Evelyn has kept very busy this month! Busy with Wizard of Oz rehearsal, school work, and preparing for an 8th grade promotion audition! With two different groups of friends. She auditioned with Emma and Caylie singing "I'll Fight For You" and then also with Amaya, Sara and Elijah singing "You will be found" from Dear Evan Hanson. Unfortunately, only one group made it into the program- but I'm just absolutely THRILLED that she gets to sing with her buddies- Sara, Amaya and Elijah! SO excited for her! Tons of rehearsal pictures below because the kids spent a lot of time working on their song and perfecting every minute of the performance. The professional pictures from Aladdin came back- they're pretty cute! Along with a few cast party pictures. It's the end of an era at The Classical Academy and it makes me both sad and excited for the next chapter. Ev had an amazing middle school experience and musical theatre experience with Mrs. Grimes and Howard- that's for sure. I am so grateful for these past few years we've spent "home-schooling." Wouldn't trade it for the world. And now onto meeting new friends at CYT. Although most of her time is spent with Caylie and Emma, sometimes Amaya-- going to Disneyland, Belmont Park (thanks to Grandma), having sleepovers, walking around Target and the mall, hot tubbing celebrating birthdays and going out for desserts.... just being a 14 year old! But it's so nice because I love watching Evelyn enjoy her friendships and have fun! She's a hard worker and always up to something!
Tournament season has started for Dane! He's been super busy with soccer AND flag football to juggle. Last weekend was his football finals and he made it into the SUPERBOWL- a big deal! Sadly, they lost that big game, but he had a wonderful time with Coach Tighe and Braxton and Pat and Conner-- friends he's been playing with since 2nd grade! Dane always enjoys Oceanside tournaments because that means the Carlsbad outlet mall and Rubys with Dad. And now that Braxton has joined the team, the two of them have a blast hanging out in between tournament games. Dane continues to be such an academic! His report card reflects amazing grades and effort-- lots of O's from his teachers for effort and all A's. So proud of him. Dane is a good reader too. He's been super interested in the Maze Runner series as of late. He just started Tuck Everlasting- yay! I love that book ( a school requirement). I bought him Trevor Noah's latest book that was modified for teens and he started that last weekend too. Sure love my little academic! Aside from sports and school, Dane is enjoying being a deacon and the responsibility to pass the sacrament. Though he gets nervous on Sundays, he always does an amazing job and we are so proud of him. He loves going to activities and loves his friends at church. But despite all the peer pressure, he wouldn't sign off on joining their musical number for the school talent show! They all teamed together to lip sync and dance a song but Dane was having none of it, despite being begged to join! Haha. At least I know he won't succumb to peer pressure easily!
And I'm just realizing I have 30 million pictures of Evelyn and 2 of Dane for April-- Ack!
Grant has had an awesome month. He's been so mellow and so great at going to school. Not a problem in the slightest! Really! He's loved meeting Mr. Garehardt at school in the mornings and then going to class-- it works really well. He always calls me at recess. It's been a fantastic improvement and I am so relieved and happy! Grant saved his money for a few months--and that along with his splash for cash money- he used on a ticket to Disneyland! Thankfully Grant has the best dad ever who took the day off from work to take he and Evelyn up to D-land. Evelyn had also spent her money on a 3 day pass to use with her friends. Proud of both of them for saving their money and using it wisely on a fun experience! They had such a great day and I was excited they got to go do that. Grant has been super busy with both soccer and lacrosse. He is quite the lacrosse player! He really is good and aggressive and coordinated out there on the field. It's a little scary to watch, but he loves it! Grant has been growing his hair out and it's looking pretty good! I convinced him he needed a haircut but only for the sides and even I, who always prefers short to long on my boys, think he looks pretty suave. We decided that Grant's therapist was not helping too awful much and it was quite expensive on top of it. So I now continue to take Grant out of school once a week- 1 hour early on wednesdays for his "therapy" which is typically a trip to frozen yogurt or the book store and a chat with mom. I think it's working just as well as therapy anyhow. Love that kid.
Anna the birthday girl has had a busy full month! She is too funny! This month she was given permission to change her earrings and boy has she taken advantage of that privilege! She changes her earrings about 10 times a day! It's adorable. This month Anna loved celebrating her birthday, shopping for birthday gifts, hanging with her buddies- Nora and Millie, spending a few days with Grandma and Grandpa, and weekly Saturday morning gymnastics! She detested and whined about CYT classes on Thursday night- although once she's there, she has a great time. The kids are learning a few songs and short little prose from Mary Poppins Returns. She loves it but hates it all at the same time. Anna has learned how to text and we all love when she hops on the phone and sends a message- video or emoji or texting style. Anna loves to make up songs and sing and dance all afternoon. She loves to make up stories while "reading" books. She hates doing homework, loves going to school and is the best pasta-eater on earth! She still tolerates crafting with Mom and gives me hugs kisses all day long. She is so kind and tender and loves to be scratched. She loves to snuggle and do whatever you're doing. It's sweet. I feel like she is a little friend Heavenly Father sent to me just because He loves me. She makes me so happy.
