The girls started Young Women's this month. They've had some fun get to know you activities, a service project packing lunches/dinners for a shelter and just getting used to going to activities every single week. They have 19 girls in their 12-13 year old class so it's always a big party when they get together.
Aria did something that was so hard and so brave and I'm so proud of her for it. She decided she wanted to try out for the school play, Annie Jr. Over Christmas break, she practiced the song Tomorrow (which is high and so hard to sing I think) probably 50 times. She then memorized a short dialogue from the script. In January she signed up, sang her solo in front of 2 teachers, gave her lines to another teacher and then learned a dance. She was so excited and it was so far out of her comfort zone. We were all sad when she learned she didn't make it. I was actually so so sad for her and the effort she put into it and I really felt like this would've been such a good experience to help her be more confident and not so quiet around others. But it wasn't meant to be but I just didn't want to forget how proud I was of her putting herself out there. She will get to play some songs in the orchestra for it though.
The girls also got Invisalign to help straighten some of their teeth. This will be phase 1 of 2 so we'll see how it goes. It was a little stressful when they first got them on because they couldn't figure out how to take them back out and they had to go back to school and eat lunch. We sat in the parking lot for 15 minutes and finally I told them to just not wear them until they got home. I got them a little tool that helps and after a few days of practicing though it's been fine and getting easier.
Jaron and Aria both started their Jr Jazz Basketball games. And it's been a really busy month with everyone going all over the place. Between 3 kids of 3 different teams, each having different games and practices and then Jaron also having soccer practices it's been a crazy month and I have literally lived the car. Right now here is what each kid has going on a weekly basis
Siena: Basketball practices twice a week plus games, YW's, Piano lessons, Knowledge Bowl
Aria: Basketball practice and game, YW's, Violin lessons, Orchestra, Knowledge Bowl
Jaron: Soccer practice, Basketball practice and game, Piano lessons, Activity Days, Knowledge Bowl
Last year I challenged the kids to memorize the 13 articles of faith. We focused on one a year and they all did it. We took them to get ice cream in celebration.
I went with the girls' on their field trip to the curiosity museum at Thanksgiving Point. It was pure chaos and actually that museum is a little young for them and they were all kind of bored by the end but I know the girls appreciate when I go on field trips with them.
I also volunteered to sit in with Jaron's class while Mrs. Pendleton had a 30 minute meeting. Usually my kids get excited when I come into their class and volunteer but Jaron has decided that was embarrassing and he totally ignored me and wouldn't even look at me. haha...oh well.
One night Michelle called me and invited me to the Jazz game with her, AT and his sister Lori. It was a fun night and so nice of them to invite me last minute and we had a great time.
I got Tim Tams for Christmas! I hadn't had any since before Covid and they were so good. I decided we should all do Tim Tam slams and everyone had a fun night trying them out.
I also went on a field trip with Jaron's class to UVU. They have this huge stain glass window display of the history or the world. They did some fun activities learning about that and then got to decorate boxes in whatever 'home' they would like to create. It was a fun morning and something different I hadn't done before.
