The First Competition

My girls as most of you know decided that ballet alone was not something they could tolerate.  They have fallen in love with Center Stage and all the chaos that goes with it.  They love the energy and the people there too.  They have also had a lot of catching up to do...lots.  So to that end,  we lead this crazy life of busy"ness"  and it involves school then for Manda 2 or 3 hours at CS and for Ally 3 or 4 hours a day at CS.  It also involves a lot of private coaching from great teachers like Stacy Bills, Janalyn Memmott, Kenzi Norris and Vanessa Millecam.  Ally is even starting private coaching in ballroom with Ashly Del Grosso. 

It is finally starting to pay off--they look great.  Really great.  Ally went from no pirouettes this summer to three.  Manda is working on her doubles too.  Manda got her splits...which for her has been a huge accomplishment and Ally at the barre can develope her leg to the side so high that it almost touches her ear. 

For my end, I was so nervous to teach my own kids.  Let me say it is different.  They don't listen as well to mom sometimes...grrr.  But I am glad we have gone through it.  They have become fun for me to teach (mostly) and I wouldn't want to give that up now.  What's more, it is one more thing we can bond over...some of my greatest friendships have come through dancing. 

Their first competition was last Saturday.  They both did so well, I am so proud of them.  Both of their teams took first...Ally's team took overall for their division.  What a way to start!

Of Inspector Morse...and Wordsworth

I have always loved a good mystery.  Ever since I discovered Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys books I have clung to every clue to figure out who had done it.  When Andy and I were first married he introduced me to Poirot and Masterpiece Mystery.  We have continued to be big fans but I am the one who stays up late curled under the blanket watching old reruns on youtube. 

My favorite currently is Inspector Lewis which is a spin-off of the Inspector Morse series.  How often does American TV use classical music or poetry in any of their series?  With Inspector Morse and now Lewis Oxford is the scene of the crime and all the suspects recite Wordsworth and Shakespeare...inlcuding Lewis' sidekick sargeant James. 

With the baby, the work hours, and the running of my children around it has been a beautiful vice.

http://seminary.lds.org/manuals/book-of-mormon-video-guide/bm-vid-2-11.asp

haha surreal moments in my life...

Will Taylor is 16 months!

Getting Inspired

The competition I entered did not go my way.  There are many things I could say about it, but won't.  Let's just say that it ranked up there with my 13-year-old URB experience I spoke of earlier.  Tho, I really liked most of my work.  It was a difficult piece and we simply ran out of time to get it where it needed to be.  But on the bright side, I am newly inspired to have a great year--full of connecting through workshops and classes, full of opportunity to choreograph more, and to re-emerge as an honest to goodness artist.  A blue day can turn into a bright year--thankfully!!!

Center Stage Concert

So I am beginning a youtube account.  Should've done it previously.  But will post some of the girls dancing at their center stage concert.  Ally had the time of her life.  It is clear she is happy at CS and loves this dancing arena rather than ballet productions.  I am cool with that, she looked beautiful.  Manda had one mishap--she was too tired by the time she got on stage and missed her walk-over.  She came off stage to me saying, "I am so embarrassed!!!"  I hugged her and told her about the time I had a horrible show...(mom, remember the URB do-your-own-choreography when I was 13?)  Anyway, told her about that awful experience and what Jackie said to me.  She said she was glad that I had had a terrible show because she knew it would only help me in the long run by more hard work, focus and desire to succeed.  I had a great year after that.  And so will Amanda.  Her other piece went really well...she is a beautiful girl!!

Oh, on the funny side, I had to learn new hairdos for the show.  After doing Manda's poof thing she looked in the mirror and said, "Poofection, Mommie!!! 

Disney January 2011

The Taylors December 2010

Funny things my children say before I forget to write them down....

Manda continues to be a source of lively entertainment.
1. Upon finding herself in time-out in Mrs. Bethel's class, Manda states that she will be in soooo much trouble when she gets home!
2. My bunny looks just like you, but smaller to a guy dressed as a bunny for halloween.
4. Upon almost hitting a child with her scriptures during a lesson on forgiveness...sent to the hallway for that.
5. When Manda saw her mom talking to a man Manda didn't know, she walked right up to the both of them and stated, "Are you going to be my new daddy?"
6. Why do we have foreheads?


Willisms
1. did a plie
2. dropped candy into his halloween bag
3. said thanks
4. said diaper, dad, mom
5. said kisses
January 2011, said up, off, gulk (milk), dog
January 2011, signed, please, more, dad, mom,
6. loves his sisters!!!
7. pushes manda into his room to play, really puts his arms into it!
8. can really dance well! has several moves which surprise us all!


Allyisms
1. Come hungry, leave happy. To the primary president who shared information about a Relief Society dinner and said so be sure to come hungry, ally replied, "and leave happy!"
2. okay mom can I have a private?
3. ally on beating boys--literally

I heard Blogger deletes blogs when inactive over time...

Just so blogger doesn't get any ideas...

I have almost completed our back-up pictures of those we had lost. Many friends and family have contributed some beautiful memories to our growing collection! It is taking a lot of the spare time I do have so I haven't blogged much. But I will blog again. Much to discuss...

Trip to Washington 2010, Part I

Well, so much for more postings!

No, seriously!  I went into a bit of a tantrum when I learned that OnTrack couldn't retrieve my photos.  I think I saw this coming too, because blogging just felt sad!  But, my hopes are up again--we've heard of another place that does jpeg only retrievals.  So here is to hoping I can get my memories back!

We just got back from visiting Seattle.  The kids and I were there for about 3 weeks and Andy joined us for 2.  We haven't relaxed that much in awhile!  Thanks for Dan and Cindy for hosting us!  We loved being there.  We have lots of (now backed-up times 3) photos of the trip.  Will post soon. 

Will is now crawling, pulling himself to stand, and standing briefly on his own.  He is just so darn cute!  He just brings so much fun into our home!  All the way home from Seattle, the girls were giggling with him as he blew raspberries.  Lately, the girls have been getting him to mimic their words!  He is on to hi, hey, ally (aaa eee), and dada. 

Rhonda is in town!  Yay!  I sang with her in the Orem High Reunion Choir last night.  She had to pretty much drag me there but once I was there I enjoyed it immensely!  Had some tricky sight-reading, but overall it was really fun.  Also, we went to Grandpa Stan's Taylor Family Reunion.  Grandpa Stan comes from a large family--I think 14.  There were six siblings there yesterday.  I am pretty sure most of them were in their nineties--they are just the cutest grandparents!!!  Aunt Jill provided some really creative activities for all the children which made it easy for the rest of us to chat, which we did!  Met family and re-met family.  I am glad we went.

Today is my birthday.  Ugh.  I don't want to go into why this one is a bit harder, probably a mid-life crisis thing.  Who knows?  But the fun began this morning with my two little girls running in to sing "Happy Birthday" with a cha-cha-cha, a ooh-la-la and something about sticking my head in hot la-vah!  I do like having my birthday in the summer--the evenings are so beautiful!!  I have so loved sitting outside after the kids have gone to bed and just feeling the summer breeze from the canyon and watching the leaves twirl on the branches of the aspen.

Manda is still funny as ever.  Andy has recently decided to grow facial hair.  It sort of looks like a goatee.  But everytime Manda looks at him, she is hot under the collar!  "Dad that tooth thing looks disgusting"  "Dad you look like a bear"  "Dad I won't kiss you with that icky hair on your face" etc.  It is funny to see her wage her little war.  And she is determined!  I don't know who will win, but I think I am enjoying her efforts.  :)

Ally is enjoying tons of playdates with friends.  She just loves school and her school friends.  She is growing up so fast.  The conversations I have with her as she watches the news (a summer homework assignment) are profound.  It suprises me how much she gets about grown-up life.  So much so that she is very happy to be where she is in life and in not too big a hurry to grow-up, and that makes me glad.

Call him Mr. Sensitive

So William is Mr. Sensitive.  Mr. Sensitive tummy and skin that is.  We have been battling severe eczema with prescription hydrocortizone and bathless baths with soapless soaps.  We're winning!  And he is adorable!  He also has a very sensitive stomach--can't tolerate many foods just yet.  Loves organic oatmeal, applesauce with cinnamon, green beans, and winter squash.  He has a really hard time with too much starch.

We took his six month photos--our unprofessional photos don't really do him justice but we will post anyway.  He is such a cutie in any picture!

Ally and Manda are busily getting ready for spring concerts.  Manda is in two of them.  She really has a knack for commercial dance as well as ballet.  Ally loved the ballet.  She saw me rehearse a couple of teens in the Don Q pas and just was crazy for it.  I remember being her age and going to the Nutcracker at BYU to see Stacy Swaner.  She was so gorgeous!! 

Also getting ready to move back to the condo.  The family that we rent from and made an offer to decided that they need to get back to basics and not sell their home.  Oh bother.  Our condo needs repair so that will be a fun summer project.  And then we will look to see what we will do next.  We are changing our mailing address to a PO Box so we will send that information on to all of you. 

So looking forward to summer!  Lots of fun things planned, including a visit to many of the activities here in Utah that we have managed to miss!  We will keep you posted. 

Ally's Turn

She was such a natural! We didn't have to help her smile, she just got in front of the camera and for lack of a better word--shined!! It actually made me giggle to the point that I had to leave for a minute or two--I was such a distraction! My only assistance to Ally was the addition of my favorite hat!

More Manda

More from dad's photo shoot...

Manda Kate in my Dad's Hat

Part of a photo shoot at my dad's. Lovin' the studio, dad!!

More Mandaisms

This morning Ally was talking about all the words she could think of to say "bum".  She listed all the words her friends say like: toukis, toushy, derierre, bum, and backside.

Manda says, "Well, it is my LEGACY!!!"

The other night Ally and Manda performed The Nutcracker for Andy, Will and me.  They made posters, programs, and flyers.  They choreographed, set lights, coordinated costumes, and made sets--even a growing tree!!

At the end, I asked Manda what her choreography was about.  She said, "Well, I am a Chinese Munchkin!!"

And then, yesterday I came to Manda's class to give her spotlight.  When I got there I found her in timeout.  I whispered to her asking why she was there.  She said, "My voice is too loud.  But I will be a good singer, right?"

I wish that when I got into trouble as a kid, I would have had her enthusiasm! 

Thank You!!!

I have the sweetest family and friends!  I have received phone calls and lots of support through comments.  Thank you!!! 

UPDATE:  Some of you know that Will has had RSV and has gone to the outpatient respiratory therapist.  He is doing great--fighting like a champ.  I am sure he is on the mend.  The girls are now healthy and back at school.  Andy will get his tonsils out/deviated septum fixed in a couple to three weeks--we know that won't be fun, but it will be a lot better than what he has dealt with for a very long time!  We hope it will end his continual sore throat, snoring, etc.  And as for me, vindication has its rewards. :)  I am trying to rest and take care--insert gaffaw here--I am back on my thyroid and have started my prescription vitamin D.  I will let you know how the next tests fare. 

Everyone has their turn at this.  I have been around enough and long enough to know that.  I hope that if any of you find yourselves in need of an ear, please let me know. 

Something I'm Going Through

I am sure I am not the only one who feels it is much easier to blog about children, family--anyone else rather than myself.  It is really difficult!  However, I am going to mention something I am going through.  For a long time, I felt like I might be crazy.  Really crazy.  I didn't feel well.  But no one could tell me why.  I have tried various types of medicines for various types of illnesses--but those were really shots in the dark.  What I tired of most was how many doctors simply said--it is all in your head.  You are depressed.  Here is a pill for you.  Try it, most likely you will feel better soon.  And I didn't. 

I finally asked for some blood work to be done.  But of course that came with a side of you are simply feeling the baby blues.  You are mostly likely just fine.  Don't worry.  I said, "You know what, I have heard that before.  This feels like Mono to me, I have had it before and have never felt right since.  Could you check for that?"  She said sure, but no ones tests for mono a second time because it doesn't show up--but who knows you might be the weird case. 

Well, apparently I am.  It showed up.  Not only to I have mono, but my white cell count is way down.  She doesn't know why--so more tests.  While I don't think it is ever good news to hear about an illness, it is always good news to know that I am not crazy and now can look forward to doing what I can to remedy my situation. 

Best Morning "Evah"!

Will slept through the night.  He slept from about 9:00 pm until 7:00 am.  We woke up and began to check up on him as we were worried something was wrong...but no! he was just sleeping.  Then, he woke.  He didn't cry!  He was just a happy boy wanting to play!  So, we brought him into our room, and then the girls came in, and thus began the best morning ever!  Giggling children, a silly daddy and a mom who forgot all about work to be done--all of us laughing on the big king bed (Which I think was one of the best purchases evah too!).