Concert at the Waterfall

 The girls and I went to the Peter Breinholt Concert at Thanksgiving Point.  It was free for members!  Super fun night hanging out in the garden and listening to music.  Iphone pictures are terrible at dusk, but it's the only camera we had. 

We also did a little exploring and discovered the "Secret Garden".  We had never found it before and it's so magical.  The door was open just a bit and we snuck in and felt like we had just walked into the Secret Garden movie.  Everything is the exact replica of The Secret Garden.  Kelsie fell in love with the place!  It was such a fun, magical night.  We love the Thanksgiving Point Gardens.

Suessical

The elementary school did their 1st musical ever this year.  Kelsie tried out and got the part of a WHO in Suessical, Jr.  She absolutely loved the whole experience!  She learned a lot, LOVED going to practices, and the whole great experience culminated with one AMAZING production! 

Here is her WHO family on stage, with Horton the Elephant at the center.  The costumes were amazing and were all made by parents.  I was even on the costume committee and I don't sew...it was quite an adventure!

 Kelsie and her friend Thing 2.  This production created such bonds between the kids involved and made them feel like they were part of something amazing.  The kids all called each other by their character names...even during the school day!  :) 

 Every night before the show started, Mr. Smith would lead the kids in warm ups and then dancing to get them pumped up for the show.  It was super fun to spy on them!  This is Kelsie and her cute, new friend during warm ups. 

 Last night as a Who of Whoville.

 Kelsie and the amazing Mr. Smith!  He is a first year teacher at our school and he was spectacular at teaching these kids to act, sing, dance, and feel good about themselves.  Countless people who came to the show said it was amazing and the caliber was better than most High School productions they had seen.  John and I totally agreed.  It was phenomenal...thanks to Mr. Smith and some talented kids!

Finally, Kelsie and her 5th grade teacher, Ms. Decker.  Ms. Decker was the assistant director and worked tirelessly to bring the musical to our school because she had seen the amazing difference it made in student's lives at her old school.  We saw such happiness and confidence develop in Kelsie as she was a part of this production and we are so grateful for that!  It came right at a very needed time as she was lonely and dealing with her best friend moving away and helped to give her something to look forward to.  Plus, Kelsie found out that she absolutely LOVES acting and performing!  Such a great experience and we all loved watching Kelsie perform.

The fans

 Suessical billboard to advertise the play

 Matson couldn't get enough of Kelsie in her costume and make up.  He stared at her, hugged her, and went on and one about the flower on her costume.  He LOVED watching her on stage and he now sings all the songs, all day long!

 Emily and the Young Kangroo and a Jungle Citizen!  She was too young to try out but she knew everyone in the show and went with me every night!

Us.  We are so proud of you Kelsie.  You were great at always staying in character and paying attention to every little detail.  We think you were the best Who in Whoville!  :)

Tulip Festival

 

We enjoyed exploring the gardens during the Tulip Festival.  Matson loved it and asks every day if we can go back.  Every time he saw a new color of tulip he had to stop and smell it.  Yes, it took awhile to get through the garden with him!  He also skipped down the paths pointing at the flowers and saying, "That flower is beautiful".  He loved it all.  Grateful for my little boy who helps us to slow down and see the beauty around us.

Hope of America

Kelsie got to perform in Hope of America at the Marriott Center!  This program kicks off Provo's Freedom Festival.  I had heard about Hope of America for years but I finally got to see it for myself and it was AMAZING.  Thousands of 5th graders gathered together in color coordinating shirts to create the American Flag as they sing patriotic songs with actions and fun props.  I was in tears by the end.  The songs were amazing and how inspiring to watch these 5th graders perform and know that they truly are the HOPE of AMERICA.  The world is full of much evil but we have the shining faces of 5,000 5th graders to remind us of the goodness and hope that is all around us. 

Kelsie was in yellow and was seated to the right of the flag.  We loved watching her perform.  Carter is still walking around singing, "America Rocks!"  Such a great program!  Wish we had invited grandparents to come see this great program...who knew it would be this cool?!?  :)

The boys were pretty awe stricken by this larger than life Cosmo!  Matson couldn't take his eyes off of him!  Fun night at Hope of America!

Goggle Boy

Carter has some new swim goggles and he's getting LOTS of use out of them.  He won't take them off!  I'm pretty sure he thinks he's a pilot with them.  All I know is he looks SUPER cool sporting those goggles around town!  Funny boy.

Spring Break at the Zoo

 Aunt Michelle came to town for Spring Break so we planned a fun couple of days together!  We started out having lunch at This is the Place Park. 

 The girls love hanging out with Aunt Michelle!

 Matson and me seeing the elephants!  Matson loved all the animals, but especially loved the monkeys (no surprise) and the water animals.  But, his all time favorite part was climbing on the big rocks and jumping off them.  Much more entertaining than the animals!  :)

 Michelle and my crazy boy, Carter.

He's as big as a monkey!  Carter carried his "map" of the zoo around the whole day and loved checking out where we were going next.  He was mesmerized by the sea otters and could have watched them all day.  He would LOVE Sea World.  I just can't convince John...