May

The month of May passed way too quickly! (but don't they all as we get older?) I spent the first half of the month driving Rachel to "Cinderella" rehearsals and Spring Dance Demonstration rehearsals. Our official ballet season is over but I use the term "over" lightly : ) Rachel auditioned for a position in WAB Company and has earned a spot in the Senior Company for the coming year! She had a week off and now is back to taking an *optional* class twice a week to stay ready for the 2-week summer intensive she will attend at OU. Allan has been busy working at his job and working on his project - his 1979 convertible Super Beetle. It goes to the paint shop tomorrow - finally!! After it is painted he has to let the paint cure for 3 weeks before he takes the car to the "top" shop for a new convertible cover. While the paint cures, he will put the engine back in and some of that type work. He can't really put his seats and interior in until he has a top back on. Hopefully by the time the fall semester starts at school he will have it ready to go. He attends new student orientation at the college later this month to register for classes. It's been a busy month but it's been a good month.

GRADUATION

Wow! I can't believe it was a month ago that I tried to do some catching up on my blog. Obviously, I didn't finish!! Today I want to post about Allan's graduation - what a great day it was!!

Allan participated in a graduation ceremony with our homeschool support group. There were 8 graduates who decided to participate in the ceremony. It was a great group of kids - 4 girls, 4 guys. Many people will never attend a graduation ceremony that is so special and honors the graduates in such a personal way. Months of planning went into the ceremony and reception that followed and it was all so worth the effort of all the families. Six of the eight grads worked together on a song. One of the girls wrote the music when they found there was no sheet music for the piece they wanted to use. Not only did she write her piano part but also for the bass and added in a violin. It was awesome!!! Each graduate then presented a slideshow they had prepared highlighting their lives. At the conclusion of the slideshow, the parents and the graduate came forward and the dad's presented the diploma after saying a few words. The mom's got to move the tassel from one side to the other and then the graduates surprised the mom's and presented each mom with a rose - I told you - these are great kids! Two of the graduates dad's are pastors and each gave a short message to the graduates. This was followed by a time of family prayer. We held a reception in the fellowship hall of the church after the ceremony. It was decorated beautifully (the graduates chose the decorations and helped set it all up). Cake and punch were served and families had a great time of fellowship. Each graduate had a personal table set up in the fellowship hall that had memorabilia from their school years on display. It was a wonderful afternoon of honoring the accomplishments of our students.

Allan plans to attend UA Fort Smith majoring in Business Administration. He has accepted a 4- year Scholarship of Academic Distinction. We are very proud of Allan's accomplishments and thankful for God's leading us to homeschool Allan beginning in sixth grade. We give all glory to Him for his faithfulness to lead us and guide us just where we needed to go.

EAGLE SCOUT

Allan earned his Eagle Scout rank this past spring. While we were celebrating his graduation from high school, we decided to have his Eagle Scout Court of Honor while some of our family was in town. I am not sure how wise it was to plan 2 "big" events within 3 days but we did it and in the end, all went well! Allan started his scouting as a Tiger Cub in first grade. It was the year our church started a scout troop/pack. Robert was trained as a leader and served as Tiger Cub Coach that very first year. As Allan progressed through the ranks of cub scouts and then a boy scout, Robert followed him every step of the way. It was our goal to support Allan in his quest for Eagle rank but Robert had never planned to be in scouting with Allan all 12 years! However, as the need for leaders never seems to go away, he decided to stay involved and make sure that our troop stayed active. Many thanks go to all the dads who sacrifice their time to help these young men mature and reach their goals!!

We are so proud of Allan for staying the course even in those times that he wanted to give up. He persevered and accomplished the highest rank a Boy Scout can earn! Allan's Eagle Scout Service Project was trail improvement at the Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center. He did a great job planning his project and overseeing the work. I was proud of the maturity he showed when he had to approach businesses for donations of materials for his project - something that would have been way out of my comfort zone and I am sure was somewhat out of his. All of the necessary materials were donated - lumber, concrete, slag, telephone poles, even some of the food for the lunch we prepared for the volunteers on the "big" work day!

Scouting has been an important part of Allan's life throughout the past 12 years. He has learned so much through service projects in the community, earning merit badges, attending summer camp, and building and racing pinewood derby cars. I am thankful for the opportunities he has had through scouting and hope that one day he will have a son of his own to guide through scouting.

April Ballet Happenings

April was a busy month for ballet. Rachel began weekend rehearsals for "Cinderella" in addition to her weeknight rehearsals. She is dancing as the Summer Fairy and a Ball Guest in the May 11 performance. April 10 - 14, Rachel and I traveled with her ballet company to Richardson, TX for Regional Dance America/Southwest Region Festival. She took classes for 3 days and performed with her company on Friday night. RDA Festival is a highlight of the year for these girls. They take classes from world-renowned instructors and enjoy three nights of performances by the member companies. They are treated to a dancer party one night and a gala banquet closes the festival on the last night. Our company performed an emerging choreography piece on Friday night and part of our company performed on Saturday night. Our company was also honored with the "Stream" award which is presented to a member company each year.

MARCH

March began with a ballet performance with the Symphony, a going away party for a ballet teacher who is having twins and beginning preparations for "Cinderella".

Rachel and I had a fun field trip to Kopper Kettle Candies with our homeschool group. They were in the midst of making all the Easter candy. Lot's of fun! However, as much as I love chocolate, I don't think I could stand to smell it all day, every day : )

We took a modified spring break - meaning we didn't take off the entire week but I was flexible so the kids could spend time with their PS friends who were out of school. Rachel had a sleepover at a friends house and then had a friend sleepover at our house that week. Her birthday fell on Easter this year. We celebrated her 14th year with lunch at Golden Corral after Easter Service at church and then had her favorite "Cookie Cake" at home. My baby girl is growing up!

February Re-cap

February started off with an unexpected surgery but thankfully all was well and recovery was swift.

We got into graduation planning mode with our local homeschool support group. Allan also had his senior pictures taken.

Rachel was busy with ballet adjudication for Regional Dance America http://rdasw.org/ and preparing to dance with the Fort Smith Symphony at their program for the schools - Earquake.

Playing "Catch Up"

I decided to set aside some time this morning and do some "catching up" on my blog. I am really good at thinking of blogging but actually sitting down and typing the blogs escapes me : ) We have had a very busy few months and hit some big milestones in our family. I am going to see what I can get posted today!