I’m so thankful that our drum teacher and ballet studio found ways to continue with lessons during quarantine.  Of course there are days that James and Anna don’t want to practice, but it really has been great to give them something else to do in addition to at-home learning.  Because we’re home more, there really aren’t any excuses for not practicing. 

James is supposed to be practicing daily, but when we were in school full-time and had homework every night, there were days here and there where drum practice just didn’t happen.  Now, I set up the laptop in front of James’s drum set every Tuesday afternoon, and he and his teacher have a lesson over Skype.  It’s working very well and James is improving!  I so enjoy listening to him practice and he’s become very diligent in making sure he gets to the basement every day.  

James and Kenny made this video in March to share with James’s 5th grade teacher.  

And a more recent video he made this week.

James teaching Anna some drum technique

Anna’s ballet class was once a week before and there wasn’t any homework or practicing she needed to do at home.  Just show up to class once a week.  In this new online format, she has access to all of the different classes in her level.  She’s been able to try jazz, hip-hop, and a broadway class.  She’s discovered that she really loves jazz in addition to ballet!  Since we suddenly had access to all of these classes, we decided that each weekday she would take a class of some sort.  So, she’s really been improving and keeping up her skills which is great.  We still don’t have a teacher’s input and correction like we would in person, but this is still working out well.  She moves the coffee table in the living room, we cast the class from my phone to the TV, and away she goes!  

A couple months ago we had the best time on dates with James and Anna. 

Kenny has been waiting several years for Anna to be old enough to go to “A Daughter’s Heart” – a Daddy/Daughter event that has been happening locally for many years.  We’ve heard wonderful things about it for a long time, and this year, Anna is eight and old enough to attend!  

The special event was held at a local hotel and included a four-course meal, a speaker, and a dance.  Anna found the fanciest dress in her closet, I curled her hair with a curling iron for the first time, and Dad dusted off his suit.  They had a wonderful time together and definitely made a new memory together.  They enjoyed the meal – Anna especially enjoyed the Chocolate Mousse for dessert.  The theme for the event was “You Are Marvelous” and the speaker spent his brief time talking to the girls about their identity in Christ.  Then the night ended with a dance.  In the days before the event, Anna asked me what kind of dance it was going to be.  It occurred to us that the only reference she has for “a dance” is her ballet experience – a choreographed dance where everyone does the same thing.  We explained how this dance would probably have a DJ, he would play all kinds of different songs, and everyone could dance however they wanted to!  In the end they had a band which was even more fun.  One of the best parts, she said, was staying up late at the dance and not getting home till after 10:00 pm.  

Since Kenny and Anna had plans, James and I decided to do two of our favorite things – eat some great food, and spend time at Barnes & Noble.  We had dinner at Ted’s Montana Grill – a place we rarely frequent.  We enjoyed delicious burgers and then headed to the bookstore.  We ate dessert while browsing our favorite books and magazines.  Such a simple thing, but something we both enjoy doing together.  We’re so thankful for these times with the kids!

Fifties Day at school always culminates in a Sock Hop in the evening and this was the first year the kids wanted to attend.  Every year our school’s Junior class holds the event to raise money for Prom.  It’s so sad this spring they weren’t able to have that event.  We enjoyed the Sock Hop, though, and appreciated the effort they made to make it happen.  I don’t think the kids danced at all but they sure enjoyed running around with their friends!