Sunday was the primary program for our ward. And it was pretty awesome. My kids got to play some songs for the prelude music and they did awesome! Our piano teacher just teaches my kids and so there aren't any recitals so this sort of counts for a recital for my kids. :) It also helps that our piano teacher is the primary pianist so we got the hook up. But seriously, the kids played great even though they were nervous. I'm equally proud of both of them. Both of them have fears of playing in front of people and they were conquered. A few weeks ago, Camry had a talk in primary and I totally spaced it, but luckily the talk was on service and so I had the idea that she could talk about how she just started taking piano lessons and that by developing that talent, she was going to be able to serve in the church. She had just finished learning popcorn popping and so I thought she could say that little sentence and then go play. BUt, she did not want to talk and play. She just wanted to play. But being the pushy mom that I am, I made her speak and play and she did fantastic! But right as she was walking back to her seat, she totally burst into tears and totally lost it. I think it was just the release of stress of playing the piano for the first time in front of an audience. It's tough doing that. But she was fine after a while and for the primary program...there were no tears! Hooray!
Pacen was super nervous and said that he was getting a stomach ache but he did amazing like I knew he would. He had a HUGE milestone a couple weeks ago. He was asked to give an announcement in Sacrament meeting about the Cub Scout Sock Drive. In Sacrament Meeting!!!!?!?! He cried and cried and said that he didn't want to do it but we sat him down and had him write out exactly what he needed to say and he practiced it and when it came time for him to head up there, he just went right on up there and read his message and sat down like a champ! What was really awesome was that in Relief Society they passed around a little envelope to donate some money to the sock drive (the Bears donated socks to a homeless shelter) and they ended up donating $132.50! Isn't that amazing?!? When I showed Pacen the envelope full of cash, his jaw dropped and a big smile came across his face. I told him that that money would not have been collected for all those people had he not gotten up there and shared that announcement and I could tell that he felt pretty good about what he had done.
So compared to giving that announcement, giving his talk seemed like a piece of cake. (Even though his talk was much longer, he must have felt better not being the only kid up there.) And his talk was awesome! He talked about prayer and about him and his "crazy little sisters" serving missions. It was great.
And Claira is a singing machine. That girl can SING! Loud! And not necessarily on key but we are going to work on that because she loves it so much. :) She gets the "singing face" and is so into it and it's the cutest thing ever. She knew every work and hand motion and I couldn't help but stare at her cute little face and love her.
She had no trouble speaking into the microphone and was just as confident as can be. It's fun having three kids in the program. Next year I'll have four! That's crazy. Of course, Gentry slept through the program just like she sleeps through most sacrament meetings these days. It's her routine!
Before church I wanted to take everyone's picture. Pacen was less than thrilled to be taking pictures, as you can tell.
I called it good and put the poor thing out of his misery.
Camry is just a doll. I really wanted to take a picture of her before her baby teeth fell out. Our kids lose teeth incredibly late. Maisy (Claira's five year old friend) has lost almost all of her top teeth and poor cam just has one top tooth barely loose. But it's funny because her little teeth are moving around like crazy with those upper permanent teeth moving in. It's kind of funny when you take a good look at her mouth. That smile will be a changing in a matter of days!
This is her "When I'm a teenager I'm going to look like this a lot" face.
OH my gosh I just love her.
Claira just kills me with her enthusiasm and excitement for everything. She just loves having fun and learning and creating. And she's funny. I love her cute personality.
And here is the Gentry pie. She is darling and gives me so many hugs and kisses. I just love her. I love her spunkiness. She is making me a better mom because she challenges me every day. Sometimes I just think, "Where does she come up with that?" I love it.
And here is the Maren baby girl.
She is 8.5 months old and is figuring herself out lately. She is getting more and more loud and opinionated. She is super squirmy and hates to get dressed or her diaper changed and loves to play with the kids. She really is into EVERYTHING and can get into the cupboards and pull stuff out and puts everything into her mouth. And I mean everything. I have to watch her like a hawk!
ANd you can see some hair finally growing in! Still no teeth, which is strange for my babies but that doesn't slow her eating down any! She has mastered that task and just screams for more. LIke literally screams. :) She is super snuggly and wonderful.
