Willow's theater production: Tuck Everlasting

Willow's performing arts program put on a production of Tuck Everlasting. Willow was in the ensemble and was cast as a male (all the tallest girls were). It was great experience to be part of her first production!

Additional videos here, here, here, here, and here. 

Always grateful for this fan group!

Dance showcase

Willow is enjoying being part of a performing arts program through a regional school. They had a choral concert in the fall, then had their dance showcase in January, followed by a theater production in the spring. This year it's Tuck Everlasting. Of the 3 parts, Willow seems to enjoy and be progressing with dance the most. All we knew going in, was that she was part of 6 dances and that we knew 2 dances she had been selected to be in, which involved a few extra practices on teacher workdays. She really surprised us with her solo in the first dance though! We're not quite sure where she got those moves nor that confidence from but are so proud of her!

On 11: https://youtu.be/ZKsRWOWGf4A?si=dA_ERR_i1jxswNQn

 Warmup dances:

https://youtu.be/0J7ElXmmAyo?si=RBhoroOhO96djUNl

https://youtu.be/TPzqKNj8MG4?si=NZGzAmLeogbiOHVR

Standards: https://youtu.be/k9LbS6_RnWg?si=VIVrdhe-f0KBWrt8

Tap dance: https://youtu.be/qe0bM9CehSo?si=BWA2RsSfes0XyAKC

Razzle Dazzle: https://youtu.be/xA_Etg4aJ8Y?si=0PlXcLpTMUfFvptd

Although Nana and Grandpa weren't able to make it (they're vacationing in Florida for a month!!!), Gramps and Gramma were there, as well as a sweet couple from church, and my childhood friend Erin and her son. They even brought her flowers! We're so proud of you, sweetie!

School Pictures

6th grade

9th grade

19th year
(Behind the smile: 3 months in to Accutane, hamstring injury, bee sting allergic reaction, 1" cyst in breast)

Vocal concert

Willow has enjoyed being part of the Burton Performing Arts program this year. They had their choral concert this fall, will have a dance performance in January, then a theater production in April.

Check out her songs here, here, and here. 

 

Homecoming

Willow got to experience her first Homecoming dance! I love that girls go with friends these days! It definitely wasn't like that when I was in high school! She went with her friends Lily and Izzy. I did her hair (a waterfall braid, thanks YouTube!!) then she went to Lily's house to do makeup together. We met downtown for pictures at the "fancy hotel" then another mom took them to dinner downtown then to the dance. They stayed the whole time and report having a great time! 

 

I loved that the other mom loved pictures as much as I do!

She even got a couple pictures at the dance:

School Life

We are in the groove of school these days and I have to say that Willow has had the best start to the school year than she's had for the past 3! It usually takes a good month for her to have friends developed in class and be in the groove but high school has been amazing for her so far! She's loving the performing arts program that she's part of. It's been a great way for her to make friends from different grades and different schools that all have this interest in common. She's also been attending open gyms for basketball and is excited to try out later this fall. Starting middle school is A LOT! Owen isn't as thrilled about school as he used to be. He doesn't have much to say about his teachers or classmates. The cafeteria is loud... Thankfully he's enjoying band and will find his people through that. 

Here's Willow's performing arts group!

Willow has loved attending a few football games with friends (and a few with me!!). They have dress up themes and she loves being part of the "Dog Pound" (aka student section). We're also grateful for these "no drama" friends!

My school got a book vending machine and the kids LOVE it! These cute kindergartners couldn't wait to read their book while they waited for their peers to pick theirs!

Here's our staff picture:

I always love when these trees bloom outside of my windows in the fall!

Owen's librarian coordinated a reading incentive for them and Owen is ALL ABOUT IT! He reads with a timer and is diligent about coloring his bookmark! He's so incredibly honest about it too :)

These sweet 1st graders practiced my name while spelling words with digraphs :)

Willow has enjoyed having semi-regular baking dates with a friend who moved away after 7th grade. They love it...and we love it too!

Willow and Owen both attend Youth Group on Sunday nights now. Willow loves being part of the high school group and Owen is tolerating it ;) He doesn't seem to talk to other kids but thankfully is noticed by a few of the leaders who have gone out of their way to hook up the video games or talk with him. I'm praying it's a fruitful time for him soon! 

Our sweet PE teacher gave me these flowers after being a great listener as I told her my list of bodily woes....Accutane, pulled hamstring, bee stings, cysts in my chest... It was incredibly thoughtful of her and made me feel noticed!

I love being in the county with the kids because we can email each other (they can't email anyone outside of the school system). The teachers didn't show the kids how to do email so I did and LOVED seeing this subject come through on my email!!

Owen is getting into band more so we thought he'd enjoy seeing the marching band in the halftime show of a football game. He was excited to go but wasn't interested in the game much. They recognized veterans and Gramps was able to stand up!

Owen holding out for halftime...

Do you recognize this song? It's amazing what Owen's learned on the clarinet in two short months!

Willow got these matching shirts for her and a friend. :)