because she says Rylee always get interesting things. 

This time Rylee got a book and a pencil holder. I took a picture of Kefford's Corn mug that he bought from Goodwill a while ago because he thought it was funny and sent it to her as well. 

Lightning Crashes

We have had  a lot of heavy rain in May and on this Sunday it was no exception. After we ate our dinner we were all in different areas of the house napping. I was downstairs in my bedroom. When I woke up I was lying in bed listening to the thunder and lightening when suddenly the thunder and lightening happened simultaneously with a loud BOOM whichI felt in my bones and made me jump. I got up and went into the living room and was looking out the window when Kefford came downstairs saying he could see smoke at the Winters house and he thinks they got hit by the lightening. He called Paige to see if they were home and ok and she said she thinks they were hit but she also thought they were ok.

We decided to head over there in the rain just to make sure everything was ok.

When we arrived Paige was on the phone with 911 and Fire Trucks were on their way. We could hear the operator telling her that everyone needed to stay out of the house but Kefford felt he should go in and check things out. It is a good thing he did, he went upstairs and found a small fire had started in the bathroom. Being a quick thinker he turned on the sink faucet and scooped water with his hands onto the fire to put it out. It took the fire trucks a while to get there and that fire could have gotten really big really quick so it was a good thing for Kefford to have done what he did.

Michael and Paige

Once the FireFighters arrived they went in and checked things out and thanks to Kefford's quick thinking all they had was some smoke damage and a ruined vent thanks to the lightening hitting it. The Fire Chief took a picture of the area where the lightening hit her house and it was a small quarter sized hole in the upstairs vent. It was crazy!

Kefford had to give a statement to the Fire Chief and then after making sure the Winter's didn't need anything else we headed home. What a crazy turn to our low key Sunday.

Elevated Dance Project Dance Recital

The end of the year for dance is always so bittersweet! I am definitely ready for a break from the dance schedule and recital is always the best but I know I won't see a lot of the same girls next year and that makes me sad. I get to know these girls throughout the year and I love every single one of them! Some of them drive me crazy at times but I adore these kiddos and am always thankful for the time I get with each of them. 

This is the first year that I really got teachers gifts. Some of the Mom's and dancers were so sweet and wrote me really kind notes and gave me super thoughtful gifts. Thank you notes and gifts are definitely my love language!

The recital was broken up into two shows. I had four dance classes this year and I had two classes in each show. Each class did two dances and so I had 8 dances I choreographed, taught and had to remember so I could help them on stage. It was a year of growth not only for my dancers but for me as well. One of my favorite parts of teaching dance is seeing how much my dancers have progressed through the year. I love seeing the ones who really struggled with coming to dance class in the beginning grow and thrive on stage, it is amazing! This year I taught more dance classes and had to choreograph 7 dances! I was super nervous about this but I am so proud of the growth I saw in myself this year as a teacher and choreographer. I found confidence in myself and I learned that not everyone can handle the littles like I can, I did not know that was a skill but it is and I have it! I had a great year and I really love my job!

Twinkle Mice

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Anything For You My Love

 (Bottom Picture) Back Row: Dottie, Annie, Paisley, Madison, Hannah, Sophie

Front Row: LeeAnna, Rylee, Sara, Juliette and Raegan

Flowers

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When Can I See You Again 

(Bottom Picture) Back Row: Kyah, Abigail, Kylie, Ashtyn, Amelia

Front Row: Tatum, Savanah, Remi and Sophia

Oysters

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Stompy the Bear

Eleanor, Guen, Eden B., Etta, Roen, Ellie, Eden S., Lennox, Kya, Kate and Colbie

Twinkle Mice

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Disco Hippo

(Top Picture) Back Row: Eva, Morgan, Lilly, Aida, Brynlee

Front Row: Ady, Lucy, Sadie and Desi

Every single dance went great and I was super happy with them all except I was really disappointed with the Oyster dance. I had to be in the front so I couldn't put them on the stage when it was their turn and I had Sydney help me with that. She did not get them out in time and they were lost and confused for a lot of the dance. It made me really sad but their Moms were super understanding and told me it was great and they loved what they saw.  Phew

But other then that it was a great night and I went home happy, ready for summer break and looking forward to what next year brings!

Avynlea Pops Concert and Awards Assembly

Tuesday was Avynlea's Pops Concert. Her jazz choir did songs from "Grease" and the Lovely Ladies choir did songs from "Annie". It was a fun performance and Avynlea was the cutest one on the stage!

On Thursday I went to the school for the 8th Grade Awards Assembly. Avynlea received a certificate for getting a 4.0 her 8th grade year and she also received one for having a 4.0 all three years of Middle School! She is one smart cookie!

Mother's Day

I had such a great Mother's Day this year. I have really disliked Mother's Day the past couple of years. My kids usually spend the day fighting and the talks in church always made me feel less then adequate. This year my kids were on such great behavior and church was the best! For Relief Society all the women went to the gym where we sat in a circle and listened to the Bishop speak for about 5 minutes. We were served cake by the Young Men and then after the Bishop was done all the men left and we got to sit and visit with each other for the rest of the hour. It was so nice and so relaxing, I wish we could have it that way every year!

Kefford and the kids made me a delicious french toast breakfast. I love that Kefford thinks to add the little things like limes for my water and the bowl of fruit.

Kenedy ordered me a box of Crumbl cookies which Kefford picked up the day before while I was at Dance recitals. That was so sweet and thoughtful of her and it really made my day. I got to talk to her later on that night which was fun.

Rylee was making the weirdest face in church and I couldn't stop laughing at it. She is a crack up!

I forwarded a groupon for chocolate dipped strawberries to Kefford as a hint hint for Mother's Day. I was so surprised when Rylee presented me with a box of chocolate covered strawberries that day. Kefford said the ones I sent were too expensive so he made his own. I was so impressed, they looked like fancy store bought stawberries, and tasted so good!!

Avynlea got me another aloe vera plant. The one I got last year died and I hope I am able to keep this one alive. I am so bad with plants.

Ryker got me a stadium chair which I was super excited about! 

I also got  an instagram message from Kenedy which was really sweet!

Mother's Day was the best this year and I am so grateful for my kids that make me a Mom!