The DDA Trouble Free Zone Part 25

[PNO4TE]

Elin~ What a great thing to happen to a wonderful person. You certainly are deserving!

I know I missed a bunch so and 's. My girlfriend is on her way over to help paint Lucy's room. I need to get moving. Have a great day!!

Thanks so much, Robyn... hope the painting goes well!

 

[lovesdumbo]

Before I get going for our busy day (Abi is singing at both services at my work church, then the girl's piano recital and than a graduation party)....I thought I would upload what I did yesterday:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=d8p8jth.3d4g7tjx&Uy=97jdz&Ux=0

We took the girls and one friend or boyfriend (whichever the case may be ) to the 16th Street Mall and we ate at Hard Rock and went Lucky Strike Bowling. In the morning I splurged on myself and had my hair cut (about 6 inches in the last week....12 total in less than 6 months) and colored....that's me in the second pic.

Great hair cut!!!!

Ok, I got them loaded up..

Here is Sophie (at rehearsal) doing her tap number. The theme of the recital this year was "colors".

Katie's tap dance.

Katie's Jazz.

Sophie at recital finale.

Beautiful!!!!!!!




We're off to MIL to celebrate Lizzy's birthday which is on Tuesday.

 

[PNO4TE]

Remember the yellow Mickey pin I was needing for Riley to finish his collection? With the boards being down last night, I decided to surf Ebay & I got his pin! I found one for $5 I also bought myself a Tinkerbell pin from the same seller

 

[PNO4TE]

Boy, I missed you all yesterday. We were busy, busy, busy.

Elin - Wow, what amazing students you have. I'm sure you certainly have helped to mold them into the fine young adults they are becoming.

Thanks for saying that so nicely, Tammi. And, it sounds like you had a great day.

Elin sounds like you had a lovely evening.

I certainly did!

 

[Tinkaroo]

Darn. I really like this family. This family that sounded so unreasonable on paper are the most gracious, welcoming people. Their boys are very sweet little guys. There would ALWAYS be people in my work space at this one because it is crazy busy there all the time, but I might kind of like that. There is a BUNCH of staff and business employees around. The house really is big enough that if the boys are tired or overstimulated I could easily move them to a quieter area. There IS TV, they just prefer to limit it. They haven't ever trusted anyone to drive the boys before, but they said I would probably be allowed to drive them or the mom would come along with us to do stuff. Well, if the mom has work to do then I will have to drive the kids, and the parents really do want them to get out and experience things. They do eat very healthy but that's not a bad thing, and shouldn't be too hard to adhere to. I can just pack a lunch if we're going to the zoo or something where I would ordinarily let the kids eat fast food. And money is not an issue in the least. The agent told them a high salary to begin with, and before I left the mom assured me that they can go higher if they need to so I will agree to come work for them.

Now I am completely conflicted. I like all 3 families that I met with, but I think this family knocks the one with the 3 kids out of the race. If I am going to do work-from-home parents I'll go with these guys.

DH and I had a long talk about this. The family I met last night would really be stretching just to get to my low end, and that is after I dropped my low end significantly. Chances are they would end up feeling kind of resentful if they were having to give up things just to pay the nanny. And then next year I don't know what I could expect in terms of an increase. Dadboss does 5% every year, plus a holiday bonus. If they were already paying me as much as they could afford then there wouldn't be much room for increases.

And now the agent just phoned and said this mom says I am THE NANNY for them and they are ready to hire me.

See, aren't you happy I gave you some for this interview?!

What a great decision to have, although I'm sure it will be a bit stressful in the interim! Good luck with the meeting of the families today!

After lots of thought I've come to the conclusion that as much as I really, really, really want to join in all the fun of the DDA meet I just can't do it. It would be in the middle of our budget process and I really can't ask for time off then even if just for a long weekend. I don't think I'd be able to enjoy the trip knowing what I had waiting for me on my return. I've got the best boss in the world and I just don't have it in me to tell him I want to take another trip to Disney during the most important task of my job.

SO....I've decided to go in November instead. The big review with the president is 10/29. I've booked a trip for Lizzy & I 11/8 to 11/13. She always has the Friday before Veteran's day off from school so we'll go for 5 nights and she'll only miss 2 days of school. I'll use 3 vacation days. My last trip was 5 nights and I needed 5 vacation days. My friend who has gone on 8 of my last 10 trips will probably join me with her DH (he's gone with us 3 times too). I bought my airfare for $238 [couldn't find anything under $400 for the DDA dates]. She's got $90 in credits from December but hasn't bought her airfare. Hope she doesn't wait too long as I'm sure it will go way up for the holiday weekend.

I want to take Joe for his 7th birthday in January and I just took him in December so I thought this was a good oportunity to take Lizzy. Emma will get her trip when she uses a public restroom-she says that will be when she's a teenager. I'm hoping she'll be ready next May.

I haven't told Lizzy yet but did mention to both her Joe today that want to take Joe for his 7th birthday. She was really great about it. Didn't ask when her next "solo" trip would be. I was really proud of her that she could just be happy for Joe.


AND......I got an extra pay check this week for my retroactive pay raise to Jan 1st and it is enough for the November trip (assuming my friend pays 1/2 of the Pop room).

That sounds like a perfect solution for you, Bernadette, although I'm sure you wish you could do the DDA trip (I do, too!). DH is going to be going on a weekend trip to see a game at Notre Dame in Nov., and I have been thinking - well, I should get my own trip, too!

AP renewal.....

I know others have struggled with this.....

I figured that it would cheaper to purchase Lizzy an AP for August and November. So do I renew her pass that expires today (I've got 30 days to decide) or upgrade the 1 day pass I have to buy her as part of the package in August to an AP.

As of now I don't have any plans for any trips between May 19th and August 20th of 2008. I would save $40 if I renewed her pass but I'd still need to spend the $60 or so to purchase the 1 day pass in August but I could use that in the future.

If I renew the pass now AND again next May I could renew it again in May of 2009 at the child's rate just days before she turns 10.





I'm really leaning toward just upgrading her August pass. I'll aready have an extra 1 day adult and 1 child's pass in August from Joe & I.

Bernadette, I haven't put pencil to paper, but being that the AP renewal savings is not that much, I would hold out and apply the 1-day ticket in August to getting the pass then. I just hate the thought of passes sitting unused for months - got to get every bit of value you can out of Disney!

Hi everyone,

I'm not as far behind as usual as I have been dropping in and reading.

And being the proud Maw Maw that I am I have to share this picture of our own Pre School Graduate,

Hi, Debbie! Cute little graduate, and cute t-shirt design! Congrats on your November trip, too!

The Senior Recital was just terrific. All four students played well and the awards handed out were just awe inspiring.

DD Kristin showed up because she wanted to hear my two students play, and one of my other private students and her Dad showed up because she was in class with three of the students who were in recital. It was so very nice to have that kind of support for these four outstanding young people.

The best part of the day for me was reading the letter that my student Jessica wrote to me. I started teaching her when she was 3 years old and I love her almost like a daughter. In fact, Kristin and I took her to WDW one summer as a complete surprise!

It was very emotional for all of us, needless to say. As she presented me with the letter she asked me not to read it until I got home. Good thing... I have been crying ever since.

One very touching thing was when she asked me to please come to her band concert on Wednesday evening. In addition to being a superb pianist she was first chair percussionist in Virginia's All State Band. She has never asked me to come before. When she said, "I know you have to teach, so I understand," I knew there was more to it. I happen to be done at 6:30 on Wednesday and can go, so I told her I will. It seems she is honoring me as the most influential person in her life other than her parents. I was very touched and blessed. I am glad I can go.

How wonderful, Elin! It has to be so rewarding to be in a profession where you can really impact someone. I'm sure you deserve every bit of praise from your student!

Remember the yellow Mickey pin I was needing for Riley to finish his collection? With the boards being down last night, I decided to surf Ebay & I got his pin! I found one for $5 I also bought myself a Tinkerbell pin from the same seller

Good for you! I was watching an auction for another of the Belle pins I was looking for yesterday, but it went way out of my price range again. I need to check what it ended up going for - it was up to about $57 when I left at 4 p.m., and the auction wasn't closing until 8:30 p.m.!

Here are a few pictures of Alyssa's recital from yesterday. Because she is in the 4/5 year old class, they do their recital in the studio. I just they have found with this age a lot of the kids get stage fright if they do it in an auditorium in the high school. This way they are where they are comfortable.

Just adorable, Tammi! Alyssa looks like a china doll in these (and you're not looking too shabby yourself ). Have a fun day today!

Hi,

I am way behind, it was busy here yesterday with the girl's recital.
for everyone!

I think it was a big recital day for alot of dance schools yesterday. Many school had theirs as the florist said he was mobbed.

This was the first time Katie & Sophie had all their numbers in one show so we bought the DVD (yea! I didn't have to video!) I took pictures & video at the rehearsal. Katie wants to try out for company this summer but the tryout dates are when we are a Disney. Hopefully the owner will let her try out when we return.

After the recital they do a raffle based on your seat ticket & I won a 1 month class for free! Never won anything in 8 years there so this was nice!



I will post some pictures later.

Have a great day.

What great pics, Anne Marie, and I'm glad the girls had a good recital. I remember those days fondly, including the decision of whether to join the company. In my instance, cheerleading for my school won out, and sometimes I wish I could reverse that decision. I absolutely love ballet, and would like to get my self back into good enough shape to be able to put on a leotard and go back and take some adult classes. I have never been in as good of shape as I was when I danced all those years.

 

[PNO4TE]

Here are a few pictures of Alyssa's recital from yesterday. Because she is in the 4/5 year old class, they do their recital in the studio. I just they have found with this age a lot of the kids get stage fright if they do it in an auditorium in the high school. This way they are where they are comfortable.

I bet you are right... plus the cost of renting an auditorium here is outrageous! What a delightful picture of the two of you...

 

[Tinkaroo]

Before I get going for our busy day (Abi is singing at both services at my work church, then the girl's piano recital and than a graduation party)....I thought I would upload what I did yesterday:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=d8p8jth.3d4g7tjx&Uy=97jdz&Ux=0

We took the girls and one friend or boyfriend (whichever the case may be ) to the 16th Street Mall and we ate at Hard Rock and went Lucky Strike Bowling. In the morning I splurged on myself and had my hair cut (about 6 inches in the last week....12 total in less than 6 months) and colored....that's me in the second pic.

What a change, but you look great! Glad to hear that everyone had a good time!

 

[PNO4TE]

My nephew graduates from HS today! I can't believe he is 18 already I told Gary in 5 years we will be watching Garrett graduate, where does the time go

Hopefully I will have some pictures to post tonight, I am so proud of him!

That is terrific, Janet. You have a right to be proud. And, don't think about 5 years from now... it will pass all too quickly on its own.

 

[PNO4TE]

Before I get going for our busy day (Abi is singing at both services at my work church, then the girl's piano recital and than a graduation party)....I thought I would upload what I did yesterday:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=d8p8jth.3d4g7tjx&Uy=97jdz&Ux=0

We took the girls and one friend or boyfriend (whichever the case may be ) to the 16th Street Mall and we ate at Hard Rock and went Lucky Strike Bowling. In the morning I splurged on myself and had my hair cut (about 6 inches in the last week....12 total in less than 6 months) and colored....that's me in the second pic.

Hope all the music was heavenly today, Theresa!

I love your hair!!! You look great in that style.

 

[tmfranlk]

YEAH! I'm finally caught up and ready to post!! In no particular order...

Beth - Happy belated birthday! I know I'm late, but I hope that Laura's team did well this weekend!

Steffy - I'm so glad that your terrible two weeks are over. Sorry that they were worse than you even thought. Have a great time with Terry and her sister. And get planning that next family trip! I have a feeling they will all follow as Mom is an awesome planner (and lady!)

Karen - Good luck on your interview. I just know that the right position for you will come up.

Jennifer - I am so sorry to hear you are still feeling poorly. This baby is really giving you a run for your money. It is so good to see your ticker again!

Deb - I hope that you had a great weekend camping. We are itching to get out. I think new tents are on the horizon at a sale this week so we're getting closer. I keep driving by campers for sale and it is killing me. I WANT ONE!!!!


Jen - I hope that you are having a great trip. I didn't get a chance to post it before I left, but I loved your graduation pictures. You look great!

Becky - I second Glynis and everyone else in saying that you did the right thing in dropping the classes. You deserve a nice break and I really think that the six months off from school will do you a lot of good. I hope that the Girl Scout day today is a dry one.

Vicki - Congratulations to Becky on the scholarship! I am glad that things are going well on your project at work even if we don't get to see you as much right now.

Tammi - Alyssa's recital and graduation pictures a beautiful! She looks so cute and you look simply amazing! I hope you all have a nice day at the movies and grilling.

Elin - Good luck with all of your recitals coming up. I know that it's a rough time for you, but how proud you are of all of your students. How sweet of Jessica to honor you like that! I am so glad that you will get to be there.

Elizabeth - Good luck on the negotiations this week. I am so glad that you seem to have found the right position for you!! I am so excited for you. And even better that your liability of a DS ( hahaha, shows what that one agency knows! ) will be welcome when needed.

Bernadette - You trip report is wonderful! I absolutely LOVE your pictures! I wish that I had more opportunities to really focus on my pictures. I tried to do that some at DL on Monday, but haven't had a chance to look at them to see how I really did. I'll post some if they turned out well.

Jo - Your yard is looking better and better all of the time. You have done an amazing job! I hope that you have (or was it had?, I read a lot the last few days) a great time at the concert. I love CCR! Do you have any friends that would want/need coupons for Busch Gardens? I got some for adults at a child price in my snack box on the plane and can send them if you know anyone who could use them.

Anne Marie - Love your trip count down. I may need to start hitting Home Depot to collect some Mickey heads. I hope that your back is doing better today or at least soon since now recitals, at least, are over. The girls look beautiful in their recital! Yikes that you had to buy so many costumes, though! Rachel and Kassie take at a place where the owner limits most classes to just one costume that can adapt a little for the different numbers which is nice on mom's checkbook.

Robyn - I found the fork and spoon for Molly. I will try to get them in the mail tomorrow. I love the 3D ultrasound pictures. Lucy is going to be such a cutie!

Paula - It's so good to see you! Thanks for the update on your cuties! Pixie dust for Bethie and to you too for finishing your real estate courses and exam.

Theresa - Belated happy birthdays to your girls, and Jim too. I am glad that the party went well despite the nephew issues. Cassidy looked beautiful getting ready for prom. I love you new hairdo as well!! The house looks great. Hopefully things will start calming down for you as you get settled in.

Tom - Beautiful gardens! You all do a great job on Leighanna's playset too. I have the H2 camera that Bernadette mentioned and absolutely love it. It was a major splurge, but it was what I really wanted and I have a great time playing with it.

Jennifer - I am glad that you and Kyle had a great trip! Sorry to hear that the news wasn't as good coming home, but that's great that his vacation choices for next year were approved. I have crazy dreams and aspirations that we will be there the same time as you in Sept. It probably won't work out, but I am sure trying, even if we do only do MNSSHP and one day in the parks with the rest just hanging out around the resort, DTD, FtWildreness, etc.

Lindsay - I hope that last night's event went well. Already things are better than last year as we've seen you around here after the interns arrived. I hope this bunch continues to be a decent one.

Janet - Congrats to the boys on their recent wins (even if there were a few losses in there as well) and to your nephew on granduation. Sounds like he's got some good options lined up. I see that your weight loss numbers are continuing to move. You are doing great!!!

Debbie - Congrats to DGS on his graduations. He is such a cutie and getting so big! I love your Lucy design.

Terrry - I hope that you are enjoying your time with your sister.

Glynis - Thanks for the Lime Chicken Nacho recipe. It sounds great. I'm thinking I may be needing more crockpot recipes soon so that's even better.

Anyone else that I missed I hope that all is well!!

 

[PNO4TE]

How wonderful, Elin! It has to be so rewarding to be in a profession where you can really impact someone. I'm sure you deserve every bit of praise from your student!

Thanks, Lindsay. I have to say that the rewards I reap as a teacher are one of the reasons salary is not a major issue for me (ARE YOU LISTENING, ELIZABETH?!? ). Bob often says it is probably the one thing he is envious of when it comes to my job. I have little bursts of pride in my students all the time, and when they reciprocate it is very gratifying.

 

[Tinkaroo]

Well, my premonition on the caterer last night lived up to my expectations. The food was fine, but the service was absolutely terrible. (Elizabeth and Marci - don't ever use Macklin's Catering!) If myself and two other girls from my dept. hadn't been there, I don't know how it would have played itself out. We set up the chairs and tables beforehand (as it would have never happened on time if we'd waited for them), had to ride the butts of the serving staff while they were around for everything from letting us know the food was ready for serving to busing plates, and then they had the audacity to basically sneak out the door without telling anyone they were leaving, when there were tables all still up, dirty drink glasses everywhere, etc. - the party was still going on! So, myself and my two assts. (with the assitance of our bartender, which was nice of him) had to tear everything down, get the rentals ready for pick-up, etc. Needless to say, I left a very stern message on the caterer's answering machine to call me on Monday to discuss a discount, and to give them the reasons we won't be using their services ever again. From now on, it's back to my favorite caterers (my asst. picked these caterers, and I thought I would just see if they had changed). With my favorite caterers, I never have to lift a finger, and if I have to work on the weekend, that's the way I prefer it!

So, today I'm going to be super lazy. I didn't get home until almost midnight, and by the time I showered and got in bed it was after 1 a.m. I slept in this morning until almost 10:30 , and I'll probably run a few errands, but spend the rest of the day doing Disney stuff!

I did have a fun conversation last night with our managing partner and his wife, who just got back from WDW and staying at the Polynesian with their kids/grandkids this week. They had a really nice time, and were excited to talk about their trip with someone that loves Disney! I wonder if their daughter, who planned it all, is a DIS'er, as they did a Wishes cruise, Cali Grill for the wife's b-day, and a dinner at the castle - the Wishes cruise is what made me think that she seemed to know what she was doing.

 

[PNO4TE]

YEAH! I'm finally caught up and ready to post!! In no particular order...

Elin - Good luck with all of your recitals coming up. I know that it's a rough time for you, but how proud you are of all of your students. How sweet of Jessica to honor you like that! I am so glad that you will get to be there.

Anyone else that I missed I hope that all is well!!

I cannot believe that you could possibly have missed anyone, Tia! What a good recap without quotes!

And thanks for the comments. It is good to see you here posting. I have missed you.

 

[Glynis]

Darn. I really like this family. This family that sounded so unreasonable on paper are the most gracious, welcoming people. Their boys are very sweet little guys. There would ALWAYS be people in my work space at this one because it is crazy busy there all the time, but I might kind of like that. There is a BUNCH of staff and business employees around. The house really is big enough that if the boys are tired or overstimulated I could easily move them to a quieter area. There IS TV, they just prefer to limit it. They haven't ever trusted anyone to drive the boys before, but they said I would probably be allowed to drive them or the mom would come along with us to do stuff. Well, if the mom has work to do then I will have to drive the kids, and the parents really do want them to get out and experience things. They do eat very healthy but that's not a bad thing, and shouldn't be too hard to adhere to. I can just pack a lunch if we're going to the zoo or something where I would ordinarily let the kids eat fast food. And money is not an issue in the least. The agent told them a high salary to begin with, and before I left the mom assured me that they can go higher if they need to so I will agree to come work for them.

Now I am completely conflicted. I like all 3 families that I met with, but I think this family knocks the one with the 3 kids out of the race. If I am going to do work-from-home parents I'll go with these guys.

DH and I had a long talk about this. The family I met last night would really be stretching just to get to my low end, and that is after I dropped my low end significantly. Chances are they would end up feeling kind of resentful if they were having to give up things just to pay the nanny. And then next year I don't know what I could expect in terms of an increase. Dadboss does 5% every year, plus a holiday bonus. If they were already paying me as much as they could afford then there wouldn't be much room for increases.

And now the agent just phoned and said this mom says I am THE NANNY for them and they are ready to hire me.

Well, first of all, congratulations on being so wanted!

This 3rd family sounds pretty great. Sounds like they are willing to work with you, and the fact that they are willing to meet your high end salary is fabulous!

Here's some so you can figure out what to do!

 

[PNO4TE]

Well, my premonition on the caterer last night lived up to my expectations. The food was fine, but the service was absolutely terrible. (Elizabeth and Marci - don't ever use Macklin's Catering!) If myself and two other girls from my dept. hadn't been there, I don't know how it would have played itself out. We set up the chairs and tables beforehand (as it would have never happened on time if we'd waited for them), had to ride the butts of the serving staff while they were around for everything from letting us know the food was ready for serving to busing plates, and then they had the audacity to basically sneak out the door without telling anyone they were leaving, when there were tables all still up, dirty drink glasses everywhere, etc. - the party was still going on! So, myself and my two assts. (with the assitance of our bartender, which was nice of him) had to tear everything down, get the rentals ready for pick-up, etc. Needless to say, I left a very stern message on the caterer's answering machine to call me on Monday to discuss a discount, and to give them the reasons we won't be using their services ever again. From now on, it's back to my favorite caterers (my asst. picked these caterers, and I thought I would just see if they had changed). With my favorite caterers, I never have to lift a finger, and if I have to work on the weekend, that's the way I prefer it!

So, today I'm going to be super lazy. I didn't get home until almost midnight, and by the time I showered and got in bed it was after 1 a.m. I slept in this morning until almost 10:30 , and I'll probably run a few errands, but spend the rest of the day doing Disney stuff!

I did have a fun conversation last night with our managing partner and his wife, who just got back from WDW and staying at the Polynesian with their kids/grandkids this week. They had a really nice time, and were excited to talk about their trip with someone that loves Disney! I wonder if their daughter, who planned it all, is a DIS'er, as they did a Wishes cruise, Cali Grill for the wife's b-day, and a dinner at the castle - the Wishes cruise is what made me think that she seemed to know what she was doing.

Wow, Lindsay. Sounds like a tough night. Luckily you knew what to do and had the backup manpower to make it work out. It definitely sounds like you deserve a day to do exactly what YOU want to do!

 

[Tinkaroo]

Welcome home, Tia! I can't wait to hear about your trip!

 

[PNO4TE]

Now I am off to the patio to do some California/Disney planning and dreaming. Have good afternoons, friends!

 

[tmfranlk]

Hi everyone! We got back Wednesday, but things have been crazy so I just caught up on reading here and there, but never had time to post. Our trip was great up until the part where Terra was really mad at me that we had to leave. She kept telling me that she wanted to stay forever and would miss Michelle, Jakers, Tom, Oppidee (my BIL), Mickey and all of the characters. Of course, alot of it was that she just wanted to ride more rides, but it was nice of her to use the people as her main reason.

We had a wonderful time all around. Sunday was an afternoon and evening at my SIL's house. Terra got to swim so she was happy. It was also good to see her warming up to everyone better than in the past. She's finally old enough to remember them from visit to visit and enjoy them all more. She really loves her Oppidee though and had a great time playing with him. (Of course, he's also the only one that really gets down and plays with her so who can blame her for being more into him than the rest.)

Monday we spent the day at DL. My friend Kathy was able to meet us and sign Terra in so a) I didn't have to pay anything and b) we got to park hop so that Terra could do Soarin' for the first time. Terra had her first trips on Star Tours and Soarin' this time around and loved them. She was especially excited about Soarin'. I'm just sorry that we didn't make it over to DCA sooner in the day so that she could have ridden it a few times. As it was we got there in time to fit in one right before DCA closed at 6pm. I'll report more on DL and post some pictures in the next few days.

Tuesday we had a playgroup reunion of sorts. Our friends Kathy and Kelly came over with their kids, plus one other girl that I had only met a time or two. It was a lot of fun and I got to have the baby urge hit as Kelly's newest one that I hadn't met was just the cutest ever! Tuesday night Terra wanted to have dinner with her Oppidee so we met him at Rainforest Cafe (another Terra request). It was a really nice way to spend my brithday though I have to wonder how Tom managed to make it out of that family seemily normal, fun and unharmed. Even Phil isn't very normal or unharmed (and will be the first to tell you).

Wednesday morning we went to Goofy's Kitchen for brunch before catching the bus back to LAX. It was a lot of fun and the kids had a blast. There are just so many characters there! We saw Goofy, Pluto, Chip, Dale, Baloo, Mad Hatter and Cinderella. Terra was lovings the parts where she got to dance and play instruments with Goofy. She was twirling with Cinderella, but there were enough people in front of me that I don't think that I got a good pictures.

By Wednesday night we were home and in bed. It was a really nice trip and gets me thinking about moving back out there sometime. Of course, we could probably never afford it out there, but we'll see. Tom (my BIL) said that he had put in some applications for new jobs on Tuesday and most are out of state so we'll see what he decides to do before thinking about it ourselves. I'd hate to move out there again if he wasn't there as he's the only family that really gets involved regularly with Terra. Since he works in an art museum (asst. registrar) the number of jobs available at any given time is limited so he has to be willing to move if he wants a change.

 

[Glynis]

The Senior Recital was just terrific. All four students played well and the awards handed out were just awe inspiring.

DD Kristin showed up because she wanted to hear my two students play, and one of my other private students and her Dad showed up because she was in class with three of the students who were in recital. It was so very nice to have that kind of support for these four outstanding young people.

The best part of the day for me was reading the letter that my student Jessica wrote to me. I started teaching her when she was 3 years old and I love her almost like a daughter. In fact, Kristin and I took her to WDW one summer as a complete surprise!

It was very emotional for all of us, needless to say. As she presented me with the letter she asked me not to read it until I got home. Good thing... I have been crying ever since.

One very touching thing was when she asked me to please come to her band concert on Wednesday evening. In addition to being a superb pianist she was first chair percussionist in Virginia's All State Band. She has never asked me to come before. When she said, "I know you have to teach, so I understand," I knew there was more to it. I happen to be done at 6:30 on Wednesday and can go, so I told her I will. It seems she is honoring me as the most influential person in her life other than her parents. I was very touched and blessed. I am glad I can go.

Elin - this gave me goosebumps! How wonderful that you've influenced these young people! And how wonderful that she wants to honor you! You really deserve it!

 

[Glynis]

Here are a few pictures of Alyssa's recital from yesterday. Because she is in the 4/5 year old class, they do their recital in the studio. I just they have found with this age a lot of the kids get stage fright if they do it in an auditorium in the high school. This way they are where they are comfortable.

Tammi, she's so beautiful! I just knew she'd look like a fairy princess! I love to see pictures of the two of you together! You have the same eyes!