Amelia's Final Ballet Recital

Amelia had her last ballet recital this last weekend. The performed Cinderella. Between the ballet and the showcase she danced 5 times! She was beautiful, graceful, happy, and very tired. :-) Here are a few pictures. We're so happy Nana, Jojo, and Lynnli could come up and watch the ballet with us! 

Amelia with some of her co-stars. They are such a fun, good group of friends. 

She was thrilled to have her first tutu for this performance. Apparently that means you're one of the "big girls" now. 

One of her dances was set in Paris. It was so cute! I think she'd do well in France. 

This recital is really long, and I was proud of Cooper lasting as long as he did. He managed to watch 4 out of 5 dances before succumbing to sleep. 

The ballerina after the show. She just beams when she dances! You can feel her love for it in every step.

I'll post a video of Amelia during rehearsal--she's not as graceful because her pointe shoe was coming off during the song and she was trying not to fall. 

Next up, Cooper's guitar recital and Amelia final orchestra concert!

Cooper's Last Concert

Cooper had his last choir concert this week. I was surprised when he came home on Monday and announced he had been chosen to sing a solo! I'll try to post it here. He did a fabulous job, and between his singing and guitar he may very well become the next Jon Bon Jovi. :-)

Here is a video of this solo. I had to trim it to a minute, even though I recorded the whole song. Notice he starts to get a little nervous and swallows a bunch before performing. Alos notice his smile when he finishes. Love this kid!

Birthday Wrap-up!

We made it through birthdays!  I still find it hard to believe I have a 14 year-old and an 11 year-old. Here's a few pictures from the celebrations:

First, Amelia's birthday:

BEST. VIDEO. EVER!

Second, Cooper:

Next up: final recitals, concerts, and field trips!

Oh My Heavens, Cooper's 11!

Cooper Flynn turned 11 years old today! ELEVEN YEARS OLD! He's knocking on 12's door! Excuse me a moment while I stop the hyperventilating. 

Cooper is full of charm, mischief, and outright fun. He is such a happy, kind, thoughtful boy and we can't imagine life without him. There is never a dull moment with him and I love him more than words can say! 

He's been a charmer since birth, still loves to never wear pants, and has a smile that is contagious and gets him out of a lot of trouble! Happy birthday, Coop! WE LOVE YOU!!!

 

Bon Jovi 2018!!

I am happy, excited, thrilled, ECSTATIC, that I was able to go to my THIRD Bon Jovi concert s few weeks ago. I was ON THE FLOOR, 20 ROWS AWAY FROM THE STAGE. I could see facial expressions, I could see guitar strings, I COULD SEE HIS MARACAS!  I went with my friend Shari and had a fabulous time! I thought being on the 20th row would be the most satisfying concert ever, and it was--but now I want to be close enough to actually make eye contact with Jon someday! It was a great concert, and I am so happy I could go! Here's a few pictures:

Can't wait for the next one!

Can You Believe Amelia is Fourteen?!

Fourteen years ago I was lying in a hospital bed, munching on toast, chatting with the sweetest labor and delivery nurse I've ever met. I had no idea how much my life would change in just a few hours.

Later that evening, at 9:11 pm, I was blessed with the most beautiful, caring, talented, loving, smart, funny, determined, and kind-hearted 8 lb. 6 oz. girl I know. And everyone else who meets her agrees with me. :-)  She went from this:

To this:

 While she weighs more than 8lbs now, not much else has changed. She still has an amazing smile, eyes that twinkle with happiness and at times mischief, and is an absolute blessing in our lives. She is dependable, kind to others, a confident little sweetheart and I'm blessed to be her mother.

 LOVE YOU, AMELIA!! Happy 14th birthday! I'm so happy you're not a sullen teenager.....yet) ! 😄 

Here she is over the years: