Celebrate!

Kyle celebrated his confirmation at church this Sunday. The service was so nice and the kids helped to organize everything including the song and bible verses. There was a breakfast for all confirmands and their families which was especially nice since we are always running late!

After confirmation we ran home grabbed lunch and then headed to the piano recital. This sounds crazy but I had no idea how much the kids had improved! The piano is being played all the time and I don't always know who is playing.

We ended the afternoon with a celebration at home with cake and family. It was a crazy busy weekend but so much fun!

Erin was by far the littlest pianist.

I know this is blurry but I love how Erin is giving Kyle "5" as she runs to her seat!

Spring Soccer Star

Paige has been so excited to play soccer this spring. She is the only one playing and that - has never happened, any season! It is nice to take her, usually by herself, to practice and focus just on her playing during the games. That is a first since usually Lindy has played as well or we have others on different fields. It's a bit of a challange to get everyone else where they need to be on Thursday nights but games are first thing Saturday morning before dance and other activities.
Upwards is such a great program especially for someone like Paige who can be very shy. The pressure is less than the recreation league and she has more time on the field. She came running off the field after her first practice and told me she already had "tons of friends"! She likes to play but she loves the social aspect just as much!
Keep up the good work Paige!

Bugle Boy Girl!

Lindy was so excited to get her dance warm ups! The pants are huge and the jacket is a little big but she is so proud to be a part of the dance competition team. Friday was her first competition and her team got second for their Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy Tap performance. All the girls did a great job and had so much fun. They have another competition in two weeks and then the recital so there is plenty of dance left this spring. I think most of the girls on the team are returning to competition next year. They are becoming good little dance buddies. Congrats Lindy we are very proud of you!

Holiday Recital

The Miller Family somewhat dominated the recital line up this year with all five playing. It was the first for both Kyle and Erin. They did a great job.

Ethan and Erin both played two songs. Ethan played Christmas pieces but Erin is not yet ready for a Christmas level book. For her first performance she played I Wish I Was A Fish and Jungle Bride, how very appropriate for little Erin. I think she was a tad nervous but really did well. The cutest part was watching her climb up onto the piano bench. Then her music book was so high on the piano I don't know if she could even see it!

Lindy and Paige both had duets with Phyllicia which was a very nice. Phyllicia also treated us to a beautiful performance. We are so fortunate to have such a talented and sweet piano teacher.


Kyle has picked up quickly.

Erin insisted on wearing her sparkly silver shoes. At first I tried to talk her into her black dress shoes but then thought we would be able to see where her little legs were hanging off the bench with the sparkles.

Oh she was so very sweet.

Lily also performed and did a great job. She is such a musical girl!

Brooke, our new Brownie and good friends with Lily, came to watch the performance. Immediatley after she broke her arm but that's another story!

Recital Marathon

She looks so little on stage but did a great job.


We had 3 recitals on Saturday afternoon. Whitney joked about packing a cooler to keep up our energy and we could have used it! Even though Lindy, Paige, and Erin all take dance at the same dance studio they were in separate shows Saturday. Erin was in the 12:00 show and the girls were in the 4:00. Ethan, Lindy, and Paige all had a piano recital at 2:00 and they also had a neighbor's birthday party at 12:30.

So we ran to watch Erin, who thankfully was the third group to dance, snuck out and went home so they kids could squeeze in an hour of their friends party.We were then off to the piano recital and then ran home changed and prettied up Lindy and Paige and were off again for their performance. What a crazy day but it was so neat to see all of the hard work of the year come together.



When the class came on stage there were hundreds of people "ahhing" at them.




No stage fright from this little peanut. She loved every minute of it and was so proud that all of her practicing paid off.



Flowers from Grommy, great job Erin!



Ethan played two songs at the recital. He did great on both. He is flying though his piano books. I can't wait to see where he's at for the Christmas recital.



Pianists working to play like Daddy.

Paige is on the far left and Lindy is to the right. They loved these costumes and the song "The Way You Love Me" by Faith Hill. Perfect country foot stomping to go with the tap shoes.

Lindy

Paige and Lindy in jazz, "Love Will Keep Us Together".

This was my favorite part of both their dances. I'm sure there is a dance name for this, Lindy held Paige's hand as she twirled into Lindy and then twirled back out. It was so cute to watch them together.



They both had a fabulous dance year. Erin is following in their footsteps! Paige and Lindy are both talking about doing jazz, tap, and ballet this fall. Lindy has some interest in competition dance but I want her to explore that and go watch some competitions before she makes a decision. But she does really enjoy it, she did not complain once this entire year about going to lessons so I know she really likes it.




Letting down after a busy day.

Flowers from Grommy, great job girls!

Music, Music, Music

Erin started piano lessons 3 weeks ago. She was so excited to start and Phyllicia was willing to give it a try. She is doing 15 minute lessons and really, really likes them. The last 2 weeks she has worked on learning her finger numbers and placement on the keyboard. Today she got to start her first song "Twinkle, Twinkle". I had to sneak in and take a picture of her littleness sitting on the piano bench during her lesson.

As soon as she got home she wanted to do her homework which was labeling the keys with colored stickers and practice her song. She is growing up so quickly and having so much fun, it is a joy to be around her.

Kyle also started piano today! He has been thinking about it for awhile and summer seemed like a good time to get started. He enjoyed today and is glad to learn something new. Erin reminds me of Kyle, easy going, happy, and willing to try anything.

She loves Phyllicia as all the kids do, she makes the lessons fun.

Putting on her stickers.

Tapping her tune!

"Whoo Hoo!" I kid you not this is not a posed picture I just kept snapping away and that is what she said.

Memorial Day

The kids celebrated Memorial Day by putting flags on the Veterans graves on Saturday. The Cub Scouts do this every year. Lindy and Paige are working on the Waving the Flag Try it and celebrating a holiday that focuses on the flag is one of the requirements. Since Kyle is so interested in history we all have a great deal of war knowledge (thanks Kyle!) and a great appreciation for the veterans and their service to our country.

On Memorial Day Monday they went back to the cemetery for a 21 gun salute and then walked from there to the Veteran's Memorial in the park. There was a brief ceremony with flag raising followed by another 21 gun salute. All of the kids really enjoyed the mornings they spent doing these activities.

Kyle and I spent last Wednesday at the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge bimonthly meeting. Kyle was on the meeting's agenda to update the group about the project he is working on. He is interviewing veterans and compiling a book to give them. It is really turning into a neat project and we have all enjoyed reading the responses.

These men have really taken Kyle under their wing. They enjoy seeing him and love bringing him things to read and pictures to share. We missed the March meeting because he was sick and on the way to Wednesday's meeting Kyle told me that he really missed seeing the vets and talking to them. Well they missed him too! He is still collecting information and we will probably have to extend his project due date since missing March but he left the meeting with 8 more people who want to give interviews so we will be busy visiting vets in the next month.


Flag placement by the Millers

One of the very decorated vets, the Purple Heart was among his medals.

Raising of the POW flag, Kyle is the Boy Scout right behind the man raising the flag.

The beginning of the walk from the cemetery to the park.



The 21 gun salute from the park.

Kyle updating the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge about his project.

Kyle and Mr. McFarland who spoke about some of his experiences during WWII.