February

L competed with her dance Duo for the first time! After auditions last year, she was placed on Pack again for her dance team this year. I was really grateful, she has been the youngest on the team every year for the past 4 years. I think it's been really great for her to have the experience of being the oldest, and have a self-confidence building year. She was originally placed automatically in level 2 for her technique classes, since then they have moved her to level three. Her teachers agree she is a very gifted dancer and her technique is excellent. She needs some time to build more confidence and maturity. Since this is her second year on Pack, we decided a new challenge for this year would be doing a solo routine. She decided to do a duet with her best friend and they have had such a blast. They got to work with their first choice favorite choreographer and are dancing to the song Imagine. It's a lyrical routine with lots of beautiful extensions, turns, long poses and interaction with each other. Most of their rehearsals have been Saturday morning at 7 a.m. For a girl who loves to sleep in this must have been a big challenge! But she's been really good about it and has loved it. They competed with their Duo, and took second place in their division! We arrived on time, but the competition was running an hour ahead of schedule so the girls only got to rehearse it once before they were hurried onto the stage. I think that flustered them a bit. Despite that, they still did great and I'm excited to see them get another chance at it.They will perform this duet again when they go to Team competitions in March and April.

We spent the Super Bowl with the Millers. None of us are avid football fans, and I'm not sure how my husband knows so much about football and the teams. I'm pretty sure it's part of his secret man training. But the Super Bowl is always a really fun event. The kids love playing together, we like the commercials and the energy of the game and especially all the fun food 😆.

We saw greatest showman in the movie theater again. I think it's the first time in our marriage that we've seen the same movie twice in the theaters. It is that good! And the girls have loved it!

Valentine's was a great day. I got up early to make a special breakfast and the girls were thrilled with their little box of chocolates sitting at each plate. We had scrambled eggs and pink cinnamon rolls before we heard the kids off to school. At school they exchanged Valentines and treats, coming home full of sugar and smiles. We lounged around watching a chick flick and snuggling for the afternoon before the kids had to head out to lessons. Husband was out of town that evening, but we went on a special date a few nights before. 😉

We took a family trip to Kanab! More later.

And the girls had their first team competition at Thanksgiving Point. I took L down on Friday to compete with her through duo (she was thrilled to skip school for it.) They did even better this time and won first place in their division. They got a participation medal and a first-place trophy. Then we treated them for lunch at Zupas with lots of desserts to finish out that fantastic day.

Saturday was the team competition. We were there for most of the day with both L an E for their team routines. I'm so glad Grammy was there too! L's team, Pack, took first place with their Jazz routine, Uptown Girl. They also performed a lyrical routine, which I had never seen before. I was stunned. L starts the routine as a featured soloist. She is so beautiful! Her long extensions and natural Grace makes it look so easy and elegant. I love to watch her dance. This is her favorite routine and her face just shines. They dance to a Million Dreams from the greatest showman, winning second place in their division. E's team did their Jazz routine, Pippi Longstockings, with lots of smiles and cheers from the audience, with a first-place ranking as well. And then the girls performed together, with all four of the junior teams from our studio in a mini production routine, BEAT, for another fabulous and well done first place. I love my girls, I'm so grateful for their talents and for fantastic teachers. They have worked really hard and I'm so proud!