Maycember

 May is such a busy month for families.  There are so many end of year concerts, plays, award ceremonies, ball games, graduations, etc.  Here are a few pictures of our grandkids' Maycember.

Kenny starred in his role of Papa Ogre in Shrek in his elementary school play.

He also played another role in the play requiring a very quick costume and make up change. It took an army to get him back on stage in time.

Family Support

Caleb played on his school's ultimate frisbee team.  Shonna caught this great picture of him catching the frisbee.  He scored twice in the state championship game.

Sam did an amazing report on Donald McKenzie, explorer.  He researched him, wrote a report, dressed up like him and participated in the school's wax museum.  He stood absolutely still until someone pushed the "button" on the wall.  He then came alive and told about himself.

Sam with his tumbling teacher.

Lisi all ready for her dance recital

Brielle came up to watch her sisters and brother in their activities

I love this picture!

William scored a goal!!

Hannah's dance recital.

Lily's high scholl dance team dance review.

After recital celebration

Nathan in his weekly call home.

Not sure what Brielle is making

Gabbi and Jaron starred in a musical

Jaron and Gabbi

William's last soccer game of the season

Jaron won an outstanding student award

Kenny participated in the 5th grade patriotic program

Kenny's basketball game

Audrey, Samuel, and Lisi all starred in the musical Annie.

Audrey with Annie

Sammy was President Roosevelt's assistant

I absolutely LOVE this picture of Lisi singing with all her might!

The orphan's Christmas

Hungry

We are so proud of all of our grandchildren.  They shine!

Injuries

On the way home from the Prince's we stopped in Beaver for dinner and a potty break.  As I was walking back to the car, I tripped on a broken curb and went down hard on the cement.  Ken was a bit behind me and tried but couldn't catch me.  Immediately, six people ran to help.  A man gathered my belongings that flew from my purse.  My knee and elbow hurt, but luckily, I had on long pants and a sweater.  Both were skinned, but inside of clothing so there wasn't dirt and debris in my skin.  I hurt. I was embarrassed.  The kind people and Ken helped me up and Ken helped me to the car.  Then we had 1 1/2 hour drive home.  I could feel my knee swelling.  I made a makeshift icepack with ice from my drink and a plastic bag.  I don't think it was very effective.  I was so anxious to get home and ice elevate my leg.

I have been nursing my injuries, but they have lingered much longer than I would have expected.  My elbow turned purple and was swollen. My shoulder has been so sore.  I'm hoping I don't need surgery to repair it.  My knee has been swollen as has my lower leg.  There is much bruising on my knee and ankle.  I try to ice it and keep it elevated for some time each day.  It has been an ordeal. But as almost always is the case, it could have been worse.  I am grateful I can walk and still serve in the temple.  

I am pre-posting this, so by the time it posts I may be all healed.  Here's hoping!  

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time

 

Fiction   Physical Book

I will start with a language warning. Foul language in this one.  Otherwise, I loved this book.  The setting is England. Our narrator is an autistic young man named Christopher.  We see everything from his perspective.  We are inside his head and learn so very much about autism.  I loved how the author presented very real, very flawed characters.  We see how very difficult life is for families dealing with this condition.  This book moved me deeply.  I gained an empathy I didn’t have before.  Soon after finishing the book, I visited with a friend who has an adult autistic son.  I expressed my newly-learned empathy.  She got tears in her eyes as I conveyed my respect for her.  Again, a 5 star book has to be reduced to 3 stars for language.  Sigh. 

Why So Many Books?

 This articulates how I feel about collecting books.  It gives me so much joy to find a book that I've been wanting to read.

Wonderful Weekend with the Prince Family

 May 14th-16th, we traveled to South Jordan to watch grandkids in several events in their lives.

And to see Fred, of course.

William had to demonstrate his slam dunk skills.

William is a gifted musician.  I know grandparents like to brag, but he really has a gift.  In fact, his teacher just told his mom that she needs to find a better teacher for him because he needs someone that can help him develop his talents better.  He LOVES to sit down and play.  No one has to remind or nag him.  He played many songs for us.  Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho was his best which will be his recital piece.

This is his preferred way to sit at the piano.

On Thursday morning, we attended an award ceremony at the middle school where Jaron won the Wapiti Medallion Award.

Jaron is such a great kid.  He's solid.

The award winners.

Then we hurried over to the elementary school where Kenny participated in the fifth-grade Patriotic musical program.  It was AMAZING!  It was a celebration of the 250th anniversary of America.

Kenny is in top row right.  The kids knew every word and did their parts so well.  There weren't many dry eyes in the audience.  It was powerful!

These pictures are a bit scrambled, but this is a picture of William after his final soccer game of the season.  We were glad we got to watch him play in one.

After watching Kenny play in his basketball game.  He is really good.

On Friday night we attended a musical that Jaron and Gabbi participated in.  It was great!

Gabbi's solo.

Dancing a reel

Both of them played several parts.  This is Jaron as a pirate.

A very clever mop dance as they swabbed the deck.

This was such a cute song and dance.  Gabbi is a great actress.

Jaron's solo

Jaron stole the show as the goofy priest.  Gabbi was his assistant.

He was hilarious and had the audience rolling.

Curtain Call.  It was SO good!  We loved it.

Gabbi and her friend Katie

 

William's Final Soccer Game

Time to say goodbye

William wasn't going to let us go.

He decided he was going with us and wouldn't get out of the car.

Brian had to pull him out of the car and haul him inside.

We had such a great weekend with the Prince family.