Busy Day

My sister Darlin's student, Lexi

Lexi took two figure skating tests today out at Acord and since Darlin had the SVFS club show tonight, she wasn't able to come down to coach her. So she asked me to go and help her through the testing process, which took four hours.

Lexi and her mom Jill

They live in Seattle but have been in Sun Valley for the past four months for Lexi to train with Darlin. She passed her first test and was within three-tenths of a point in passing her second test. Lexi has only been skating since last June and is very talented and athletic with a huge amount of parental support. She is already on the Juvenile level that most people take 3-4 years to achieve. She is going to train in Lake Arrowhead, California next month, with Michelle Kwan's coach and then she will be back in Sun Valley to train with Darlin for the summer. Lexi turns 13 next week and she is doing home school so that she can skate for five - six hours every single day. Along with ballet, Pilate's and off-ice training in her down time. Watch for her in the next few Olympics, I think she will go a long way in skating.

Max at his game against Crown Colony today

Even though it snowed four inches here, in Riverton the fields were dry enough to play baseball on so Max's accelerated team had a double header in the 40 degree weather. I missed the first game which they lost to Riverton 17-6, but made it in time to see the second game against Crown Colony, which they tied 6-6.

Bundled up Max up to bat

He had an RWI and a double 

My student Amelie was in "Bunny Hop" in The Wild Things Show tonight

Right after his game ended I ran back to the rink to help all my little bunnies get ready for the show tonight...

Amanda

My student Amanda during her "Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy" program.

The show went off without a hitch tonight and then I came home to tuck Markus into bed and clean the bathrooms before collapsing into bed. Zzzzzzzzzzzz...

It's Showtime!



Toni and her mom Lisa




Daija and her grandma Susan



Some of my students from the Spring Show at the rink tonight and tomorrow...

Joseph and Nathan, two of the boy bunnies in the Bunny Hop





The Crocodile Rockers

Amanda performed a near perfect program and brought the house down tonight.

She borrowed my sister Darlin's cowgirl dress again and she really sparkled under all the spotlights!

More photos from the show tomorrow night...

Autograph Please

 As we were walking to Disneyland on one of the three days of visiting the park, Markus didn't ask about getting any of the characters autographs. When he was three that was one of his favorite things about the park, and he would carry his autograph book around with him everywhere just in case he encountered Mickey or one of his friends. But he is eight now and everything changes. He still liked eating at Goofy's kitchen and chatting with some of the characters there though, so I guess it hasn't lost all of it's magic. When Pluto and Dale came to our table they sat down and started writing on the paper table cover. Max asked Pluto why he never talks and Pluto wrote down that he is a dog and dogs don't talk. He then proceeded to bark! Markus asked Dale the same question and Dale wrote, "Because Mr. Disney asked them not to speak." Markus said, "But Mr. Disney is dead." and Dale wrote, "But he would still know." They continued on with their "conversations" for a few minutes until it was time to get up and dance with Goofy and his friends.

Eating at Goofy's Kitchen



Pluto



Pluto and Chip

Alice and Dale

Pluto and Morgen

Best Pals



Markus and Dale having a "conversation" 



Chip

Morgen

{Morgen and his Disneyland Experience}

{Enjoying a Pineapple Whip outside of the Tiki Room}

{Collecting Vinylmation figures}

{Pirates - ARGH!!!}

{Tomorrowland}

{almost smiling - almost}

{Morgen and Kailey hanging out in line}

{Peter Pan never wanted to grow up, and that is all that Morgen has wanted to do since he was younger - Grow!}

{"Sleep in a Can" - according to Morgen this is what he lived on last year when he came down with his dance team}

{Catching some California sun by the pool}

{Chasing Markus with sand at the beach}

{Refreshment}

{Guess what Morgen's favorite thing to eat at Disneyland is? (Hint: He is wearing it!}

{Posing for the camera on Space Mountain}

fun for max

max is always a fun loving kid, so disneyland is great for him. his favorite ride is the many adventures of winnie the pooh, it has been ever since he was little. he still loves all the thrill rides like california screamin' and tower of terror. splash mountain is another favorite of his (even though it was closed while we were there) yet he still likes all the fantasyland rides like the carousel (my favorite) and dumbo. he loves to get autographs from the characters and he wanted his name put on his new mickey ears. he has his old set of mickey ears at home, but wanted new ones since the other ones were getting a little small, he has had them since he was one. he wore them everywhere he went at the park and took them on every ride with him, always making sure he didn't lose them. so cute! he used his allowance to buy a hairy dog puppet from downtown disney and named him shamus. one of his favorite things at disneyland was sticky mickey - mickey mouse shaped ice cream coated with a hard chocolate shell - yum! he absolutely loved it and i absolutely adore him!

Markus' 25 Favorites @ 8

Markus has so many favorite things right now it is hard to pick just 25.

1. Disneyland
2. Indiana Jones Ride
3. Max
4. Pirates of the Caribbean
5. Space Mountain
6. His Mickey Mouse hat
7. Big Thunder Mountain
8. Magic Wands
9. Small World
10. Morgen
11. Silly Hats
12. Frozen Lemonade
13. Swimming in the hotel pool
14. The Lego Store
15. Disneyland Bacon
16. Yogurt
17. Dad
18. In-N-Out Burger
19. Huntington Beach
20. Hockey
21. Toy Story Ride
22. Mickey Mouse Balloons
23. Hanging out at California Adventure
24. Discovering which Disney character he is most like...
25. Mom