Kiersten's Awards Ceremony @ DPA

Kiersten's awards ceremony at DPA was shocking and great! I know Kiersten does very well at school but I didn't know quite how well she was doing I guess. She received a total of 12 awards. She received awards for outstanding Mathematics, outstanding Spelling, outstanding Reading (which means maintaining a 95% or better in those subjects throughout the whole year), then one from her art teacher for paying attention to detail, one in Strings for being so dedicated and a perfectionist, one in her Accelerated Reading class for having a certain number of 100% on tests, and several other awards. This is Kiersten with all but one of her awards. She was just beaming with joy receiving all these. Even Hunter said, "I think Kiersten beat everyone!" This was Kiersten's favorite award because it came with a pen and there were only two students in her class that received the maintaining straight A's award. This is throughout the whole year in every subject. I just couldn't be prouder of her and her accomplishments. We have been impressed with Kiersten's reading skills for quite some time but when we looked over her tests scores we found out that she is reading at an upper 4th grade level (remember she is in 2nd grade). Her dedication and "perfection" issue really has payed off in the academic department. We just love our little girl! Hunter is way excited to get awards like his older sister he said. This was Kiersten's biggest award you could say. They give out one silver and one gold President's Award to two kids in each grade. Kiersten received the Gold President's Award! Signed by the President of the United States and everything............Kiersten couldn't believe it. Great job Sweetheart! We sure love you!

Logan's Preschool Performance

Logan had an end of the year preschool performance. He was so happy to get to sing songs to his Mommy. He kept pointing to me saying, "D'at my Mommy, she has a baby in her tummy!" Logan is the youngest kid in his class. He loved riding the bus and can't wait until next year! What a fun kid he is! His smile can melt any heart!!

Kiersten's Dance Recital

This is Kiersten before her Spring Dance Recital. This year she took a combination class Jazz, Tap and Tumble. She loves Jazz the most and wants to try clogging, along with Jazz, next year. My little girl is getting so big, it just breaks my heart! But I couldn't have asked for a better daughter. She is everything I wanted in a girl and more. I tell her all the time that me and her have to always be friends because we will be so out numbered with boys soon. She promises me we will!

Not the best pictures, but she did a great job up there and is getting less and less nervous every year!

Sassy Dancing Kiersten!

Kiersten was way happy to get a metal this year and of course our traditional flowers! Keep on Dancin' girl!

Love you!

Dad loves you so much! He is so glad his little girl has so much fun dancing!

A New Belt

Our little Karate Man! His is in the Little Dragon's Class! This is him during his Belt Exam. He did such a wonderful job with his form. He earned is yellow belt! It has been a long time coming due to the months off with his broke foot and broken arm. So he was thrilled to finally get a new belt. He loves karate and he can't wait until he gets to have his karate birthday party when he turns 6!

Hunter recieving his belt from Master DePalma.

We are so proud of you Hunter! Keep on Kickin'!

Couldn't be happier!!!

Kiersten's Orchestra Concert

Kiersten plays the violin and has violin class everyday at her Charter school. Her Spring performance was Phenomenal!!! This is the beginners, 2nd Graders being accompanied by the Advanced students. They sounded amazing! I told Kiersten to smile when she was up there and she told me, "Mom I can't remember to smile I have to concentrate on the music!" So serious about doing her very best! There is a smile but not while playing. She did such an outstanding job!

This is Kiersten's beginning class of violin. We were amazed that they played six songs from memory. Pretty darn good for second graders! The songs they played were...

Twinkle with Mentor, Flop Eared Mule, Southside Blues, Liza Jane, Red Bird, and Old Joe Clark. I wish I could figure out how to put video on my blog so you could hear how good they sounded. We are so proud of Kiersten and how hard she tries at all she does!

This is Kiersten's orchestra teachers, Mrs. Kim Skinner and Mr. Kevin DeRusha. They are fabulous teachers and such a great pair. We are so glad Kiersten is enjoying playing the violin and gaining such a love of music!

This was the finale where all the students played. What a wonderful job everyone did! Justin even said he "could have listened to the music for an hour longer." That's really saying something because Justin isn't known for his love of fiddlin' music!

Kiersten is a wonderful daughter and we are blessed to have her in our family! Way to go girl!

You Know You're Pregnant When..............

You have cheese crisps for dinner..........but...........

You have these for dessert! The kids were way impressed with my creations. They were so excited to eat something that looked so fancy. Kiersten told me I should have my own restaurant! Why when I am pregnant dinner never sounds good but I could spend hours on a good dessert?

Hunter gave it two thumbs up!

Kiersten gave it one thumb up and a chocolate drizzled banana up!

Logan wasn't about to put down the dessert to give me his opinion. But from the looks of it I would say he is a two thumbs up as well!

Peter Pan

Kiersten and Hunter are in the Children's Play @ EAC. The play is Peter Pan. They have had a great time being in the play. Hunter is one tough pirate. He loved his costume so much he worn it a lot to just play in at home. He was very excited that I would buy tattoos and let him wear them. He has done a fabulous job! "RRRRRRR......Matee!"

Kiersten is a fairy. She is the prettiest one up there, of course. She was glad she got a part, which surprised me because she is so shy. The plays she has been in have really helped her gain some confidence. Penny Whetten, the director, does an amazing job with the kids. Penny is so good to make them feel comfortable, respectful to each other and helps the kids all gain self confidence. This time the play didn't start until 7:30 which is our kids bed time. I was so worried that they would be so tired, but we have been taking rests in the afternoon to help. So far they haven't complained about it being so late. Although, the first night Hunter said, "Mom I am too tired for play practice." I reminded him that it wasn't a practice that is was a performance. Hunter's reply, "Do I get to wear my costume?" He wasn't too tired once I told him yes it was finally the night to wear his costume. They have two more nights of the play so we'll see how they last.