Drumroll please.....

Monday, October 25, 2010

Bonney Lake High School Daffodil Princess Selection Night

About 5 weeks ago, Payton received a letter from school telling her that she had been nominated by a faculty member to be in the running for Daffodil Princess.  (For all of those not from Pierce County, Washington, here is a link that explains all about the Daffodil Festival and royalty family:  http://www.daffodilfestival.net/News.htm#BonneyLake)  It is quite an honor to be nominated and it comes with a load of responsibilities as well.  There were 8 girls who met each Monday after school to prepare for last night.  Each nominee is required to have at least a 3.2 gpa.  Payton had to write a speech, memorize it and give it in front of a panel of 3 judges and a room full of family and friends.  She did a flawless job.  All the girls did a fantastic job.  They also had to answer an impromptu question; "What advice would you give to someone entering middle school?"  They couldn't listen to each others speeches or answers, as they were off stage in a sound proof room.  Payton has been working very hard.  She put a lot of energy into her preparation.  We knew that regardless of the outcome, she had grown and learned enough to make it worth her while.  So here is how it went...

P-A-Y-T-O-N :  She had her own cheering section!

Sydney is part of the Advanced Girls' Choir at MMS, they performed at the event.

Each girl was escorted on to the stage as a short biography was read about them.

Payton and her escort, Blake Patterson.

All eight nominees and their escorts.

I apologize now for my forgetfulness.  I do know that you cannot flip video. 

So lay on your side and watch it anyway!

Ashley Alvarez, BLHS's 2009 Daffodil Princess giving her farewell speech.

Payton waiting for the judges to make their decision.

(right before my camera batteries died.)

And 4 very proud siblings at home with their sister, Princess Payton, after a long night!

Payton with some of her many bouquets.

So now you know how it went...

feel free to stop her in the hall, give her a call or come on by

and let Payton know what a fantastic job she did! 

We are so proud of Payton! 

You truly can do anything you set your heart and mind to! 

Congratulations! 

We love you!

Mountainview 7th and 8th grade Choir Concert

Riley sang in the Advanced Girls' Choir this year.  Sydney sang in the 7th grade girls' choir.  Ms. Rice- their favorite teacher! - was gracious enough to plan the concert with all choirs combined to make one evening in June that families could see all of their children.  Yeah!  So here they are. 

Riley with the Advanced Girls' Choir in their white tuxedo shirts, sang 3 traditional songs.

Sydney and her choir sang 2 songs accompanied by the piano.

This is Maisyn and me watching- or should I say waiting - during intermission....

Then the Disney Dazzle began!  They had several Disney songs mixed in with a little play acting out Beauty and the Beast.  Sydney got to play some dishes!

The combined choirs also sang a Journey song - Haley T. had a solo for the girls part

along with another boy who sang the boys part.  It was very "Glee-esque".  Impressive!

I don't think Riley will continue with choir in high school.  So this was it for her. 

But she had fun and will always remember Ms. Rice as one of her favorites! 

Sydney made Advanced Girls' Choir for 8th grade next year and is thrilled to have

one more year of singing bliss!

'Tis the Season

...for choir concerts...

Maisyn is a member of the Victor Falls Elementary choir.  They were able to perform their holiday songs at the Sumner Fire Station during their pancake breakfast.

They also took a field trip to the BL Senior Center and the Cedar Ridge Retirement community where they performed the entire show for two more crowds.  Oma was in town for this trip, so we all went along.  Porter enjoyed seeing Maisyn on a school day!

Sydney and Riley are both in the choirs at Mountainview.  Both groups performed on the same night and Grandpa and Oma were both able to be there. 

The party.

No, not just a party. It was, as The Cat in the Hat so eloquently put it, the Mother of All Parties!

Sydney has been known for her larger-than-life celebratory habits- but this was the end-all. Maybe the wood floors causing a cavernous echo had something to do with it- but, wow!, those girls were loud! I believe there were 21 girls in all, maybe 22. Sydney planned the entire soiree by herself (otherwise I would have had a heads up on the quantity!) But she was a great hostess and I think they were all entertained thoroughly!

She had them go on a scavenger hunt- quite successful!

1st place.

2nd place.

3rd place.

4th place.

5th place.

Then into the backyard for some build-your-own nachos.

After that, they came in for gifts...

All the party guests.

Gift time. These girls were very generous! Too generous. But Sydney really appreciated all the happy birthday wishes!

and we finished the night with cake (which she made herself!) and ice cream.

The whole gang!

Until 13......