My Son, Pinocchio

As I posted pictures of Aubrey's musical theater revue from last month I realized that I never posted anything about the play she was in way back in the beginning of April. I guess I still have quite a bit of catching up to do!

In January Aubrey auditioned for a part in the musical My Son, Pinocchio, which is a really cute spin-off of the Pinocchio story (telling it from Gepetto's point of view). She was given the part of the Dutch Girl Marionette (with a solo singing part) and was also in the kids chorus. The play practice schedule was arduous, especially at a time of the year when school and all other activities were also really busy. But, she really likes performing and being with her fellow actors. She did a wonderful job!


Backstage, she had a friend take some pictures of her in her costumes.

A few pictures after the show with Joseph and with our good friend Rebecca McDonnell. Thanks to Rebecca we didn't have to drive Aubrey to every practice and tech week rehearsal (which were held 40 minutes from our home). We paid for Rebecca's gas for the week and she drove Aubrey back and forth. It was a great help!

Spotlight on Aubrey

 

Aubrey was involved in several noteworthy things near the end of school.  First, we were invited to her school twice for special awards presentations - one for being the "Writer of the Month" and one for being "an example of creativity and hard work in all academic areas throughout the year" (her teacher's words). Below, picture with Dan after the awards assembly.

Later that same day I returned to her school to watch the kids in her class perform plays dealing with the time preceding the Revolutionary War. Aubrey did a great job acting and singing. She and two friends had written an original song describing the Declaration of Independence. So fun!

The next day Aubrey performed in a musical theater revue which showcased songs from many different Broadway shows. She sang and danced in the Oliver numbers . . .

and she was Fiona in the song "I Know It's Today" from the musical Shrek. Actually, in this song Fiona grows from a small girl to a young woman, so she played one of the Fionas.  She did such an amazing job! I have a great video of her singing, but haven't been able to get any of my videos to post on blogger. I'll keep working on it. We were amazed at Aubrey's poise and confidence. She sang beautifully and clearly and did a great job with the comic elements of the song.

Below, sitting down with the rest of the cast during the final bows.

Great job Aubrey!
(Below right - at the show Bailey won a raffle for a movie watching basket)

Little Slugger

Our Joseph tried out a new sport this spring . . .  Tball.  He didn't like the sport as much as he likes soccer, probably because it moves slower. He liked it better when his team switched to coach pitch midway through the season instead of hitting the ball from a tee. He is a good hitter and we think he looks super cute in his uniform. But don't tell him I said that. He wants to look cool.

Around the time that the season began Joseph developed an intense need for his pants to be hiked up to his armpits and his shirt tucked in tightly. So he spent much of the time in the field adjusting his uniform.

And Joseph is famous for making this particular face. Whenever he scores a goal in soccer, hits the ball in Tball, runs really well, etc. he sticks his tongue out and often hunches his shoulders. We're not sure why, but it's cute.

Sitting in the dugout in batting order, waiting for his turn to bat.

The outfield is always a little boring. Joseph tried to follow the instructions of his coaches, but mostly  found other ways to entertain himself.  Like big karate kicks. Or balancing on one leg. Or whatever.

Until next year . . .

Endings

And so it is over.

Joseph has finished Kindergarten and is ready for full day school.
Aubrey has finished elementary school and is on her way to middle school.
Bailey has finished middle school and is headed to high school.

And I am glad that the school year has wrapped up successfully (along with all the busy activities). And I am sad that my kids are growing up.  And happy about the amazing people they are becoming.

I snapped a few pics on the last day.
Joseph after his last day of school, with his best buddy Alex. Kindergarten was so awesome.
Here is a funny side note about Joseph. Bailey and I tried in vain throughout the year to get a good picture of Joseph running into his kindergarten classroom as we dropped him off on the sidewalk in front of his classroom. Each day he waited until no big scary older children were around (older, like 8 years old or something) and then he ran at breakneck speed from the van into the classroom. He always held his jacket over his shoulder with one hand and his backpack over his shoulder with the other. He never looked back or stopped until he was safely ensconced in the kindergarten classroom. On the second to last day of school Bailey got this picture of his panicked run, but he didn't have his jacket or backpack that day.

Aubrey at the end of her last day of school. She had an amazing year with a really great teacher. She was sad to have the year end, especially since she has been with the same group of kids each year (there is one class per grade in the challenge program and they move up together). They are really a good group of kids and were very close. Now the kids will be spread out among 3 or 4 middle schools.

Bailey as she left for her last day of school, which was also her 8th Grade Promotion. All the kids dressed up in nice clothes and walked across the stage in the Auditorium to receive their "diploma."  And parents weren't invited! I would have loved to have seen her promote to high school.  She wouldn't let me take any pictures of her all fancy (curled hair and cute outfit) so I had to take these pictures on the sly as she walked out of the car and met up with her friends.  

The day after school ended we hosted a party for Aubrey's school class. The theme of the party was "Elementary No More" and we held it at a nearby park. It was great for the kids to enjoy playing together one more time.

Ever organized, Aubrey had a list on her clipboard and she checked off each girl or boy as they arrived.

The kids exchanged email addresses and contact information.  Below, a group shot of all the kids who were able to attend.

Joseph invited a friend to the park with us. Their favorite activity was finding ways to bug the older kids. They were good at it.

Sunday thoughts

So, we survived Girls Camp. It was actually a lot of fun! Even though we were frequently cold and wet, sleep-deprived, and dirty . . . I really enjoyed it and Bailey loved it (like always).  I can see that there is a lot of value in the way that camp pushes us way out of our comfort zones and eliminates worldly distractions. The whole camp experience seems to strip away the pretenses and help us to feel the Spirit. And I really love spending time with the girls. I especially like sitting around the campfire and roasting marshmallows (and Starbursts - a Felida Ward tradition), french braiding hair (the girls sit and talk to me while I braid, so I take my time and enjoy the interaction), and talking to the girls when they are upset about something. I never have been and probably never will be really good at leading the girls in singing silly camp songs. I wasn't a silly camp song sort of girl and I'm still not a big fan, but I like that the girls have fun singing and dancing. I loved being at camp with Bailey (even though I'm pretty sure that I annoyed her several times each day!) I took some pictures of camp, but I believe that the camera with the pictures is now in Utah with Bailey, so I will have to wait to post them.

Speaking of which, we have a very quiet home this week. Bailey left yesterday to Utah for two weeks - she will spend one week at EFY with Ashlyn and one week with her cousin Mianna.  Aubrey left yesterday to a beach house on the coast with her good friend Breanne and family.  So, Joseph is an only child for awhile. So far he thinks it is boring. I agree - I like the noise and chaos that go along with a house full of kids. We will have to borrow a friend or two every day to play with Joseph.  I would have to say that it was much easier to get everyone ready for church this morning, since "everyone" was myself and Joseph!

Summer has finally come to Vancouver. The old-timers always say that we can't count on summer weather until the 4th of July, and that usually holds true. We will really enjoy the 80 degree temperatures tomorrow for our 4th festivities.

We are really loving Brandon's missionary letters. Wednesday (his preparation day, when he has time to write us) is our favorite day of the week! He is halfway through his MTC experience and is doing great. His sense of humor comes through in his letters, and we can also see that he is really working hard. We are sending out a copy of his emails to friends and family. If I haven't already included you on the "mailing list" and you would like to receive the letters via email, let me know.  He just met his new mission president (who is at the MTC for training). President Campero is from Bolivia, and Brandon said that President and Sister Campero are AWESOME (his words) and grandparent-like. It definitely makes me feel better as a mother to know that someone will be watching over and nurturing my boy. Brandon is especially enjoying learning Russian and comparing it to other languages he knows (he accurately describes himself as a language nerd). It will be fun for him to try to use his Spanish to communicate to his mission president and wife, who speak Spanish and will be learning English and Russian.

The end of school was such a whirlwind, and then we left a few days later to Girls Camp, so it doesn't feel like summer has really started yet. We are not sure where June went. Somehow it is already July! This week we plan to relax and enjoy everything that is summer . . . slip 'n sliding, swimming, sun on the face, riding bikes, buying ice cream from the ice cream truck, lazy mornings, lots of homemade smoothies, structure-free days. Bring on summer - we have earned it!