My baby turned SEVEN!

Olivia turned 7 last Friday. We had a Rock Band party for her on Friday night. Oh MY, how much fun did I have planning it!! My dad planned on coming out, so I made him a 'security' shirt so that he could be the bouncer. He passed out back stage passes with Olivia's picture on it (remember the alley pics?).



The invitations were concert fliers advertising a battle of the bands. We had a HUGE turn out (17 kids and 17 adults!). The kids rotated through 4 stations (make up and hair, band-naming/poster creating, frame-making, and practiing). This took over an hour, then we had cake and presents...then had the big competition.



the make up/hair station was a BIG hit...even with the boys. They wanted mohawks!



Julie is quite the guitar-master. She helped several of the kids out that had not played before.




Bella found the make up as well...







Abbey got Olivia a matching necklace as well as a dance sign for her room.



Olivia got Heelys from Dude Dad and VonVon...she's just a LITTLE happy about that...




Each band got a chance to perform. Rob (Abbey's dad) was our MC and kept up with the scores for each band. Olivia's group ended up getting the most points. It was a great party (although chaotic at times...). Liv said it was the best one ever, and that is what matters!



The battle is starting...




Julianne loved to sing






Olivia's band, The Rock Stars (Kenny, Hannah, and Liv)




(top, L-R: Baylee, Caleb, Katy, Sydney, Keiona, Mary Ellen, Bailee, Jenny
bottom, L-R: Kenny, Olivia, Hannah, Julianne, Valerie, Abbey, Julianne
not pictured: Bella and Jace)


Yep...the party is over....

Hall of Fame

Olivia and Kenny took their duet to Hall of Fame on Feb. 21. It is not a competition that our whole studio went to, but we did take our solos, duets and trios for more practice. Love Shack came in 3rd over all. They received a tap technique award (which was a big deal). We bought a CD of pictures that were taken during the dance (with the copyright, these are legal, LOL). They are great!

KAR

Our first 'big' dance competition was March 8, Kids Aristic Revue (KAR). I say big because it was when all the dances were supposed to go. Hip hop didn't but at this point, we aren't sure if hip hop will materialize into a competing dance or not. These kids have worked SO hard (and literally every day for 2 weeks) to learn a small group tap dance, Funk. It is a very difficult dance and has the potential to win it all! Well, first was the duet and it came in 2nd over all. Then, Funk received a special judges award of Bringing Down the House and came in 2nd over all. The large group dances all received a top first (just as the duet and Funk), and 5678 received best costume, terrific tap award and 5th over all. Angels won 3rd over all, and Wild Babies came in 4th over all. It was a LOOOOONNNNNG day, but as always, we had a blast!

Honor Roll Ceremony

Olivia had her honor roll ceremony at school on February 17th. My principal let me come in late to school so I could attend. She received a good character award and the distinguished honor roll (all A's). We are so proud!

Birthday pictures of the girls

I took the girls to the alley behind my studio to take their pictures...Belle for her 3 year old pics, and Liv for her 7 (OH MY!). I wanted to put them on her birthday invitations for her Rock Band party. I think they turned out pretty good. I had them printed on metallic paper and they look great! Just had to share.

Nexstar

Olivia had her Nexstar competition Feb. 7. She got some great awards! For her duet, Love Shack, she and Kenny received a high gold, first place tropy and FIRST PLACE over all for duets/trios in their age group. YEA!!! Then, for the large group dances...Wild Babies received a platinum (one of only a handfull handed out), first place trophy and FIRST OVER ALL! Angels Among Us received a high gold, first place tropy and second over all. 5,6,7,8 received a high gold, first place trophy, and third over all. So much fun! This was the first time their jazz dance, Wild Babies, had performed and it was INCREDIBLE! Here is a picture sent to me from Julianne's mom. Aren't they adorable?

Valentine's gift

This Valentine's day, I painted some small mailboxes to put the girls' goodies in. I plan on using them each year and was pleased with how they turned out. Liv got an eye mask (for sleeping) and Belle got an apron for cooking with me. They got a few other things but one thing I will need to remember for next year...think SMALL. I had bought bigger things that didn't fit inside. :)

Our 'other' dancer...

Nothing like being a month late (still...), but here are pictures from Parent's Night at Bella's dance class. I think they are absolutely adorable! Not bad form for a 3 year old, huh? :)