A Midsummer Night's Dream

You may remember my post back in February when I mentioned that Amelia had started participating in "Creative Movement" classes at the American Ballet Academy.  Well, yesterday she performed as a fairy in the Academy's production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream". As you can see from the first photo, she was her usual self when I tried to take a photo, but I did manage to get a few snapshots.

Here she is with her friend, Rylee, in their little dressing room which was located under the stage.  I have to give a huge shout out to two of the class mum's who volunteered to take care of our little dancers during rehearsals as well as throughout the performance.

 

Their moment of fame...Amelia is the little one in the front, at the very right hand side of the stage as you look at it.  She absolutely loved watching and dancing with the older girls.  (of course you can "double-click" on the photos to enlarge them).

It doesn't get much cuter than this.

 

At the end of a fabulous performance, all of the dancers came out for a final curtsy!

 

Below is a photo of the Historic Elsinore Theatre, built in 1926, and although you cannot really see the dancers, it gives you an idea of what the stage looks like.  We were seated in Row "R".

 

 

As I went downstairs to collect Amelia, Matthew took a photo of the busy lobby of the theatre, there were so many people.

Grandma and Grandpa Rawe had asked us to order flowers to give to Amelia after the performance, so, to her delight, her daddy presented her with two bouquets each containing six beautiful roses in pinks, lavender and yellow.  By this time it was after 9:00 pm and she wasn't at all willing to have a photo taken, and I wasn't about to bother her too much knowing how tired she was, so instead you can see them below.

 

Even though she was only on stage dancing for about a minute, her daddy and I were so very proud of our little ballerina, not to mention the added bonus that we enjoyed a date together at the ballet too!

Now Amelia will move up to Pre-Ballet 1 and I cannot wait until Christmas when she will perform in the Nutcracker.

Great job Amelia we love you so very much!

My Girl and Me

This year as I celebrated mothers day, I felt so blessed.  Not only did I think about the sacred calling and privilege it is to have my own amazing daughter, but I especially thought about my own mum.  I thought about my Nana and grandmother, my mother-in-law, sisters-in-law, and even friends, all wonderful strong women who have at some point in my life inspired me.

I honestly don't know what I would do without my mum, and after talking with her this week, realize that you never get too old to want and need your mother.  I hear my mum in the words I now say to my daughter, and love that when Amelia sees a butterfly she says "a butterfly to let us know that Nana is thinking of us and we are thinking of her!"

Tonight, Amelia and I looked through an old photo album of me when I was a child, it was fun to hear her shriek with delight as I shared special times in my life, like donkey rides on the beach, and fun in the ladybird cars.  She looked confused as she saw her Nana with dark curly hair, after all she's only ever known her as a "blonde" with straight hair.  There are so many things I want to teach her, but above all, I want her to know that she is a precious daughter of God, who is loved so much, by many.  I want her to have the courage to chase her dreams, and a passion for the things she does in life.  I want her to be happy, and hope that she too will one day have the opportunity to be a mother.

So, as hard as it can be sometimes, how blessed I feel to be a mum!

A Spring Performance

On May 3rd, Amelia participated in a Spring Program at her Pre-school, St. Joseph's.  It was a patriotic theme, and all of the children looked lovely in their red, white and blue.

I was surprised when the program began and everybody, including the children, turned to the American flag and stated the Pledge of Allegiance.  Even though I've heard it several times, being English, I don't know it myself and until this night, I didn't know Amelia knew it either, so this is something my little girl is now teaching me.

The program was great, Amelia and I had been practicing the songs all week.  She sang,Yankee Doodle (all of the verses, complete with actions), Johnny Appleseed and Three Cheers for the Red, White and Blue.  Although it was only fifteen minutes long, it was perfect and nice to see Amelia so comfortable and happy with her classmates (which includes most of the front row she is standing with).

 

The flags were given out for the last songs, including "Three Cheers for the Red, White and Blue".

 

 

Amelia was very excited to see that her daddy made it in time, since he had been away with work all week and had to drive really fast to make it in time, he walked in just as it began...phew!

There was an art display showing everybody's pictures, Amelia is pointing to a great picture of me that she drew - I love it.  She also did the painting next to it.

There was also a book fair, Amelia had asked several times for the Barbie, Mermaid book, we bought it since she had done such a great job with the program. 

 

Well done sweetheart, we are so proud of you!!!

A Mouse Lived in a Windmill in old Amsterdam!

Do you know the song about the mouse that lived in a windmill?
I loved it as a child and can't help but think of it when I see tulips...

Monday was a fabulous, sunny day, so we planned to end our work day a couple of hours earlier than usual, so that we could enjoy the Wooden-Shoe Tulip Festival.  It turned out to be a wonderful time to go.  After hearing reports of how busy it had been over the weekend, not only did we pay half the price for going during the week, but it wasn't too busy either.

The field was spectacular and as colourful as it always is.  It seems impossible to pick a favourite variety since they are all amazing in their own way.  I have to admit if I planted some in our garden I would have to buy the mixed variety, so that I could enjoy a little bit of everything.

 

 

 

Daddy and his girl!

 

I love this tulip, everything about it is simply stunning.

 

 

 

Me and my girl! 

 

 

Amelia was excited to find out that although most of the vendors were closed, the Pony ride was open, she used her own $5 for her ride and was even able to select which horse she wanted.  Grandpa Rawe this picture is for you! 

 

 

 

She absolutely loved the "duckie race" as it was called and actually did a great job of pumping the water into the chute, something she had found difficult in years past. 

On our way out, she stepped into the giant clogs for one last photo, those sure are big shoes to fill.

 

So I guess that is that for another year!
After looking at all of the photo's are you surprised to hear that tulips are my favourite flower?

We ended our fun Family Home Evening at The Home Place, in Silverton, one of grandpa Rawe's favourite Oregon pizza places.

It truly was the perfect family outing!

Forever Blowing Bubbles!

The weather has been fabulous this weekend, in the 70's yesterday and I believe we may have even hit the 80's today.  After a little quiet time, Amelia was excited to finally be able to use the bubble gun that Auntie Heidi had bought for her when we visited Texas.  She headed into the garden and the fun began.  She loved dancing around and ended up using up the entire bottle of bubbles.

Of course, never wanting to miss a thing, I had my camera handy so that I could share a part of our day with you.

 

 

 

She loved stomping on each bubble as they fell to the ground.

 

Bubbles are such a serious business.

 

Thank you Auntie Heidi for such a fun gift, Amelia loves it...
Now all I have to do is remember to buy more bubbles.