Aura Lee...

Yesterday, after seeing her enthusiasm for the piano these past couple of months, Kaia had her first, much anticipated piano lesson. Her comment to me afterwards was "Did you see the smile on my face the whole lesson?" Why yes I did! I would have taken a photo of it then, but I didn't want to distract and have the teacher think I was one of those moms.

Her excitement didn't stop there though. When we got home, she immediately began practicing reading the notes in her new piano book. The level of her enthusiasm tripled when she found a couple of the same songs in her book as in her sister's baritone book. So thus, I give you the Aura Lee duet...

Pi"e" Day

Being that we have two math teachers in our home, and that yesterday was the Pi day of the century, we just couldn't let the day go by unnoticed. Being I am not a regular pie baker, I chose a recipe with a simple crust, that was easy to make. My sister-in-law made us homemade Kahlua for Christmas, so I have been looking for ways to incorporate it in some baking (the mocha kahlua cupcakes were a mixed reception at our house). So I made Kahlua, Peanut Butter Cream Pie for our celebration.  The crust was actually made from pretzels, followed by a layer of crumbled peanut butter and powdered sugar, which was then smothered by the kahlua pudding blend.

And even better, Joshua came home for spring break to celebrate with us!  The mix of sweet and salty was even better than I thought it would be. I'm thinking that switching the pudding from vanilla to chocolate might be tasty too, but it will probably be another year before I make a pie.

Who Said Retirement?

A couple years back, after 25 years straight of coaching, I "retired."  These past couple of months I had a worth while reason for coming out of retirement: my girls! Okay, so I was only a volunteer coach, and it was just 4th/5th grade volleyball, but for the first time, I coached one of my own kids (actually two). 

When I coached, I always prided myself on organization and relationships. I made contact with the coaches before the girls' season, to volunteer my knowledge and assistance. Let's just say they were more than happy to have me there. The first practice I walked into quite the chaotic scene; 46 kids and not much structure or guidelines.  We had only one practice before the first game. Yikes! I taught correct skills, taught drills, created organization, and enthusiasm with the kids.  It was so much fun to see how much they improved. By the end of the short season, they actually looked like they knew what they were doing, and they even had some rallies.

Each week we would form the kids into four teams, and rotate the groups on and off the court for multiple games over an hours span. I was partial to a couple girls who really improved a lot. Both were a little hesitant about trying a new sport, but were game once they knew Coach Mom was helping out. Unfortunately I missed most of the last game due to a physical therapy appointment, but here is some video of Jaelyn's wicked serve that Mike took...

They both admit now that volleyball is fun, and that they can learn new skills with a little hard work and good attitudes. Between gymnastics and soccer, we shall see if they make room for more volleyball and Coach Mom.

Year of the Sheep...

Last weekend we spent a beautiful, sunny winter day celebrating Chinese New Year in Seattle's Chinatown for the first time. In the year's past, it seemed CNY always fell in the midst of wrestling season, so we never had the opportunity to participate.  We were not disappointed that we made it happen this year.

We ate delicious food on the $2 food walk throughout the neighborhood. Our favorites were the dimsun at where else, the Dim Sum King, the Wonton Soup (we watched the wontons being wrapped) at Canton Wonton House, which soothed all of our sore throats, and the Mango Curry with Deep Fried Tofu at Topics Thai food.  Let's just say we didn't leave hungry.

As we watched the performances on the stage, little did we know that we were standing in the midst of the pathway of dragons and lions. We had to part the path like the Red Sea to let them go by! I missed the photo of the cute Seahawk themed Lion, worn by young children, and due to the fact that I cluelessly videoed the dancers and firecrackers sideways on my phone, this is the only decent photo worth showing...

What had not even donned on us before the festival was that Jaelyn was born the year of the sheep in Chinese culture, which undergoes a 12-year cycle until a person reaches his or her Zodiac Year of Birth, which is known as本命年 (Běnmìngnián). We hadn't put it together that this was Jaelyn's year, because on the Gregorian calendar she was born in 2004, but since she has a January birthday, the starting day of the CNY fluctuates, depending on the lunar calendar. So her Chinese zodiac sign falls back a year to 2003. In general, Chinese people are quite superstitious, so that they avoid a year of extremely bad luck for their Běnmìngnián, they wear something red all year long (something that was gifted to them). Red is a sign of prosperity, courage, and brings good luck, which is supposed to thwart off the bad luck. It can be clothing, or very often a piece of jewelry.  

Of course, we don't believe or endorse the Chinese Zodiac and the culture's many superstitions. Thankfully Jaelyn has a joy and courage that comes from Jesus Christ being the center of her life! Just wanted to give a little history lesson for her to understand her culture, and for the few of you who stumbled upon actually follow my blog. 

Like Daughter, Like Mother...

Nope, I didn't state that backwards.  It was Cosplay Day at my school this week, and I could not come up with a single idea. That is, until I entertained the idea of wearing my daughter's Halloween costume, which I thought would never work. Wrong!  Here we are wearing the same outfits, and by far, it looks better on her. She pulled off the Cleopatra look much more naturally. Hard to believe it's the same costume though (size 8/10), but it really is (It was floor length on her). As usual, my students loved that I dressed up, but the headband gave me a killer headache. 

I don't anticipate raiding her closet more anytime soon. In fact, I don't think we will be able to share clothes at all through her teenage years, like she would even want to! Thanks for sharing with me though, Kaia!

Moving On Up...

Kaia did outstanding in her meet this past weekend. In fact she did so well on her scores that she will be moving up one level in two different events. To qualify for state she has to perform these events in two meets, so we have to make the move now or she won't be able to qualify.  I am very proud of her, because she could stay at the lower levels and probably win state, if she continues the way she has been. However, we have told her we feel it is more important for her to keep growing, and that she should really push herself to the next level to get better. She agreed, and is super excited to be going to the next level now. Can't wait to see how she does in two weeks.  For now, here was one of her tumbling passes from last week. She did such a good job of keeping her feet and knees together, and stuck her landing.

She took first overall on her two tumbling passes. Here she is on the podium for the double mini.  She got first in her flight, which is against girls at her level, in her age group. After all the girls, no matter what age, but at her level, compete, they give awards for overall. That is when you make the podium.  Well the two other girls on the podium must not have stuck around, so Kaia was up there by herself! She really wasn't the only one in the competition;)  She will be sticking at this level for the double mini for state.

Lastly, she took second overall on the trampoline. She is looking forward to trying something new on the trampoline next meet.  I had to miss the meet due to a fundraiser for the China Team, so was really bummed but not about waking up early and driving. 

Encore!

After months of practice, both girls were finally able to perform in public this past week!

First was Jaelyn's concert. Jaelyn's beginning band class did an amazingly good job performing six or so songs; I only heard two misplayed notes (none by Jaelyn). Here she was, beaming before the concert...

The only downside was that baritones sit in the back row, so I could barely get a glimpse of her! Every once in awhile I could see her hair!

Mike was able to get an action shot from his angle. She's got her game face on...

And sorry, but I have to post a video for Grandparents to listen to, so don't feel obliged. It's really pretty good though. It was nice to hear the rest of the instruments that we have been hearing just one part to for some time now. You can hear Kellen in the video, sounding the notes our family knows oh so well!

Four days later was Kaia's first meet of the season. First, she took a second on the trampoline in her flight. Next, she took third in her flight on her tumbling run. Here's her first run...

But her best placing of the day was second place on the double-mini, not just in her flight, but overall, amongst everyone in her level, no matter what age. She is trying to move up a level in two of her events, so hopefully this good start will help her achieve these goals soon!