No, it's just the photo shoot the girls did for Bill's father's day present this year. He wanted this picture frame from Target that looks like computer memory. I had the girls dress up in nerd wear and put a picture of them in the frame. But it was so hard picking just one picture. So, here's the montage of them all....
Sydney's Orchestra got together with two other schools (another middle school and the high school) to put on an awesome spring concert. She had extra practices and a dress rehearsal at the high school to prepare. I wasn't sure how she would handle it because new places freak her out (she comes by that honestly). She did an amazing job and the performance was so good! It was sad that Bill had to miss out....and, bad mommy that I am, I forgot the camera (this is an old pic)! We plan to order the DVD that they are offering so we will have at least some proof. LOL!!!
For a fun treat, Hayley's brownie troop decided to head to the Allen Natatorium for some rock climbing. Em and Syd decided to get in on the action, too. A couple of the girls actually made it to the top! It was a fun way to spend a couple of hours!!
Ready to Rock
On the Wall
Sydney had to put together a visual project for her ELAR class. She wrote, planned, directed, filmed and produced this video. I think she did an awesome job and so does her teacher as she got an A!!
After many tears and lots of nerves, Sydney performed in her first violin solo competition. Monday, she came home with a medal (her 1st) for a Superior Performance. Whew! Way to go, Sydney!!!
For the Orchestra students to get ready for their upcoming solo contest, they held a recital where they each got to play their solo. The were grouped with other musicians who were playing the same arrangement. Sydney chose to play "Go Tell Aunt Rhody". She did an amazing job and helped out backstage after her performance. We are very proud!
I decided we needed some new pictures of the girls, so on Christmas Eve they donned black dresses, had their hair done and then posed for the camera. Even Chloe had to get in on the action...hey, she's one of our girls, too!
I don't see how it is possible that Bill and I have a 12 year old daughter, but it is true! I hope this year goes by slowly as I am not too ready for a teenager, yet! ;o)
Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to go watch Twilight (again) and figure out where in the heck the soundtrack songs are played so that you can stop obsessing about it everytime you listen to it (way too much) and just enjoy the songs (more than you already do).
Mission: Accepted
Of course, Sydney had to go with me. So, while Bill and the little ones went to see King Tut, we went to Twilight....again! I think I may have missed one or two scenes, but for the most part this is accurate. And the movie was still good. But, I am ready for the DVD, so I can stop shelling out the $$ at the theater!
So, I have been busy, and we all know why. I am going to try to catch up on the blog today as I patiently do some laundry (you'll find out...).
To start us off, I have some more Halloween pictures to share that my dad took. Enjoy!!!
Because we learned how much Car-Car loved the garage sale video, the girls got together and created an encore......Enjoy!!!
So we decided at the last minute to have a garage sale today. The girls really got into it by flagging cars down to come to our sale. They even went so far as to make this little "commercial" (sorry it's a little windy here)....
What is an "informance", you might ask?? Well, for us, it was a small performance featuring the beginner orchestra where they demonstrated what they have learned so far. It ranged from how to hold their instrument to actually strumming some songs! It was really neat to see what Sydney has learned....she had never held a violin before this class! She was so excited when she passed the test that allowed her to bring home her violin. Now, she is counting down to when she actually gets to use her bow! I have put together a small video, so enjoy!!!
My friends Kristi & Veronica are in love with the Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer. I resisted for a long time, but Sydney came home wanting to read it. So, I asked the advice of my friends who said it should be fine for a 6th grader, but perhaps I should read it first to make sure. I think it was just a ploy to convert me, but oh, well, I am enjoying it! ;o)
I can't believe it is actually here, and I can't believe that I am so calm as I sit here typing this! ;o) We started the day off getting Syd to 6th grade at the new middle school! She was such a grown up about it all and didn't even let us walk her into the building!
An hour later, we dropped off Hayley to her 2nd grade class and Emyley to her Kindergarten class. Hayley has a teacher who is new to Minshew this year, and she seems so nice and fun. She also had a couple of kids from her 1st grade class in this class, so I know she will be fine.
Emyley was lucky enough to get the Kinder teacher who Hayley had two years ago! And her best friend, Nathan, is in the same class!! Of course, my friend, Joni & I are beside ourselves with joy!! LOL!!
And, now I sit here updating the blog in my totally silent, cartoon-free house! Whew! Wonder what I'll have for lunch......
Since moving to McKinney and Sydney starting her school career, we have opened 2 new elementary schools! Amazing, right?!? Well, the tradition continues (and stops) as this year, we open the new middle school! CRAZY! Wednesday was schedule pickup day, and we finally got a peek inside the new school. I have to admit to being pretty nervous about this whole middle school idea, as I remember how kids act (especially girls) at this time in their lives. But after being inside the school, and walking Syd's schedule through with her (all of her classes are in the same hallway), I am feeling more mellow about it all (Syd is too). I will continue to be on alert, though, as I know there are going to be issues! It should be an interesting journey to say the least! ;o)
One very cool thing about schedule pickup day, was they also took the students' pictures! Yep, picture day has already come and gone, for Syd anyway! YAY! I loved this, as Syd was able to wear something really nice and take a great picture.
After a crazy summer schedule, Joni finally got all of us Kinder-to-be moms together for another playdate. We headed back to the park by the school, but this time, the kiddos got to enjoy the splash pad. It was a lot of fun, and a couple more kinder kids joined us! Can't believe school will be starting in 21 days!!!! eek!
Well, the last day of school finally arrived!! We started out the morning with our last Colt RoundUp of this year. Sydney received the Principal's Award and was recognized for the many groups that she participated in this year!! YAY! She was also recognized for staying "blue" for her entire Minshew career! More YAY! Hayley was recognized for staying on "blue" all year, and they were both recognized for having had their leader badges all year long! Whew!
After RoundUp, Em & I headed to Hayley's class for her party. I was so glad that we went because her teacher presented each student with their folders of good stuff and a special award. Hayley was her class's Amazing Author! She wrote a wonderful story, and we will share it with you all soon! Em & I then popped in on Syd's party....which was way more low-key than Hayley's...LOL! Sydney wanted to stay for the whole day, but Hayley decided to come on home.
So, at 3, we all headed back up to the school to pick up Sydney and watch her, along with all of the 5th graders, take their "Elephant Walk"! It was really fun to see them walk the Minshew hallways for the last time.
When we got home with the report cards, both girls had earned all 4s! YAY!! And, I almost forgot, Sydney picked out the violin on Tuesday to play next year in Orchestra. What a crazy week we had! Summer, here we come!
So, sit back and enjoy another SHE Production - The Last Day of School!
Today was Sydney's 5th Grade Graduation....kind of a mixed bag of emotions for us all. I can't believe she has grown up so much already and will be starting middle school in the fall. At the same time, I am so excited for her because I know some of what lies ahead for her! She was so beautiful today, and we are so proud of her. I hope you all enjoy the video. The longest part is the song by the Music Makers (she is in there on the 2nd row, 3rd person in), so feel free to skip ahead once that starts. Also, the girls all got their hair cut yesterday afternoon, so be sure to check out their new 'dos in our family picture at the end.
The girls' school put on another fantastic program for us last night. This program highlighted what the kids have been doing in their specials classes (pe, music and art). And, boy have they been busy! After the music portion (which Sydney performed in) and pe slide show, we got to walk around the school and look at special art projects the students did this year. Hayley's grade made ice cream...it looked real enough to eat! Sydney's grade made panty hose sculptures....hers is a penguin! I have got to learn how they did that! Oh, just a side note, the flag picture at the end of the video is actually handprints from every student! It is truly impressive! We are so lucky to have such awesome and caring specials teachers!!! Thanks for a great year!
P.S. To my partners in crime (you know who you are), I hope my camera and our giggling wasn't too much of a distraction. And, the chirp and bark are now gone! LOL!!
