Seussical the Musical

My boys have enjoyed being in plays growing up (Jr. High plays, Broadway Kidz each year, community theater), but this has been Trevor’s favorite.  He was excited to make the cast of Seussical the Musical, his first High School Musical.  Can you believe my youngest boy’s a freshman already? 

Sophie and Sage cheered and supported him all the way!  Love the “Who Hair” 

  The cast practically lived at the school, rehearsing right after school until late at night, doing homework in between scenes.  Even Saturday rehearsals.

They had a successful fundraiser Seussical Brunch- served Green Eggs and Ham, a Silent Auction, Who Hair and Face Painting, Pictures w/ Cat in the Hat, Dr. Seuss storytime, and mini performances from the cast, it was a hit!  The girls loved the pampering and funky hair-do from the Dance Co.

 

They did a great job with all the bling and said our girls hair turned out the best.  That’s what we get for being the last in line, a lot of pampering.

With the Cat in the Hat, he did an awesome job in the play!!

Some of Trevor’s biggest fans, thanks for coming Grandma & Elisa!

The woman who put it all together, she’s a great director and theater teacher!  She pushed them hard to bring out their best talent.  Thanks Phaidra!

Trevor’s first autograph, cute. 

Excuse the blur, I had to hurry to catch this, all these pics are from my phone.

Trevor was happy to perform for the mayor on the last night (sold out show).  I was busy helping with concessions that night.  Proud of my boy!  Great show!

They’ll miss this, but as Dr. Seuss says “Don’t be sad that it’s over, be glad that it happened!”

Speech Festival

These two cuties made the finals in the annual speech festival, way to go girls!  They presented their poem in class, then won the next level, presenting to the whole school (Sage had butterflies about that, can’t blame her, but she practiced and said a little prayer, and did great!), and they both made the finals!  Last year Sage won the first level with “Mithing Tooth” by Ken Nesbitt see here (ha, that would be appropriate this year).  Here’s Sophies poem, I’ll add Sages soon (from my phone). 

“Seeing Double” by Sophie, Speech Festival 2013

LOL, the teachers and faculty (and their friends) loved it!

Gelato celebration.

They never cease to amaze me!  Anything worth doing, is worth doing well, right?

Speech Festival, do we have a winner?

A fun thing about third grade is being able to compete in the speech festival.

Sophie, Please Don’t Read this Poem, by Ken Nesbitt

Practicing her poem.  Sophie’s expressive eye-brows kill me!  (some people say that’s how they tell my girls apart).  Nice job Soph, that’s not a short poem.

I have to say, I didn’t know how they would do with this challenge.  They could memorize well, but articulation isn’t the easiest for them… speaking Cantonese until 3 1/2 before learning English, and having some twin language going on, they’ve had to work hard with their English annunciation, so I’m proud of my public speakers!   

 

Sage- Mithing Tooth, kinda

Her sis was making her laugh, lol.

 

Sage, Mithing Tooth, by Ken Nesbitt

Yae Sage!  She also did a good job and won out of her class.  She went on to the next level then spoke a little faster and didn’t make the time limit (58 seconds, she needed 1 minute).  Bummer, too bad they didn’t let her try again since she was so close.  Oh well, she’s a winner in my book!  

School pics & broke a record…

A little competition can be good, don’t you think? in fact, it can be great, when done right.  My kids’ school embraces opportunities of competition, hoping to raise the bar and motivate the students to become their best.  Healthy competition is a natural part of life, keeping us from being complacent or taking the road of least resistance while pushing us to excel.

 

Sage- came in 3rd for her grade on the mile run at school.  So fast, even with a side ache that day :) 

 

 

Sophie-  won the mile race and broke the 3rd grade school record, Go Girl!  They cheered her on and gave her a cool t-shirt endorsed by local companies.  She and Sage are petite and must’ve hustled to outrun the taller kids, I’m sure all of their soccer training helped.  They ran on different days, since they’re in different classes this year.

I like their winning “I can do it” attitude and  passion, putting their heart in whatever they try, along with showing compassion and love for others.  To them it’s not all about the win, but pushing themselves and developing and sharing their talents.  They also enjoy seeing friends skills and talents, so cute seeing them with their friends, teaching each other things they’re good at, that’s how they learned to do a back flip :). 

BTW, I ordered the kids pictures (and images on dvd to share) with the distressed background above, they messed up on the others so they’re sending me the right ones. 

 

 

& congrats Trevor on making the school play, can’t wait to see it!!  He enjoyed performing in Broadway Kidz this summer at the amphitheater, he’s excited to perform in his school play “Ghostchasers”.

Here’s to a fun & educational school year!

School update…

Don’t you like it when a big decision you made for your child pays off…  like choosing the right school, or the right team to join... 

Trust me, I had my doubts… taking them from a school they loved and were well known, going to many birthday parties and had the best of friends, with young enthusiastic teachers, everyone adored Sophie and Sage.  They enjoyed going to school each day.  Then, two years ago, I switched schools to keep my children together, moving to a different, highly academic Charter School that goes into Jr. High and High School (one I taught at before going to China, both schools very hard to get into).  For the first year they didn’t like their strict new school and asked almost everyday to go back to their old one, I felt awful for making the change but made the best of it.  I considered moving them back at risk of being a helicopter mom, but there were no openings and I hoped it would just take time and they would find their niche at their new school.  This is the year, they have great teachers and have made wonderful friends and aren’t asking to go back to their old school anymore.  I’ve heard them say many times they like school.   They’re nicknamed Ninja by many, since they rule at anything athletic :), along with being a great friend to others.  It may not be as fun and cultured as their last, more relaxed IB school, but it’s more advanced academically, they’re learning a ton and finally starting to love it!  Phew!!

Trevor is having a better year too, although, I don’t know if I’m ready for this… my once shy kid around girls is becoming quite the ladies man.   They love this cute, quirky kid!  He met his group of friends for pizza and night games at the park last week, 10 girls and a few boys.

Fun school days!  At least they get to pick out their own shoes.

Josh’s Homecoming Dance…

 

Our High School Senior, ready for his last Homecoming, who said he could grow up so fast??  Lovin’ life

 

 

Cute couple I’m sure she has a jacket to go with that stylish little dress, somewhere?  Their group of about 16 had a great time.  For the day activity, they went to a nearby Fast Track, Go Kart racing.  They had to get their permission slips notarized, yikes.  Then off to the dance, with swimming and dessert at one of the boys house afterwards.  Nice homecoming, and only spent a total of $120, we paid half, he paid the rest :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great group of friends

A few things I love about my senior (mom’s bragging rights before he’s out of the house, less then a year, sigh…)

• your happy outlook on life and fun sense of humor
• works hard part time while taking advanced classes at school, maintaining high GPA, will graduate with about 20 college credits
• Great goals, planning on medical school after mission, already taking medical course in High School
• having fun dating, without getting too serious with one girl
• responsible & leader in church and school
• teaches guitar privately and at his high school (guitar 3)
• Makes and keeps great friends
• genuine and trustworthy

Of course he has his trials and weaknesses, but handles them well.  Keep up the great work Josh, we know you can do whatever you put your heart in!

 

LOL, Josh on right, his date pushed him in right before the picture, then they all dived in

End of Summer

Backpack, check.  Lunch money, check.  Teacher treat, check.  New school clothes, check!  It’s in the air.  Although summer flew by, the kids are excited to start school tomorrow, they weren’t a week ago.  We’ll miss the fun summer days hanging out at the pool, lemonade stands, time with friends, summer novels and beach vacation… but looking forward to hitting the books and being on a good schedule.

 

Hang gliding park near my home, there were at least 30 Hang Gliders and Parasails in the air!  Beautiful night.

The girls were way too quiet the other morning, so I walked in and found this.  Pretty heavy duty fort, the young architects later remodeled (even drew a floorplan in case wanted to rebuild) and added a game room and reading nook, making it bigger and better, lol.  They enjoyed sleeping in it and having part of Activity Days there with their friends  :)

Sophie- pink, Sage- blue.  Cute Old Navy tiered skirts

3rd grade here we come! they’ll be in their own classes this year

Happy first day of school! 

Sophie and Sage are in 3rd, Trevor in 8th, Josh a senior and Nick in college (good thing for teenage drivers and Trevor’s Jr. High right next to the girls).  Sigh… they certainly don’t stay young long!

When tucking in the girls tonight, Sophie asked if I was going to cry when she has to leave for school tomorrow, sweet.

 

Disney /  Beach post coming :)

Bon Appetit

 

Trevor and I on our way to La Caille (Fine French Dining) with his French class from school.  He informed me that La Caille means “the quail” in French.  So nice having a formal night out with my youngest boy.

 

 

The students took an etiquette course to prepare for this night.  Pretty great sitting at a table with a half dozen teenagers, some mom’s & nannies, seeing the boys hold their pinky out to drink fresh lemonade, making sure not to put elbows on the table, and enjoying escargot, with sorbet in between to cleanse the pallet.  Once they remembered which fork to use, they did great!

 

So beautiful, nice stroll around the grounds, envision lounging with a good book while the children explore and enjoy the animals (planning my next relaxing afternoon ;)

 

Immaculate gardens

 

Exquisite grounds

 

Love the Orange tree on the left, since they don’t grow here.

 

18th Century rural French Chalet

 

Road Hog :)

Such a delightful evening with my boy, while the girls went to a movie with Uncle Mike & Grandma. 

Makes me want to tour France, Adieu

All pictures SOOC