Recital

I'm glad my hand shaking nervously wasn't evident in these videos.  I almost couldn't watch I was so nervous.

Murphy was the very first performer at the recital.  The very first.  This was his first recital, too, so I didn't know what to expect.  He stood up there, proud as can be, and announced "Hi, I'm Murphy, and I'm playing 'Murphy's Flurry'."  Bless his heart.

Georgia did a great job - all from memory.

They both have weekly lessons, practice every once in a while, but always have fun.  They have great teachers, too.  Georgia's teacher, Gayle, is awesome.  She plays eight instruments.    Very good at what she does.  Murphy's teacher is leaving to travel across the northwest with his drum roll group.  Sad.  There is a new teacher starting in a few weeks who just graduated from Whitworth in music teacher ed.  I hope he's as good as Nate!

I'm so proud of these kids.  And of Millie for sitting and watching the entire recital.  She will surely be in the recital a year or so from now.

Love these kids!

Movin' on up...

It's hard to believe Murphy is no longer in preschool.  His graduation was classic.  The kid is the class clown without a doubt.  The girls all love him, he plays with all his guy friends...an all around cool kid.  It has come to my attention at Tball games lately just how much of a clown he his.  Murphy did not disappoint at graduation!

love this smirk

spectator

Charlie making friends

When the arms and legs are stiff and he's speed walking...WATCH OUT.  Silliness ensues. And look at Elisa and Kaitlyn giggling at Murphy.  This is when Elisa called out "You're so silly, Murphy!"

"Wow...I think I'll use this diploma as a telescop."
I'm waiting for the video from a friend of the whole clown show...

I can't wait to see Murphy all suited up for kindergarten next year.  Unreal.

Irish dance recital!

I had tears watching this today:

And this:

And was cracking up at Murphy.  He couldn't wait to get up on stage.

It never gets old seeing Georgia perform.  After the performance, she said she was a little bit nervous.  You could never tell.  That smile is priceless.  What a cool kid.  Next performance: violin next week.  Murphy has his first drum recital as well.  I'm hoping that, watching Georgia so cool and collected in her performance, he will be confident and rock on.

I hope Georgia sticks with Irish dance.  These girls are awesome.  You think I can start lessons!??!?!?

Warning: overload of cute pictures of happy kids

under dog

Murphy is the best!

one

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three

bless

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favorite

I'm afraid we may have a cast by the end of the summer...

Tennis

Update: Day one of the tournament went relatively well.  Lisa and I lost the first set, won the second, and lost in the tiebreaker.  We had a lot of unforced errors, which means we could have totally won.  Oh well...it's just a game, and it was really quite fun.  Our opponents were really nice.  One was Lisa's high school coach for a year, and the other I have seen around the club.  They asked for our digits so we can play this summer.  Fingers crossed for tomorrow!

Y I K E S

Lisa and I are playing in a tennis tournament tomorrow morning.  We have to play at the best player's rating, so I can thank Lisa for having to play at a 4.0.  I accepted this.  Then, a few days ago, we saw the pro in charge of organizing the tournament and he said there weren't enough 4.0 teams registered, so he grouped us with the 4.5s.  W H A T?  I want my money back............

Oh, I'm probably a 3.5.

DOUBLE Y I K E S.  

Teacher Thanks

 We have had a great year in school(s).  Georgia's teacher is really sweet; if you think "first grade teacher," her face pops up.  Georgia will have her next year for second grade as well, and we're excited about this.  She's the type of teacher that knows it makes Georgia's day to take papers to the office, so she lets her do it often.  The type of teacher that so many times has said "Georgia is the ideal student."  (Well, no duh.)  She recognizes Georgia's strengths and pushes her to be even better.  We love Mrs. Crary.

In Murphy's All Saints preschool, he has three teachers.  Well, a long-term substitute for one, Mrs. Kelly, who is pursuing her master's and had to miss the last three weeks of school. This was her last year teacher, so it's a bit sad as Georgia and Murphy have both had her as a teacher.  Mrs. Jana is a first time preschool teacher, and it's another sad story because she is moving on to teach 3rd grade.  Millie is super bummed she won't get her next year.  Mrs. Kathleen is another that Georgia and Murphy have both had and thoroughly enjoyed.   She is a wonderful teacher and person.  I find myself talking to her a lot.  She has seven kids and one granddaughter (with another on the way).  She teaches the 4/5 class, so Millie will have to wait a year, but she will have her eventually!  Murphy has thrived in preschool.  He is starting to read (which is absolutely precious to listen to).  I was concerned at the beginning of the year whether or not he would be ready for kindergarten, but now I have no doubt.  This is a great group of ladies.

The kids all have Senora Barnes  for Spanish.  Millie and Murphy go twice a week and Georgia goes once.  She is a drill sergeant, but the kids are doing fabulously.  Murphy got to move up to the "big kid class" (kindergarten ages) and Senora B said he is thriving.  And bless his heart with his little Spain Spanish accent.  Incredible.  Georgia is really loving her class; picking up conversational Spanish very quickly.  Millie used to butt heads with Senora Barnes.  Total personality conflict.  In other words, Millie was told what to do.  Nobody tells Millie what to do.  Well, Senora Barnes does.  Millie has realized this now, and it's all good.  She, too, is a sponge, and is picking up so much.  Millie's best buddy, James, is in the class, too, so they no doubt have a fun three hours.  Next fall Mil and James will be doing other preschools (Mil in All Saints) Tuesdays and Thursdays and German with Senora Frau Barnes on Wednesdays.  Nine til 1:00pm.  That's what I'm talking about.  And to think, one year from the fall, Charlie will be joining the Language World crew.

I know a plant can't fully express our thanks to the teachers; the people our kids spend so many hours of the day with, but I hope it lets them know we very much appreciate them and what they do on a daily basis for our kids.  

THANK YOU TEACHERS!  You deserve a nice, relaxing summer break!

Brilliant Bear

Would YOU want to crawl on sidewalks?  Neither does Charlie, obviously.  She crawls normally inside, but outside, it's all bear all the time.

Yes, that is dirt on her face.  She ate some to wash down the grass she snacked on.

Charlie is the sweetest.  She makes everyone smile.  Everyone.

The latest: I ask her where the puppy is and she says "puppa."  Genious.

Charlie girl