So I realized that I have quite a few quick updates. They don’t require a whole post but they are noteworthy things to put down in writing. They have all happened since Afton’s birthday.
The kids are back into school and extra activities. It’s TOO busy!! :0) Jaime, Alix, Milo and Niah all do a p.e. class with other home schoolers around the bay area. They LOVE it. Especially little Niah. She thinks she is so grown up now. She is so excited every Wednesday to go. I’m in charge this year of calling everyone and reminding them of the their job each Wednesday. That’s my kind of job; at home and only a few minutes of my time.
Jaime and Alix are both in piano now. I really felt as though Jaime was making pretty slow progress with piano but I saw a HUGE improvement over the summer and she continues to excel in piano and moving on to harder and harder pieces. Her piano teacher is not happy with her timing but says there is nothing that can be done, Jaime just has to figure it out. Anybody have any suggestions?? Alix is progressing well with her first month of piano and still loves it, so that is good.
Jaime and Niah are in dance. Niah was so excited her first day of dance that she ran up to Mrs. Gentry and gave her a big hug and said ‘I’m finally in your class’. Mrs. Gentry seemed to be just as happy to see her. After Jaime’s first class she said ‘It’s just good to be dancing again’. I’m excited for the both of them. Alix’s dance instructor is not teaching this year and so Alix decided to do an art class but that does not start for another few weeks. Milo wants to do soccer and we missed out on signing up for the regular soccer league so we are doing a soccer clinic in a few weeks.
Jaime, Alix and Milo are part of a science co-op. Well not really a co-op. My awesome friend Audrey has an equally awesome husband who volunteered to do the class. He has a good work schedule that allows him to be home in the late morning for a few hours and so he volunteered his expertise. The kids enjoyed their first class immensely and came home right away to do their homework. When they realized it would take some studying to figure out they told me I could not help them, they said it would be cheating!! We had to explain how homework works and that sometimes the parents have to help.
Park day is back in session too. We didn’t have a fabulous turn out the first week, but I’m guessing as people get into their routines, they will come out more and we will have a wonderful group coming each week, just like always.
Jaime is involved in a pre-teen group with a homeschooling group I am a part of. It is an LDS homeschooling group. It’s fun to meet new people who not only homeschool but have the same beliefs. It’s been nice. Jaime attended her first meeting and had such a great time that she can’t wait till October when they have another one.
The person that was in charge of the bread pick up is moving very soon and so I am the new coordinator of the group. It is a wonderful responsibility and I’m excited to see that this great blessing can continue.
We had a GREAT ward party a few weekends ago. They had a picnic in the park complete with watermelon eating contest, soda geysers, and a water balloon/candy ambush! A couple of our neighbors came and Scott had an hour long conversation with one. She talked with the missionaries briefly as well. It was a great testimony building experience for Scott. Helped him realize all the things he is truly thankful for.
Alix participated in a duet for her friends’ baptism. She did a great job. She really enjoys things like that and is not shy about it at all. Speaking of which, Scott, Jaime and Alix have decided to join the choir. We shall see how this goes. Their first practice went well and they are suppose to sing in church this coming Sunday. I am so pleased with their efforts to get involved in the ward and bless us all with their talents.
sami, i love reading your blog and miss you so much! i was never very good with timing when it came to playing the piano. in fact, i still don’t really know how to do it correctly. sometimes though, i think that allows a person to play with more feeling rather than be so technical. but of course, jaime’s teacher would probably shoot me for saying that! stick with it jaime, it’s a great skill to have!!
Counting: I still write down the counts in the music when it is something difficult. Have her write it down every time. She’ll get it eventually, the more she plays.
And. Can I say? Mrs. Gentry for dancing? That woman must be 100. She was MY dancing teacher at that community program when I was little and she was RAYNE’S dancing teacher at that community program–we’re talking like 30 years ago (or more). That woman never stops dancing! I’m amazed she’s still there. How cool is that?