Another Disasterous Piano Recital

I could have killed him!!! Stockton had his first recital with Poole Piano Studio. He has been taking from there for 5 months. He has been taking piano for 4-5 years. He really is good, but he doesn't like it at all! So he barely practices, and he did practice the piece and Brad and I thought it sounded great, well his recital was at 5:00 PM and Brad couldn't get there from work so the girls and I went. It was in a historical building in Ogden, it was beautiful. Stockton brought his sheet music, duh....so at that point I should have known. So he had half of it memorized....but not the other. So he got to the recital and he said, "I think I can do it." He did the first half PERFECT, then it was sad, he forgot, then tried to recover, stopped, then finished what he could, then came and sat down. My heart broke, I sat there so sad, he was humiliated, he was so mad at himself. These are the times you could SHAKE them, but it was a great TEACHING moment too. People tell you about teenagers...warn you, but until you are there it is the most difficult thing EVER. Stockton is SUCH a good kid too, he always has been. As a child we called him the "moral compass." He sees everything black and white, right and wrong and there is NO in between. And I still hate teenage years?? I think next time he will do better, try harder and he will be fine.

End of the School Year

With Adam and Brock at the sports assembly.
Stockton amid the girls basketball team.
Coach Lasater announcing the boys basketball team

Stockton in the back.

Addison Everett & Ryker and that smile.

Why is Ryker hiding from me? Addison just dazed and confused.

Brock not wanting his picture taken.

Stockton is a happy kid.

Adam Walsh was in the class with Stockton and Brock.

At the end of each school year there are all kinds of awards and assemblies. It is so great to see Stockton be such a great student and have that recognition. Last week was the Night of Excellence. Stockton has been on the high honor roll every term in Jr. high (so far...fingers crossed). He didn't attend that ceremony because he had a young men's activity that he REALLY wanted to go to...so I can't be too disappointed in that choice. He really does work hard in school and I have to say that I am proud him.

Then last night he had a guitar concert which was so fun. Many of his friends also took that class and I got pictures of all of them. He has really enjoyed this class and learning a new instrument. He is an excellent pianist and now he has a new instrument that he probably enjoys MORE than piano (oh well..he can do both).

And finally today (after school) there was a sports assembly. They gave recognition to all the kids who participated in all sports. When you attend a school that has over 1800 kids and you are fortunate enough to make a team, it is an accomplishment. He loves basketball, and he is looking forward to playing next year too (but it will be for a NEW JR HIGH, hip hip hooray!!)

SUN...FUN...Summer has officially begun!!

What does it feel like Adam?

Brad really enjoying himself!

Why buy toys, when card board is just as fun?

Stockton playing guitar at FHE.

First wakeboarder of the season.

Just hanging out and havin' fun.

WOO HOO! I love summer. Memorial Weekend we spent with the Anderson/Gunnarson family reunion. On Saturday, we went to the Living Aquarium and it was pretty cool. We had never been there. Stockton took Adam and when he touched the sting ray he said, "That is so cool, it feels like a booger." Oh my heck, I laughed so hard. It did feel cool, but more like blubber. Then we went to a park and played: basketball, softball, the little ones played with bubbles, long boarded, on the playground and of course we ate a picnic. Then just our family + Adam went to see the Night at the Museum II. It was fun. Then Sunday we went to church and had dinner at my dad's. The kids played on card board boxes and drove 4wheelers in the church parking lot, then we finished with a FHE. Monday was at the Bountiful Rec Center. The girls went with my dad and swam ALL day and we took Stockton and some friends out in the boat. We went to Willard Bay...the water was sooo cold, but when your 14 you just don't care. We did all manage to get too much sun. It was a great weekend and I look forward to summer!!

Childhood Friends

We were her surprise!! I had not seen Kristi for 8 years and Teresa had not seen her for 15 years. She cried when she saw us!! Growing up with a single mom, I was home alone A LOT. My mom was working and getting through school, so my brother and I were home by ourselves. Luckily, he did a lot of sports and I danced a lot. But when I wasn't dancing, I was with my best friends Kristi and Teresa. We caused lots of havoc. I remember summers and we would all be together all day, then sleep over...I think we would spend days on end together. Teresa and I were like that clear through high school too. Kristi turned 40 this year. Kristi got married young, so she moved to Ogden, but I would run into her on an occasion. I ran into her mom a lot, because she worked at the mall, I loved being with these gals. Kristi's family had a surprise party and invited me and Teresa. Teresa happened to be in town from Idaho this weekend so we were able to go for a while. It was great to see my friends and her family! Great friend are hard to come by, I am one of the luckiest people EVER!

Mothers Day!

I truly love Mother's Day. It is the day the kids act extra nice and sweet. About 4 days ago, I told the kids they had to give a gift for Mother's Day. Now I didn't NOT give them a list and tell them to go BUY something. I told them it HAD to be home made, cost NOTHING and come from the HEART. So this morning Grace was the first, now I think about it...the only one to come to my room and tell me HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY.
We have 9AM church, so it gets a little CraZy around here on Sunday mornings, anyway Sara was the first one to come in with her gift. She had made the card at school, she was very excited for me to see it...for a few days she has been giving hints, "your present I wrote in cursive mom", or "I hope you think its funny, because it is sort of a joke." It was a card. It read:

"You have been selected Mother of the Year! To receive your prize, please sign below and return." There was a small signature slot, I signed it, then open it up and it reads: "To whom it may concern, Please excuse my dear, sweet child from school, work or any other unpleasant task for the year. Thank you! I knew you'd understand. Sincerely," then my signature.

It was colored so cute and it was a little different then expected but I loved it, because of the hints she gave for the past few days. Next it was Grace. She made a pen/pencil holder at school and gave a very sweet card too..it read:

I Remember When...

You took me to the movies.

You and me did my map together.

You took care of me when I sprained an ankle.

You came to read with me at school.

You came to watch me dance.

We went to Disneyland together.

You took me to the Pizza Factory.

You came to the Fourth Grade Program.

You helped me with my brochure.

THANK YOU FOR BEING THE BEST MOM EVER!

Love Grace 2009

She had to think of things we've done together and these are the things we had done within the past week (with the exception of Disneyland, it was awhile ago). I thought it was great and very thoughtful.

Next Stockton, he took the entire day...he got the idea from his buddy, Ryker. Ryker wrote a song for his dad for his birthday, so Stockton wrote a song and played the guitar for me. It was to the tune "Hey there Delilah" and wrote his own words, then played it for all of us. I will just tell you the first verse and he typed it up for me so I can have it FOREVER. So cute and funny, he has a cold, so to have his voice crack and in his state of puberty. PRICELESS.

Hey there my mama what's it like in your beddy, it's only couple feet away

but today your getting ready, o you look so pretty, yes you do.

Syracuse city can't shine as bright as you, I know it's true.

Hey there my mama don't you worry about the distance

we're right here if you get lonely give this song

another listen close your eyes, listen to my voice its my disguise I'm by your side.

O its what you do for me... O its what you do for me..O its what you do for me.

FYI: I love to lay in my bed, it really is warm and cozy. I watch TV there, play in this darn computer, I do homework, read, and after I get out of the shower, I put my makeup on in my bed with a little mirror (that explains a lot, right? Hence, getting ready in my bed..)

My kids love to come snuggle with me and we do their homework there too and read, especially Sara. Grace is always first to do everything kind. She is the first to have her bed made in the morning, and the first one to do her homework without anyone telling her to do so. Stockton is taking guitar at school. He really has enjoyed it. It is great to see that he can be "normal", sweet and kind because he really is 14 and pretty much doesn't have a brain most of the time.

I hope every Mother had a WONDERFUL day!

THE LAST DANCE COMPETITION FOR THE YEAR

Grace is on the far right with the pretty legs.

Sara is the littlest one out there!!

The girls had their last dance competition for the year at Provo High today. i have loved this year more than most, because they have been able to dance together. It has been fun to watch them grow and improve so much. I don't know how they did in any of the competitions because to me they are 1st place!!