Dig It

Luke and Lindsey weren't the only ones involved in theatrical drama this year.  The sixth grade class at our elementary presents a play every year called "Dig It."  It's a play that summarizes what they have learned through the year about world civilizations.  Heather was one of the leads in that play.  She did an awesome job.  She was one of the explorers that happens upon a skeleton that gives the explorers a tour through history.  This is always one of the better class plays and this year did not disappoint.

OKLAHOMA

Last year, in the spring, Luke and Lindsey auditioned for the musical theater class.  I remember it very well because it was during election time when Luke was running for studentbody officer.  There was one evening, right before the election, when it seemed there were a million things to do, Luke was scrambling to find a song to audition with and practice it.  At about 11:00 pm, Luke had a moment of great discouragement as he felt extremely overwhelmed (and exhausted) with all he was trying to do.  I told him he didn't have to do all of these things and suggested he not worry about musical theater.  He rallied and said he really wanted to try theater because he likely wouldn't be able to fit it into his schedule in high school.  Looking back at that time, I'm glad he was able to hold it all together and audition.  He made it into the class and got the lead in the musical-- Oklahoma.

I think we were all pleasantly surprised when Luke and Lindsey came home at the beginning of the school year and told us they had made callbacks and were hoping to get the leads.  We weren't as surprised about Lindsey because she has always enjoyed singing and acting but we had not seen this in Luke.  There was a lot of joking about the idea of them both getting leads and having to pretend they were in love.  I think the teachers thought that would be weird too and gave the leading lady party to someone else.  However, Luke was given the lead.

After many practices and rehearsals, and scrounging up a costume (thank goodness Grandpa Yardley is a true cowboy), opening night came.  The musical opened with the spotlight on Luke across the room and he begins singing.  He did a great job!  A lot of those in the play were Luke's friends (girls) which made it exciting to see them all.  Lindsey was a dancer and cowgirl and also did an awesome job.

Ashlyn's First Birthday

It is hard to believe but Ashlyn is one year old!!  Where does the time go?  When I had four small ones at home, before any of the kids were in school, the days seemed a little longer.  Now that all the kids are in school and involved in so many activities, a year passes in the blink of an eye.  I still don't get as much accomplished in a day as I hope to but I've learned to do what I can and not worry about the rest (at least I tell myself that--there are still times I feel anxious because there is so much still to do).

Ashlyn has truly been a blessing in our lives.  If I had to describe her in one word, it would be sweetheart.  She is so precious and calm with a smile that lights up your heart.  It has been fun watching the older kids fall in love with her.  She has a special relationship with each of her siblings.  Some of them will be out on their own before Ashlyn gets big enough to remember her interactions.  I hope the older ones will remember how much they love and care for her right now.

Targhee Ski Trip

We took our annual (I guess you can't call it annual because we haven't been in a while) ski trip in January.  Our kids have all learned to ski at Targhee ski resort in Wyoming-- it's just over the Idaho border.  It is a great place to take the family because they have ski school and daycare for the kids.  We didn't go last year because I was pregnant and then Ashlyn was born and we hadn't really talked about going this year.  The kids brought it up how they missed going last year so we decided to head up to the slopes.

We left on a Sunday evening after all the meetings and interviews had been squared away.  It takes about four hours to get up there and the kids were all crowded in the car but it was a good time to talk and share stories.  The movie player in this car has never worked.  Sometimes I wish we had it but most of the time I'm grateful that it doesn't work because the kids have decided they like hearing stories from James' and my childhood.

We started ski school bright and early the next morning.  Luke decided he had learned enough at ski school so he set out on his own.  Lindsey wanted to learn to snowboard and enlisted me to join her.  Heather, Savannah and Matthew went to their respective classes.  This was Matthew's first time skiing.  Savannah had been once before but didn't learn much and Heather was a pro.  Lindsey and I managed to get into the same class despite the fact that she was considered a junior and I was an old lady.  By the end of the day I definitely felt like an old lady-- in fact, I think I wanted to cry!

For those who have never tried snowboarding, allow me to share my perspective on the sport-- it is painful!!  There is no way around the fact that you have to spend time on your rear end.  This may not seem like a problem when you purposefully sit down to strap on the snowboard, however, once you are down, you have to get back up which involves getting the aforementioned rear end up off the ground.  This didn't seem to be a problem for Lindsey but it was for me.  It took me a while to figure out why my arms and shoulders were so sore because they aren't really used as you snowboard, then I understood that pushing myself up all the time was putting great strain on these muscles.  I had decided to give up and ski the next day but Lindsey begged me to be in her class again so I consented.  I weighed the value of the mother/daughter bonding moment against the pain involved and chose the mother/daughter bonding.  However, when we showed up for class, the instructor insisted on separating us and having Lindsey join some girls her own age.  This meant that I was in a class all my own (physically and literally).  It was not the morning I had imagined.  I had a young man who became my private teacher.  He was very patient but I can imagine what was going through his mind.  To make matters worse, Lindsey's teacher would holler my name and shout accolades every time he passed me with his class.  I think he was trying to make me feel better for splitting me from Lindsey but it was awfully embarrassing.  My misery finally ended when the class did at lunchtime.  We spent the remainder of the afternoon together.  Heather became my support as everyone else would ski off without me, including Lindsey who had mastered snowboarding.

All in all, it was a great trip (despite the pain).  Matthew realized he loved skiing.  Savannah gained a lot of confidence in her abilities.  Heather and Luke increased in skill and Lindsey learned a new sport.  James and I just sit by the fire and smile.