One Proud Momma :)

This is just an update of what has been happening so far concerning my children's school and extracurriculars. Makensie has decided after one lesson that she does not like ballet anymore. She told me that it's boring. So after thinking it over and talking some more with her, I decided to let her quit. I did look into gymnastics, but the space is limited with classes already having started and the schedule of what classes are available was not very convenient for us at this time. The good news is that I called Matthew's piano teacher and, knowing that she only takes students who are at least on a third grade level, I asked her if she would consider giving Makensie a trial. She told me that she has taken some kids younger than third grade, very few, but she has and she would be willing to give Makensie lessons on a trial basis. So we decided that after the Christmas Holidays, Makensie is going to start piano lessons along with Matthew. Matthew's first lesson this year will be September 2. I can't believe this will be his fourth year of lessons already. He actually started in the second grade, but that was with another piano teacher (who actually had the same philosophy as this teacher, but let him start anyway). And he has excelled quickly! I hope that Makensie has the same interest and ability in piano as he does. We shall see :)

Now on to the REALLY proud news that I MUST share: Matthew and Makensie both had the opportunity last Wednesday to try out for choir. Normally the school doesn't allow students to be in ensemble until at least the third grade (AGAIN). But, on Wednesday I got a phone call from the principal informing me that with the school being as small as it is this year (27 students to be exact) and with so little amount of students trying out, would I mind if Makensie tried out. I was thinking, "Are you kidding". Of course I said she could try out! She and I both had been talking and she would from time to time tell me how much she loves to sing and couldn't wait till she was old enough to try out for ensemble. As for Matthew, I don't know if ya'll remember me on older blog posts talking about how I begged him to try out each year. Well, this year I finally talked him into trying out, but I was concerned about him actually going through with it. But he did. He later told me that he was really nervous, but he didn't want to let me down and he was going to do it no matter what! So anyway, of course I was very anxious for them to get home that afternoon and find out how it went, whether Matthew actually tried out, etc. And they both made it! The biggest deal to me, though, wasn't the fact that they got picked; it was just a huge challenge for them (especially Matthew) to try out, and I was just so very proud of them for just having the courage and confidence to try out. Whether they made it or not, I would have been proud of them either way! Okay, so the truth is that everyone who tried out got picked (since they were so desperate, I guess), but still I couldn't be more proud of both my kids right now!

Happy Birthday, Matthew!

Matthew turned 11 on August 17. We celebrated as a family pretty much the whole weekend of his actual birthday, but his party wasn't held until yesterday at the bowling alley. We invited his four classmates, a former classmate, and a couple of other friends. Unfortunately, only two friends showed up, but it didn't seem to bother Matthew at all, and we all ended up having a great time. He has been begging us for months to get him a Nintendo DS, so that's what he got, except we got him a Nintendo DSI (which is the latest version). He was so surprised and of course loved it! You will notice that he has three cakes :) The first one was the one that Makensie & I made for him to celebrate among the four of us at home last weekend. The Classic Cookie was purchased so he'd have something to take to school on his birthday to share with his teacher and classmates. And of course, the last one (his favorite) was for his birthday party. I told him that not every kid gets to have three cakes for their birthday and he should feel very priviledged~but personally I think I was the one that was the most thrilled about it :)

Just Another Day at the Beach :)

This past Saturday, Makensie & I went to Gulf Shores, AL with two of my sisters and their families. Vicki & Marc and their 3 kids went, Gwen, her granddaughter, Krislyn (who is Shawn's daughter) and her daughter Katelyn and two of Katelyn's friends, Sarah and Jordan went, as well. Bobby had to work and Matthew just didn't want to go. He said he's over the beach, so he stayed at my parents' house. The water wasn't as pretty as it had been, my guess would be in part due to a tropical wave being out in the Gulf of Mexico. Yeah, I know, but we went anyway and it was cloudy pretty much the whole day with dark clouds looming over. In spite of that, we got to stay as long as we wanted and it never rained a drop while we were on the beach, on the drive there or on the drive home. I was grateful that we got to go this Saturday. My sister Gwen was the one who got the trip up and she had initially planned it for August 22nd, but we are going to be busy that day with Matt's party, so I asked if we could go this Saturday. I know I said this before, but I truly think this was our last day at the beach until next season....but you never know :)