Update

Well I haven't taken the time to post recently, life with the kids just seems to take up more time so me time seems to suffer.

Last time I posted I let you know that Josie was extended an invitation to audition for Ballet Theater San Luis Obispo. Let me give you an update. We had a performance at 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon. Once we got their I was informed that she and 1 other student had a 5 p.m. audition. Well, that was so great, Josie was so very thrilled, but then she calculated how much time she had to stress out. She didn't even have her ballet shoes with her! We had special friends from out of town that she really wanted to see at her gymnastic competition, so as bummed as she was that she would not see her she was so happy!

The audition was so cool to see! In the past, she has had auditions at various competitions they were always closed door, so to be able to watch her do one was just spectacular. The director was so sweet and kind, she would show them what she wanted and then ask them to repeat it, if it wasn't perfect she would show them again and then have them do it again. So because we didn't have shoes the other student went by and grabbed her shoes, but because they were auditioning for flat parts, and that Jo had only been on point for 4 months she didn't think to get the point shoes. Part way into the audition Terry (director) asked her to put on point shoes, we didn't have them so to test her knowledge she started to call out moves for her to do, at one point she called out something and Josie did it. Terry's response was "wow she is in" A former dancer from our studio was there watching and he was just blown away and saying how he feels like a proud big brother.

So fast forward to her first rehearsal, she is on point for a pretty long intense scene. Most of the steps she had not even dreamed of trying, and every one is so kind and willing to take the time to teach her. It is amazing to see her push her self and thrive in this new environment. She has been so responsible with thinking ahead to what all she had to do, and making the most of her time. She had cut out most of her t.v. watching, and recreational reading. She thinks about all she has to do and looks ahead to see when she can fit it in. Seeing her use this skill just sends me over the moon. I know a lot of adults who have a problem with that skill.

In the past two weeks she has added around 2 extra hours of class time. To give you an idea I think she is now dancing about 13 hours from Mon. to Thurs. Sat and Sun. rehearsals are an extra 8 to 10 hours. That is a part time job. Such a busy little girl.

Brianna has had a big event this past week too. She was on the FFA opening and closing competitive team. This was a big deal to her. Our school also hosted the event so there was extra work in that area too. She was on a team of individuals that did not take this commitment as serious as she did. This caused A LOT of anxiety for her. She worked constantly memorizing her parts, so much so that dear Josie knew all of the other officers parts from running it with her. On Monday I had received 3 major melt down phone calls. She was worried because she kept reversing two words, and knowing that she was reversing them she would start to stutter leading up to it. This is not the best for public speaking. With Brianna being a little OCD and having to depend on others who she has no faith in, just sent her over the edge. One of the phone calls was Andrew in a total loss as to what to do. I talked him though calming her down and she was good until after. She has been learning self calming down techniques, but She was just so far over the edge that she need the outside help to get back under control. She calmed down and did wonderful, just a little stutter, but with another member not knowing any of her part, it didn't hurt the teams score. It was a great learning experience, a very stressful one but good for her anyway. Brianna really wanted her sister, and Josie wanted to be their and do it with her, but she is not in FFA and she had dance so she couldn't be their, but just watch next year will be another story. It was really great to see them working so hard together, and Josie being gentle in her correction of Brianna. Now if I could just get that gentleness to carry over to Nat.... oh well one step at a time right?


In the last week we had a lot of 'extras' to fit into our already full schedule. As stated above Brianna had an FFA event, it is homecoming week, Josie had an to make a model of an element, choir concert and the community talent show to dance at. I will blog more about these in the near future I might even post pics, but until then just remember I wish I could get myself to blog more.