Jared's Last Week of 2nd Grade!

During the last week of the year, Jared's elementary school has a Dance Festival, where each grade performs a dance for the parents.  Here is Jared's final hula dance (also shown in a previous post with Jared all by himself.)  He worked so hard to learn this dance!  He is wearing the blue Hawaiian shirt off on the left side (ok,and I think he is off-screen for the whole middle section of the dance--I couldn't see what I was filming at the time!  Oops. Enjoy the commentary by Alan and me.)

Jared with his 2nd grade teacher, Miss A. He is holding up a DVD of pictures she made for each student

Jared had an amazing year this year.  He excels at every subject and enjoys helping other students.  He finished the school's entire Take-Home Reading program halfway through the year, but he still spent lots of time reading every day.  He was kind of sad that the schoolyear was ending.  :) I'm so proud of him for how hard he works!

Maggie's Preschool Program

At the end of May we went to Maggie's preschool program and graduation.  Her class presented "The Tortoise and the Hare" and Maggie got to be the hare!  It was such a surprise--she totally hadn't told me about it.  She was so cute and had her lines memorized so well!

Maggie the Hare

Maggie's cousin and best friend Summer was the tortoise!

Oh, I love this cute girl!!!

They were pretending to be wind with these streamers

Maggie the graduate

Maggie's class

Maggie with her teachers, Miss Mitzi and Miss Barbara

Maggie is so excited for Kindergarten next year.  I can't believe how much she has grown up these past few months!

Maggie's Ballet Recital

Maggie has been in a little local ballet studio with her friend Ava this past year.  She has loved having ballet every week.  I took these pictures on her last day of class. 

 Each girl got a princess crown and a certificate.

Maggie with her teacher Miss Hillary 

Maggie had her ballet recital at the end of May.  I was supposed to have her hair in curls for her costume and unfortunately, Maggie has the same stick-straight hair that I do.  I attempted curls with sponge curlers and was moderately successful.  :)

Maggie's costume

Here are the videos of her performance.  Maggie is mostly the third from the right.  Most of the girls, including Maggie, seemed pretty clueless and had the "deer-in-the-headlights" look from being on stage. Ha ha.

I think Maggie knew this second dance a little bit better:

Maggie on stage

Maggie with her friend Ava

I loved seeing my beautiful girl and am glad that she loves dance just like her momma.  I am excited to see her progress a bit more this next year.

Payson Temple Open House

Me with two of my Billies--former roommates

On a very windy, chilly Saturday in May, my family, my mom, and two of my best friends (and family) all went to the Payson Utah Temple open house together.  I was glad that I had some extra tickets so we could all go together.  The temple was beautiful inside and Jared especially was excited to learn about the different rooms of the temple.  

Ann-Marie flew in from out of state, and Caroline and her family just got back from living out of the country for a couple of years

My family with my cute mommy

 Ann-Marie, Caroline, and I had a fun weekend together.  We hung out just the three of us Saturday afternoon and evening, and then Sunday evening all of our families got together at my house for a yummy dinner.  It was fun to catch up with my best buddies.  We missed you, Ashley and Kate!  Next Billy party, right????

Happy Birthday, Maggie!

It seemed like we were celebrating Maggie all month long!  Not only did she turn 5, but she graduated from preschool and also had her first ballet recital.

Maggie wanted pink cupcakes with pink frosting, and I really went all out by decorating with these princess figures.  Thanks to Aunt Alisa for two of the princesses, and thanks to Princess Candyland for the others.   I know, I'm soooo fancy.  Ha ha.

Maggie got another Elsa dress for her birthday.  The one I bought her at Christmas did not have long sleeves (it was actually a nightgown), so I finally relented to buy her one with long sleeves and a longer cape.

Maggie also wanted a mermaid tail.  I was happy to find this modest one on Amazon.  

Maggie and her loot--lots of new clothes

Happy birthday to my sweet girl.  She is excited to be five because that means she can go to Kindergarten and also swim in Grandma C.'s hot tub!

A few random pictures from May

I crocheted these dresses for the girls over a year ago and am pleased that they still fit.  Evy will soon outgrow hers.  I love that Maggie suggested that they match for church one day.

Wearing Mommy's shoes

Alan got this amazing robotic Lego set for his birthday.  You can build it in all sorts of configurations and then use programs to have it do certain things.  Jared and Alan spent many nights putting it together in this cobra configuration.  

Sleeping Beauty.  I love that she's cuddling her favorite blanket.

Jared's spring soccer

Oops, I think he missed.  Ha ha. 

Jared has had a very successful spring soccer season.  He has improved so much over the past year, despite being the very youngest on his team of 2nd and 3rd graders. He really likes playing defense, which works well since he's not really aggressive.  

 We had some very chilly games and even one in the rain (we have had an unusually rainy month of May this year.)

Jared's coach has been wonderful.  He has given each boy "recognition patches" to wear on his jersey and makes sure every one feels special.  Jared has enjoyed receiving the MVP patch a couple of times and having the coach call him a "solid rock wall."  Ha ha.  I'm so proud of Jared.