Wizard of Oz

Kylie is really enjoying be a part of the Villegas Show Choir.  They are given some great opportunities.

Each year they get to see a few broadway shows either in LA or Orange County.  We all went to see The Lion King together earlier in the year, and recently, David went with Kylie and the group to see The Wizard of Oz.  I was so proud of him for taking pictures that night, even though I wasn't there to nag him about it.  :)  They loved it and got to meet some of the cast members after the show!

Kylie and some of her favorite 8th graders

This picture actually made me kind of sad.

I wish Kylie had a sister too.

Robyn, Kylie, and Lane

One of my favorite pictures of Kylie and David

Head Gear :(

When we heard that Chad had to have head gear, I immediately had visions of The Brady Bumch, with wires wrapped completely around his head and having to wear it 24 hours a day.  We were happy to hear that it would only be worn at bedtime, and even more happy when we realized that now a days, it looks like this....

Not too bad!  I am so impressed with how resilient Chad is. 

I thought he would have a hard time falling asleep that first night.

 But, he didn't.  Looking forward to the next year or so 

of wearing this!  Then, on to braces!

IHOP - Important Hour of Progress Night

When David got called to the bishopric, I continued to serve as the Stake Relief Society secretary for about a year.  It started to get a little hectic with our two schedules, and I'm pretty sure David expressed his concerns and had a little part in me being released.  I have loved serving in Relief Society and learned so much.  I had no idea what kind of a calling I would have next.  I have served in some type of a Relief Society calling for at least eight years now and so I was actually pretty nervous about doing anything else.  

I have never served in Young Women's.  Actually, I did teach the MiaMaids when David and I were first married, but that was only for about two months until we moved out of the ward.  I was recently called to serve in Young Women's as the Personal Progress leader.  As nervous as I was to be called to the youth program, I was extremely excited to get the girls excited about personal progress.  I have a strong testimony of this inspired program and I know that it helped guide me and keep me on the right path when I was a youth.  It has been quite a long time since a girl in our ward has earned her YW medallion, and I hope to change that.  I want them all to make a commitment to set that as a goal, and make it happen.  

I already love these girls so much.  I decided to do kind of a kick off activity to get them all started again and break out their personal progress books.  We had an IHOP night, which stood for Important Hour of Progress Night (thank you Sugardoodle)!  David cooked pancakes for everyone, regular and chocolate chip, and the girls actually really sat down together and accomplished some of their goals.  I gave them three choices of goals to work on, and I think they all accomplished at least two of them.  It was a great night and a good way to get to know them better.  I look forward to more activities with these girls, and hope to make a small difference in their lives.

Pointe Shoes!

Kylie has been told since she was very little, that girls get to go on pointe when they are twelve years old.  I think she has always watched the older girls and has looked forward to that day.  I don't think that she realized when she turned twelve, that she would be ready for pointe shoes.  The studio teachers wait for the appropriate age and ballet level, and then let you know that you can be fitted for pointe shoes.  One random night I happened to be there at the studio and overheard some of the moms saying that tonight was the night when the girls would find out.  It was fun to watch as the girls opened up the letters with their names on them and realized what was happening.  They were so excited.  I think Kylie was a little bit nervous too.

About a week later, we went to Capezio so that she could get her shoes.

She still has the smallest feet out of anyone her age.  I think the owner was surprised 

at how small of a shoe she needed.  :)

Beautiful feet

Pointe classes have started once a week, and she comes home in a lot of pain.  It is kind of funny watching the girls walk out of class.  They are hobbling and can't wait to take their shoes off.  I am looking forward to the progress she will make in the coming years.  Hopefully her feet don't get too ugly along the way.  :)

This one was taken through a window, but I love it.

Semester Awards

Kylie and Chad had mid year award assemblies in February.  I am so thankful that my kids love to learn.  They excel in all areas and work so hard.  

Chad - Fourth Grade

Kylie - 6th Grade

Kylie and Cierra

Valentines, Heart Attack, and the Sweetheart Dance

Valentine's Day is a great day to show our kids we love them.  It has always been a tradition to do some kind of a game to help them find their little Valentine treat.  This year they had to find ten red hearts before I gave it to them.  They were hidden all over the house and it took them a little while.  It was fun to watch.  They all woke up to a card with their name and an acrostic poem.  We really do have great kids, and I want them to know how great we think they are.

After finding the ten hearts, they opened up their treat and little gift.  They all got new Angels shirts and Kylie got some flip flops and the boys got movie tickets to see the new Lego movie.  :)

This was Cameron's first time making his own Valentines for kindergarten 

and he was extremely proud of them.

At school they made a little Valentine box from Home Depot.  Too cute!

Right around Valentine's Day, the sister missionaries heart attacked our house.  

It was so thoughtful.  There were nice little messages about our family

on each of the hearts.  It made our day and it was hard to take down.

It is a tradition at the kids school to have a Sweetheart Dance in the month of February.

This year it was a sock hop theme and so the kids had fun getting into character.  

I love this picture of the boys.

And this is my favorite of the three of them together.

Chad and his buddies.

Cameron and his friends.

Chad is known for his breakdancing at the sweetheart dance.

Hollywood Dance Experience - HDE

Every January, Kylie's studio attends Hollywood Dance Experience in LA.  Her studio owner and some of her teachers work for the convention and so the girls love to go.  The last couple of years we have shared a room with Kylie's friend Kenadie and her mom Karrie, and so it is a fun girls weekend that we always look forward to.  It's nice to spend some time with Kylie, watch her dance, and have a good time together.

Karrie and Kenadie gave Kylie some pajamas for her birthday...they loved having matching pajamas!

Early the next morning - getting ready for two full days of dancing.

Kylie was freaking out about her hairstyle.  She was so proud that day.

All stretched and these girls are ready to go!

 Jazz class with Jason Mehyre

Tap class with Melissa Snow

 Ballet with Miss Kristy

Kylie and Miss Kristy

 The girls also had class in Hip-Hop and Musical Theatre.  They worked so hard and so it was good to go out one night and just have a little bit of fun at Universal Citywalk.

They have the best mini donuts there!

We had a great time at HDE and are already looking forward to next year!