Messy Party!

Sam got his very first friend birthday party this year!  He was so excited and I admit, so was I.  It's fun to have parties I think.  Asking Sam who he wanted at his party, he told me that he needed Maddie, Alison and Daphne from his Sunbeams class and Ezra, Eli to come and play.  And play we did! 

We started off by getting everyone in an old shirt and finger painted with vanilla pudding tinted green to make big Christmas trees.  Our trees were decorated with fruit loop ornaments.  It was a big hit to watch them smear it all over the place.  Cute little Daphne kept exclaiming "We're having a messy party!"  The brothers Ezra and Eli licked their fingers after every smear.  They really thought that this was a good time.  I didn't think about the fact that the pudding would not dry in time.  If I were to do this again, I think that finger paints would be perfect.  Still, the kids were in heaven!





Then we brought out the cupcakes with richly hued green, red and blue frosting with lots of sprinkles, Skittles, Nerds and sour gummy worms.  All favorites of Sam's and had a contest to have them make the messiest cupcake they could.  Again, Daphne exclaiming "We're having a messy party!" was hysterical to me as they dove in and covered their cupcakes with candy.  I had to keep urging them on to make it even messier. 





Then off to presents!  Loved watching them all gather around Sam as he dove into opening them all.  Then he gave a hug to each on of them.  My favorite was the surprise hug from behind that he gave to Alison that looked suspiciously like a choke hold especially when they hit the ground.  It wasn't and they were both not even phased by the outburst of lovin'.  I love how innocent these little kids are.  So sweet and funny!



Sam calls Maddie his girlfriend. I secretly hope that someday I can show them this picture to prove their love. :)



Of course, that all went so fast and they had a little more time to play then I had anticipated, but that is alright.  The girls set up house and the boys played with the new toys going in and out of the girls house scenario.  Do you eavesdrop on your kids?  I do.  Their little conversations are too cute.  "Now, we're sisters and you are the Mom and these are the brothers and we like food.  Oh I am so thankful for all this food!"  and "I know these trophies are Mia's, but we are pretending we got them for our ballet class." from the girls and "pew, pew! bam! bam! ahhh!!" from the boys.

All in all, it was a wonderful party and Sam had a wonderful time.  He loved that he got to play with them all and really thought it was great that they brought presents for him.  He's a pretty darn cute kid!

It's the most wonderful time of the year....if your Sam

It's hard to believe that it's already that time of year again!  No, not Christmas.  Sam's birthday!  Once again, time has flown and my baby is yet another year older and wiser too. 

Sam's getting quite the personality.  It's a little bit goofy and a little bit show offish and little bit shy.  He still doesn't like the camera, but I'm starting to get some smiles out of him.  Would you believe this was the best picture I could get of him showing me that he is 4? 

Yes, it is.  But these pictures so Sam's little personality in so many ways.  One, the outfit.  Silly faced, mismatched green clothes (which green is his favorite color) and some super cool cowboy boots that Ryan gifted him just minutes before.  Yes Daddy knows him well and when he found these little gems, he had to get them for him.  He has been stomping around, kicking snow, jumping and strutting in them ever since. He doesn't even have to be fully dressed to appreciate them because on Saturday, he sported an undies, t-shirt and boots look all day.

Sam still loves garbage trucks and the best day of his life was when we got our brand new recycling can.  He suited up and dumped anything that he could find in it.  I know that the addition of the recycling truck on Monday mornings is going to be that much better for him.

Sam is truly a good helper.  This Fall, the leaves keep falling between snow and rain storms.  Sam will stay with us until the job is done working all along with his little blue shovel and using the big rake.  I was so thankful for his willingness to help me rake some heavy wet leaves or shovel the driveway or take out the trash.  I love it and hope that he continues to give service throughout his life.

Sam is also very patient.  Funny that the littlest can be so patient with me and his siblings when they start their demanding.  Jake and Mia expect everything 5 minutes ago while Sam is content.  Another blessing I say.

Sam loves to play with friends now and often is asking to for a play date while the kids are school.  He loves to play with his garbage trucks, army men and Jake's Star Wars guys.  He loves to do what Jake is doing.  He loves to color with Mia and he is a good little student of hers.  She made a picture that has rows of colors that she makes him recite to her.  It's sweet to see him pleasing her as he recites the colors off.  If he misses one, she makes him start again and he will patiently do it again.  I can hear them now, "gween, gween, gween, lellow, lellow, lellow, bwue, bwue, bwue....".

We are so blessed and happy to have our Samalicious in our life.  He is such a happy boy with a funny personality.  He's got us all wrapped around his little finger and he doesn't even know it.  That makes us wrapped all the tighter around his fat little finger. 

We love you Sammy-boy! 

Love,

Mama



Jake's Choir Concert

This year, Jake decided that he wanted to be in choir.  I, of course, am thrilled to bits to have him involved in something that he is excited about.  He was so excited to get to the concert, that I didn't have time to make sure that his hair was fixed. 

We enjoyed several fun Christmas songs and I enjoyed watching Jake intently sing with determination on his face.  My batteries died, but not before I got one picture of him setting up for the concert. 

He's a good little singer and can carry a tune.   I would love to see him continue.  Being a part of a group is such a good thing.   Concerts make me weepy eyed being the sap that I am.  But Jake's favorite thing about events like this is when Grandma Sharon offers to take us all out to Crown Burger.  Jake's sure eating like a man already as he devoured a double cheese burger with fries and a soda.  What are we in for? 

Love 'ya boy!

Dear Sammy,

Dear Samalamalicious,

Lately, you've been bored being home by yourself with me.  You are getting very social and want to have friends over.  Today, we invited little Alison.  Alison with her big brown eyes, dark brown hair and creamy tan skin.  Beautiful little Alison that is just as funny as you.  You played well and I loved listening to your conversations.  It was mainly about how your brother loves Star Wars but you love Jango.  She responded how her brothers love Star Wars but she likes to play house.  Then you showed her how far you could jump. 

You are rad little one.

After she left, we had our lunch and made chocolate chip cookies.  You wore Mia's pink apron, but it wasn't really your idea.  You were willing to wear it if that meant you could make the cookies, but pink is a giiiirrls color you say.

Baking with you was different then baking with Jake or Mia.  Mia loves to bake but is a little distracted.  Jake is intense and you can't do it fast enough for him.  It's a bit stressful to bake with him.  But you, you enjoyed yourself.  You had to feel all of the ingredients poking the butter (which you called peanutbutter), cracking the eggs, scraping the dry ingredients out with your fingers.  Lots of taste testing and telling me how you were excited to tell the kids that you made cookies for them. 

Did you know that we think it's hilarious that you refer to Jake and Mia as "the kids"? 

I love you so much little Sammy!  I can't believe that you are going to be four soon!  Time is flying and soon, I'll won't have my little helper home with me.  You clean, vacuum and put the laundry in the dryer.  You learned to fold clothes over a year ago.  Can't say the same for your siblings.  You bring in the groceries, stack the cans and set the table.  I'm thankful for you and your soft heart. 

I love you!

Mama

Dear Daughter,

Dear Mia,

Tonight, we tackled the cleaning out of your room...again.  Your room is going to be the end of me!  Right now, I am sure that your Grandma Desse and Aunt Sharmyn are laughing that I you are just like me.  I am sticking my tongue out at you two!  We can get your room clean again.  We can do this! 

We just started the cleaning tonight and we were able to get rid of:  a large bag of garbage,  a really full black garbage bag of hand me downs for friends and another black bag of donations to DI.  Great progress but shocking since we just cleaned out your room two months ago!  Where is all this stuff coming from?

We put away all of your clothes and put your shoes back on the shelves.  Your bed was stripped of all the excess blankets and you choose one teddy blankie and a soft pink blanket to sleep with.  We played a game choosing 3 items that you loved and wanted to keep, 5 items that you could throw away and 5 items that you could donate.  And Mia darling, you loved it.  You like to clean your room with me!  I know you like it clean, but, my dear,  I think that you have too much stuff that you are trying to take care of. 

I've been trying to get your room organized since the day we moved in.  Organized so you can easily take care of it.  I love for you to have toys to play with, dresses to dress up in, books to read and babies to love but those things need to be put back in their home.   This is a project that I really want to let be.  It's exhausting trying to figure out how to help you best.  I love you dearly, but maybe it's time to clean out your room entirely.  No more toys, dolls, Barbie's and dress-ups.  Just the necessities so you can have a nice, peaceful place to sleep.

Dear Mia-mine, what I am going to do with your cute self?

Loves,
Mom

On a whim...

On a whim, I made my family blog public again.  It feels oddly naked and exposed right now, but somehow, makes me want to blog again.  See, having it private means that no one is looking at it so I don't have to write.  I want to write.  So, on a whim, it's public again.

A Conversation...

A conversation between Ryan and Sam late one night after enjoying a late night shower. 

Sam:  "I sure wish I had my "I Love Dad" (pj) top."
Dad:  "I wish I had a "I love Sammy" shirt."
Sam:  "And Jango Fett wishes he has a "I love Boba Fett" shirt and Boba wishes he had a "I love Jango" shirt."
Dad:  "Really."
Sam:  "Yah, and they can put it on their chest plates!"  said while rubbing his own little chest then layed back down feeling pretty satisfied with his funny little self.

Halloween 2010

I think that I forgot how to use my camera.  I got two pictures of the kids in costume and missed one child completely. 

It was cold, wet and raining cats and dogs.  Mia and Sam were not interested in pictures.  They wanted to get out trick or treating!  Even though we were soaked through, the kids had a great time and raved about how this was the best Halloween ever!

Jake went as Percy Jackson from the book series.  We sprayed his hair black, made a t-shirt that said camp half-blood and he wore a roman chest plate and carried a pen to represent the pen Riptide that Percy has that turns into a sword.

Mia insisted on a pink pirate costume from the store.  She told everyone that she was Jack Sparrow's wife.  She has a crush on him.  Him and Connor Stout.   My goodness me, you wouldn't know that she was just seven years old with how much she loves the boys.

Aunt Dee! Dee! made Sam's costume and she did an amazing job.  "The Three Amigos" is one of his favorite movies.  I love all the detail and really, he does love it, he just HATES pictures and just wanted to go trick or treating. 

Happy Halloween!! 



North Carolina

So way back in April, I was so lucky to go to North Carolina to visit Jon and Sharmyn.  I don't know why I haven't blogged about it yet.  No offense Sharmyn, I'm just lazy.

In March, Ryan received a super secret phone call from Jon inviting me to fly out and visit with them as a suprise to Sharmyn for my birthday.  Of course, I was jumping for joy!  It was all I could do to not say anything to Sharmyn.  Turns out, Jon is not a good secret keeper.  He spilled the beans, but it made it even funner because we got to plan out our limited time. 

I flew all day to get to North Carolina.  I was warmly welcomed, took a house tour of Sharmyn's beautiful house and enjoyed her home cooking.  It was the best spaghetti I've ever had with the most delicious cheese on top.  What was it called again?  I then retreated to my lovely guest bedroom complete with beautiful tulips just for me. 

Saturday was my birthday!  Sharmyn made delcious crepes with the best homemade strawberry jam and a delicous green smoothie complete with her own homemade yogurt.  Mmm!  I'm getting hungry just thinking about it.  We then went and did a little bit of the day of service her ward was doing.  I've never seen so many people working so hard together.  It was inspiring!  We then snuck out to do a little shopping.   Anthropology, Pottery Barn and Barnes and Noble of course.  I got the cutest little number and spice jars and a pretty plate just to name a few of the goodies that I bought there. 

At Barnes and Noble, I was introduced to this sweet line of sationary goods for kids.  What was it called?  Can't remember, but I loved it all.  I got the kids there own tin pencil box with pencil, sharpener, eraser, pen and ruler.  They love them!

We grabbed a HUGE burrito and ran home to get ready for my birthday party.  Shramyn invited some of their friends to celebrate with me.  The food, of course, was fantastic!  Homemade bread, spaghetti with yummy turkey bolagnese (sp?), salad and strawberry drink.  Martha Stewart strawberry cupcakes were delicious!  Sharmyn made me a cute little tray and a fabric flower.  They are so fun!

Sunday was delightful.  It was fun to watch Jon and Sharmyn in action.  The people were all so friendly.  I miss them very much.  That afternoon, I took a delightfully long nap.  I didn't mean to, but the room was so pleasant.  Then up for a delicious dinner of course.  That night, we played games and laughed so hard.  It was the BEST!

Monday, we ran around thrifting.  I was thrilled with everything that I got.  North Carolina is like a goldmine of thrify goodness.  I'm pretty sure it was mostly because I was with my sister.  Half-way through the day, I started to miss her already.  That night,  more friends came over for Family night.  Family night was really nice.  I liked having a group family night and thought that I should do that when I get home.  Maybe I've been home long enough? 

Tuesday morning, bright and early, I was out the door to fly home.  It was so hard to leave.  I miss my sister dearly and I am so thankful that she did this for me.  I only wish that I could do it everyday with her.  I miss watching Jon and their dog in the yard.  I miss the kitties sitting on the table eating their breakfast.  I miss the beautiful tree lined roads and everything about it.  North Carolina is a beautiful place !

Much love! Megan

It's not summer unless...

There is a redneck swimming pool to play in. 

    (This is the smile I get when I tell Sam to smile! Oh boy!)

The girls, Mia and Lauren, are in their swimsuits all day long.

And Jake is trying to sell something.

(Look! Sam smile as Sammy.)

Happy Father's Day!

High Point!

Why didn't I take my camera with me to the last two comps that Mia was in? She did better and better and I was so proud of her!  We were so lucky that Sharmyn was in town and wanted to come to National's with us.  She brought her camera and got a shot of Mia in action.  How cute is her little face and body?

Two weeks after the first competition and then again at National's, Mia's team took overall high point in the Mini's division. That means that they scored the highest out of all of the teams! I am so proud of her and love to see her light up when she dances. She was super excited about the little trophies that she got. She was even more pleased with herself when I explained to her that her hard work and great dancing earned them.  You should see the trophies at school! They are taller than Mia, just about as tall as me.   I have a picture on my phone, but I'll get a better one.  I am a proud Mama of my little girl!

Here we are, exhausted, after her dance at National's.  We had slept over at Teryn's house the night before because we had to be to Provo by 7:30am.  We didn't get to sleep until way after midnight.  I didn't sleep most of the night worrying that I wouldn't wake up and be there in time.  Then up at 6am with a mad dash to get there in time to wait.  Apparently, we missed the message sent late the night before that there dances were pushed back.  Mia was supposed to dance at 8:30am but didn't dance until almost 11am.  Thank you to Sharmyn for seeing the upside in all that waiting and we enjoyed some great dancing.  I was also glad to see that I am not the only dork that cries watching the kids dance.  Sharmyn is worse than I am.  All I can think of is how hard they have worked and I am proud of them all!  Sappy, sap, sap. 

Good job my little Mia!  When we got home that day, you asked when you would be dancing again and was very disappointed that it was over but then lit up again over your upcoming recital.  I then asked you if you wanted to dance on the team again and you gave me a pouty "no" answer.  You could hardly hold your pout before you laughed and said YES!  My silly, sassy Mia.  What are we going to do with you?  Love you and kiss you and be proud of you, that's what!

Highlights of Mia's birthday

This little girl turned SEVEN!

She was super pleased with herself having a birthday.  She wore her favorite Peace t-shirt that Debbie and Fayth gave her the night before.  With her favorite skinny jeans of course! 

She invited Paige Christensen over for a little pre-birthday celebrating.  They watched a Barbie movie with popcorn, sour patch kids, candied oranges and butterscotch candy.  Her request of course.

Mama made her a special birthday banner just before the party. 

Mama was so pleased that the party was ready in time with no stressing.  She was soon proved wrong when the downstairs toilet overflowed and flooded the bathroom right when the guest got there. 

We invited the family over for her favorite dinner.  Spaghetti, garlic bread and salad of course!  Papa, Grandma Dess, Dee-Dee and Matt came to celebrate.  Grandma Sharon and Gramps weren't feeling good from their recent surgeries.   We know they missed her! 

She got a vintage play kitchen shelf that I dolld up for her from us.  She got clothes, paper dolls, make-up, a very cool rock, play food and plates and much more.  She was spoiled!  That's how I think it should be on your birthday.  Spoiling good birthday times!

 She requested brownies for desert. 

Jake, Mia and Sam played with all her new goods until way after her bedtime and our Sammy took care of the garbage.  

Of course, hugs and kisses for everyone.  This little girl had a very good birthday. 

Love you my little Milly!  MWAH!

SEVEN!

I can hardly believe that my little Mia is already SEVEN years old!!  When Jake turned seven, all I could think of was that the next year, he would be eight and be getting baptised.   I worried about it all year and missed out on enjoying it!  While I still fret about her growing up, I am trying to enjoy her now. 

Highlights of my girl:

• She loves to dance and is doing wonderful on her team!
• She's loving school now and claims that she loves to read and loves to be in school!  This is all thanks to her teacher, Ms. Bradford.  Ms. Bradford is the perfect teacher for her and Mia loves her with all her heart!
• She is so tall!  Taller than many of her cute little friends but not the tallest in the class.
• I love her big brown eyes.  She got my eye color and thankfully, not my tiny little eyes.  I think that she is incredibly beautiful.
• She has a fierce jealous streak in her.  We are working on it.
• She still loves to collect rocks.  We just cleaned her room out and I took out no less than 50 pounds of rocks.  I do not kid you.
• She does approximately 50 billion cartwheels a day.  It's her favorite thing to do.
• She still loves the monkey bars and does tricky-tricks crossing them.  I am proud of her for that because I never could do it.  To whimpy.
• Her favorite food is still spaghetti. 
• She's still willing to try a bite of any kind of food. 
• She still loves to cook and bake.
• She has lost two teeth and has one wiggly one.
• She has a crush on Connor Stout, a 12 year old!  Ahh!
• She loves "Peace" signs and draws them on everything and will pick out every single piece of clothing with the sign on them. 
• Speaking of clothes, she's obsessed with her skinny jeans that are so worn out that they have holes in the knees.  Even though I have bought her other pairs, she only likes the one. 

I could go on for pages and pages!  I am so in love with my little girl and so proud to be her mama.  I hope and pray that I can be a good mother to her and that she will learn to use her talents for good. 

Dance Competition

Mia's dance school has pretty much become a dance competition school. While I'm not so sure about having her compete, Miss Mia loves it. LOVES IT! She's a funny little one for sure. She's shy and worried about dancing in front of Gram but as soon as you put her on stage, she's in heaven!

I think that they did really good!

The little girls looks so cute in there costumes. Some of the other teams had such trashy looking outfits, hair and makeup. I don't think that little girls should have big fake eyelashes with rhinestones, huge hair extensions and open backed dance outfits.

Sleeping Beauty

It always amazes me that Mia can sleep in a bed full of junk.  She has crayons, paper, coloring books and books for entertaining herself before she goes to sleep.  She has no fewer than twenty-eight blankets and and three billion pillows.  She has dolls, her white teddy bear and clothes.  It amazes me that she can find a place to sleep in that mess! 

Lately, Mia loves to make houses.  She makes them in the clubhouse, in her closet, in the boys room, under the table, on the sofa.....you get the idea.  This night, she decided to make a house on her bed.  Here's what she came up with.  Do you see her??

Look a little closer. 

This is how I found her, fast asleep late that night.  Let's count what is in the picture.  Alrighty, deep breath.  Here goes:

1. 
   
    NINE different pillows!  Found from my bed, the family room and hers. 
2. 
   
   Three different blankets, not including the regular ol' bedding under all of this.
3. 
   
   A stack of books, papers and markers.
4. 
   
   Your favorite satchel from Dee! Dee!.  Yes, I think it's funny that you call it a satchel.
5. 
   
   Dad's old teddy bear.
6. 
   
   A baby cradle.
7. 
   
   A baby car seat.
8. 
   
   A baby doll.
9. 
   
   And of course, little Miss Mia. 

Good gracious girl!  You are hilarious!  It was so funny to me that I found you this way that I had to run and get my camera.  You slept through me taking pictures of you.  My funny, funny Sleeping Beauty.  I would say that you don't have the "Princess and Pea" sleeping problem.  Seems like you sleep with just about anything on your bed.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

Happy St. Patty's Day!  Hope you are wearing green or these little happy pinchers will be sure to get you!

Mini Letters

*I saw this idea on Vintage Fern.  I thought it was clever. 

Dear Sammy,
Thanks for being really, truely helpful today while I cleaned up the yard.  You helped keep me motivated to get the job done. 
kisses, Mama

Dear Jacob,
I love you and your excitedness.  It makes me laugh.  Good job getting your Bear tonight.
Kisses, Mama

Dear Mia,
Your eyes are so big and brown.  I love how big and bright they look especially after I trim your bangs.
Kisses, Mama

Dear Mailman,
Thanks for being as excited for my package that came today as I was.  You are the most friendly mailman that I have ever met.
no kisses for you though, Megan

Dear Sharmyn,
I love love mail.  You are the best!
kisses, Meg

Dear Ry,
It still makes me laugh when you answer the phone like Mia did so long ago.
kisses, Linc

Dear Samalama,
I thought it was pretty dang funny that you called yourself Samalamadingdong today.  You are my favorite little garbage man.
kisses, Mama

Jake's TEN!

I can't hardly believe that my little man is already TEN YEARS OLD!! He had quite the day. First off, a special birthday breakfast. Jake requested the whole shebang and ate it all with gusto. On the menu was scrambled eggs with ham and cheese, pancakes with mini chocolate chips, bacon (of course!) and orange pineapple juice. Yum! We all enjoyed his choices.

In class, he gets to have a poster up all week all about him. I love his poster because it is SO very much him! He chose his pictures and arranged them himself. He requested that I cut out his name in different fonts and decorated it all. And yes, it was his idea to add "is awesome!!". He makes me laugh!

That morning, I got to go and talk to the class about him. Looking slightly embarrassed, he happily sat as the center of attention. The kids get a chance to ask questions about him and they asked some good questions like these:

• Q: "If you could live on any planet, where would you live and why?"
• A: Pluto and ummmmmm........?
• Q: "If you could be any Star Wars character, who would you be and why?" (Do they know him or what?)
• A: "CAPTAIN REX! Because he's the best!"
• Q: "If you could have any super power, what super power would you have? "
• A:"FLY!"

And on and on for a good ten minutes, he answered question after question. The kids were really good and they all seem to like him pretty well.

I was back in his class just two short hours later to throw a Valentine's party. A very successful party considering I forgot the correct time the party was supposed to start. Let's just say it was a blessing in disguise that only one mom out of five could come and help. Ryan and I ended up throwing the party almost by ourselves! Dumb, dumb, dumb Linc.

After school, the boys (Jake, Dallin, Mike and Sam) all jumped in the trunk of Ry's jeep. The scariest thing happened when the tailgate opened. Ryan said his dashboard beeped that the door had opened and he looked up just in time to see the door open and Sam disappear. He slammed on the brakes and ran back there expecting to find Sam in the road but thankfully, Jake and Dallin saved him and were holding onto his pants. Ryan was relieved! He said the boys just looked at him with a goofy grin and told him that they saved him. Jake sang all day that he saved his life that day. I agree! It could of been so bad. Needless to say, riding in the trunk is no longer allowed.

That night, we went to Golden Corral with the Sevy's. Jake's choice of course. He boasted that he ate 5 1/2 steaks that night! FIVE and a half! And that wasn't all he ate. He had plate after plate of fried chicken, ice cream, orange slices, bacon spinach pizza etc. etc. I'm surprised he didn't have a stomach ache!

Finally home for presents, he was thrilled to open his 3 in 1 clone blaster that he wanted with all his heart. I'm glad that we got it for him and that he was so happy about it.

Cherry cheesecake was his requested dessert. Yum!

And to finish an already long post, just a few highlights about Jake.

• He still loves Star Wars with all his heart! Still into the clones the best, but likes to play Anakin too.
• He's doing well in 4th grade. His teacher, Mrs. Langford is working to help him be organized. It's not quite working yet. :)
• His best friend is Dallin Thompson. They play together everyday after school.
• He still makes friends easily.
• He's happy to play and grumpy to clean.
• His favorite games are Guitar Hero and Star Wars Battlefront.
• His favorite color is red.
• His favorite foods are steak and bacon and insists that he needs meat in every snack or meal of the day.
• He is still as busy and goofy as ever!

Happy Birthday my Jakey!! I can't believe that you are already TEN!

With much love,

Mom

Mia's Dance Recital

Mia's dance recital was on January 27th.  She did AWESOME!!  We were all so proud of her.  Before the recital, Jake did a mini photo shoot of her.  He cracks me up and she, obviously, was loving it!  Check her sassy self out!  We got her the pretty pink rose. 

And then I let Jake take photos of her dancing.  He likes it and I like watching her.  I have a video of her from the dress rehearsal but I wish that I would of taken a video of her on recital night.  She really stepped it up and danced much better than the night before.  She knew all the steps and loves being on stage. 

The opening pose.  Then she starts a cute little hip shake right after this.

And the final pose.   She tried out many different options before she settled with this pose.  It's blurry, but you get the idea.

Afterwards, Grandma Sharon and Auntie Megan brought her these cute brightly colored daisies and took us all out to dinner at Crown Burger.  She loves her flowers and they are still look great after all this time.