Lathrop Ballroom dance team 2022

This was Cael's second year on the ballroom dance team, although last year was such a weird "covid" restriction year--  there weren't any shows throughout the year and half of their practices were "online". It really was a difficult thing to see any progress until they were able to practice in-person. The final performance really was so impressive, even though the dancers had to wear masks the entire time. By the end of the show the kids were sucking air from all the cardio they were doing. Poor Cael had the worst mask-acne from dance :(  I got emotional at the end of their performance thinking about everything they had done to practice and pull it off. I was touched by their hard work and dedication.

This year was so fun- a fast and furious 8 week season (compared to an all-year season) and I know that the team had a fabulous time on their week-long tour down in Arizona. All the adults that I spoke with said how great it was- there was no drama- everyone just having fun and cheering each other on. What a great group to be a part of! During the final show intermission, they played a slideshow with all of the great photos they took on the trip and playing some music. I had to tell myself "get back in there, tear!" 

I'm sure there were some funny moments on the trip as well... but since I didn't go as an adult chaperone I don't know what they are.. sad. 

Towards the end of their final performance show they brought out the seniors and gave them each a bouquet of flowers. Cael got some light pink roses and they smell quite lovely on our kitchen counter.

It is crazy that this is an end of the dance era for- Cael's senior year is coming to a close and graduation will be here before we know it!

Cael and Jenna Curry

Looking pretty GRAND if I do say so

"Sold" Country swing- Cael was the spotlight in this song with a dance solo with his partner and some great tricks/flips

 

Birthday boy Ben

I really wanted to celebrate this handsome birthday boy... but my good intentions don't always play out the way I would like them to. A month earlier I had decided to rent out the community center so we could invite a whole bunch of friends to join us on the Wednesday before Ben's birthday during the kids spring break to have something fun to do. In talking to my friend to invite her, I remember her husband shares the same birthday as well... so we said "Let's do a combined party". It was fun, but also felt pretty stressful to get food ready, drive over to the community center and try to entertain friends and play games. I think we had way too much PIE... but that was okay.

On Saturday night, the adults and Brecon went to the ICE DOGS hockey game and it was entertaining and fun to watch. I couldn't believe how fast they could skate and hit the puck with incredible speed!!




 

Spring break- Friday

Friday morning.

 Ben, joseph, Brecon and Connor were on the overnight campout. Cannon and Brielle were invited over for a birthday party and got to stay the rest of the day. So I took Vickie out to the north pole to do some shopping at the Santa Clause house. After we had walked around the store and met the famous guy, Ben called and said they were home and could come out and meet us for lunch at Pagoda. It worked out pretty great because we were still doing some shopping and trying to makes some room on Vickie's phone so she could take more pictures. 

Lunch was delicious... and then we were able to rest and clean up the remainder of the afternoon before the ice carving awards later that night. I was super glad that my boys were able to participate in something so unique to this area... and that it was FREE!! They were fed lunch and snacks, and had a great time with their friends. I was super impressed with the creations that they made and the details in each of their carvings. 

Brecon made an ICE BOX-- complete with bread on top, costco milk and frozen pizza inside! The main announcer mentioned how Brecon really must have been inspired by his pep-talk earlier in the week where he had mentioned to his teammate years ago that his idea of a great ice carving is a closed door refrigerator (pretty easy idea, huh?)

Connor did a great job on his flying pig! Cute little chunky guy had some plumpy back cheeks-- Connor was so proud of his creation.

After the awards and walking around the ice sculptures (I was SOOOO cold!), most of the family headed back to the community center to play games with our friends. After Cannon's "incident" earlier that evening (throwing up multiple times in different rooms) we decided to send him home with Uncle Joseph and Grandma-- which was a good idea! We had a few rounds of dice, timeline, and JUST DANCE! I sure love me a good dance party!

 

Spring break Wednesday

 

Spring break Tuesday