Fun Sara pics

Sara loves the camera and as you can see, the feeling is mutual. I wanted to post just a few pics of Sara being her silly self. Birthday party pictures to come soon!

Sara's Piano Recital

Tonight was Sara's piano recital for this year. She played two pieces and I thought she was fantastic! She earned her Beethoven statue for playing a Beethoven piece. She said the other day that she thought she was "addicted to music." She'll spend 5 hours on the piano if we let her. Imagine having to tell your kid to stop playing the piano and go outside! Enjoy!

First piece--Plurals by Nancy Faber



The next piece is Ode to Joy from Beethoven's Ninth Symphony

Smallest of Smiles

We had the pleasure of attending the Mt. Vernon Elementary School Spring Musical last week, The Quiltmaker's Gift. It really is a terrific play, based on the book. Here is Ali singing her solo, "Smallest of Smiles." We were really proud of her for getting up there and singing her little heart out in front of the whole town! Enjoy!

Sara's Podcast

Sara just finished studying about dinosaurs in her second grade class. They are fortunate to have a fabulous ed tech working with them, Mrs. Schmidt. Sara's group recorded a podcast about their favorite dinosaurs. Turn up your speakers and check it out! Sara is the first "talker."

When you get to the school's page, just click on "Listen to the 2nd Grade Podcast."

http://mtves.maranacook.org/

Life is short...

...and so is Sara's hair! Seriously, with our niece/cousin Baby Gracie in critical care, it certainly made us realize how precious and short life is.

Why waste time fighting and arguing about something so trivial as hair? Sara hates washing and brushing her hair and wanted desperately to cut it off. We seem to be caught in the "girl culture" of our girls having to look a certain way, or to wear certain kinds of clothes. Frankly, I'm disgusted by pop culture and the image that our girls are supposed to attain.

If we are indeed going to give our girls the message that their beauty comes from the inside and the way they treat others (and the Earth), then we have to walk the walk, not just talk the talk.

In that spirit, we took Sara to get her hair chopped yesterday and she is thrilled. Plus, with a short cut, her gorgeous eyes really pop out! She'd love to hear a comment...please post!

April Fools Day

Ali and Sara wanted to post a blog, so here is what they had to say...


(Sara) I am doing fine and we just finished our study on dinosaurs in school. My reading group designed a podcast about dinosaurs. Once it's posted online, I'll send it to you! We are now studying weather. Today the weather was snowy and rainy, but I don't really like the snow. I wish it was summer because then we could go on our road trip! I hope the road trip will be fun and I hope we meet a lot of people. I am also excited because I get to see some family and friends that I don't get to see very much.

(Ali) This year I am going to be in the school musical, "The Quiltmaker's Gift." I got chosen to be a soloist and because there were so many people trying out for solos this year, the musical director had to write new songs. My song is called "Smallest of Smiles."

Last week, I fell at recess on a chain-link fence. It was so deep that I had to get three stitches on my knee. (See the picture) I get the stitches taken out next week and then I can participate in gym again!

Ali's new haircut!

Yesterday Ali decided it was time for the dreads to go. Her hair is so straight and fine and after a great run of six weeks, it just started breaking at the roots. People have asked often how one goes about getting rid of dreads. Well, there are two methods. One can take the clippers and shave one's head bald. The other option is to cut the hair to about three inches in length and spend time washing and combing it out.

Ali decided to go with option one. Most girls I know would just as soon poke a sharp stick in their eye as shave their head. And I'm right up there on that list of needing my hair. But I am amazed and proud as can be of my little girl who has the confidence to stand strong and march to the beat of a different drummer.

We are working hard to teach her that beauty comes from within and by God, I think she listened to something her parents said!!! So rock on, Ali! Mom and Dad are so proud of our strong, beautiful daughter!