Thomas' Disney Program

Every year at J.R. Smith, the third grade puts on a Disney Program.  They work on the songs all year long and then come January (with lots of help from parent volunteers) they learn the dances and choreography to them.  It is a program that has been going for 23 years now at his school.  I taught one of the dances and was asked to work with all the children that had solos.  I feel free this week now that is is over.  Thomas had a great time and loved every minute of it.  Third grade is still at that age where they enjoy Disney.  This performance was out of Thomas' comfort zone, but it was so good for him.  He took it very seriously!

 He was in the Lion King song as a Zebra

 Waiting to go on stage for "Whale of a Tale"

 Kiley, Thomas, and Axel

 Lion King Dance.  Thomas is the Zebra second from left. The sweet little girl who played Simba (Sammy) came over to my house every Thursday for nine weeks for singing lessons and we worked and worked in this solo.  All the other kids that had solos I pulled then out of class at the school.  Sammy was adorable and made such huge improvements in her singing and confidence.  She is a cute shy little thing. 

Hunch back of Notre Dame dance 

 Thomas is in the yellow t-shirt on Let's Go Fly a Kite, Mary Poppins

 Some of his buddies

Grandma Jones came to watch the program, Grandpa Jones was very sick.  Lydia adores her Grandma and I thought it was so sweet how she just laid on her lap.  They had a sweet relationship. Thomas was looking forward to this performance to show her.

So proud of Thomas.  They performed for different audiences 8 times that week.  Kids were bused in from different surrounding elementary schools as a field trip to watch it.  Grandma took us all out for ice cream afterwards, which now days is a big treat for the kids.

Aunt Kristen (my sister) came up for it. Thomas loved having her there also, he was so excited when I told him last minute that she was coming up. Keep in mind it wasn't even 24 hours after her trip to AZ that she came.   Thanks!

Lydia and Mickey

VIDEO BELOW

Here is a video I did of the three out of the four dances Thomas did. 



My Mini Waspette

This little girl of mine is absolutely adorable.  I wish I could freeze her at this age.  She is my little buddy.  The one good thing that has come from not  homeschooling again this year is the quality time I get to have with this little one.  She never fails to give you loves and hugs.  She says the sweetest things at the most perfect time.  I wonder some days how kids know when us Mom's need to hear that we are loved, needed, and appreciated.  She tells me I am her bestest friend.  I just hope we can stay close to help get us through those teenage years.

That pointy little chin of hers (and that Thomas has too) is very much a Bowman trade mark. 

 This is basically how our afternoon's go down.  She can't get changed fast enough after school to something more her style.  Lately is has been cowboy (not cowgirl mind you). Two weeks ago is was a baseball player and before that it was a football player.  I never really have made her dress too girly, except on Sundays.  I like that she knows what she likes, even though some days she looks absolutely crazy.

 This day she went to the dentist and as soon as we got to the front desk to pay and check out she asked me to pull her hair back. She couldn't get changed quick enough when we got home. 

Mini Waspette Camp

The last time Lydia did any for of dance class was when she was 3.  I had to drag her to class and the only way she would go was if she could take her brothers super hero's with her.  She never put them down and always danced with Superman or Batman.  After six months of this I finally took her out.  She was miserable.  I figured sports would be her route.  I still think it will be, but her babysitter Haily (show in the picture above) stopped by one day to ask her is she wanted to sign up for this drill team camp they were putting on for a fundraiser.  Lydia told her no at the door.  I told her YES.  It couldn't have been more perfect for her.  This is what she needed to like dance again.  The went for three days after school.  Learned one dance, and then performed them that Friday night,.  Mark and I took the kids. They had a good time and I was so proud of her. 

Mark and Lydia

 Lydia and her tough girl stance.  She insisted on wearing her cowboy boots.  The danced bare feet so I was ok with that.

 Lydia and Momma

Mark and the kids waiting for the program to start.  We had to get there an hour early to get good seats. 

VIDEO BELOW



The Beat Down Wrestling Match

The boys so badly wanted a wrestling match with Caleb.  The were begging for it.  This must be a boy thing.  Seeing that we have no TV, we have to come up with our own entertainment in the evenings.  Usually with this kind of activity, somebody always gets hurt.  Fortunately no one did...except Caleb got a good beating.  He took it like a man.  I posted a video below in the middle of these pics.  William loves to watch it over and over again. 

 Caleb is in there somewhere

 I don't know why I thought that I could be a by stander.  Even my kids gained up on me.  Thanks to Thomas who got a hold of my camera and documented this.   There were some pretty ugly pictures of momma that have been permanently deleted. 

VIDEO BELOW

This is the video that William watches now over and over, laughing at himself getting flung around. 

 

Thomas was kind enough to take some sweet pictures of Caleb and I after everyone calmed down and before Caleb headed back home.

 He doesn't just give one kiss, he makes circles around my chunky cheeks, forehead, chin, nose and if I am lucky I get a kiss on the lips.  He is such a tender heart always giving those sweet kisses.  I love it most when he kisses me on my forehead and whispers to me how much he loves me...and never forgets to say "and I love your kids just as much".  That means more to me than he will ever know. 

 I love these big hugs and squeezes he gives.  I have to learn not to say, "Wait...the hair/make-up" and just soak them all in. 

 I didn't realize that he made this face and gesture till I downloaded the pics.  Too funny!

 Notice how blond his facial hair is?  Every one he knows usually ask his if he bleaches it.  Nope, he works at the Canyons ski resort and his facial hair is sun bleached. 

I truly love this man.  He has made me and the kids so happy. There are days where I sit back and think, "I don't deserve him, he is too good to us."  For me and my personality, interest/hobbies, and children...he is perfect, perfect for me/us.  We are very blessed.  Life is good...

Randomness

This is a complete random post with pictures, mainly off my mobile phone that I finally downloaded for the week. The are definitely not as clear as my regular camera.  

The other night I was putting the kids to bed (and they were slightly hyper as usual) and Caleb came in with his guitar and played primary songs for the kids before bed time in the boys room. They were so excited. Lydia came running in and had to be a part of it also. 

On Tuesday I go to the church house in the evening to sew.  Ono those nights I have the kids so they play in the gym.  Take this moment in...it is a rare moment between Lydia and Thomas who constantly are butting heads.  It was worth a picture to document that they actually can get along.

BOWMAN'S, Does this car look familiar?  I saw it in the parking lot and smiled.  This is an old British taxi from England.  When we lived in England, my parents bought one and this was our family car.  If you look closely you can see the glass sliding window between the driver and the back seats which faced each other.  My Parents I am sure used that window more often than not to drown out the sounds of five children in the back seats. 

Lydia forgot her shoes so she "had" to go on Caleb's shoulders.  He got her a redbox movie, she was happy.

DAY OFF

Caleb had a weekday off from work, so he came over and wanted to install a new toy in his guitar.  It was a permanent acoustic pick-up that takes an acoustic guitar and makes it into an electric acoustic guitar.  Funny thing, he couldn't do it without Lydia's help. Not only did she hold the flashlight for him, but she had to stick her little hand in and help pull through electric wires.  She was so excited to help and feel needed. 

It took her entire arm, all the way up to her shoulder to get the wires installed. 

 

At one point their heads were leaning on each other taking this project so seriously.  Too cute!