James

So as not to leave anyone out, I had better add an update on James.  Without much ceremony, James completed 1st grade.  He also had a great year and especially enjoyed the extensive focus this year on  animals. He is now very concerned about keeping our environment clean and protecting endagered animals.  His final project was a research paper and poster on Manta Rays.  He later reported that the class thought it was a bat!  I guess they didin't look close enough!

 

James dropped our iPad a few weeks ago.  I have never heard such an agonizing, remorseful sob in my career as mother.  I couldn't get mad and had to hold back the impulse to laugh!

Love my little James!

Catching Wind

Piano

The boys completed yet another year in piano with Nancy Pirozzi.  They were really excited to perform their pieces and did a great job!  They even made it through their duet!  Good job boys!

Kindergarten Graduation

Evidently, Kindergarten deserves a ceremony.  Note the Kleenex box on hand for any emotional parents.  Kindergarten with Mrs. Ingraham was a happy place for Ruth this year.  She grew in confidence, made lots of cute friends, and is well on her way to becoming a reader.  On the final day of school, she sobbed all the way home, much to the bewilderment of her two older brothers!  

4th grade wrap up

With his lanky limbs and bottomless appetite, I think that David is finally ready to head into 5th grade.  4th grade was a great experience for David.  He loved learning about California history, working on computers, and fine tuning his multiplication skills.  We also discovered David's love for writing, demonstrated by his essays which would go on page after page after page.  The final week of school, David's class put on a play called "Gold Dust or Bust" in which he played Captain Pyrite.

A couple of days later, we gathered for yet another event: 4th grade strings concert.  

Culture

Seems like it's been a very cultural month for us.  Last fall, Joseph and I bought season tickets to the symphony.  Our final concert this past month was definitely our favorite: "The Planets" by Gustav Holst and Midori, a featured violinist.  A week later, BYU's Vocal Point was in town, so we decided to treat the boys to a night out.  Just as expected, the concert was GREAT!  We've occasionally watched their YouTube channel, so we recognized many of the singers.  They also sang James' favorite song, "Happy", which made him very happy!

Our final excursion this month was my Mother's Day gift.  Newsies was on tour at the Segerstrom.  The dancing was out of this world, even when viewed from the rafters.