A BIG Thank you

A big thanks to those of you who bought cookie dough last year as part of a fundraiser for my girls to attend Intermountain Suzuki String Institute. We were able to attend this year and what a great time we had! A big thanks to those who watched my boys the same week--I couldn't have done it without you! It was 2 weeks ago and here's a brief recap:

The girls had a great time learning and perfecting skills pertaining to their violin playing. They each had a master's class (like a private lesson), a computer class (they loved this! it was all music-related), a technique class, a repertoire class, and a fun class. We elected to take a choir/performing class that they were both in. They got to perform 3 songs from The Lion King, complete with choreography, and did a great job.

There were so many kids and instructors that flew in from all over the world to attend Institute and I feel blessed to have been able to be a part of it. The girls and I spent a lot of time together and it was great to have my focus solely on them. I'm so proud of both of them and all their hard work and dedication to this instrument. They love it and I love hearing and seeing them progress. It is said that Institute is equivalent to 6 months of lessons, all in a week! I believe it. There were guest artists a few of the days -- we got to hear Jenny Oaks Baker one day! I'll share some photos:

I Married a Good Man

On this Father's Day, I pay tribute to all the fathers in my life. My earthly father, although he has been gone from us for going on 25 years now, continues to play a key role in how I live my life. My stepfather of now 20 years--wow, has it been that long? continues to have his witty sense-of-humor and can get anyone to laugh. To my father in law, who is a gentle giant of a man both physically and spiritually and sets a great example in all that he does.
But mostly to the man I married. Todd is a strength and a constant in my life and he brings me comfort as the world heads for that infamous handbasket. He's a great father and is supportive to all his kids, even when it requires him to play "Pretty, Pretty Princess" adorning all the jewelry that comes with it. (Notice the bracelet and earring). He is patient with me in all my hair-brain ideas. Surely he must tire of it. Last week I had him up late every night because I just HAD to have the house repainted before my friend's baby shower, which was here on Wednesday. AND just last night I had him cutting out Father's Day cards until 2:30 a.m. for my Primary sharing time today. He then continued to act surprised at the 2 cards he got from the girls, the very ones he helped assemble. What a trooper!
He recently went on a father and son's camping trip (seen here). I love to see the pride that all our kids have in their dad. They truly think he is Superman and have said on several occasions that "Dad can fix anything" or if I can't figure something out fast enough, they'll say "Ask Dad" or if I get lost driving somewhere (which happens all too much) it's always, "Call Daddy!" All the kids prefer Daddy and I guess that's ok. He's a pushover for them too.

So, Todd, thanks for putting up with me and thanks for being a great dad to our kids. On this Father's Day I wanted you to know that my heart is bigger because of you.

So it's about time. . .

I know, I know, I've been a slacker and haven't posted forever. So, if any of my friends or family still check this blog, someone MIGHT see this new post. I'm hoping someone does, because I need some advice. I'm posting some pictures of Alli and her graduation from preschool. Let me give a bit of background and then I'll ask my question.

Todd and I have known for a while that Alli is a sharp cookie. She has been reading for a while now and seems to pick up math like it's a second language. She will be 6 in October, only one month after she starts Kindergarten. We asked the school if teachers will be able to keep her challenged enough. My concern is that her learning momentum would slow if she is just learning letters, sounds, shapes and sounding out beginning sight words, which is what she would do in K. After numerous meetings, testings and discussions with the principal, school psychologist and teachers, the results are in. As predicted, she tested high. She is reading at a mid-2nd grade level and tested 98% on a year-end Kindergarten exam. Some of her testing even "aged" her as a 9-year-old. Now, there are things she needs to work on like writing in complete sentences and her comprehension of stories. The consensus of the education professionals is that she would do fine skipping to 1st grade OR they can keep her challenged enough in K if that was the route we chose. They support us either direction, which is a surprise because I've heard that it is usually a battle to get your child skipped. They suggested a 2-week trial in 1st grade.

Now my dilemma: Academically I think she is ready to be advanced into 1st grade. Even socially I think she could handle it right now. In fact, if you were to ask her, she wants to go to school all day. She wants to be in 1st grade, but I don't think she fully grasps what that will mean. She is older than most of her friends right now who she would enter K with. If I were simply thinking about NOW, it's a no-brainer. BUT, it's the future that I worry about. I've talked to many people who say it was a confidence-builder to be the oldest in their grade. If we advance Alli, she would be the youngest. In high school, she would be the last to drive and date (I'm fine with this by the way), but I don't know what kind of impact that would have on her self-esteem. She might be fine. It would also be nice to have Kendra in the same jr. high and high school for a year with her. The pressure I feel is that we are essentially choosing her friends for her now. The girls she has been playing with in the neighborhood will be in K. Her church class is full of girls who will be going into 1st grade, BUT since Alli hasn't been in the same grade as them, they haven't befriended her yet. So if we advance her, she essentially won't see the friends she has been playing with. I know, this all sounds so silly while I write it down, but it has been really weighing on my mind.

So, I'm looking for advice. For those of you who know Alli, what do you think? We have been praying about it. I even tried to go to the temple a few weeks ago at 6 a.m. only to find out the temple was closed for cleaning. We will get there, but in the meantime, I thought I'd see what you all thought.