Nora's Piano Recital!!

Nora recently had her Spring piano recital!! It took place at the Douglas County Cultural Arts Center. She had been practicing her recital song, "Aloutte," everyday, and we are so proud of her. Such a pretty little pianist:

Our precious totem pole (Ella still needs to work on her "smile for the camera" face....) :)

This child....into EVERYTHING!!!

But, she's still so very precious!!

Getting ready to perform!!

Have a little listen to our little "Mozart:"

After the recital, we enjoyed the reception. Claira especially enjoyed the cupcakes:

Nora and her precious piano teacher, Mrs. Sarah. Nora couldn't attend her Christmas recital in December because she was sick.....in fact, she totally vommed in Mrs. Sarah's floor (thank God it wasn't in her piano!!) So grateful for a sweet and patient teacher who still loves her students after they barf all over her shiny hardwood floors. :)

Afterwards, we went outside to take some pictures with her biggest fans. :)

While we are always proud of Nora, we were especially proud of her during this performance.....the night before, she had her first trip to the emergency room in the middle of the night. We thought she had ruptured her eardrum, but she turned out to have a severe ear infection. Here she is at 4:00 am after returning from the ER, finally getting some rest:

Needless to say, her ear was still very painful during her recital, but she was determined to get through it. So proud of her diligence. She's such a trooper!!

One of our favorite musicians, Bob Marley, once quoted, "One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain!" That's especially true for our NoraBean.

Music is just in her blood. :)

1st Grade Celebrations!!!

Well, another school year has flown by within a blink of an eye!! Our little first-grader (almost second-grader) has made us very proud this year. Daddy and Grandmama got to attend her awards ceremony to witness all of her accomplishments (I had to attend a fieldtrip with my 3rd graders, so I couldn't attend.....broke my heart, but I'm thankful that Daddy took plenty of pictures for me). She was very excited to see Daddy and Grandmama when she entered the assembly:

 Of course, Claira (aka little rebel) had to STAND on the tables the entire time....

 Nora being called up to receive her awards: 

 She received 7 awards, both in English and Spanish :) 

 She truly adores her teachers (Sra. Garcia and Ms. Saylors), and has learned so much from them this year!!

 After the assembly, the immersion students came back to the classroom to sing some Spanish songs to the parents:

 Another celebration we had this week was Field Day!! Once again, I had to stay and play with my 3rd graders, but I was able to snap a few pictures (they had already cleaned up and changed clothes in these pictures. They had been SOAKING wet from all of their "Pirate Games"). Such a FUN time!! 

 Nora has many talents outside of school, particularly in the area of music. I truly foresee her becoming a performing artist of some sort. Last week, I secretly taped her singing "Let it Go" from Frozen with her Daddy. She truly belts it when she thinks "no one's lookin'":

I am so proud of my baby. Proud of her heart. Proud of her mind. Proud of her humor. Proud of her responsibility. Proud of her beauty inside and out. Proud of every little inch of her.

I love you so very much, Nora.

Off to second-grade we go!!!

Pre-K Perfection :)

The past few weeks of Ella's Pre-K have been FILLED with parties, field trips, and celebrations!! Josh and I are very grateful that we get to share theses experiences with her. It's so bittersweet.....seems like yesterday that we were bringing our little chunky newborn home from the hospital......

.....and now, she is graduating Pre-K!!! Oh my heart. Time just passes in the blink of an eye.

Field Trip to the Center of Puppetry Arts

Two weeks ago, Daddy attended Ella's last Pre-K fieldtrip with her. They watched the Charlotte's Web puppet show!! One of our favorite stories.....

Heading downtown!!

Ella in her "Blue Bears" t-shirt that they always wear on fieldtrips :)

Lunch time!!

Such a fun trip with Daddy :)

Spring Party

Daddy also got to attend Ella's Easter-themed Spring Party a few weeks ago:

We love Mrs. Blair and Mrs. Camp!!

End of the Year Celebration/Graduation

This Thursday, I went with Ella and her class to the Carnival Zone to celebrate the little graduates!! So much fun for the kids and parents!!

Still wearing those "Blue Bears" shirts!! :)

They jumped and played for HOURS....I wish I had half of that energy!!

Time to eat and celebrate!!!

Before leaving, the little ones sang us several songs.

While all of the songs were precious, their "goodbye song" brought tears to many of the parents' eyes...including MINE, of course!!

Words can never express how proud I am of this precious girl. She is my little bookworm, my helper, my special little one. There are truly just no words.....

Another bittersweet milestone. I can't wait for her to be at Beulah with me next year.

So proud of you, E-Bobs!! All that you are, and all that you will become. :)