Amelia's Jazz Recital

As we come to the end of a school year, we have programs, recitals, and celebrations galore. Last night was Amelia's jazz recital. She did SO well. She was offered a place on the competing team, but I think we'll wait one more year until we do that. She absolutely loves her dance class, works hard, and has a real talent for it---more than I ever did! :-) I didn't take a video because I opted to buy the CD of the whole recital, but here are a few pictures:

             In her "Footloose" number, she came flying offstage and nailed her round-off.

At the end of the rectial, Amelia's teacher called up a student from each class and awarded them the "most improved" award. This was the student who was always on time, listened during class and worked hard, and learned the routine the fastest with the least amount of mistakes. Basically it was the students she "didn't need to worry about." SO PROUD OF AMELIA!!

Next up, Amelia's ballet recital, Cooper's gymnastics showcase and more end-of-the-year parties and celebrations!

Amelia's 4th Grade Program

Last week Amelia had her 4th grade program. They have been studying Lewis and Clark, so the play was about their adventure. It was really cute, and Amelia did a fabulous job. Her part was a "water dancer", and she danced with a flag (she got that awesome skill from me---I can still toss a flag like nobody's business!) during one part of the play.

The first graders were also watching, and when she came out to take her place, she ended up being right in front of Cooper. I couldn't believe it! Out of all the children in the gym, she was in front of him. So, in the video you will see him reach out to grab her flag and also follow the flag with his head. It was fun. I think they will miss seeing each other every day at school next year.

You will also notice in the video that she is a head shorter than all of her classmates. I forget what a tiny girl she is until she's around other children her age!

Here are a few more pictures of Amelia:

Amelia with her three closest friends. They are a fun bunch!

And just so Cooper isn't left out, here's some pictures of his 1st grade program, and some random ones with a mustache:

Happy Easter!

We started with a fun Easter/Nana's birthday celebration in Blackfoot with all the family nearby, complete with a fun egg hunt in the backyard which Cooper proclaimed, "Most awesome egg hunt ever!":

The on Sunday we headed to church all dolled up:

We also had time for some outtakes and photobombing:

Cooper Can Party Like a Rock Star!

Cooper partied, literally, all weekend. It started in his class on Friday with treats and being sung to:

Then he came home to a decorated house with a puppy balloon he'd been begging for:

On Saturday we met some friends at Leo's and partied a little more:

Then on Sunday, his actual birthday, we had cake, presents, and a surprise visit from Nana and Bompa!

For his birthday, one of Cooper's gifts was a new shirt(s). I thought he looked handsome.....until he started mimicking flashing people: 

Yep, that's my boy. Never a dull moment! Happy Birthday Cooper! Can't wait to see what this year brings!

Super Cooper is 7!!

My charming, mischievous, witty, and personality-packed little guy turns 7 today! Cooper Flynn woke up at 5:24am ready to open presents, and has been singing, dancing, and proclaiming his "best birthday ever!" since. He is such a fun addition to our family. He keeps things interesting for Amelia and I and there's rarely a dull moment. He is a wonderful brother, a fabulous son, and a pretty all-around awesome boy. We love Cooper Flynn so much and look forward to lots more birthdays!

IT. IS. DONE!!!!

After a grueling 8 months, I have finally completed my first year of full-time semesters!! WHOOOEEEE!!!!! The last few weeks were especially hard with Amelia and Cooper each taking a turn at being sick, and then I took a turn for the worse with a lung infection which resulted in a horrendous cough. However, I powered through with the help from friends, family, and---I'm not getting churchy here, just truthful--divine intervention, and completed my last assignments today!!! The hardest was my mile run for my health class I had to do this morning. As I mentioned, I haven't felt well, and still had a lingering cough and zero energy.

To receive full points, I had to improve my push-ups by six, and my mile-run time by a minute. The push-ups weren't a problem, hauling my children and sixteen pounds textbooks around took care of that. I was more worried about The Run. Before I got sick, I had been exercising regularly and my best time was still ten seconds short of the minute. So, I was understandably worried after not exercising for almost three weeks. I lined up telling myself at the very worst I'd get a B+ in this class, and hopefully all my other grades would pull my GPA up enough to keep my academic scholarship.

The coach started us off, and right away I could tell my endurance had suffered during the three weeks of sickness. I turned the volume up on my music and pushed through. One lap later, I had to drop to a walk in fear I'd hyper-ventilate because I couldn't get enough oxygen. For the next four laps I ran as much as possible, only walking when little black dots began to dance merrily in my vision. Finally, on the last stretch, I knew I was close with the time.

I knew what I had to do. I switched my song to the Rocky theme and sprinted over the finish line, arms outstretched, fists pumping the air while my entire class cheered for me.

Just kidding. Although that would've been awesome.

I actually switched off my music, so I could hear the times being called out for my classmates finishing in front of me.  To pass the run, I had to come in with a time of 9:31 or better. I could hear the times echoing in the gym, "9:15, 9:17, 9:20....". I pushed with the absolute last vestige of energy and sprinted, hoping I'd make it over the finish line before I passed out. I vaguely hear the coach say, "Come on, Jill!" as I shot over the line. I slowed down, sucking in air and wondering if I was going to throw up or faint. Or both.

When I was sure I  wasn't going to do either, I walked back to the TA and looked down at my time, almost scared to know. Next to my name I saw the numbers. I had run that mile down in 9:29. One minute and two seconds faster than my original time. I was elated as possible while trying to breathe, my lungs feeling as though they had been ripped out, and my legs barely supporting my weight. This is a bit how I looked:

However, now, ten hours later, I feel more like this:

 Oh, I still hurt. I will probably hurt worse tomorrow. But I am officially DONE with this semester, and have four glorious months until the next craziness ensues. That knowledge, and the plan for an evening of watching TV while eating ice cream, ibprofen, and Nyquil almost makes up for The Run From Hell.

The Many Moments of Amelia's Party Weekend!

This girl can P A R T Y!!!! We had a fun weekend, which started with bringing treats to her class, then a play date, then her party with friends, then her party with family, ending with her actual birthday complete with gifts and a day committed to her every wish and whim!

We walked into Fat Cats, and here's what was standing there to greet everyone that came in! (The huge pin proclaiming Amelia's birthday, not her.)

Amelia with her friend Mady.

Eating pizza while bowling! Due to it being Spring Break, two of Amelia's friends couldn't make it to the party, but believe me, there was enough squealing, maniacal laughter and craziness with those that made it.

Amelia, Taylor and Mady golfing. The sugar content in their bodies was quite high by then, and it showed.

To make an awesome day even better, Amelia hit the "500 tickets" jackpot on one of the games!

Cooper held his own with the girls through miniature golf, the ball-shooting game, and bowling.

   
 Cooper ended up winning the second bowling game. He was thrilled he beat all the girls, and I think it's because of his fabulous bowling routine:

                             
 Sunday morning was Amelia's actual birthday. By this time, we were ALL partied out, but had a great day with church, choosing what to eat at every meal, and watching "Frozen" over and over. And over. And over.

I love this girl so much! I have a hard time believing she is getting so old, but I am enjoying every minute I spend with her....even the slightly tween-y ones!  LOVE YOU AMELIA!!!