Emily received the Gold Presidential Award from President Obama for scholastic achievement – having obtained all A’s for 4th, 5th, and 6th grade. In fact, I’m sure she did so for all of her years there, but the award only recognizes the last three grades.
Awesome job, Emily. We are all very proud of you.
Seventh grade, here we come!
It’d been some time since we were all together (admittedly because of my very full schedule), but we were finally able to spend a day with Linda’s parents at Easter. A delicious honey-baked ham and a whole array of side dishes filled our bellies well.
Afterwards, we all played dominoes and ate even more.
Thank you, Grandma and Grandpa Maag!
We are truly blessed with such wonderful family.
Emily celebrates another birthday. The celebration started several nights ago with dinner for her friends at Buca di Beppo, an Italian restaurant that serves family style platters of awesome pasta. The following morning found us at Cafe Roux for the Mardi Paws parade with Sally entered among many other dogs. Dressed in a tutu, angel wings, and Mardi Gras beads, she took 3rd place among the large dog competitors. We had brunch at the Cafe Roux with Grandma & Grandpa Maag.
Sunday afternoon found Emily at the store picking out a new phone – much to her surprise. Because of the restrictions on who she is allowed to text, she’s not reached the astronomic numbers that Anna achieved when she got her phone.
Happy Birthday, Emily. We love you so very much!!!
The Girl Scout cookies have arrived – and most of them are actually delivered. The past 5 years I’ve had to haul the cookies in the back of my car back and forth to work because only a few people would be there each shift. Now that I have a usable office at the hospital, I am able to leave all the cookies there.
So proud of the girls for getting out in the neighborhood – selling and delivering cookies to our neighbors. I know that they’re a welcome sight each January (even if these darn cookies destroy most New Years resolutions).
Each December, the girls dance with their dance class at the annual lighting of the Christmas Tree in Lenexa. Several years ago the dancing and choirs were moved inside – yup, they used to do it outside on a portable stage in Old Town Lenexa. I was frozen, so I don’t know how the girls could do it dressed in tights and tutus.
Enjoy the video from this year – one tap and two ballet numbers (including one on pointe).
http://youtu.be/JmqKcUpTl44
At the conclusion of Mass on Thanksgiving Day, Father Storey told the congregation that all of the fall decorations in the church needed to be removed so the church could be readied for Advent decorations. Emily seized the moment – and brought home a pumpkin three times the size of her head.
Problem is there’s no real good place to keep it. So, it’s currently taking up a third of the kitchen bar.
It is nice, though.
Emily participated in a clinic several weeks ago with the Pacesetters – the local high school drill team.
Emily wants to be a Pacesetter when she gets to high school – A LOT. What better way to match the joy of dance and loud music!
Enjoy the video of the dance she learned with them.
http://youtu.be/WrpjGBbGxpQ
Emily played Star on Broadway by Tingley.
Great job, Emily.
Today was the Fall piano recital for Linda’s studio. It’s amazing to see and hear the progress made by the students each semester.
Some of them have been with her for many years and these high schoolers make beautiful music.
Some of the students had their first recital of their young musical career.
Anna and Emily did well – their videos will be posted over the next few days.
The girls have been asking for haircuts. Linda finally obliged…
