I can never show enough gratitude for being close enough to my grandchildren to enjoy things in their lives. Earlier in the week I got a call from Sara saying that the kids would be having a performance at school for Parowan's birthday. I told them I would be there and I couldn't wait. A little information about the school they go to. There is an elementary which is Kindergarten to 6th grade and a High School which is 7th to 12th grade. The schools are connected. There is no cafeteria in the High School so some of the kids go to the elementary to eat their lunch in the cafeteria and others just walk to the Maverick or across the street to the frosty place (I am not sure of the name of it).
Every year on Parowan's birthday both the elementary and the Highschool perform dances. It reminded me of something we did as I was growing up in elementary school and each age group did a different dance. So all the parents/family/visitor's set on one side of the auditorium and the students are all on the other side. The parking was crazy so I dropped Ambur off and thank heavens they had seats saved for us. Ashlyn and Kinsley are both in this picture it is super full on the side with the students.
First up was Kindergarten which means Maddox would be there. They danced to Little Liza Jane. It was so fun to watch them come out through the door and walk onto the floor (which was covered with the special mats). His partner is in the red and white dress with the ruffles over the shoulders.
And there is Maddox with his special vest on. If you look at all the different kids, there are so many different varieties of clothing--anything goes.
When they turned and twisted under each other's arms, it was so cute. Just amazing what they can get the kids to do.
I just love these next two pictures. It looks like he is proposing to her and then there they are with her on his knees. So much fun.
Next is Jaxon. He did the Hokey Pokey. I wasn't able to get great pictures of everyone, but I just loved watching Jaxon. He is a kid that does what he is told by teachers. I always yell out their name and it is embarrassingly fun (Blaine hates it when I call out) but at the same time I see the smiles on their faces when I do and Jaxon was no different today. He would really look at me much, ignored me, with the sly little smile he gives so freely.
Next up was Tessa. She was easy to spot because her coat was very bright. Her dance was the Virginia Reel. She smiled when she saw me so the only thing left to do was just to yell, Go Tessa. I wasn't able to get quite as good of pictures with her because she was way down on the end.
I just love Tessa's age now. She is so precious and sweet and little things seem to mean a lot to her. She always says thanks for anything I do and she is loving and kind. Sometimes she is a little negotiator and she doesn't like anyone to be left out so she will fill in gaps if she notices it. She is also an animal lover. She has a sense with animals and she can't imagine anyone ever being mean to one or not wanting one. Her feelings are tender and she is just sweet. Her dance was real cute.
Kinsley is next in line. She did the dance to the song, Oh Johnny. It was so much fun to watch. She tries not to look when I give her name a holler, but she was so close she couldn't help but look. She didn't ever really look like she was enjoying herself in the dance, but part of it is age, I think.
I love the skills the school here teaches the kids. Social skills, there is really not a problem with younger and older kids because they all go to the same school and you can just feel the love the teachers/staff have for all the kids. I love seeing their great work in progress.
And last but not least, Ashlyn. She is in 9th grade and she has a best friend, Lily (sp?) and she talks about her and the things they do together all the time and she was right next to Ashlyn. I yelled out, Go Ashlyn and she just giggled (as always for her) and Lily was smiling so I yelled out, Go Lily too and she gave the biggest smile and laugh and the picture turned out blurry which is sad, but I used it anyway because it was such a great memory maker. Ashlyn's dance was the Country Line Dance.
Ashlyn will always have a special soft spot in my heart. She has had some real struggles in her early school years and she has worked through them and I am proud of her. She is also my first grandchild and that is something that just can not be beat. She is such a beautiful young lady and kind to all. She loves anything outdoors and she is fun to talk with. I just love her so much.
The event is not over after the dances. The school does a really well choreographed finale with all the kids exiting the gym and then they come back with a young child paired with an older child and they walk around the gym 2 by 2 then two more join in so they are 4 by 4 and then more and it goes on until the gym is full of all the kids. It was so great to watch and how they keep it straight I will never know. I tried to catch as many pictures as I could as one of them came by.
Maddox came in with a senior.
Jaxon, so cute.
Tessa-I barely saw her when she came in.
Kinsley, she came by and I almost missed her. Not the best picture.
Ashlyn 2 by 2
Once everyone had come through once, it was nearly impossible to keep track of where they were. But the next pictures is what the gym looked like as it got fuller and fuller.
Then it is over, and there is an announcement for a certain grade to go back to class and then one by one they dismiss kids and tell them where to go next. Then it became a little crazy kids going everywhere and parents trying to find them to say see ya later. The following are a couple of pictures I got and I even got hugs from Tessa, Kinsley and Maddox.
Had the most wonderful time and I am so blessed to be grandma to these sweet souls. I love them each and everyone and each time I am able to attend a function, I am ever so grateful that I live here where I can go.. It is a great memory to have and I cherish it.
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