School's out!!  Hooray!!  There are several various pictures this week, but the two main events both occurred on Saturday.  Jeff's choir sang at the high school graduation, officially marking the end of another school year.  He has now finished 5 1/2 years of teaching!  This week is his one week off between school and his summer job, which is accompanying our neighboring county's auditioned high school production of "Oklahoma!"   He played for "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" there last summer and it was a truly fantastic performance, as well as a good opporutnity for Jeff to meet lots of area musicians and directors and get his name out as an accomplished accompanist.

 

Also on Saturday, Mom, Dad, and Troy came over to buy supplies for and build a new slide on the end of our swingset as Ella's birthday present.  It literally took them all day, but it stayed dry and they were able to finish by around 9 p.m. (when they finally stopped for dinner!).  It turned out so nice and is a great addition to our back yard.  Unfortunately, it has been raining pretty much ever since so the girls haven't been able to use it much yet, but I know they will get lots of use out of it this summer and for many years to come!

 

 

Ella performed in her very first piano recital on Sunday afternoon!  The recital took place in our church's worship center.  She played three pieces: "Shoo, Fly," "The Muffin Man," and "Ring Around the Rosy."  I was so proud of her for bravely getting up in front of all those people, knowing she was the youngest performer and having never done anything like this before, and doing her very best!  And the icing on the cake was that she played perfectly!  She did not miss one single note!  My prayer was that she would have a good first experience and be encouraged to want to do it again some day, and I am so thankful that is exactly what happened.

 

I have taught two piano students this year - Ella and Ruthie.  Ruthie is the 10-year-old daughter of our dear friends from church, who happen to be moving this weekend.   I was so glad Ruthie could end her time with me by playing in a recital in front of all her family.  It was a nice way to go out and she played beautifully!  Since I only have two students, my friend Lynne, who teaches 18 students each week, offered to let Ella and Ruthie play on her recital.  I think it was a great experience for everyone and we plan to do it again in the fall!  I may be gaining 1 or 2 more students this summer.

 

Here is Ella's peformance - enjoy!

I think the pictures (with the help of the captions!) pretty much speak for themselves this time!  It was a very full, rewarding weekend!

 

One other note...Ella got 9 inches cut off her hair on Wednesday!  No picture to post yet, but it looks cute.  I was told AFTER the fact that one more inch would have qualified it for Locks of Love, but it was too late then. :(  She's really excited about the shorter look and feel.  Now she's all set for her first recital, which is on Sunday!  Check back next week for pics and hopefully video!  Have a great weekend!

Awana is over for another year.  Ella completed her second year of Cubbies and graduated to Sparks!  Lucy finished her second year of Puggles, but since she won't be three until November, she'll be a Puggle again one more year.  They both have done a great job of learning their verses this year.  Lucy's were really more just truths, such as "God made the moon" and "I thank God for my family."  Ella memorized a new Bible verse each week, including references, and had remembered one new verse and three review verses every week.  I am very proud of them and thankful they have had the opportunity to begin learning so much about God's word at such an early age. 

 

Potty Update:  Lucy has been daytime dry for 11 straight days and has only had a few sleeping accidents!  She's really doing great!  Thanks again to Grandma for giving her that extra push she needed to get over the hump.  Potty Boot Camp was a total success!