The Rainiest June on Record!

This June was one for the record books! We have had more rain this month than any in recorded history. Since records go back to the 1800s, I feel justified in being impressed. There is no denying that it is wet! The weeds are doing well, the grass is growing at an insane rate, but the flowers hate the excessive moisture and look awful. I guess that is what happens when you choose plants that usually thrive in our desert climate and then change the environmnt on them.

We have finished another week of summer intensive. Bailee had her first experience with "partnering" and was unimpressed. Being touched by a boy is never cool in her eyes, but when the young man (who is also learning this skill for the first time) dropped her - well ... let' just say that she was not amused.

I am getting used to the drive to Pocatello every day, which our frequent rain storms have made interesting. We lucked out on the road construction. They didn't start any until yesterday. Now I can add single lane traffic and hold ups to my driving adventure. I am doing pretty well finding my way around Pocatello, and have found several places to "hang out" while I wait for 3 pm. I'll admit to looking forward to finishing up intensive this week. The final performance will be on the 27th at ISU. In July Bailee will be attending Studio One's dance camp for three weeks. I'm excited about NOT having to gas up so often. As for Bailee, she just loves to dance.

Mom and Diana decided to join the neighborhood for a massive garage sale. Needless to say, the weather is wet, cold, and windy. Doesn't that just figure? They are hoping to make enough to support Diana and Bailee's rather excessive fireworks habit. My two firebugs love the pyrotechnics of the season! As the "lighter of fires" I have my own opinion, but so far they manage to stop short of purchasing the big illegal stuff (heaven knows that enough of our neighbors indulge that there is plenty for them to ooh and ahh over). I have noticed Bailee looking wistfully at the display at Fort Hall (which can sell items not allowed anywhere else). Thus far she hasn't said anything, but I think she is waging a private war with her thirst for fire and her integrity.

We are looking forward to a visit from our dear friend, Marsha, over the holiday. Diana is busy planning adventures (being the epitome of a cruise director) for the week. I hope Marsha has been resting up!

Post Recital Exhaustion

This is a photo of Bailee backstage. She was practicing her "suave" look for their James Bond number. Try explaining suave to a ten-year-old! I didn't envy her instructor, Casey! She did a great job, but she was so tired! Today she slept until 12:00! After we fed her something, she went back to bed for another two hours. Obviously her little body needed to recharge. I am looking forward to "only" having Summer Intensive practices this week. It will be so nice to have evenings free!


I expeimented with taking pictures backstage during the dress rehearsal. My experiement showed I needed a better camera. Oh well. I did my best. Hopefully I will be able to doctor a few of the photos so that they will be acceptable for the studio website. The backstage moms agreed that we definitely need a section on the secrets to being a dance mom. Few of us realized all the info we had accumulated over the years until we started talking with the "novice" moms. "Oh, didn't you know that ..." Being backstage is a lot of hard work, but fun. You quickly learn that ballet may seem beautiful and ethereal, but it is an intensive physical sport! Enjoy the photos!




Pre-Dance I - These three-year-olds were just too cute! Their number was "I'm Gonna Wash That Man RIght Outta My Hair." They were the delight of the show!



These photos were from the song "My Heart Will Go On." It was heartbreakingly beautiful! Scott and Carli did an amazing job!

One last shot of Bailee in her solo. She was a cute little clown! I really do wish I had a better digital camera!

The Dancing Diva

It's that time of year when we look at one another and ask the age-old question: "Why are we doing this whole dance thing again?" We need to remind ourselves more and more frequently of those reasons ... but some days even they offer little solace.

Right now I am driving Bailee down to Pocatello every day to attend Summer Dance Intensive at the Brindusa-Moore Ballet Academy. Sergiu Brindusa teaches her ballet technique class at Studio One during the year. This summer she has the opportunity to work with Sergiu and his wife, as well as guest teachers from all over th country. This week she is working with a man from the Orlando Ballet. She dances there from ten in the morning until three in the afternoon. Small wonder they call it Summer INTENSIVE!

Once she finishes, we zip back up to Idaho Falls and I drop her off at Studio One for practice. Their big recital is this Saturday, so she is working on several dances as well as her first solo. Long story short - she dances there until 9:30 pm.

Now, this would be difficult enough, but we are also dealing with a supreme tween right now. Bailee can definitely put the DRAMA in Drama Queen, bless her heart. When she is tired (which is all the time), she starts giving orders like a tiny little version of Patton! Sew this, find that, fix this, wash that, etc. etc. etc. We will all be smiling BIG TIME once the double duty is done. Until then ... we plaster a smile on our faces, pray for patience, and make plans for revenge. You know, she has this dog who has been leaving presents for us in the back yard, and I'm of a mind that every one of those little gifts have her name on them. So, along with her flowers on the night of the performance, we will probably also be handing her a shovel and delivering some marching orders of our own!

So, here's to Saturday and the final performance! Good luck little Diva! We know you will make us proud (and yes, it WILL all be worth it)!

Jumping Into June

One final nod to the end of the school year (which nearly killed us all due to the fact that Diana and I both had to pack up our rooms). This is a photo of Bailee portraying Chief Joseph during the 4th grade Wax Museum. People could walk through and press "buttons" on each child's hand - whereupon they would tell about their character.

Now that school is over, we are busy with all the other things that we either put off until school was out or have just become vital. My big "put off until the end of school" was the yard. I've got the garden in and am now working on flower beds. The end is not yet in sight, but I think that I am at least past the midway point. Now I just have to paint the kitchen and living room, do my "summer cleaning," and - oh my, I'm feeling tired again! It's time to check out some photos of Bailee and the yard in bloom.

The coming week will be filled to the brim with dancing. Bailee will be spending the day down in Pocatello for Summer Intensive at the Brindasu Moore Ballet Academy, and her evenings will be spent at Studio One preparing for their Spring Recital. Busy just doesn't even come close to covering this week!