Newsies

Seth did his 6th grade play!  He's such a cutie pie.  He was a newsie in the Newsies Jr. He practiced every 3-4 times a week from October til now and came home singing constantly.  He even started learning how to play the songs on the piano.

I ended up on the opposite side of the room because of being asked to take pictures of the play for the school.  I love being able to come out with great shots of my kids from activities like this.

Seth and Xander

 

Train Show

 

My friend, Beth, told us about a pop up train show near us.  After work, we wandered over.  It was fun. It was a small one, but they had a scavenger hunt and a cute little conductor. My favorite part was the tiny trains in old suitcases.

Escape room in a box

Syl loves any books or papers.  I left my room and was surprised by a cat staring at me from Evelyn's book.

A younger kid hit Jer's car in the parking lot.  Jer takes care of his car and tries to keep it nice.  He was so kind and graceful with the kid that hit him.  He said he kept thinking of the man that gave Sam grace when he did the same.... and he gave this kid the same grace.  I'm so proud of my husband for valuing people and God more than cars.

Music week

 

I've been practicing the organ for Easter Sunday.  Evelyn is going to be helping me with a more involved piece and both her and Sam wanted to come and learn how the organ works. I loved their enthusiasm.  And I hope they will get chances to use it.

I think it's so funny. The house always sounds like music building practice rooms.  Two songs and multiple instruments being played at once. 

Our wonderful nephew, Jordan, was Cogsworth in the school play.  I really wanted to see him in it, but I had a little more than a half hour to drive more than that away.... I knew I'd miss about half the play but still tried anyways.  We didn't make it til the end of the play because of a wreck and needing to stop and get gas.  We got to congratulate him, eat pizza and him and Seth played mario kart while I talked with the adults.  Still worth the drive.  The same night, we sent Seth with Grandma and Grandpa to sleep over at Sharon's house... Jer spent half the day helping set up (mostly making graham fingers in copious amounts) the reception for our niece, Mariah's, wedding. Ada spent the day working with her teams for their state FBLA competition that started today, Sam took a practice ACT test, and Evelyn just didn't want to do anything...   The next morning, Ada watched Jude and Josie at the temple while we went to the sealing.  Then she helped me take the wedding photos.  Sam did flash cards and Evelyn helped Ada a little. My parents took Seth to one of his best friend's birthday party. Ada left after the luncheon for a mandatory prep day for the competition.... Evelyn helped me take pictures at the wedding and we had a blast with the beautiful bride and groom.

Ada's official Sterling Scholar picture was up in the hall while I was there for the band concert.

Sam played a lot this time.... He played with the Symphonic Band, his Jazz band, the lower Jazz band and his flute choir.  He came home and just wanted to play computer games.  

I saw him chilling behind the curtain while the other bands were playing....

Evelyn has made a lot of progress this year!  She's loving playing the classical music that the new director has chosen.  Dad loves it too. Their orchestra is going to the State Festival tomorrow.  Both her and cousin Amelia's orchestras are ranked in the top 15 of the state.  Maybe they'll get to say hi.  They both play 2nd violin, so that's fun.

Busy teens

 

The next two months feel like we're going full tilt.  This last week, Seth has had 4 after school rehearsals for his play next week. Loved doing the egg drop with the youth at the church and was proud that their egg lasted a long time.

Evelyn got to go to a Yo-Yo Ma concert with her orchestra class.  Such a cool thing.  She's started private lessons with the owner of the ballet studio to see if she would be interested or ready to go on pointe soon.  She likes it so far.

Sam has been pulling 13 hour days at the school most of the last two weeks.  Between early morning rehearsals for jazz band, after school esports competitions, his regional solo and ensemble competitions (which he got 1s on both of them!), and the pit orchestra for Into the Woods... we say prayers in the morning and night before he does homework and goes to bed.

Ada is counting down just a couple days until State competitions which means hours on end at the school finishing her groups 3 presentations and working on the clubs' service project.  She also did her semifinal interview for the sterling scholar competition.  She's got a one in 4 chance to go to the finals.  She doesn't think she'll go through to the next round but I'm proud of her for participating whether or not she wins anything. 

As a family, we got to go to baby Jackie's baby blessing.  All I kept thinking is that it's so neat to see her surrounded by people that love her and her parents.  It was a new experience for me to go to the student ward though.  I never did have that experience before.  There were sooooo many new babies.

Grandma Wilcox came with me to see Sam play (both his flute and piccolo) on Friday night.  Then Uncle Seth came with some of us on Saturday.  Again, just loved and surrounded by supporters!  Jer's parents are going with Ada on Tuesday (tonight).  

Last night was our nephew, Joseph B's senior recital as a piano major.  He's so amazing.  He has a natural talent and a happy and determined personality.  The youtube link for it wasn't working, so I'm going to watch it later tonight when I get a minute.

We've been trying to do temple baptisms about once a month or so... this time, Ada had scheduled to go to visit her friend in Weber, so it was the other 5 of us.  Ada had fun at the hot springs and hanging out with friends.  The kids added a new temple to their list of temples attended.

Cute Sammy in the pit.