Talented Kids!

 What a week this has been. Brandon's minor league had playoffs. His team has been very good and consistent this season so I figured we were in for some good games and it turned out to be so. Tuesday was the first one and they won 14-3 so they got to play Thursday against a team they had lost to by one run previously, but this time we won 8-2. Brandon hit a double and got two RBIs and then he pitched the last inning and struck two kids out. It was a great game for him and so fun! So that meant he got to play in the championship game Saturday and it was quite a game. There was so much back and forth and good hits and awesome plays and I was on the edge of my seat the whole game and in the end we won by one run, 11-10. It was intense and fun and I was so proud of the kids on the team. They are all really nice boys and the parents are all super supportive and his coaches are just the most positive coaches I've ever seen. Even when the kids totally messed up, Coach Jason would find something to tell them that they did right. The team moms were so friendly and it was just a wonderful team to be a part of and I'm so grateful. I hope we can be with them in the fall and I'm also going to start teaching piano to one of the boys so that will be fun. So it was a busy, great week for our Minors Little League Champion, Brandon! 

 

Curtis had an awards ceremony that I got to go to Thursday morning. I was so nervous about him going to Great Mills but he has had a good experience and I like how they do some things. I have never been invited to anything at Leonardtown but I was able to go and watch as they awarded the department awards and then Curtis received one for having straight As all year, along with about 75 other kids. But there were doughnuts decorated in school colors and muffins and Curtis was sweet and sat with me and it was just a lovely morning to celebrate his academic achievements. He also went to Nest Fest on Saturday and had fun. Turns out it is a family event so maybe we'll all go next year. He had an interview with his baseball coaches too and they told him they expect him to move up to varsity next year and that he will most likely be a starter. His pitching stats were the best of anyone on either JV or Varsity and out of 33 at bats over the season, he struck out three times and got hit by the ball four times, while all the rest were hits or walks. He will be doing a lot of cross country and baseball conditioning over the summer. 

Meanwhile, it was show week for the girls. They had rehearsal every day from 3:30-about 8pm and then the show was Friday and Saturday. I wasn't jazzed about the Velveteen Rabbit but it turned out to be a fun show and my girls enjoyed all of their dances. Lily was a marionette doll, a pick up stick, a brigand, a real rabbit, a flapper, and fire. Emma was a kite, raspberry thicket, sparkling frond, a sailor and a spinning top. The first act took place in the nursery so everyone was toys and then the second act was out in the garden and so that is when they were plants, and Lily was the fire that had to burn the toys after the little girl was sick. It was so fun to see them dance and just be so happy on stage. It was also awesome that Lily drove them to all their rehearsals and got them to the show early so I could just go with the family for the first time ever. Noreen came and my sister and niece came and the Wiests were there. It is nice to have other dance moms as friends too and getting to hang out with Michelle and Sarah and Rachael. It was a wonderful weekend filled with dance!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday was stake conference and that was Josh's big day. He actually was busy all Saturday afternoon and spoke at the adult session that night which I was sad to miss. I heard good things about his talk though. Then we all went up Sunday morning and it was great. I love gathering together and wish more people came to the actual meeting. There is just something so special about being in a big group of church members that makes me happy. It was a nice meeting and I enjoyed the talks and then we waited around for a  bit while Josh did a temple recommend interview and we chatted with some stake leaders. We got home and had French toast, Josh and Curtis went ministering and then we had tatchos for dinner. I had them in Hollywood Studios while we were in Florida and found a good recipe to make at home and they were delicious! Curtis told me next time I should make two pans. 

Then yesterday was my piano recital. I literally spent all day doing laundry and baking. Lily had made lemon bars for me on Sunday and then I made mini fruit pizzas, blueberry pie bars, a raspberry lasagna and a banana poke cake. Everything was delicious and I was pretty chill all day. I guess I've been doing this long enough now that I don't get as nervous as I used to. We got there early and got set up and then everyone played well and it was a nice evening. I'm not losing any students next year so that's nice too.  I'm also only teaching the Wiests over the summer and they are gone so much it will only end up being a few lessons here and there so I'm excited for a break. I was very proud of Curtis and Brandon, both of whom worked really hard on their songs and played well. Lily played well but didn't have time to memorize her songs but that is my fault for not picking them early enough with her. Emma played well enough but I'm hoping she learned a lesson in the importance of practicing and preparation. Josh said he thinks it was my best recital yet; only one student had a hard time getting going on one of her songs and one student played one of hers too fast but everything else was close to perfect. I received two lovely cards/gifts from some sweet girls I teach and we had a good time chatting afterwards and everyone liked the food so overall, a total success. 

I'm grateful that my kids work hard and do well in school and have activities that push them to learn and grow and be dedicated. Other fun things that happened: Lily took the SATs one last time, Josh and I cleaned the church and went out to lunch, Brandon and Emma had field day, Curtis went to the zoo with his baseball team, and Jana and Brylee were in town so Lily and I got to have breakfast with them one morning and it was so fun. We miss them so much!