Back-to-School

Kids hate it, moms love it... it's the first day of school!!!

This morning I didn't mind the early alarm because I knew that it meant I was just hours away from peace and quiet and... sweet freedom!!!

I love my kids.  I adore my kids!  But that is not going to stop me from appreciating the joys of an empty house for a few hours everyday!

Ironically, those hours are going to include a lot of cleaning, not my favorite thing in the world, but just knowing that whatever I get done will stay done for a few hours makes it worth it! :)

Last night, we set the girls' hair for curls today and they both sported fun, cute, curly dos as they left the house this morning.

Don't they look happy?  Well, at least I know one of them is genuine, the other is too experienced to be fooled. ;)

Happy First Day of School to my kiddos... and ME!  :)

"The hair is the richest ornament of women." ~ Martin Luther

When Acadia was little, I tried to play with her hair but she was just not interested.  Add to that, the fact that I didn't really know how to "do" hair anyway, and it's easy to see why I just didn't get into it much until recently.

For the last couple of years, I have been braiding Rori's hair.  Her hair is long and thick and beautiful... and gets tangled very easily!  So, braiding it, or putting it up into pony tails at least, helped keep it out of her way and tangle-free.  As her first year of school came upon us, I also happened to learn about a few hair blogs*, YouTube channels*, and FaceBook pages* that all shared tons of ideas on cute, fun, and often easy ways to do little girls' hair.  We tried a few... and were hooked!  Well, I was hooked... she was tolerant. ;)

I didn't think much of it, just had fun doing her hair every morning and sending her on her way.  Sometimes I would hear the kids at the bus stop say, "Woah, Rori, your hair is cool!"... and I have to admit, that felt kinda awesome. :)

After some time, however, I started hearing comments from adults.  Teachers, friends' moms, people at church, etc. who all exclaimed how much they love seeing Rori's hair whenever they see her.  To the point that sometimes teachers would seek her out to see what her hairdo was like that day!  I had no idea it was getting that much attention!  I was not just being introduced as Rori's mom, but as Rori's mom-who-does-her-hair-every-day-in-the-most-incredible-ways!  And even though it was a little embarrassing at first to realize how much people were noticing, that still felt pretty awesome, too. ;)

Now, we do not do an elaborate hairstyle every single day.  But we do try new hairstyles frequently and often do fancy styles for holidays and special events.  I've shared several photos here and will probably share many more.

I don't spend nearly as much time on this as I do on Family History or Disney, but it has (unintentionally) become something that does now define me, to many people.  And I don't mind, because I do enjoy it so much!  I don't claim to be very original, we copy almost all of the styles we do, and I doubt I'll ever become one of the bloggers, YouTubers, or FaceBookers giving tutorials or anything like that.  But I do like sharing the photos, knowing that lots of people are enjoying them.  :)

*These are some of my favorites. :)

The Orch-a-dorks

Self named, Cadi and her class refer to themselves as orch-a-dorks.  Last night was their final performance of the school year and I got video.  The instructor asked me specifically this time to get close ups, so even though Cadi hates it when I do, I did.  But at least this time I got everyone, not just her. ;)

There was a bluegrass group there performing along with the kids for some of the songs.  They are a 3 generation family group.



After they performed the final piece, Cadi's teacher told us that the last song was so difficult that in the past when he's tried to give it to 7th graders, it was too challenging, but this year's 7th graders are strong enough that they could do it.  Good job 7th graders!

I also wanted to share this performance.  It is a trio from the 8th grade class and I thought they were amazing; I was especially impressed with the trills that the violinist played!  Two of the members of this group also play in our city's junior orchestra.

How do you say _____ in British?

Acadia:  Hey Mom, I wonder if I could take British in high school?
Me: British is English; you already know it.
Acadia: But with an accent!

Oh my...

Spring Showcase

Last night was Cadi's school's Spring Showcase, which is pretty much a big open house.  Cadi's orchestra performed during a portion of it.  I find these showcases a bit frustrating because the kids are performing, but it's not a "concert", so there is a definitely lack of concert etiquette.  People are up, walking around, talking - LOUDLY.  It's frustrating for those of us who really are there to hear the kids, there are some parts we couldn't hear at all because of the noise.  :S

So... try not to mind all the background noise and chatter too much... but if you can't, I don't blame you.  I couldn't either.

They still sounded pretty good though! :)  Especially considering they were performing some pretty difficult pieces for the first time.  The last one, in particular, I find pretty impressive, even though they do still have a bit of work to do on it.  :)

Acadia is a little hard to spot.  She is currently 2nd chair, so she can be found sitting in the front row of the violins (just to the left of the conductor), just one seat in.



P.S. Also don't mind the lesser video quality this time. I realized too late that my camcorder batteries were all dead so we had to use my camera - which is still really good, but not HD quality.

Rori's Wish Comes True

Rori has been sick for the last couple of days.  Poor girl. :(  Yesterday, as she lay on the couch with her head in my lap, I asked, "Is it boring to be here with Mom?  Wouldn't you like to be at school?"

And she said, "Yes"...!!!

lol  I shouldn't be surprised.  It is no fun to be sick, even if it does allow you to lay around all day watching TV and sipping juice and soda.

After that, I asked her if she missed school and she said, "I miss Shakira."  (Her BFF.)

This morning, Rori woke up fever-free and feeling great!  It is only a short school day and with her feeling better than she's felt all week, I happily sent her off to school.

Her wish came true!

And my prayers were answered!

Ryan and I have an appointment to do some work at the temple later today, in preparation for my trip home this weekend.  I had arranged for a friend to watch Rori but with her being sick, I couldn't ask my friend, or anyone, to do that, so Acadia volunteered to stay home - even though it would mean missing a YW activity that she wanted to go to.  I was glad to know that the work would still get done (I want to have family names ready for everyone who will be going this Saturday.) but felt bad that Cadi would have to miss YW.

But now, with Rori well again, everyone is happy!  My friend is fine with Rori coming over still, Cadi gets to go to her activity, and Ryan and I get to do the work that I need to have finished by this weekend.

:)

Spring Orchestra Festival

On Monday, several schools in our district gathered to have a combined performance for the Spring Orchestra Festival.  All of the 5th graders performed together, then all the 6th graders, and so on.  For the last number, the big finale, all grades played together.  That's a lot of strings playing at once!

It is fun to watch these performances that include the beginning 5th graders and really see how far the older kids have come.  And it's neat for the beginners (and their parents) to see just how far they'll be able to go if they stick with it.  I heard several parents gasp when they heard the 6th graders, right after the 5th graders had performed, and then say, "Wow, what a difference one year makes!"  It is true!

Here are the songs that the 7th graders performed, then the finale.  I apologize for my very poor viewing spot, we were running late getting there and had to sit in the upper section, which came with a rail that was right in my way. :S

Strings Ensemble Performance

Every year, orchestras, bands, and choirs in middle schools and high schools can participate in solo and ensemble contests.  The high school ages have a chance to continue on to State, if they are good enough.  It isn't required for any of the kids to participate, it is completely voluntary.  And it gives them a chance to perform before a judge who then gives them comments that are designed to help them improve their performance skills.  I am really glad that Acadia chose to participate this year.

In fact, she participated in two different ensemble groups.  One was larger than the other.  The first was hand selected by her teacher (still voluntary, but this group was invited and encouraged) and the other was just a group of the kids that wanted to do even more.  Good for them!  :)  The two groups performed in front of the same judge, but at separate times and were graded separately.

The contest was a few weeks ago, and I'm slow getting this up, but late is better than never. ;)  I've included the judge's remarks after each piece, so if you don't want to watch her remarks, just skip ahead a little to get to the next song.  The judge had great things to say to both groups and we recently learned that she scored both groups the highest score possible!

Acadia's Academic Achievement Awards

In January, we were invited to an award ceremony where Acadia would be recognized for her academic achievements.  She had maintained a high grade point average, even while taking all advanced courses and received a certificate and recognition for her excellent efforts.

Near the end of the awards ceremony, Ryan and I almost left.  Cadi had gotten her award and there wasn't anything else for us to do but stand in the back because they hadn't put out enough chairs for the parents.  But we didn't want to be rude, so we hung around. 

And good thing!

At the end, they announced that there would be additional awards handed out.  This was something new!  Each teacher was allowed to select one student from the entire grade that they felt stood out as an exemplary student, not just academically, but in attitude, behavior, etc.  We were thrilled to hear Acadia selected as one of these exemplary students!  We are so proud of her good efforts, not just with her grades, but also as an individual who associates with others around her. 

Just doing her homework...

One day, after school, while I was out raking leaves in the yard, Aurora got out a flier she had brought home from school.  It was about healthy habits.  When I came back inside, I couldn't find her, but I saw the flier laying out, with "checks" on each thing that a person should do to be healthy. 

We happened to have some grapes out on the table to snack on that afternoon, so she must have eaten some, then washed her hands, coughed into the crook of her arm, and then...  I chuckled to myself and went to look for her in her bedroom.  Yep, sure enough...



She was getting some sleep, just like it said to do in her schoolwork! 

Winter Orchestra Concert

Last week, Acadia's school orchestra had their winter performance and I think it is my favorite of all their performances so far!  They did a REALLY good job!  I think they outplayed the 8th graders, even.  But I don't have that performance to show you, I just have her with her fellow 7th graders. 



Acadia has really been enjoying orchestra.  She is getting very good at the violin, and she is hoping to start learning the cello soon, too.  On top of that, she is still playing piano and getting A's in all her classes (except for one A-), which, by the way, are all Excel (advanced) classes.  We are so pleased with her for the choices she is making. :)

A Month of Thanksgiving Day 3

School.  When you're a kid, you don't like it.  But when you grow up and realize that without it you wouldn't be able to be anyone or go anywhere, and you start to realize it wasn't such a bad idea afterall.

As a mom, I look at school much differently than I did when I was a kid.  I understand a little better now how important it is, and also what a blessing it is for us to have such easy access to it.  I realize now that really, US schools provide good, but not great, education.  I had no idea, until I was older, that some countries require their students to learn so much more than we had to!  But I did know that there were some countries that didn't provide any public education, so I knew we were supposedly "lucky" to "get" to go to school. ;)

I really like the schools that my girls are in.  The teachers care.  They make learning fun!  The principal gets hands on with the kids and the kids know that she cares.  The schools and teachers are doing their best (despite budget cuts) to provide as much as they can for the students, not just with acadmics, but extra-curricluar activities as well.  In the grade school, teachers volunteer to stay after to teach classes on subjects like: dance, photography, computers, magic, track, etc.  Just so the kids can have a little extra out of their school experience.  It is free for the kids, and as far as I know, the teachers are not being paid for that time.  I also love that music continues to be a strong focus, beginning in grade school.  Without the music program, Cadi wouldn't have had the opportunity to learn violin.  She wouldn't have had the experience of performing in an orchestra, working under a conductor, learning how to add one element to a whole to create something beautiful that none of them could have done alone. 

When my kids go to school, I don't worry about their safety.  I trust where they are and who they are with.  I have appreciated that the teachers have always been interested in challenging my girls.  I've been blessed with smart kids; they have (so far) always been at the top of their class in nearly every subject.  It would be easy for them to be put to the side as other students were more concentrated on, but instead, the teachers have been great to find ways to challenge my kids, too.  It means extra work, but it also means that they continue to progress, learn, and grow.  Often, it has given them the chance to do something they wouldn't have thought to do.  One year, Acadia was asked to participate in a young author's conference.  She had to write a short story, completely seperate from her other class assignments.  Another year, she was asked to tutor one of her classmates in math.  I am glad that my girls' teachers expect them to perform according to their own abilities, not just at the "grade level".  As a result, Acadia tests more than 3 years above her grade in most subjects.  And Rori is aready testing a year ahead in some of hers.  I know a lot of it is that they just are bright girls that grasp concepts easily.  But also, I think it is due to good teachers who care about each individual students' growth, and good schools that allow for that kind of teaching. 

And yes, I have learned to really enjoy school days for my own selfish reasons, too! lol  Peace, quiet, a chance to get something done and for it to stay done for a few hours, freedom to run errands or go to the store without worrying about dragging along someone who wants everything they see, going to lunch with my husband on occasion, going to the temple or visiting teaching without worrying about needing a sitter first... yeah, school is pretty awesome. ;)

And today, I am very grateful for it. :)

"What trickery is this?"

There is something kind of creepy going on here:

• I clean a room... and it stays clean!
• I turn off a light... and it stays off!
• I put a toy away... and it stays put away!
• I go to the store... and no one begs for snacks!
• I talk on the phone... and I can hear what the person on the other end is saying!
• I turn off the TV... and it's... what's the word, you know, when there's no noise (I faintly recall experiencing it years ago)... oh yeah... QUIET!!!

Amazing, wonderful, but going to take some getting used to! lol

Back to School!!!

So, we're a few days late, at least for Acadia, but today was our first day of the new school year!  Most grades really went back last Wednesday, but we... well, we were still having loads of fun at DisneyWorld and decided to stick around there instead of rushing back to the real world. ;)  Kindergarteners didn't start until today though, so Rori made it to her first day on time.  :)

Acadia roller her eyes and used the *impatient/embarrassed pre-teen* voice, saying, "Mo-om!" when I asked her to pose for a picture, so this is all you get of her...

Oh drats, I didn't get her shoes in the shot.  Since they were her favorite part of what she wore today, I probably should have.  They are purple, and they are cute. ;)

Aurora was a bit more excited/cooperative.  She had been waiting for this day since she was three!  She has always wanted to go to school and today was the day!!!  She especially wanted me to get a picture of her lunch bag. lol 

She is excited to ride the school bus with the other big kids.  I'm so glad our friend, Jessica is still in grade school and offered to sit with Rori on her first day!  She is such a good friend and neighbor! :)

Getting to school for the first time is a little overwhelming at first, but Jessica walked Rori right to her classroom door (Rori has the same teacher that Jessica had for Kindergarten!) and she found there were lots of other eager, happy kindergarteners there ready for their first day, too.  After checking in and putting her bags away, she found a table with two other nice girls and they began playing with the letters their teacher had left out for them until it was time for class to start.

I know she's going to have a great day!!!

I walked away and felt that tug at my heart and lump in my throat.  My baby is in school!!!  Then I got to the car and headed for home... and realized - my baby is in school and that means I'M FREE!!!  I didn't have to go home, I could have gone anywhere I wanted!!!  Woah.  It is a weird feeling.  But pretty cool.

I came home though, I still have some unpacking to do and a couple thousand photos to edit!  ;)

Spring Orchestra Concert

Tuesday night was Acadia's final 6th grade Orchestra concert.  Here are the songs that the 6th grade performed

Joust:



Antagonist:



Pachelbel Canon:



Crazy Train/Pirates of the Carribean Medley:



Acadia really enjoys playing the violin and has really liked being in the orchestra.  She's looking forward to next year!

Sami's Graduation

On Monday, we attended Sami's High School graduation.  She graduated with Honors, and also completed her first year of college at the same time.  We're so proud of her!

Orchestra Performance

It has been a busy week!  Last night was extra busy, as Cadi was double-booked.  She began at her school for an orchestra performance, then we raced over to the church for her to attend Camp Psyche Night... and now she's psyhed!  lol  Actually, she already was. ;)

I will now share with you her orchestra performance.  It was great!  They did a fantastic job!  But first, let me clarify that this was not a concert.  This was a performance that took place during a showcase evening and people were invited to "hang around" to watch/listen.  At the same time, however, other things were going on in the room, such as desserts being sold.  So, the backround noise (and people getting up and walking right near the orchestra while they were performing) is not totally rude and uncalled for, it is just the way the evening was designed.

Also, I am happy to announce that this will be my final video made using our nice little Sony Handycam.  We have just upgraded to an HD camcorder and I'm excited to have better quality videos in the future!  If you're curious, here is a link to the camcorder we purchased.

And now, Acadia's Orchestra Performance:

Cadi's Podcast

Cadi's class had an assignment to create a podcast in order to review a book they had read.  The students had the option to have theirs posted on-line or not, and to use whatever form of their name they wanted, even just initials.  Acadia paired up with a friend, Angelina, to review The Book Thief.  Follow this link and scroll down to their podcast if you'd like to hear it. :)

Spring Strings Festival

Last night, Acadia participated in an orchestra concert.  Here she is, along with fellow 6th graders from 3 different schools in the area, playing "Medieval Kings" and "Ode to Joy":



We had to get there early, so I kept Rori entertained by taking some pictures of her...



The concert was really nice!  The kids did great!  Good job, Cadi! :)

Excel-lent

In January, Acadia participated in the Excel testing at her school. This is to determine whether the student should be placed (or kept) in advanced classes. All year, Acadia has been in Excel classes for all of her academics, so it was no surprise when we got the results this weekend that she qualifies for the program. What was pretty cool to learn, however, is that she tested at the level of an average 9th grade student at the end of their 6th month! She tested very high in all of the areas that they covered.

We are very pleased with her! She loves to read and to learn, and we're grateful that she has personally chosen to make her education a priority. :)

Good job, Cadi!