Gabi is 7!!!!!!!!

Okay, Okay... so she was seven weeks ago... I'm soooooo behind..... but I couldn't just leave out this special little note about her.

Gabi is still bright and energetic. She continues to love to learn... especially when it's science. Exploring, discovering, experimenting, reading... whatever helps her understand the world, she loves. She certainly prefers the hands on in this side of things.

She continues to enjoy writing and drawing... and of course, reading and reading and reading and reading and reading and did I mention reading.... yes, she's almost always found with at least one book in her hand. That may change soon as baseball season is fast approaching and the wintry muddy mess is nearly gone which means she'll revert to sports fanatic again! :)

Gabi has grown so much... maybe not so much in height (though a little there too).... but in understanding. This year, with everything going on and stuff just piling up, she was so good about us having to put off and put off and put off her birthday party. But, in true Gabi fashion, we had tons of kids here for a nice, loud, Land Before Time pizza party adventure! (We were kind and let her open family gifts on her birthday). And since Gabi doesn't like frosting (unless it's Hershey's perfectly chocolate frosting... everything else is too sweet), we printed off a picture and just stuck it to the cake.... Oh my... I almost can't believe I suggested it to her ('cause I like stressing over making cakes my kids will love).

Ever more and more helpful, Gabi learned how to do the laundry by herself! Yes... BY HERSELF! And more importantly, she loves it! Now, when she finds out I've been doing laundry, she always accuses me have taking over "her job". She also has been a great help with Baby C. - feeding him and singing to him (of course, so have the other kids... everyone seems to think they need to fight over who gets to help him... he is, after all, only awake so much of the time he's here).

She loves to challenge herself... and since she's planning to be baptized when she turns 8 (and we've talked a lot about how it's her choice to make and that she needs to learn for herself if the gospel is true) she's decided to try to read the entire Book of Mormon before she turns 8. That's pretty amazing... and she loves to read the Book of Mormon, so I'm sure she'll meet her goal!

She still says she's going to China on her mission... now she's determined to somehow learn Chinese so she can be prepared!

I'm still amazed at how fast the time has flown... but very excited to see our little girl growing so well - developing her talents, finding her interests, and sharing her enthusiasm for life with the rest of us!

L. B. S.

After the chaos of last night, I was explaining to my children what was going to happen with getting everyone ready for and into beds.

Gabi: Is this going to be an L. B. S. ?

I continue for a second - then stop "An L. B. S.?" (with eyes raised)

Gabi: Long Boring Story!

Apparently she's been reading a little too much Judy Moody!

Primary Presentation

Yesterday was the primary presentation. It is always one of my favorite days because I love to listen to the children sing. I must admit that I was a little nervous about what would happen with Beth. She's so... well... touchy about when and where and if she'll do something.

She hadn't ever been interested in doing her part... because it was too boring sitting and getting to it. So I told her that the actual presentation would go much faster than the practice. And that she'd be able to do lots of singing and so it wouldn't be too boring.

Well, I managed to convince her to go up. But then her sister and two friends had already gone up. So she started to melt down. I quickly figured out the problem, calmed her down and walked up with her (forgetting Peter, by himself, in our row... who then had his own melt down). Anyway, she ended up right in front of Gabi... that was a good thing.

She stood up with everyone when it was time, but was still frowning... then they started singing "I am a Child of God" and her eyes lit up... even though she was still slightly frowning. Then she realized Gabi was behind her and she just grinned. After that, every time they stood to sing, she'd twirl her dress from side to side while she was singing. It was really cute.

When it was her turn for her part, I saw her get up, hang her head and I almost panicked thinking we would have to race up and rescue her. But, she gave the "helper" a strange look, then turned to the rest of us and recited her whole part from memory! A friend beside me (who had been Beth's nursery teacher) commented that Beth made it through! For those of you who know Beth, you know this was a huge accomplishment for her!

Gabi did great - as usual. She was smiling, she knew the songs, the signs, and her part. She enjoys getting up and doing the presentations. She really likes the spot light!

The Lost City

Eating dinner with the Missionaries last night, Bob was sharing some of the "climate" of where he served in Chile. The easy comparison was "Los Angeles". Here's a bit of what followed:

Gabi: Why? What happened to it?

Me: What happened to what?

Gabi: What happened to Los Angeles?

Bob: Nothing. It's just like where I was on my mission.

Gabi: Then why is it called Lost Angeles?

The correction and translation were then given with many laughs all around - even from Gabi!

Sweet Sunday Angels

My other story is has more to do with the love of three little children for each other - but very cute.

Sunday the girls were in their skirts and cute shirts. The day before they had seen some rather large maple leaves. Having gotten permission to go outside, they came back with two each of these very large leaves. They then asked if Grami would tie them together and put them on their backs so they could be angels!

So Grami, being as creative as she is, obliged and she had the presence of two little maple leaf angels in her home. After a time, though, the girls decided they wanted to go outside again. Jeremy immediately told them "No", but they already had the door open. And Jeremy began to scream in hysterics!

The girls came back, and and eventually Grami was able to get Jeremy calmed down. When she asked him why he was so upset and didn't want the girls to go outside. His reply, directed at the girls (and still sniffling) was:

"If you go outside, your wings will make you fly away and I'll never see you again!"

The girls were touched, but immediately started laughing! And then Bethie said:

"No they won't. We're too heavy!"

He accepted that answer with a huge sigh of relief - and the girls headed right outside - where, indeed, they were too heavy to fly away!

Fair Experiences

To our great enjoyment, the fair just down the road decided to return - there the larger fair in anothehad been rumors that last year was it's last. Though we've always gone tor town, we decided to try this one instead. I'm not big on crowds and it's only a walk down the road instead of a drive to hunt for parking and then fear that I'll loose the kids.

Saturday, after dance, I packed the boys into the double stroller, and all the kids and I walked down to the fair. (Bob had to work) The girls were so excited, as they remembered going on rides last year. When we arrived, I divided the entry money between the girls (one price for the whole family!!) and they eagerly tried to pay the man. He looked us over, smiled, told me I was brave and that he was only going to charge for me! Saved us $8!

As we walked over to the rides (this is the most exciting part for kids - right?) we were entertained by an amazing trash can band. I did not get pictures because of the eagerness of the girls to get to the rides - and because I thought I'd have time to after they were done. (I, of course, was wrong). But Gabi, Beth and Jeremy were all able to ride on the kiddie rides. Gabi is still small (I have small kids), so she didn't get to do the big rides yet. Probably next year - if we can take someone along who likes to do that kind of stuff!

I was amazed that Peter just sat in the stroller, watching everyone else ride, never complaining, just excited to see the "train" and the "trucks" that the others were riding. The only "trouble" worth noting was when the three were on the "roller coaster" - which Jeremy was uncertain of when it first started, and by the fifth or sixth time around was ready to scream. He only started to fuss a little on the last part of the last round. Though the girls were eager to do it again, Jeremy would not go back to it!

After the fun rides, we wandered back over to the little farm area. The larger fair is much better for animals - although you have to walk through three or four barns to see them all. But this little area was perfect for my young children. Peter got out of the stroller and was so excited. It seemed his favorite were the geese! He'd pet which ever animals I'd let him, and point, grin and babble at everything that I wouldn't let him touch. Jeremy loved the roosters - walking around and crowing along with them. I loved the doves - a perfect pair of white doves!

Since we had time - we wandered along, looking at everything. We stopped and got some popcorn and settled down for a little snack. Half way through that, we noticed the magician was setting up, so we headed back over. When we got there, Professor Paddy Whack was all set to start playing and singing some silly children's songs. The kids really enjoyed that. Peter wasn't too happy with the volume, but as long as I held him, he was content to stare at the strange, loud man. Jeremy was treated to a "balloon banjo" to "play along" - the magician also makes all sorts of balloon shapes and animals. Jeremy was a little confused until I showed him how to work it. Then he wouldn't let anyone else touch it!

As soon as the music ended, we moved into the tent a little further to watch the magic show - which, as we all know, is as much a clowning act as it is tricks! The kids were delighted - though weary from time to time as different people got up to "help out". They soon figured out that it was all fun. Gabi was even chosen to go up for the last trick. She was so excited... and so was I... until I realized my battery had died!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And, of course, in my rush to get us all out the door... and wanting to take as little as possible with us.... I had left the spare battery in the camera case at home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What as I thinking?!?!?!?!?!?!

Oh well.. she had tons of fun! She got to be the one to hold the "magic wand" that, of course, wouldn't stay together! At first, when it fell apart and the magician started asking her what she did, she got all serious and a little "nervous" and started trying to "explain" what happened (she's way too much like her mom) - then she figured out it was part of the show and started laughing so hard she could barely finish helping! She got to make a "bunny" - though the first attempt brought out a green cloth with a picture of a bunny eating a carrot on it out of the black hat. Then she got to tap a box... and out pops a real live rabbit!

She was so good about not having any pictures... she simply said (after the initial look of disappointment) "That's okay, Mom. We can still blog about it!" (Isn't she sweet!?!)

Jeremy had been asking for fireworks since Thursday... so I let the kids stay up late, in the hopes that we'd actually be able to see them. I didn't want to take the kids back to the fair because I knew Peter just needed to be in bed... 8pm is past his limit! So, at 9:30pm we headed out to the deck to watch for popping lights! Sure enough, they were high enough that we could see them from our front porch! It was wonderful to just watch - not worry about loosing my kids in the dark, to how we were going to get out and get everyone home in one piece! It was a wonderful way to end the night!

The Sports Life

Soccer season began two weeks ago. It's not too bad - though all the kids are involved this year. Gabi is playing on the K-2 team again, and this time Bob is coaching! She excited about that, and most of the kids already known him from baseball. They haven't started playing games yet - there has been a lot of trouble trying to get the other rec chairs to help us out in setting up games. But when that all comes together, they will be playing on Saturday mornings. They are even doing a Round Robin Tournament late in October!

The pre-school group was one I was helping with. The original "coach" (if you could call us that) and her family are moving, so I am taking over as the head. That should be interesting since Peter is technically too small to be int he pre-school group. Never -the-less, they are all having fun. It's only one night a week, so it's not bad either.

This week marked the beginning of dance for this year! The girls are ever so excited. Gabi has moved away from Saturdays onto Thursday nights now. She even started pre-jazz (although they won't be doing a jazz dance - so just three dances for her again). She dances for an hour and 45 minutes straight!

All of the kids in Beth's combined 3-4 year old class last year have moved up. Obviously those who are now 5 years old moved to the Kindergarten class, but those who are now 4 are trying it out! So, we decided to do the same. The motivation was not wanting to upset Beth when she realized all her friends were in the other class, as well as having class in the morning instead of through lunch! As far as the dance skills go, she's definately ready. She practices all the time and can even do much of what Gabi does because Gabi teaches her. So I wasn't concerned about that part at all.

Anyway, this morning was the first class for Beth and she did great! Not a single break down (mild or full blown), smiles the whole time. She even readily made new friends with some kids who switched over to her dance studio this year! She's so happy to be dancing again - and especially excited that she'll be doing 3 dances this year instead of 2! She's also dancing for an hour and a half instead of just one hour!

So, the "sports life" begins again! It's crazy (I know, it will get crazier as they get older and the sports take up more time!) but we're enjoying it! It's great to have the kids out and involved!

The Chocolate Challenge - Gabi Did It!

Yesterday was a very special day... for Gabi... and for us as her parents! See, a challenge was given to the Primary kids (ages 3-11) to memorize the Articles of Faith (this started last summer). As a reward, they would receive a large chocolate bar.

Well, since Gabi already had 6 of them memorized, and since she loves a challenge, she decided it was time to learn the rest. She raced through 7-12 without much trouble and all in about a month. Then started in on 13... the last, the longest, and thus the hardest. It was the same time that school started up, and although she still wanted to master it, she had many "other" things on her mind and schedule. The process slowed way down.

This summer she decided it was time to get back on it. She worked on it all summer, and had most of it memorized... only getting stuck by leaving out one word. A couple of weeks ago, she finally got it! She was so excited.. but we forgot to call the Primary president before church, so Gabi made she I tell her at church. The next week (yesterday), she was presented, in front of the whole Primary, a one pound Hershey's Chocolate Bar!

Sweet girl that she is, she immediately started sharing it with friends and family! :) Way to go Gabi!

(Bethie has been working hard too... she knows the first 6... she wants to have a chocolate bar to share too... we'll let you know when she makes it to this exciting mark.)

First Pie

Gabi has always enjoyed helping in the kitchen. So, since I had the unexpected pleasure of picking blackberries two days ago, I let her make a blackberry pie! She did almost all of it herself. I helped her read the recipe (since that's still a little confusing with all the "parts" and not just "wholes" to deal with) and I assisted in rolling out and forming the actual crust. But she put together the berries and mixings, and made the crust herself. The kids even cut little shapes from the left over pie crust dough and sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar... I call them cinnamon-sugar scraps... whatever they are, they are yummy and only last as long as it takes to cool enough to get in the mouth!

The pie is wonderful! Gabi tried it, although she decided there were too many seeds for her. I wasn't too surprised, since all my kid will only eat seedless jams! :)

Dancing In The Rain

Wednesday night the girls had the wonderful opportunity to dance on the street along with the rest of their dance school. It's something the dance school has been doing for the past several years and Gabi had a blast with last year. Both girls had been looking forward to this all summer.

So the day arrived... and, as you may know from the earlier post, it was raining.... pouring. We went into town to get new glasses fitted for Amber and then called to make sure the drive would be worth it (as in, it wasn't raining so badly that they couldn't dance). And, sure enough, where we were going things we're looking more hopeful. So off we went.

It was still raining when we arrived. But not as badly as it was back home. The girls were chilly (especially Beth) so they had on their jackets. I was amazed that you couldn't tell that Beth was cold at all while she was dancing. She really does love it!

Anyway... thought you'd like to see a couple pictures of the girls "Dancing in the rain".... a fun time and neat experience.

Can't Keep Her In Books

WOW!

That's really all there is to say!

Wow! Wow! Double Wow!

What's so incredible? Gabi sat down tonight with a new book... a new book she'd never seen in her life. A book I figured would last her at least until we left on vacation... even if she read it most of the day.

So, she sat down to read it... an hour later I walk into the room and she's 90 pages into. I can't believe she has any idea what she's read because that's just too incredible. So I take the book and ask her about it... she started telling me in great detail about the book! I was shocked, to say the least! Needless to say, I handed her back the book... half an hour later she had finished it... all 156 pages!

WOW!

Children's Discovery Museum

Okay... so I mentioned that I went on Gabi's field trip last week. It was a bit refreshing to get outside the normal Mom-at-Home mode and into the real world a little.... even if it was with a bunch of elementary schoolers!


The ride up was long... and thus long on the way back too. It almost seemed not worth the time we ended up with to explore... when you consider that the driving time (both ways) was about double that of the time spent there. Still, the kids had a lot of fun. As usual, I have way too many pictures, so I'll be sharing only a few with you.

We started with something they called "Creature Feature" where the children were told about, introduced to, and sometimes would watch and other times could touch different animals.
























In our "Creature Feature" we learned about the Indian Tiger, two types of Walking Sticks, Scorpions, Tarantulas, the Giant Sea Turtle, and a Tortoise. It was fascinating (even for me) and fun to watch the children shrink away from certain ones and get real close to others.

After that, the children had the opportunity to "play" in the various different areas which helped them learn about different things... like the human body, habitats, physics, light, sound, and, of course, much more.








I had taken Gabi when she was really young.. I believe it was before I had Beth. So she, obviously, didn't remember it. She loved it, didn't want to leave, and some day we'll have to plan a trip for our family when we can really spend the whole day there. It's certainly a great place for kids.




On the ride up, the kids were very excited to see two airplanes coming in for a landing. It was fascinating to watch their eyes light up as most had never seen an airplane that close before!

The Truth Behind The Rudeness

As Gabi has been 5 and now 6, I have watched her shift from the more pleasant and peaceful (cooperative) child to one who demands that she get her way. I've often wondered what makes a child go into such a "destructive" zone. Destructive because it causes such emotional heartache (mostly for herself), distance in relationships (because we can't seem to understand one another any more... I know, just wait until she's a teenager... okay... I'm dreading that), and, at times, because she physically lashes out at whatever is around her (objects, not typically people.. therefore, dangerous, once again, to herself).

But I also have seen her continue to show genuine concern, love and compassion for others. She's sensitive by nature, and has a truly sweet heart. I've especially enjoyed seeing this side of her come out today as she's spent time with her cousin.

See, we brought Libby up here to stay with us for a week (maybe longer, depending on how quickly her mom is able to recover) so that her mother could rest a little easier when she has baby brother on Monday by way of C-Section. She's two weeks older than Peter. (I now know what it's like to have twins in the 16 month stage).

Libby loves people.. children especially. And Gabi loves to have a reason to pamper and dote on someone else. A little someone else. Someone whom she can just love and help and make happy. (They say children preform based on the people they see the most... I guess I should take this as a compliment) Gabi is with her most of the time. Making sure she's got enough to eat, that she's got the right toy, that she has help on the slide. She speaks to her in soft, sweet tones. It's wonderful to see this side of Gabi linger so long today!

It's also made me stop and think. Why, when her very nature is to be so loving and gentle and kind would she be so deliberately cruel, resentful, rude. And then I realized the answer. It's me. (No, I'm not taking too much credit... not yet anyway.) Really. It's me. And her dad. And maybe her grandparents (though I can't say that for sure). And maybe her teachers (again, I can't say that for sure either)... so, let me explain!

All her life, Bob and I have tried to instill in our children a sense of empowerment. We feel very strongly that all children need to be empowered. We feel it helps with self worth, and in building a strong, secure character. We have taught her (and her siblings... oh, boy... look out) that they have free agency. They have been blessed with the ability to make choices. For better or worse. They have a choice to make every moment of every day. As she's grown, we've given her choices so that she would have to choose something and then recognize the conscious effort in choosing. They were safe choices; then they were helping her stop and recognize good and bad choices.

What I have mistakenly seen as resentful, spiteful, hateful moments from my daughter, are not in fact such. They are, instead, a child trying to act and not be acted upon. How do I know this? Because whenever such battles arise, it never fails that we'll hear something about how "it's my choice" or "I get to choose" or "you can't make that choice for me".

We have explained to our children that along with choice comes stewardships and responsibilities. We are all children of God. We are all equal in that way. But through His marvelous plan, families were created, so that we could help each other, teach each other, and learn and grow together. And that, as parents, a loving Heavenly Father requires us to protect, teach and even, at times, to discipline the children He has so careful grated us stewardship over.

I can see where these two issues would create friction. Gabi knows that the family is ordained of God. That His gospel is true. She also knows that she has a right and a responsibility to make her own choices. But what she's been learning is how those two parts work together. She has been learning that she still has a choice, even when Mom and Dad seem to be making the choice for her. She can choose to obey or disobey. And she understands that she chooses her consequence at the time she chooses her action. And that actions and consequences are inseparably connected (not that she always likes this).

This complex set of "rules" which was expounded from the original "you always have a choice to make" is more difficult to stomach. Not because it's more confusing. No, more because it's accepting that free agency came at a price. And because it came at a price, there are rules. And so, free agency does not mean that we are free to do whatever we want without consequence. But rather, free agency is free because it allows us to choose to obey our Lord and Savior who died for us. And in so doing, we must accept His plan which binds us to stewardships, responsibilities, and the consequences of our actions (our choices). Learning to faithfully and steadily follow these complexities requires that we make sacrifices (not always doing what we might first think we want to do) and to trust that someone, who loves us more dearly than all, knows better than us.

It is a struggle.

I still believe in empowering her. But now, when the sweet and gentle Gabi slips away behind the mask of anger and retaliation, I can remember that she's going through a struggle, as she learns what it really means to have free agency.

MUD DOGS Season Begins

Well last night was the first baseball game of the season! The MUD DOGS season, that is! Gabi has been having so much fun learning to play baseball, and we all went out to see her play last night.

First, I must say that the other three kids were rather antzy! You know how hard it is for a 4, 2, and 1 year old to sit still... or at least stay in the right area and off the field. We, of course, were there in time to watch the warm up (which, for Jeremy) was more than enough. He just wanted to be on the playground (which we spent 2/3 of the game at... around the corner of the building so you can't see the game). I did make them wait long enough for me to see Gabi play (although I never saw her play in the outfield... so the little ones will have to appease me again for another home game before the season is done)!

Okay... the game. It's the first level baseball (just up from T-Ball) so there are a few rules that are a little different. Like the coach pitches to the kids. There are only 6 innings instead of 9. And I'm not sure if it's a rule or if it was just a good-sportsmanship idea.. but the kids could only run one base if the ball was in the infield, and two if the ball went to the outfield. Never-the-less, it certainly made it more fun for the kids... and the parents watching... to see all the kids get a chance!

Gabi was able to hit the ball her first time up to bat! (Okay, I forgot to tell you I'm now going to brag a little... isn't that something mom's are entitled to?) Being her first year in the game, and her first game, she started running the other way... but it took just a second to correct that and she made it to first. (Although we did have to tell her she needed to actually touch the base, not just get close to it.... I don't think she had any trouble after that... and besides, it's all about having fun and learning the game).













With a good run in the team, she was able to get to second and third bases. And then she was able to make it home. I think she was the first score of our team (although I can't say that with certainity because I did have three other children to be watching). And it wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for the other hitters behind her! I love how baseball is a team sport! (All sports are, or should be.. but baseball... at least at this level... has to be!)













Anyway, I was, as her mother, very excited for her to have been able to make it all the way around. (And happy that I'd been able to gather the pictures all at once... except outfield...so I could get the little ones off to the playground before I went insane from the boredom. Jeremy's boredom that is... the one that just can't stand to be bored so he goes off in search of a reaction from the nearest, and easiet, target... Beth)

Oh, yah! The kids got their T-shirts just before the warm-up. And they were able to choose their number... first come, first choice...Gabi is number 6... I bet, knowing Gabi, that's because she is 6!

Great job, Gabi! Great job, MUD DOGS! Have lots of fun with the next game!

A World Of Dance

That was the theme for dance this year! It was really neat to see all the different costumes and then to see the different styles of dance put to ballet, pointe, tap, hip-hop, acrobates, and jazz. I was really impressed with with I was able to see of it all!

Friday night was dress rehearsal! Talk about crazy for me!

The girls were very excited (we were able to leave the boys at home thanks to our home teaching couple), but from the week's activities, they were also very tired. I was not sure how things would go with Beth (she's hard in new situations even with sleep. Without sleep is just trouble). But, I'd talked with Gabi before hand letting her know that she would probably be doing a lot of it herself (the changing and lining up). Thank goodness she's so independent and had friends there whose mothers were very willing to help out!




There wasn't much gap between the girls' routines (one dance in between the first time, and two the last time with Gabi somewhere in the middle of that also). So that made it fun in the "line them up, walk them down the hall, wait until they are ready to be left alone, and run in to see them dance, then run back out to meet up with them"!













Beth was nervous about me leaving her in the hallway to go see Gabi dance, but she just scowled a little and set her jaw. Once she got through the first dance, she was fine! But another little girl was not. Her mother had left her in the hall (like most mom's do) thinking she'd do better that way. I was the only familiar adult face and she was crying and wouldn't let go of my hand. I almost didn't get to see any of Gabi's first dance that night, but I convinced her to let me run in and see if I could find her mother. The place was too big and dark, so I snapped only a couple of pictures (not even knowing if any came out okay) and raced back to be with her. I had promised I would come back and stay with her myself if I couldn't find her mother right away. It was hard to not see Gabi and take all those pictures, but I knew what I would have wanted someone else to do if it had been Beth. And fortunately, Gabi was very understanding when I told her what happened. (And during the actual performance, I was able to watch all of my girls' dances)



All the kids had so much fun in the "dressing room" while they were waiting for their next dances. All of Beth's class were dressed up as little lions and they started chasing Gabi and her friends around. This, of course, started with Beth and Gabi playing themselves and the others joining in. There was a bunch of roaring and laughter! And the little lions all climbed up on one of the tables to get their picture taken together.



It seemed that the moms in the preschool class were much more interested in "posing" and "cute" pictures. Gabi's class (and the moms there) were much more laid back and just visiting quietly.

Beth and Amber had several pictures taken together, and we made sure to get pictures of Amber for her mother (since her mom's camera was broken). Amber and Beth were friends all year, but Rosie (Amber's mom) and I really only got to know each other back in the end of March. She's deaf and had tried to ask me a question about recital, so I was able to try to pull up some of my sign language. She was very excited that I knew little, and we signing through the preschool class whenever we were both there. I wish I'd had been bold enough to approach her at the beginning of the year because I had seen indications that she might be deaf. But honestly, I was terrified because I hadn't used signing for conversation since college! (Just a few words here and there with the kids). It was fun to see how quickly I was able to brush up on my skills, and learn new signs. It was neat the first Saturday that I came home and realized that I had not had to write anything down on paper to get the full meaning across! It's been great. And she a wonderful person.

Unfortunately she'll be moving at the end of the summer. But, until then, we're going to try to get the girls together some and I'm going to do my best to keep up with the signing! I love it and it was great to have a reason to "dig it out of the closet".

So, recital! The girls were, to say the least, very tired! Grami Cretia, Tia, and Baby Braeden came up late Friday night so they would be there to watch on Saturday. That really meant a lot to the girls. And we recorded their dances for family and friends who were not able to make the trip!

Everything went well for the girls, until Bethie's Lion King dance (her ballet). It had already been over an hour and a half since she'd been on stage with her tap, so she was really run down, tired, and BORED. Since the costume was full feathers, many feathers were shedding from the costumes. Bethie found a couple and was holding them, blowing on them to keep herself entertained. I walked to the backstage door and then ran around to be able see her. The acrobates on stage were just finishing up. The lights went out so they could put away the mats and just before the lights went back on, I heard a cry. It sounded like Beth. "Oh, No!" I thought. And I was no where close enough to find out the problem and get her calmed down.

But, then I didn't hear anything for a minute. The music started. Bethie, being the last in the row, shuffled out (although she might have had a little help, I'm not sure). She was crying. Stood sideways, rubbing her eyes, crying and crying and getting louder and louder. Suddenly someone steps over and picks her up and carries her off. I run out the door and down the hallway to meet them as they come out the door.

As I get her calmed down, I find out that someone (not certain who, though it sounds like one of the adults) took the two feathers out of her hand. So although I'm dumbfounded as to why anyone would take away feathers from the hand of a 4 year old when the whole costume is feathers, I refocus on her, explained quickly to the helper what happened. She didn't comment, but went backstage again. I told Beth if she could calm down she could go out and finish the dance with her friends. She started in all over again because she needed it to start all over again. I had to explain that they couldn't do that. And when she was finally calm enough to go back on, the kids were coming out the door. So, that set her off again. She was screaming as I started to race her off to the changing room. But, because she wanted to watch Gabi's last dance, she calmed down and I was able to send her in to sit with the family. We also told her that we'd let her dress up and do the dance at home and we'd record it for her Gramis. That made her a little happier.



She's still sad about not being able to dance. And I've managed to calm myself down from the (as a friend once put it) "mother bear reaction". It was hard. My daughter was sad, crying, upset. She's 4, but dancing in her life right now. She's a perfectionist, and she's got certain sensitivities that she's been working hard to over come but which make it really hard to transition quickly, or let go of sudden emotion. I do realize that no one there knew this about her. And most likely, being a dark space, they simply saw she had something in her hand and wanted to make sure she would be safe and took it out, not knowing it was only feathers. Or, they might have been knocked out when they were bringing the kids forward to start out onto the stage. In any case, I'm certain that no one was trying to be mean or trying to upset her. But the result was crushing for Bethie. (I'm sure she'll move past it, and I'm sure dance will still be her passion).

Before all that happened, Bethie had her cowgirl/boy dance ("You've Got-A Friend In Me") of which someone had told her class that they were going to "steal the show". So, of course, Bethie needed to know what that meant. And sure enough, Saturday night, they got hoots and cheers in excess as they went on and went off. They were very cute.

Gabi was charming! She had worked so hard on each routine at home; practicing over and over and over again. She practiced "Run, Run, Rudolph" so many times that I think Beth and Jeremy knew the routine too! It was not uncommon to hear any of them, and Jeremy in particular, running around the house with hands on hips singing "Run, Run, Rudolph, Santa's gotta make it to town. Yeah, Yeah." By far Gabi's favorite was her acrobats.

Bob and I thought her Mulan one (the ballet) was the most beautiful. I suppose part of that would have been because the colors were really very good on her. Regardless, she loves to dance and it showed. Her tap was a little "congo" and I caught Gabi singing "the rhythm is gonna get you" throughout the day Saturday and again Sunday. She was a shining star!













Anyway, you'll see five videos in addition to the pictures. The pictures are from Friday night, the videos are from Saturday night. With the one exception of Bethie's one that we had her do here so that Gramis could see it. You can see how hard it was for her because she's a perfectionist and doesn't believe it is okay to forget or mess up. We had to do the dance a couple of times and I had to explain that it was okay if she forgot a part and to just wait until she heard something that reminded her of what to do next. (When they are on stage, they have someone in the wings dancing with them so they can remember it all. That made all the difference for Beth to feel comfortable about dancing in front of people).



Most of the videos start out-of-focus. That had to do with the black background starting and the camera not knowing where or on what to focus. Just keep watching and they will clear up. Sorry that they weren't clear all the way through.

Enjoy. The girls certainly had a wonderful time!