Welcome to the Jungle: Grant's School Music Program

The Neubert Elementary second graders performed "Welcome to the Jungle" for their annual music program. It was a fun musical, based on Aesop's fable of the Lion and the Mouse.
Grant had a small speaking part. When we asked him why he didn't have a vocal solo, he said, "I wanted to speak rather than sing. I would rather sing in the choir, but not by myself." Good for you Grant. We are very proud of you.

All the kids wore "jungle colors": brown or green. I think Grant had more fun that we did. I love you sweet boy!

Brooke's Spring Dance Recital 2010

What fun we had practicing for and attending Brooke's dance recital: "Dancing Through the Decades". Brooke's class was "Tiny Tutus & Tappers 2". Each week she practiced both tap and ballet.

The ballet routine was "Angels" by Robbie Williams, representing the 1990's. They did such a fantastic job and really danced like angels.

The tap routine was "Crocodile Rock" representing the 1970's. That's why she got to wear the super-cute lime green costume. The tap routine was adorable and I could really see how Brooke is improving in her movement and balance.

What a cutie! There was only one other little girl in this class for 5-6 year olds. It made for a lot of one-on-one instruction and personal attention. I hope the class continues in the next session.

Here is our little angel, dancing to "Angels".

Piano Festival 2010

This was Trent's second year to perform the the school district's "Piano Festival". It is not a competition, but he is judged and scored. The student's are required to perform two pieces of music from distinctly different genres. Trent did "Light & Blue", a simple jazz piece, and "Scarborough Fair", the traditional folk song.

Trent played "Light & Blue" from memory, as required. He earned a "1 rating", the highest, and a blue ribbon. I am so glad his piano teacher pushes her students to participate in this. It is a great chance to refine skills and perform in front of an audience. I hope Trent continues to play for many more years.

Easter 2010

How wonderful to FINALLY have an Easter Sunday that was warm and sunny! It was such a beautiful Resurrection Sunday. The Easter service was so nice at church. I sang "Yes, I Believe" after Pastor's sermon about Doubting Thomas in John 20. We came home and had pork roast, vegetables and rolls for dinner.

The kids all looked so smart in their Easter best. Brooke definately stole the show in her handmade dress from Grandma Bauman. It really is stunning and I hope that she will still be able to wear it next Spring. We shall see. Brooke has been growing so fast! If her brothers don't watch out, she will pass them both!

It was sunny and mild....but very windy. I tried to hide eggs UP in the tree branches, but they all blew out. Trent and Grant did manage to find a couple eggs still wedged up in the tree though. We let Brooke hunt for all the eggs in the front yard by herself. Otherwise, she doesn't stand a chance against her very competetive brothers. Then we let the boys loose in the backyard. It was a riot to watch.

Brooke turned out to be the smartest of them all: The boys' baskets filled quickly until they began to overflow. Brooke figured out that if she just trailed along behind the boys, they would drop eggs out of their baskets and she would scoop them up and place them in her basket! Smart cookie!

I still enjoy doing Easter baskets. They are just fun. I don't do too much candy as that is what they get in their eggs during the egg-hunt. The boys got water-balloon launchers and Toy Story Lego key chains. Trent got a new album uploaded to his mp3 player. Grant got a Lego board game and Brooke got a set of Tinkerbell dolls.

"Jesus said, 'Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'...These things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believeing you may have life in His name." John 20:29&31

Les Miserables Audition

In the fall of 2007 I took the kids to see Les Miserables for the first time. Trent fell in love with the show, but most of all with the role of Gavroche, the little street urchin who thinks he owns Paris and longs to fight in the French Revolution. Trent asked for the soundtrack for Christmas and immediately began memorizing all the lyrics. He watched you-tube clips of past actors who have played the role of Gavroche.

On Friday, March 17, 2010, Trent had the opportunity to audition for Les Miserables through Christian Youth Theater. He worked hard preparing for the audition and did his absolute best. On Saturday, Trent got a callback for the role of Gavroche.

Then the wait began. Finally, on Sunday, at 8pm the cast list went up on the website. Trent GOT IT! He landed the role of Gavroche. He was screaming, jumping, laughing and crying all at the same time. It is a "dream-role" for him.

He has since been having the time of his life at rehearsals. He is one of the only "little kids" at rehearsals sometimes as the rest of the cast is older teens. But he gets along great with everyone and enjoys watching the teens work on thier roles. He loves every minute of the music and the theater. I can't wait to see it all come to life on stage. The talent these kids display is amazing. What a spectacular opportunity!

Toothless Wonder and "Daddy & Me"

The Tooth Fairy has been rather busy lately at our house. At the end of January, Brooke discovered her front tooth was loose. Now, for Brooke, this discovery means that there is work to be done. We have never seen a wiggly tooth dangling from Brooke's mouth because she absolutely will not let it get that far. As soon as she discovers it, she immediately sets to work to remove it. Usually late at night, she wiggles and twists and twists and wiggles. This process can take a few nights. Finally, around 9:30 one night, she emerged from her bedroom reporting that her tooth was loose enough to come out. I felt it and didn't think it was quite ready to pull without some obvious work. But, she would not be turned down. Taking a kleenex, she wrenched and twisted, popped and cracked untill POP - "I GOT IT!" she exclaimed in triumph!
I've never seen anything like it. She is determined...I'll give her that.

On the night that first front tooth came out, she learned that the other front one was slightly loose as well. The countdown began and within four days, Brooke had that one out too. She is still waiting on a bottom tooth to come in and now she is missing both front teeth. Needless to say, eating an apple is a challenge. "All she wants for Easter is her three front teeth...."

Lastly, today was "Daddy & Me" day at Brooke's pre-school. She has been looking forward to it so much. I am glad Alex could take time out of his chaotic and demanding schedule to go with her. She loves her daddy dearly.

Christmas 2009

A whole season, builds to this one day. The day we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I love Christmastime. I love focussing on God's immense love and sacrifice for us. The more I dwell on it, the more it boggles my mind.
"The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14-15) I believe Trent and Grant were awake a little after 5:00am but they stayed in bed like good boys pretending to be asleep. Around 7:00, Brooke was awake and cuddling in bed with Daddy begging to go downstairs. As soon as Mom and Dad gave them the go-ahead, they raced down the stairs and to their stockings.

Stanley got her first stocking too. She didn't know quite what to think. But she liked her new toy and all the attention.

Our family tradition is to read the account of Christ's birth from Luke 2 and the visit from the Magi in Matthew 2. It has been my joy to hand over the Scriptures to the children and listen to them read from God's Word. THen each of us says a prayer of thanksgiving for God's gift of His Son to us.

This was the #1 item on Grant's wishlist: a rock polisher. I'm not sure what he is going to do with all the rocks he polishes, but he enjoys the process! Trent recieved an MP3 player and Brooke got the Roller Skating Barbie she had been asking for.

But, the big "don-ta-da" came after the kids thought all the gifts had been opened. Daddy brought out a few final item from Grandma and Grandpa Rose. It was a gift for the whole family, but we let the kids open it.

"A Wii! It's a Wii! I can't believe it! Its amazing! We have a Wii! Ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!" As you can see, Brooke is holding her ears because the boys are screaming like little school girls with excitement!

( THANKS GRANDMA AND GRANDPA!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WE LOVE IT!!!!!

Christmas is so much more than a day for me. It is an entire season. It is everything that points to Jesus: the lights,

the trees and children in jammies,

the music and programs,

and all the blessings we have been given. Thank you Lord, for Christmas.