Cardi's Spring Orchestra Concert

Remember way back in March, Cardi had her first violin concert and   I only posted pictures because I was having technical difficulty posting the video?  And remember how I promised to post it later?  And then...mmm...how I never quite got around to it?   Well, last Thursday she had her second and last orchestra performance for the year.  And guess what?  I am having technical difficulty posting that performance as well...But, I am posting pictures so hopefully you won't be too disappointed...Although, they did do a fabulous job and I do wish you could have enjoyed the video...

These 2 fabulous young ladies were just a few of the 40 kids who performed in the Glenwood Elementary  Orchestra on Thursday...  I'm a tad bit partial to the one on the right...I think she's pretty neat!  The pictures below is what the scene looked like as the kids were tuning their instruments and preparing for the performance.  There's Cardi center staged, second row.

And this is the scene in the balcony as we waited for the orchestra performance to begin...

They did a great job!  They played a number of songs including "Scotland's Burning," "Two Step March," and "Fiddler's Hoe Down."

The Jefferson Middle School 5th and 6th Graders also performed.  Again, it was amazing to hear the difference that a year can make.  The 5th and 6th graders won superior awards at the annual competition in Dollywood!  If I remember correctly, the 6th graders won the overall competition!  I have to say, while it was wonderful to watch these young kids perform and even though I am definitely partial to that sweet kid in the Glenwood Orchestra, I really enjoyed listening to the 5th graders play!  They played "Cripple Creek," "Moonlight Tango," and "Sailor's Song."  Every time they played another song, it instantly became my favorite!  I am so sad that Cardi has decide not to continue playing the violin.  But I am excited to see what she would like to try next...I heard a rumor she is going to join the chorus next year in middle school...

Refreshments were served in the lobby after the concert.

And guess who else was there performing?  Yep, we ran into Jas and Anna!

Bella ran into a friend at the concert as well and they got the opportunity to enjoy hanging out...Don't they look cute in their matching purple shirts? 

Bella's Art Work is on Display at the Oak Ridge Municipal Building

Guess whose art work is on permanent display in the City of Oak Ridge Municipal Building? 

Yep, our sweet, fabulous Bella!  I wonder if that means we get a discount on our electric bill?  (  =

For the last 6 or 7 years, one student has been selected from each school in Oak Ridge to have their art work placed permanently on display in the Oak Ridge City Municipal Building.  We feel so honored that Bella was chosen.  If you get the chance to walk around the building there are a lot of beautiful pieces of art for you to enjoy!

But of course, "The Fisherman's Vision" was definitely my favorite!  Seriously, how cute is she?  As you can tell she was super excited!

It was all very official.  This is a picture of the mayor of Oak Ridge and the city council.  They read an official proclamation

which thanked all the kids for donating their art work to the city...

This is Mr. Dodson, the art teacher from Jefferson Middle School. 

There were lots of photos taken by various people...Boy this kid really knows how to pose!

This is Bella and her art teacher, Ms. Hodgers...who let it slip that Ms. Bella will be receiving another award on June 2nd... 



And this is "The Fisherman's Vision."  Oh...Did I mention you can go to the Municipal Building and see it on display...All year round?

And these are my 2 FABULOUS girls and some of my most favorite people!!!



And this is our friend, Anna's son, Jas' wonderful art work from Jefferson Middle School.

This is Jas and his fabulous family who invited us back for dessert...of course we said yes!

I think this is Bella's second slice of cake!

It was delicious in case you were wondering...

and this is the fabulous recipe...

And this is a delicious summer cake recipe...Hmmm now if I can just learn to read Polish!

Oh and I almost forgot...They filmed the whole meeting which will be on the local TV station.  If only I would have thought to use my own video camera....

A Baby's Job is Never Done

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

I don't know why Mommy complains about loading the dishwasher...It seems pretty easy to me!

Well, I'm off to do laundry....

Maybe I should take a little break...

What should I make for dinner?

Hmmm...

Mommy always says I'm tastey....

Setting the table is harder than it looks!

Hmmm..."Maybe I should just get take out...."

Week(s) in Review April 10 - May 6

Wow!  I can't believe we are almost a week into May already!  Pretty soon it will be summer!  Here is a recap of what we have been up to since our last week in review!

Yep...We had pancakes again!  Really it's not that we eat pancakes all that often, I just seem to have the camera whenever we do eat them.  But I'll admit, there are days that the boys and I declare it "Pajama and Pancakes Day" and stay in our PJs all day and eat pancakes! 

We had a number of friends come over at the beginning of the month including the Sproles who invited us to a fun playdate at the park near our house!

Which included playing in the mud!

We had to make a trip to the doctor's office for Meredith and Jackson ...

The boys were excited we got the super hero room!

John got to catch up with our neighbor's grandson, Chase...It looks like  a pretty interesting discussion...

James taught the kids how to play kick ball...

We had another fun playdate with my friend Hannah at the park!

We made another trip to the doctor's office...This time for Bella...

The boys were excited we got the super hero room again!

We did a family camp out in the livingroom...

The next morning we headed to church to meet for a ward  service project in our community.  This year, we cleaned up local cemeteries.

We went to various cemeteries around town and picked up trash, pulled weeds, cut branches, etc.

I loved that this year's project was a "family" project.

Afterwards, Cardi stacked up all the mattresses in the livingroom and made a nice bed...

which was very comfortable!

We went shopping at Walmart...They had this cute display in the back of the store!

We went to Florida to see my brother who was having brain surgery.

We got to spend some quality time with our family in Florida.

Some of us even got to learn a new skill...

Others of us thought "Hey...I can do that!"

and so they did!

We ended up with sick kids again and

Back at the doctor's office!

2 weeks later we were feeling better!

We decided to get cable...

That poor cable guy worked really hard to install a new line to the house...

My friend, Hannah, stopped by with flowers and cleaning supplies...She hadn't heard from us for a while and wanted to make sure we were ok...

And Jackson...who is 5 in case you forgot...

is officially registered  for KINDERGARTEN!

After registering Jackson for school, he helped print off the school newsletter...

This is Bella's class art work.  Before I forget, Bella's artwork was selected to be put permanently on display in the city of Oak Ridge Student Art Work.  There is an award ceremony on Monday night!  I'm sure I will snap a few pictures to share!

Things went a lot faster when this awesome kid showed up to help!

Then our sweet Bella showed up!

She read to Jackson while Cardi helped me put the newsletters in the teachers' boxes...

Which didn't take too long!

As part of his registration packet, the school gave each kindergartener a new pack of crayons and brand new scissors.  Our Jackson wasted no time in crafting his own projects at home...

I just wish he hadn't used his new scissors on my $90 slip cover...



 

Today we had a  fun playdate with friends..which is good b/c we haven't been feeling well and so we have not been  out of the house for almost 2 weeks...I'm SO grateful for great friends!

I'm also grateful that our kids have such great friends!  Hmmm....John really did have a shirt on when we arrived...