Dancing Through the Decades

Well, it's been 10 days since recital, so I just might have recovered by now. Maybe not. But at least I'm finally posting some pics.

(Note to self....I cannot let recital season come again without a better camera. I need to get a little more high tech with my photography. iPhones and quick snap cameras don't do the job on a stage. Sorry for fuzzy pics)

My theme was recycled; "Dancing Through the Decades". Super easy to come up with songs, just tricky narrowing it down. I had 3 dances that I spliced 3 songs together because I couldn't decide. I did this theme 6 years ago and re-used a few dances. That was nice to have a teeny bit less work on my shoulders.

So....it was great I must say. My girls are great and they have a super spirit about them. I can honestly say I love everyone of my dancers.

Macy's first recital! I'm so very proud. She did the same dance that Emi did 6 years ago.....awwwww!

(Not all dances are shown....must secure me some better pictures of them. Missing "A Tribute to Silent Film". "Puttin' on the Ritz", "Happy Days are Here Again", and "Rock Around the Clock"

Over the Rainbow (30's)

Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy (40's)

You are My Sunshine (40's)

Macy in Earth Angel (50's)
She will sing it for you if you want =-)

Dream (50's)

Smile (50's)

Respect (60's)

Surfin' USA (60's)

Emi is my bunny in Superstition (70's). This is my fun dance with the older girls. It seriously was my favorite silly dance ever. We had 10 superstitions people had to find in the dance. They stole Emi's bunny foot as a good luck charm.

I like to involve the whole family in recital, though Quinn would have nothing of it. Parker stepped up to be the "mother" whose back gets broke from a crack in the sidewalk. Thanks buddy!

Something In the Way She Moves (70's)

Jessica's Theme (80's)
My lovely Emi....It's really hard to run a recital when I'm tearing up backstage because she looks so beautiful. 

A blurry look at We've Got the Beat (80's)

Forever 80's ( I mixed "Forever Young", "What I Like About You", and "Livin' on a Prayer" )

We teachers even danced. We pulled our grunge out a little and did "Better Man". Go 90's

Everybody Vogue to the Rhythm (3 songs....90's)

Shake it Emi!

Defining Peace (today)
A lovely, lovely piece by Jenn. She is sadly retiring after 9 years on and off at the studio. She will be sorely missed!

A Thousand Years (today)

I let my 5 oldest classes bow. 

Yea....we finally get a pic together in the parking lot. That's a happy Liz right there.

My insanely amazing teaching staff. So glad I have them.

So....bam! Done! Onto to other stuff. Like sleep....finally!

10 reasons why my mommy is the best.......

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful women in my life. I'm constantly watching and observing your lives (and your far superior mothering skills) and just trying to catch a slice of it to put into my own little life.

But, really, I have the best mom. All of you think you do, but mine truly is the best.

It's hard to find a picture of my mom as she hates getting her picture just as much as I do.

Here's why:
1. The fact that she told me to rest up today and don't worry about a gift or any celebration today. Mother's Day always falls the Sunday before my recital, and she is so thoughtful to not add one more thing to my list. I will make it up to her!

2. (Again, with the recital). She took all 4 kids to "This is the Place" park on Friday (as they had a day off school) so that I could prepare for one of my dress rehearsals later that day. It replaced the mommy guilt that I feel for working this time of year. They loved all the baby animals and fun things to do. She is Super-Grandma, to say the very least. I'm the youngest, as was my mom, so my grandparents were quite old when I was little. My relationship with them wasn't at all like the one my parents have with my kids. They are such a part of their lives and I wouldn't want it any other way. Oh yeah...then she drove them out to my house, babysat, annnnnnnnddddddd MADE DINNER! We all know how much I love that because I suck at cooking.

3. It isn't like she just does this "watching kids" thing once a year. She has been a part of my kids' "Thursday-Life" since they were born. She comes out in the afternoon on Thursdays when I teach my big block of classes and helps with homework, piano, and dinner. Priceless.

4. Other than my husband, she's the first person to make sure I'm surviving things. Women just know when other women need things. It's nice to not always have to ask for things. It's probably why she has the most loyal friends and family.

5. She always let me be me. My mom always supported me in dance and didn't think it was weird to make a career out of it. She even spent one whole day at Disney World locked in a hotel room with other mothers fixing our prop top hats that hadn't survived the flight when my drill team went to Nationals. That's love. We were always free to believe how we did about issues and politics which I really appreciate. She didn't even get too upset when I married a Republican.

6. Since my dad's stroke, she has taken on the role of my dad's caretaker and has really done it well. We all know how hard it is on her and try to help, but she just plugs on and does it. I learned to appreciate this when I took over the role during her knee surgery (and subsequent femur break). She's a busy gal and we all love her for it. My mom is also an amazing sister to her brothers. One in particular.

7. My mom loves to splurge a bit. Not recklessly by any means, but will always do the extra things to make everything special.  My daughter's always have the cutest clothes, but I have nothing to do with it.

8. Her example as a working mother has made it easier for me to be a working mother. She was so, so busy, but we were always first. There was never a question about that. I have huge mommy guilt for working, especially this time of year, but her help is why I can work and know that my kids are in better hands than normal.

9. My mom isn't afraid of trying new things like texting, new phones, computers, etc......it does REALLY stress her out when they don't work, but she's super "with-it" (as her generation says).

10. My mom gets things done. End of story. She takes care of it so WATCH OUT ZCMI! (hee hee)

Anyway....HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to my sweet mom! I love you!

Put a fork in me....I'm done.

Last week started nice. If my blog was always a happy, easy-going blog, it would end there. But that just isn't real. And I'm pretty real.

Just a few of the hits this week:
 *Work issues (I won't elaborate as my work people can connect to this blog). All I will say is....really?

* I did great working out....on Monday. The rest of the week went to pot, as well as my eating. I'm such a stress eater. And then I feel yucky.

* I was standing in the Wal-Mart checkout line the other day scrolling through Facebook when an alert pops up that says "Bombing at the Boston Marathon finish line". My sister Joyce was in process of running it at the time. I'd received some texts as to her times and did some quick calculating on my phone to realize she (and her husband) were likely at the end. Panic. I tried texting and calling people as fast as I can. The poor Wal-Mart checker thought I was so rude. After 10-15 minutes, found out that she was about 1/2 mile away and 6 minutes off her time. Phew. I felt really bad that she didn't get to finish, but REALLY glad she's safe.

*I managed to tick off Boy Scout leaders.

* I have managed to be SO far behind on my upcoming recital, and the panic set in this week that I'm a month away. Things are so busy with my kids and their needs that all that gets pushed to 10:00 p.m.   That just isn't working right now. Anxiety. I don't wear it well.

*Meals....am I the only one who hates cooking? I really do. Maybe it's because I have super skinny, picky kids who eat like birds, maybe I hate the time suck on something so fleeting, maybe because I have no skill at it. I don't know. I feel uninspired and uncreative in this area, but still feel extreme pressure to do it. Ask Bill about the rant I just gave while lying on the floor of my kitchen with a cookbook on my head.

*My dad had surgery Wednesday. All went fairly well for him. But Friday, he started being a bit confused and hazy about things. In fear of another stroke, my mom and I got him to the hospital. Luckily no stroke, but pneumonia. That is what was making him loopy and he likely picked it up at the hospital. Nice. It's hard to watch your dad make very little sense. It's harder to watch your mom watch your dad make very little sense. He's doing a bit better, but is still struggling with hallucinations and reality.

*Saturday left me weary. It's the only word I can use. I plugged through all that was on my plate, but was just looking forward to "vegging-out" that night and recharging. But lo and behold, Macy decided to pull our her asthma issues for us. Poor little thing. She has a problem when she gets a little cough or cold because it turns into a big breathing issues. Luckily, we own the breathing treatment machines and have the steroids to treat at home, but she HATES it. Here she is wearing the "duckie". Poor little girl.

*Having no time in the last week, I taught a crappy Sunday School lesson to the greatest class ever. I think the world of my sweet class and feel bad they have to deal with my harried, confusing lessons. At least every other week they get "Karen, the Amazing". (Thanks Karen for saving my can today).

Reset....New week. Hopefully, it will be better. Sorry, I hate to complain, but I really just let it needed to let it out. =-)

Spring Break in exotic Draper!

So....it's been a few weeks since I posted. I'm getting more and more lazy about blogging, though I really enjoy it when I sit myself down and just do it.

Spring Break: 
As Bill has been traveling a TON lately, we opted to "Staycation" this year. It was kind of a hard sell for the kids as they had such a blast in Arizona last year for spring break, but truly, we were beat and couldn't imagine gearing up for a big trip. So, as you saw in my last post, I was all about crossing a million things off my list. I didn't do all that bad with that, but of course, the kids had other ideas about what we should do. So the first day, I rolled over to the aquarium with our season passes and strolled around. I don't remember being so fish crazy when I was a kid, but my kids certainly are. Then off to use my carwash pass that Bill got me for Christmas (we are true romantics), but the kids were OK because that involves free popcorn. I think I had built up Quinn's "staycation" expectations too high as he cried after the aquarium because we weren't going to the zoo next. We did swim that night at Dimple Dell. Macy is a total fish.

Tuesday: I got to go to the symphony with Quinn's Kindermusik class. We took Trax. I swear, without fail, to sit by the smelliest people on that train. It's a gift.

Wednesday: ZOO! Bill took a really long lunch and came with us. So fun, and the polar bear was in performance mode. They are building a big african savannah area for giraffes, zebras, and LIONS! Quinn is over the moon that lions are coming to the zoo. I'm glad this zoo updates. It used to be so ghetto. Then, I dropped off the kids for a sleepover (hallelujah) with grandma and grandpa. Bill and I lived it up by going to Chinese and then he went to Bishopric meeting for 3 hours. Yeehaw!
 



Thursday: I picked them up Thursday and the weather was so good that we opted to hang out at Canyon Rim park. I've always loved that park, and I think it's fun to let my kids play where I did oh so many years ago.



The rest of the week involved egg dying, egg hunts, movies, and dinner at Grandma's.

About to hunt and Grandma's house. Macy seems oblivious to my Uncle Burns reaching out for her.


So, it was what it was, and it was actually quite great. I nice little calm before the storm of April and May. Can't wait. 

A quiet week

Spring Break!
No work for me....right? I have this little problem where I plan a little too much to accomplish when I'm not teaching classes. We decided not to go anywhere since Bill has spent most of March away for work and in Moab with the boys, so we are "stay-cationing" here at home. But I feel like I have put a little too much on my plate because of the allure of not teaching. I've got to be more realistic and not be disappointed when it all doesn't happen. I tend to put this kind of pressure on my weekends as well.

But as weekends go, it was pretty productive. I didn't feel too bad putting Bill to work as he was away in DC all last week having adult conversation and enjoying the Capitol building while I was home teaching classes with no voice, hacking up a lung all night, AND sitting up with little girls who were also hacking up lungs. It was yucky. So, we finished up things in our living room and a myriad of other things like clean out Quinn's room, the kitchen, and even had a little date.

(this might be the most boring post ever)

So besides the large list of things to do with my kids this week, here is what I need to accomplish:
*clean off my desk. This is no small task. I have a huge desk.
*Clean all fridges. Due to a long running Santa-head exchange between some friends, I have pomegranate 7-up that exploded in my outside fridge. Don't ask, but not looking forward to the clean up.
*organize all bathrooms and clean the walls.
*organize Emi's closet and figure out some shelving for her room.
*help Parker dig out his room. I'm really hoping to access his closet without knocking over the Civil War set up of army guys.
*Go through Macy's clothes
*Recital: type out program, cut music, set schedules, buy the rest of the hairpieces, set next year's schedule, etc, etc
*get rid of the baby DVDs
*Do my physical therapy exercises EVERY DARN DAY
*Do regular exercises everyday. That went to crap last week with my cold
* Force Bill into the closet.....to rid his t-shirt collection.
*dig out my car, aka the "trash can on wheels"
*dig out my purse, aka the "portable trash can"
*scrapbook October 2011....I'm slowly catching up. Well, not really, but I'm trying. I love digital scrapbooking.
* Get all Easter stuff ready.
* clear off my deck. All leftover furniture has found it's way to my deck. It's a little white-trashy, so I'm figuring out where it goes.
* prepare my Sunday School lesson and make it wonderful. This new curriculum is kind of kicking my tail.
* Be the fun mom....yeah right.


This list is just making me yawn......I'll see what happens.

Why I love and hate my job.....

Well, it's that horrendous and wonderful time of year known to my family as recital season. The stress and anxiety is once again here, and I often wonder why I do this to myself. I'm so extremely blessed to do what I do, so don't get me wrong, but sometimes the frustrating side gets me down.

Why I love my job:

1. Greatest students on the planet (mostly). They are full of energy, enthusiasm, and have a desire to learn and get better. I don't always get the most talented here at Kaleidoscope since I have decided not to do competitions, but I have enough that are really good to keep me going. I really love to see the girls that I've had the whole 11 years and that really makes me happy when I see how good they are getting. All my students come "word of mouth" since I don't advertise, and I really think that is why I'm blessed with the nicest students.
2. I'm the boss. I'm not sure I could ever be in a employee situation again because I've tasted the fruits of bossiness and  I love it. I set my time limits, pay, days off, etc.....and I have 4 amazing women who make it possible because they share their love of dance at my studio to my students so that I may have a life once in awhile. Having my kids close and so involved is a dream.
3. Creativity. Changing diapers, being taxi driver, and living with a child who is big into routines can be mind-numbing. I LOVE my outlet to create dances, recital themes, costumes and I get to share them with my students. Love it and it keeps my mind from wasting away into Sesame Street mode. 
4. Um....I get to dance. Whether it's shaking with the pre-ballet girls to "Pineapple Princess" or hitting the hip-hop with my advanced students, I'm dancing. I had several people tell me while I was growing up that dance classes were a waste of time because I couldn't do it as an adult. I'm pushing 40 and I still get to enjoy my love of dance. Ha! 
5. It's kind of good exercise. It's not exactly perfect cardio as I am starting and stopping a lot, but flexibility and muscle building is a result. And I'm getting paid to do these things (the money is nice too, but I don't want to sound greedy. I truly earn it)
6. Recital is a rush....well, the actual night of it is at least. It's great to see an auditorium packed with people to see my students. I really love that and it makes it worth it. 

Why I don't always love my job:

1. 98% of my students are nice, wonderful individuals. I'm always riddled with a few that push my buttons, stick their tongue out at me, and yes, slap me. Generally, these are the 3 year olds, but not always. And they're usually NOT my daughters......usually. 
2. Parents that decide to pay me what they want to pay me. Really....I used to not say anything, but I'm getting tougher. Just because I'm a home business, people think they don't have to keep up with payments. I really hate chasing down tuition payments. I'm not exactly a business lady, I just fake it. 
3. I'm the boss. I have to make all the decisions, order the costumes, and take care of countless business and desk jobs that I suck at. I'm such a better dancer than a office manager. Plus, I have many future decisions to make about my studio and where it's going. It totally keeps me up at night.
4. My creativity has limits. I have finally come up with and choreographed 10 pieces for my classes, but still have 2 more to come up with for recital. I'm tapped out. There is a lot of pressure to get something decent out of my brain when I just feel like plopping down on the couch with ice cream instead.
5. My body is giving out. It's always had issues, but the last year has been discouraging to say the least. My back and hips are in such a bad place that I'm hoping I can continue dancing. Once I get warmed up, I generally feel good and can dance almost pain free. But I really, really pay for it later. I have to say, other than my flexibility, I dance better now than I did 20 years ago. Experience has it's benefits. I do also hate when the little Vietnamese man who does my pedicures stares and shakes his head at my mangled feet. 
6. Stress and anxiety. This has never been my greatest strength anyways, but I do wonder how much more relaxed I'd be if I'd never opened the studio. Maybe I'd just be bored, which is worse. 

At least they are even right now. I guess I'll continue on with what I'm doing. As long as I don't totally fall apart mentally and physically. I'm truly blessed to do what I love so close to my kids. I have the "working mom" guilt from time to time, but really, my hours allow me to basically be around when they need me most. I'm blessed....truly. 

With parents kind of here....

So, yea, it's been forever since I posted. February tends to do that to me. It's just about surviving right now until it warms up. Here are little updates and milestones we hit recently.

*Macy is a singing machine. It's too cute. Her favorite is "I am a Child of God", but instead of singing "with parents kind and dear" she sings "with parents kind of here". Yep, that's about the size of it. Even when we are around right now, I'm not sure how "here" we are. Reality check. Thanks Macy.

*Physical Therapy: A WAY overdue shot in the dark for help with my back. I've been going twice a week for 3 weeks (hence, no blog posts) and the PT is quite good. I've been super faithful with my exercises, but he's doing ASTYM on my back to release the tension. This involves a stick, cocoa butter, and my spasm-ing muscles. Not a fan, but maybe it's working. The best thing so far has been the taping of my back. Yep, just like all those cool Olympic divers last summer, my back is decorated in black tape to help the muscles. I have to say, it kind of works. It fell off this morning, and I really feel a difference. I'm worried that I'm doomed to a life of ugly tape on my back, but I don't don a lot of halter tops, so who cares. Especially if it works. Bill is coming with me on Friday to learn how to tape me up. The joys of marriage never cease.

* Speaking of marriage, Bill insisted we get away for a night. I threw every barricade in the way to insist I didn't have time, but alas, he was right. We needed a short getaway. Cute Chloe, my niece at BYU, stayed over with the kids while we hightailed it downtown. Blue Lemon, shopping at City Creek (finally used my Athleta gift card...sweet!), cheesecake, hot tub with snow falling outside, sleeping in, breakfast in bed.....need I say more. My husband rocks!


*Emi....we've been hanging out a lot. It's been nice. Shopping trips, girls ski day, and we went to the ballet Saturday night to see Cinderella by Ballet West. Best part? On the way to Trax, we ran up to the Channel 2 news window and jumped around like dorks during a newscast. I've always wanted to do that. Bill taped it for us. It was pretty sad. Emi is sporting a shorter haircut these days and is starting rehearsals for "Alice in Wonderland" by Mt West Ballet. She's so fun to be with right now.


*Parker gave his first talk in sacrament meeting last week. Wow, he knocked it out of the park. Bill helped him write it, and he really did it well. It was on family history and he even found a name to take to the temple while writing it. Phew....big relief. The stake president was there and he told Bill that was the best youth speaker he'd ever heard.  Parker also has risen to the State level in the charter schools "Art Inspirations" program in visual art.  Way to go!

Li-Li waiting patiently for Quinn to finish

*Quinn is rocking the piano. He just started August, but I have to say.....he's really good! He picks up so fast. It's hard to believe that this goofy little boy has it in him. He also finished his basketball league, which was pure comedy. I loved his games. He has a new bed as well. It's more of a playland than a bed as he is always jumping off the top of it.

Riding the mall train!

* Macy....well. The girl pooped in a toilet. Yes, I'm aware she's 3 and this should have happened WAY earlier, but my kids have never figured out the poop. They are so scared of it. She's been #1 trained for awhile, but the girls would always find a way to have a pull-up on when the poop was coming. So, last weekend, she had a train ride at the mall and a new toy to show for it. I had to live up to the bribes. I'm the worst potty trainer ever. So glad that chapter is closing.

He might just kill me for this pic

*Bill: This Saturday is the 5 year anniversary of him being the first counselor in the bishopric. Perhaps that is why he looks like this most of the time.




That's the skinny from around here, at least the stuff I'll fess up to. February is generally hard for us with Parker, and this is no exception. One day at a time. The spring will come soon.

.....maybe that's why I'm just "kind of here".