Monday, August 27, 2012

We are Ready!

Back to school, here we come!  We had a nice relaxing week before school started which gave us plenty of time to organize and label our supplies, go through our clothes, finish up the school shopping and wait for Monday to come.  I was probably the most apprehensive because my baby is going to Kindergarten.  It is so different to be in this new phase of life without another toddler at home.  Luckily, Carlee is only going half-day so I will try to survive the morning without her.   Who am I kidding?  Give me a week and I will be complaining that I still can't get everything accomplished in the 2.5 hours that she is gone!  (Plus, I am volunteering in her class at least twice a week!  Her class is very large and sweet Mrs. Cifelli can use all the help she can get.) 

When Monday morning arrived, there were smiles all around.  The morning started off with everybody getting right up, putting on their new duds, curling and combing their hair perfectly, eating their favorite breakfast of French Toast, pictures, sending Clark off on the bus (no pics at the bus stop this year), watching a few minutes go by and loading into the car.
 7th Grade
 
 5th Grade
 3rd Grade
Kindergarten
 
 Carlee is so excited about her gray ballet flats.  She wanted a picture in the car.  
And she is sporting a new haircut!  We love it!

We all walked onto the school grounds and got everybody situated on their "dot".  Jake was off with barely a hug goodbye but I did manage to snap a quick picture before he was off to find friends.  I headed to the Kinder lot to drop off Carlee.  I took some pictures of her and when I started to walk away, she immediately started crying because she was afraid of where to go and couldn't remember where her classroom was.  I explained that Mrs. Cifelli would lead her class and that she would be just fine if she followed her and listened to directions.  She was crying pretty hard so I gave her a hug and kiss and stood with her until the bell rang.  I handed her off to Mrs. Cifelli who gave her a sticker and then hurried out the gate.  Katelyn had been begging me to come take pictures of her with her friends as they stood at their dot.  She got upset that I was comforting Carlee so she shuffled off to the big playground holding back tears too.  It is so hard to please an older one and comfort a younger one at the same time.   And the morning had started off so well . . .
 Carlee is in the same class with Julia and Evan (both in our ward) and Heather, our neighbor.
Evan and Heather were playing on the playground so we didn't get a picture of them. 
 Summer, Mia, and Katelyn
Katelyn's class stayed the same (with a couple of exceptions (Aspen :( ) 
as they all moved up to 5th grade with Mrs. Montgomery

However, everything ended up working out just fine.   I ran to the playground to try to catch Katelyn.  They were just walking into the school but I was able to take her desired picture.  The smiles had all returned to my children's faces as I left the school.  And I even had one on my own face as I headed to the buffet to celebrate "The Happiest Day of the Year" breakfast with my girlfriends.  Then it was back to pick up Carlee, hear about her day, take her to lunch, and wait for the kids to get home and the chaos of after school schedules to begin.  And I had my pile of homework to fill out and return.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Primary's Got Talent

The new Primary Presidency is keeping up with the annual tradition of a Primary's Got Talent show.  It was another great success and everybody loves watching it.  We have got some great talent in our ward.
Brandon and Kelli Albright are the primary choristers, singers, and actors around Las Vegas.  They actually met when she played the part of "Cinderella" and he was "The Prince".  They really perform when they sing in primary.  Brandon also writes his own music so he will make up primary lyrics to popular songs of today.  The kids love them!  Here they are opening the show with "The Wise Man and The Foolish Man" and the floods came up (raise the roof!).
 Katelyn performed a jumprope routing to the "Cupid Shuffle" with Lexi, Leanna, Audrey and Kirsten
 The junior primary sang, "Book of Mormon Stories"
 Carlee demonstrated how to make a PB&J sandwich for her talent.  
After all, she has been making them since she was 2 years old.
 Jake and his friends did a "doctor skit" with Clark's help
 Katelyn also sang, "Maybe" from Annie which got rave reviews
The senior primary sang, "When You Know the Church is True" an original written by Brandon Albright to the tune of "What Makes You Beautiful" by One Direction.  It was a hit!

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Jake's Buddies

Jake had some of his friends over to practice their skit for the primary talent show and after they ran through it a couple of times they swam, played "King of the Raft", and wrestled in the pool while Carlee took pictures.  She did a pretty good job so I thought I would post them. 
 Jake and Ryan
 Cole
 Ryan
 Joshua

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Alice and the Caterpillar

Clark and Katelyn performed in Alice in Wonderland, Jr. for their end of season play in August.  Katelyn was Alice and Clark was the cool Caterpillar.  Once again, they did a wonderful job and we loved their performances.  We are so proud of their talents!  Way to go, kiddos!
The Broadway Stars at one of their rehearsals
Looking through the looking glass . . .
Meeting the white rabbit
Meeting Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum
The Cheshire Cat
A very merry Un-Birthday Party with the Mad Hatter and March Hare
 
Painting the roses red (Clark is the Ace)
Alice is the winner of Simon Says.  Sorry, Queen of Hearts!
The Trial.  Off with her head!
 
 
 
 
"Alice, don't worry be happy!" says Clark the Caterpillar
Blowing bubbles in the park
Singing "Zipadee-doo-dah!"
Painting the Roses Red
Asking "Small Alice", "Whoooo are yoooouuu?" 
Taking their final bow

 Jayden (Big Alice), Katelyn (Alice), Madeline (Small Alice)
Supportive friends: Adison, Lexi, Leanna (Savannah came too but got sick right at the end)
The Swasey family came to cheer them on too.  Here is Mia!
My superstars!
And even Mrs. Montgomery came to support Katelyn
 
 
We love Ms. Nicki!
And we love Ms. Chalice!
Post-show picture with our talented little actors.  So proud of you two!