Talent On Parade, Regional Competition

This was one crazy competition! Olivia's solo went on stage on Thursday afternoon around 2. That meant, I had to take off 1/2 day and get her out of school before lunch to start getting her dressed! She did a fantastic job, but the competition was so huge that she got 10th place over all (diamond elite award).



Then, she danced again on Saturday. Small group tap was that morning around 8:30. It looked pretty good. They got a diamond elite top first, came in 4th overall, and got a Dance Directive scholarship!

That evening, large groups went on. Soul Man went on first at 7:00. It looked awesome!

Then, Takin Care of Business went on...looked the best it has ever looked! Then, Falling Slowly went on--looking good as usual.



The weather was getting bad with tornadoes, and Liv had to be back up there early in the morning for duet, so we left to go home. I found out later about what they'd won. I believe that Soul Man won, Falling Slowly came in second, and Taking Care of Business came in 3rd...all with diamond elites.

The next morning, it was Love Shack. It came in second, received a diamond elite and a special judges award for Personality Plus!





We left there and went to Texas Roadhouse for lunch with the Brazil's and the Fletcher's. We were exhausted, and ready to see Bella! (she had spent the night with my mom...)

Bella's Private Lesson

Liv has been having some extra private lessons with Angel to work on her technique in her solo. Well, over spring break, we had her work with Bella too. So now, she thinks she needs to work with Angel each time Liv does.

Here are some pics of Belle during her second lesson with Angel. She absolutely LOVES having a lesson with Angel...and loves the dance she is starting to teach her too!

Primetime in Hot Springs

Primetime was in Hot Springs this year--our first time to have a competition (other than Nationals) away from Little Rock. We were excited that they would get practice on a different stage, but not so excited that duets went on stage early Saturday morning and the kids had dance practice until 6:30 Friday night!

We left the studio (Bella was staying with my mom--thank goodness!), and drove to Bryant to eat at TaMolly's with the Fletcher's. YUM! Then, we drove to our hotel, Candlewood Suites. We had a fantastic room that was essentially an apartment--kitchen with a full size refrigerator and stove, even a dishwasher! We were beat, so we got ready for bed quickly.

The next morning, we got ready for the duet. We were one of 3 duets competing in the competitive level (Abbey and Gage had the other 2), so we were kinda disappointed that we wouldn't get to compete against other acts... They got a 1st place award (one point from an elite first--so that is the trophy they got...not sure why), and then 3rd over all.

Then, we got ready for small group tap (also in the extreme level). It looked really good. It got a top first and came in 2nd place over all (behind Ice Cream Paint Job--our sm. gr. hip hop). Then that afternoon, it was large groups competing in the cutting edge division. Taking Care of Business went first (a 1st place award and 6th place over all), Falling Slowly (3rd over all and elite top first place award, choreography award), and Soul Man (5th over al, 1st place award).

When it was time for the dance off announcement, Falling Slowly got called. (so did Ice Cream Paint Job and Saved--our Studio is in both of those, but Liv is not--and then older kids made their dance off too). We ate dinner at the Embassy Suites restaurant, and headed back to get warmed up for lyrical. They went and danced...and WON the dance off!!!! They got $200! (Saved also won their dance off and got the Presidential award)






We left there and got back to the hotel and in bed around 11:30... It was going to be an early morning because Liv had her solo around 10:20ish. It was hard waking up (and waking Olivia up!), but we finally did and got packed up to head to the convention center. Liv did the best she could have with her solo, but only got a second place award. Everyone kept saying they did not understand why she only got that award, but some of the judging was a little off to us that weekend. Anyway, she had a good time, and that is what matters.

Sad trip...

We got word that Brian's grandmother, Myla, passed away. So we started making plans to travel to MA for her memorial service. We arrived there on Wednesday, April 7th in the evening. We got to the hotel late, but still saw Lee, Alan, & Cheryl. We got to bed to prepare for the service in the morning.



The service was larger than I thought it would be. It was not anything flashy or showy, but was nice. I think Myla would have liked it that way. After the service, we went to brunch at an Irish pub. The food was really good (the potatoes were incredible!). Then we went back to the hotel so the girls could swim. For dinner, we went to Picadilly (not sure if I spelled that right). We had eaten there before. It was very good! Had some great fish!






The next morning, we headed up to the airport in Worchester to meet Chaz and the Polar private plane for our trip to New Jersey. That was a treat!! We went to Whiting, NJ first to the cemetary that would be the resting place for Myla, Pops, and Uncle Bob. The vault was opened, and the boxes placed inside. We were told to come back in an hour or two while they closed the vault back up.







So, we went to see Myla's old house and the community center where she and Pops were both very active. In fact, we found his name, Burt Kelton, on several plaques. Outside the community center, was a large tree. Aunt Janet said it was Richard's tree (planted when Brian's dad passed away). It was HUGE!




Then we went back to the cemetary, said final goodbyes, and headed back to the plane.






As we travled to northern Jersey, we could see the NYC skyline... Still amazing! Even from that far away!!!

We got off of the plane, got in rental cars again (we REALLY felt like celebreties with cars waiting on us everywhere we went...), and stopped for lunch at Panera Bread. Then, we headed to the cemetary where Brian's dad is buried.

We hunted all over for his tombstone, and couldn't find it. It was actually a blessing in disguise because I think it was almost like comic relief for a bit. Then, we were guided to a different section of the grounds, and I found it under some grass.






Everyone helped clean off the area (run-off/dirt had it almost buried, but it is going to be raised up again). It was quite emotional for all of us. Olivia was especially touched.






Then, it was back to the airport again, and a quick flight back to MA. That evening, we ate at Applebee's. Said goodbye to Lee, Alan, and Cheryl (they were leaving the next morning to drive back to Atlanta).

The next morning, we went to Aunt Janet's house and planned what we would do that day. She suggested we go to Boston...to the American Girl Store! So we did! It was AMAZING! We even got to eat at their Bistro... The food was amazing gourmet food. Who knew?!? (especially the fondue...OH MY GOODNESS!!!) And the girls got to borrow AG dolls to feed at the table. Ha!










Aunt Janet, of course, took the girls shopping inside the store. Getting them outfits for their dolls as well as for them too! Then we shopped in the mall for a little while. I got some new clothes at Forever 21, Brian got a Northface Jacket, Bella got a ZhuZhu Pet and Liv got an outfit at Justice. Super fun! Then we headed back to the hotel!

We had to leave super early in the morning to get to the Hartford airport in time for our flight...so we called it an early night. It was not an easy trip, but we did manage to have some fun. And as always, it was great to see Aunt Janet!

Puddle Jumping!

Emily and I met up with our families at Levy church to take some promotional pics for the Puddle Jumping Limited Edition event I was planning as a fundraiser for them. Here is some of what we got!