Merry Mayhem May!

 If you thought April was crazy, sit down--May is about to beat that without even trying!  We'll start with Prom 2025. Cooper asked his friend/lift partner Sage. Yes, the same on he took to Homecoming. He kinda likes her. 😉 They had a fun group that made the day and night even better. Cooper had a fantastic time and he and Sage were a beautiful couple. Best thing was they could actually dance at prom, so they tore up the dance floor, even doing a few (careful) lifts! Here's some pictures. 

The very next weekend was Cooper's last performance with Ballet Arts. He played Aladdin in the ballet Aladdin. As with the Nutcracker, Amelia did the choreography for the solo Cooper had with Natalie (Jasmine) and it was a beautiful, fluid, impressive dance!

Jake and Amelia. She likes him a lot.

The next week was busy with school and Cooper's IBA Senior Dinner and Dance. I helped with this because I'm the mother of a senior. Where are my pictures? Well, I don't have any, because it was CRAZY busy. At least for those of us behind the scenes. The seniors had a great time though, and it was a perfect ending for Cooper's ballroom era.

The following Sunday was seminary graduation. It was fun, and a little emotional, to attend. Not only was it a prelude to Cooper actually graduating, but it also was a huge step toward him leaving to serve a mission. 

Treyson and Cooper

That brings us to the first of many tear-jerking, proud, exciting moments this summer---Cooper's high school graduation. Unlike Amelia's crazy weather one, Cooper's was held in the I-Center on campus. Cooper graduated with a class around 420. He, academically, was 167. That's pretty amazing! He could've worn braids to show that achievement, but he didn't care, so we didn't buy them. 😂

It was a fantastic night that I'll never forget. I'm so grateful for the family and friends that attended to support and cheer Cooper on.  This is the link (I don't know how long it'll be posted) if you want to watch Cooper walk: https://video.byui.edu/media/t/1_ku9yu8q8

Here's a few pictures:

They had each seniors picture and name rolling before the commencement started. 

Cooper and Trevor

Ethin, Kendal, and Cooper

Cooper and Treyson

Cooper and Ian

Sage, Cooper, and Sarah

Cooper and Bro. Lusk

Gideon, Treyson, and Cooper. If you didn't figure it out--they are all ballroom boys. 

That night was the all-night party. Now, Cooper is NOT a night-owl. I didn't think he'd make it past 1:00am. Imagine my surprise when I heard him come in at 4:00am, when the party ended. Of course, after I saw his BeReal, I realized why he stayed the whole time:

If you think the fun wound down after graduation--boy, are you wrong! I suffered through the last day of school and then we loaded up our rental van and headed to Layton. Cooper decided he wanted his senior trip to be to Disneyland. Yes, we went last year with the ballroom group, but there were....responsibilities and people we were in charge of that tainted his experience a bit. He wanted to go back and do it HIS way. 

When my sister Katie found out we were going, she asked if their family could join us. After getting Cooper's ok, we planned the whole thing. We did a stopover in Vegas, hit the beach, and closed out the park! Here are some of the highlights:

Dream on, Amelia. But good effort.

Look at those guns! But alas, the sword stayed put.

Cooper on the replica of a pirate ship. He was in heaven.

Cooper related more to Gaston in this restaurant, which, ended up being his favorite place to eat the entire time we were there. 

Amelia FINALLY getting on the top row on the ride Soarin' Around the World. And all she had to do was ask.

Now, I'm not a Disneyland fanatic like some people I know--it's too much money, too much waiting, and too many people for me to really adore it. BUT, I do like it when I'm there. Amelia, Cooper and I started off the first day by rope dropping the Cars ride. It's notorious for over 120 minute wait--but we walked right on using the single rider lane. I ended up being in a car with Amelia, and we raced Cooper at the end of the ride. Then Amelia and I hit the Incredicoaster a few times before meeting up with Cooper to ride Soarin Around the World. Amelia went to get in line for Guardians of the Galaxy  while Cooper and I got some lunch and walked around San FranTokoyo square. Later that afternoon we met up with Katie and her family and hit the rides there. The next day was alllllll Disneyland. Cooper did exactly when he wanted to do, and the trip was a success!

We got home in time for me to attend my teacher workday for summer school, and closed May out. It was a crazy, amazing, fun, emotional, unforgettable month. Take a breath, and June will be up next!

All of April!

 We rushed into April with not much slowing down. Cooper began practicing for his part in Aladdin, which will be his final performance with Ballet Arts. At least for 2 years. 😃 He continued with his ballroom practices, even though competition season is over. He'll still have his final concert, which will definitely be bittersweet. I'm planning on crying during that one for sure. He also submitted his "Spirit of IBA" essay. He's hoping for one of the scholarships they hand out to help with his pre-mission planning and  purchases. I helped him with the grammar and wording here and there, but Cooper wrote an AMAZING, insightful and touching essay about IBA and how it's helped him. 

At ballroom, they took yearly pictures. I'll post Cooper's below. It's fun to look back and see how he's matured (physically and emotionally) over the years dancing with them. 

Senior Gold Team "Hercules".

Graduating seniors

Cooper and Sage

Cooper and Sage

Gold Lift Team

Cooper and Evie cabaret "Blue Suede Shoes".

Cooper and Claire "Fighting For Me" cabaret

Cooper and Kalli

In Amelia news, she finished her winter semester and moved back home. We started the adjustment period of all of us under one roof again, which is fantastic--but tricky at times. She's been dating someone since February, and he may be THE ONE. I'll keep you updated. 

Cooper had his 18th birthday party with friends. He's made so many good friends through ballroom and school, I'm grateful for the relationships he has with them. They are a good bunch and I never worry about them. We also celebrated Cooper's 18th birthday! I can't believe I have two full-grown adults now! 

Cooper has been a charmer since birth, has a smile that is contagious and gets him out of a lot of trouble! He's quick witted, kind, hard-working, and has a self confidence I envy. I can't wait to see what he accomplishes as an official "adult".

To end April, Cooper had his final ballroom performance last Saturday. It was a bittersweet experience for him, and me. Idaho Ballroom Academy has been such a huge part of his life the last 7 years. He's LOVED dancing with all his partners and learning from his fantastic coaches that have been amazing role models. It is a fantastic program run by generous, kind, talented people. He'll miss it terribly, and I'm SO grateful for the impact it's had on him! He danced in two shows, a 5pm and the 8pm. I did, too. Yes, I gave in and did the mother-son dance. It was so much fun! To make the night even better, Cooper was won $700 for his Spirit of IBA essay! I was so proud of him. He was shocked, but then couldn't stop grinning.

Janie (owner) and Cooper

Sam, Cooper and Sara. These two were THE BEST coaches and cheerleaders for Cooper. 

Scholarship recipients

Whew! April was really a fun but crazy emotional rollercoaster. It's difficult to be so proud of your child, but to also feel sad that their experience is over, especially when they love it so much. I hope Cooper takes what he learned in IBA and uses it in his life. Now, brace for May--if you thought April was nuts, just wait.