Salute to the May that should have happened

For the most part I've been pretty positive about all the good things we experienced from our socially isolated life that we wouldn't have done if things were normal.  Such as spend time in Southern Utah in May while the weather was perfect with  both sides of our family.   Or the easy going evenings all together not rushing around only hanging on our deck or driveway with everyone around.  

Now that it is the end of May my heart has been hurting for some of the "normal" things my kids didn't get to participate in.    The last couple of weeks of school are so memorable for kids because it's such a celebration of completion.   I remember the excitement I felt from my childhood  with these activities such as packing a sack lunch filled with some special prepackaged food that we seldom had at home for the field trip the next day for our "hiking" day in the Park.  It's just plain sad they are missing the social side of school.

One of the things cancelled that is so hard for my mommy pride heart was Aaron's First Grade Program.   Back in late Feb. early March I got a message from Aaron's teacher Mrs. Turner asking if we would be willing to help Aaron with the lead part in the play.    Aaron was so proud and excited to be the Frog even though it involved pages of parts to memorize.   He immediately had so many ideas of how the costume should be.   I was just plain proud that the teacher thought Aaron was up to the task.  I've seen this play a couple of times and noticed the main character seemed to be one of the brightest kids in the class.   Just as Aaron and I were spending time each day tackling the endless amount of parts the school closed down supposedly for just 2 weeks.  We continued to work on the parts for a few more weeks fully expecting school to resume but that wasn't to be.  (insert crying emoji)

On this blog I'm going to take a moment for the posts like Aaron "big" debute in his class program or the other memorable end of school year experiences that just never happened.   

Stupid Covid-19 just needs to go away!

Jane's graduation clap through

Sprucewood teachers honored the 5th grade students moving on to middle school with a clap through.  Jane loved seeing her teacher one last time and I loved that she was handed an award for Excellence in Leadership.  Jane's a leader through and through and it was nice to see her honored for her work this year!

Jane with her pals (L-R  Piper, Kambri, Sadie, Jane, and Peyton) 

Jane and Val

Chambers

I'm sure I'm mentioned a time or two about my pig headed daughter Emily who gets something stuck in her head and will do anything to make it happen.

In maybe 5th or 6th grade Emily watched the elite "Alta High Chamber's Orchestra" perform and she knew right then she wanted to be a part of it when she went to High School    She worked her butt off (with an awesome viola teacher and some push and bribery from her mom).  She practiced and practiced then practiced some more.      

Last month she submitted an audition video to the High School music teacher.    She fretted so much about it and re taped herself over a dozen times. I gave her encouragement with a little "it will be ok if you don't make it this year seldom do Freshman make it.  It's like trying out for a sports team as a Freshman and making the varsity team.  It might take a couple of tries" type of speech.   She was so nervous but the due date came and she hit the send button and waited.  

Here's a screen shot of Emily's audition tape

Emily and her best friend went on a long walk to get snow cones.  During the outing I got a call from a very ecstatic 14 year old saying "Mom I got into Chambers gotta go my friends are texting me!!!"    Jane was with me and we both hooped and hollered with happiness for Emily long after the call was over.     

As a mother I often wonder when my kids put themselves out there who's heart is more on the line theirs or mine.    The risks are great but when they land the spot the relief and happiness we feel for them are one of the best parts of being a mom!

I'm so excited for this opportunity for Emily.  I know she will have a great crowd of people in High School through it.    I've loved how her friends and community of people like some other mom's in my ward who have high schoolers in the music scene have texted and congratulated her.   As we dropped off her music her middle school music teacher congratulated her.  Told her not many Freshman make it into Chamber and please remember the little people when she becomes famous.  I've loved to watch her face light up from  all the praise!

Stay tuned for more as Emily the Violist takes on Alta High School next fall!

   

Cabin Fever

A week or so ago Bart suggested that he take off a Friday and we spend a long weekend at his parents cabin with some of the other Richards already scheduled to be there.  i.e.  "funcle" Jeff, Kim, Carver and adorable baby Conrad.   I'm so happy anytime we have the chance to get away from our quarantined "cabin fever" life and what better way than to spend time at the Jewel of Escalante cabin.  Since last summer my girls have had "cabin fever" awaiting the time to go back.  What better time than with grandparents some of the other cousins (wish the other ones could have been there too), a soft squishy newborn to cuddle, so much yummy food and fabulous weather to do what my family likes best, playing in a lake of water!

   

A Who from whoville?

Bart was due for a hair cut about the time everything shut down.    Two months later he's beginning to look like a whoville character.   Comment  which one you think he is. ;)   

Jane Richards "teachers assistant"

In all of the changes with school and the workload being shifted to home I'm beyond grateful for how responsible and conscientious Jane is with her school work.    I never worry if she's caught up on her work.   She's the early bird gets the worm sort of a gal.  I had to laugh because early into digital learning  I asked Jane about her virtual class meetings.  She told me how some of the kids just goof off and how annoying they are.  I ask her if she talks in the meetings and she said "Yeah a lot.  In fact I should tone it down a little."  

A few weeks into digital learning Jane was awarded to be the CEO of the month in April for the trait "responsibility".    Jane's teacher dropped off a box with the certificate and a bag of goodies and then Bart and I joined her google class meeting and listened to her teacher go on and on about how much she appreciates all Jane does for her class, how she keeps them all on task and is so responsible and is an example to all the other kids.   

Jane's teacher has a weekly drawing for a small gift card with all the students who came to all the google class meetings.  For weeks diligent Jane never missed a meeting hoping each week she would be drawn for the gift card.    Finally on Cinco de Mayo Mrs. Allan knocked on the door and said she thought Jane deserved the Del Taco gift card for Cinco de Mayo because she's been so diligent and hardworking at home school.    Jane was so beaming with happiness at the gesture.    I then said now that you've got the gift card if we want to go hiking or do something fun you can  miss the meetings right.  Jane responded with "No I can't just miss the meetings.  I have to go to every one of them or I'd be missing school."  

Jane just finished up her wax museum flipgrid, which is a recording she made and submitted to her class of her historical figure she was given.  Jane was Abigail Adams!    She looked so adorable as a colonial woman and did a fantastic job with her report and presentation.   

  

Capable Aaron

 A few weeks ago I was swinging Spencer  and Aaron was casually swinging across the monkey bars and I ask him how many pull ups he can do.   He was confused about what I meant by "pull up" and after some instruction I was surprised he couldn't do any.    So I challenged him that if could do 5 pull ups I would go buy him a swing drink and cookie.   That brought a sparkle to his eye and he pulled and pulled but couldn't make it happen.   I told him it was something he was going to have to work at and over time it would be easier.   Later  I found him on youtube looking through videos about how to train yourself to do pull ups.    For a week or so he went out every day and worked on it until he got blisters on his hands.  Within that week he amazed me by showing me that he could already do 3 pull ups.     Then we took off for Teasdale and he took a  break from training.     A couple days after we got back we were outside and I said "Aaron how many pull ups can you do now."     He jumped up on the monkey bars and just like that he did 5!    It was then off to swing for my strong capable Aaron's reward!!

Lovely Mother's Day

These 4 are my everything!   Bart and the kids did such a wonderful job making my mother's day so wonderful and I thank them for making my mother's day the perfect day!   

Aaron's composition

Aaron successfully completed his 3rd year with "Let's Play music".   Despite his class going completely virtual he was still able to perform his composition on a zoom recital his teacher held with other students.    

Here is Aaron's composition and introduction.   

I've loved Let's play music.  I love the way it teaches music theory that is fun and easy to understand.  I'm go grateful we found a teacher next fall that does the Bridges program so Aaron can continue one more year and become even more awesome at the piano.