Signs of Spring?

Within a week's time all of our snow has melted and it's finally starting to feel like spring. Yay!!!!! I am so excited to finally feel 40 degree weather - it feels so warm compared to the winter temperatures that we've had. It's funny how much just this one thing has lifted my spirits. I've kicked the kids out of the house to play because they are all a bundle of energy. I even checked the day lilies that I planted in the fall last year and I can now see the faintest signs of some budding. I love spring!!!

Ronin's 1st Loose Tooth

Last Friday, March 5, Ronin had his very first tooth pulled. He was so excited about having his first loose tooth. Although the tooth was ready to come out a couple days before, I couldn't get it with the pliers. It kept slipping off. Since Jed was out of town for a training trip we had to wait for him to get home so that he could do the honors. Ronin was very brave and didn't cry at all - although it looked like for a moment he wanted to. Check out the video.

We forgot to remind Ronin to put the tooth under his pillow that night, so he made sure to remind us the next day about the tooth fairy coming to pick up his tooth. The tooth fairy left him $1.50 in quarters. He was pretty excited!

Ballroom Competition

This last weekend Aubrey competed in her first ballroom competition held at a large, local high school. She and her partner, Damian, danced the Foxtrot, Cha-Cha, Swing, and International Waltz. I was surprised at the large amount of competitors that came - I later found out that ballroom teams from three states had come to compete.  For Aubrey's events, there were probably around 50-75 other couples competing in the same dances.

Aubrey and Damian taking the floor for one of their dances.

Waiting for the music to begin.

Off they go!
Making their way around the gym floor.

Performing the waltz.

Waiting in the very large line (extending all the way from one end of the gym to the other) for their turn for the next round. Aubrey and Damian made it to the quarter finals in the walz and cha-cha but didn't make the top 6 award spots in any of their dances.

Aubrey and Damian dancing the Foxtrot.

All in all it was a good experience for Aubrey and Damian. It is Damian's first year in ballroom, but some of the dances were also new for Aubrey. I think after watching the other competitors, Aubrey realized that more work and practice would be needed in order to do better in future competitions. To be fair, they did well considering the minimal amount of practice time in class since they only had four classes to get ready for it. But Aubrey wants to do better the next time she competes.

Good job, Aubrey! We are proud of you.