6th year Adoption Anniversary:)

Every year I give Jasmine a little gift I purchased in Vietnam. This year she received a little Vietnamese bookmark/doll. She also took cookies to her class. We didn't get to go out to eat because we were at skating practice:)

Action shots from Autumn Antics:)

No smile at all until the very end!!

It was a very long weekend...

Friday night skating practice, then choir concert at Cornerstone Church in Chandler, Saturday morning skating, then afternoon make up swimming lessons since we have missed so many. Sunday skating competition in Peoria - Autumn Antics. Autumn Antics is a "theatrical competition". Some of the judges are skating judges, but a few are from "theater" and "choreography". They are looking for emotion, musical interpretation, costume, the music itself, and who knows what else. It is very subjective and even the coaches never really know how it will turn out. Also, for some reason -the various Freeskate Levels keep getting combined so that there are more people in each class, but of varying ages and skill level. Rozaline had three students in one class (Jazzy's class) which was Dramatic Entertainment Rising Star A, but each of her students were at different levels!! Figure skating is just the most weird sport. Jasmine placed second and was nominated for the "Palos Award". A judge (or judges) nominate a skater to participate in a "skate off" at the end of the competition for this award. The person(s) who are nominated have not necessarily won 1st place in their division, but are just nominated because for whatever reason, the judges especially liked them. Twelve skaters from the entire day ranging from Freeskate 1-6 were nominated. So...we waited until the end of the competition and participated in the skate off which wasn't until around 8PM! A "mentally challenged" girl from the "Special Olympics" won the award, but it was still fun to be nominated. We got home very late and will most likely be late for school tomorrow:) Rozaline stretching with her students Isabella, Jasmine and Gabby. Practicing off the ice. A few last minute instructions. I purchased professional photos, then forgot to get them from the photographer:(( Annali won her division with her cute outfit and a song called "Happiness":)

Halloween 2014

After the usual Friday night skating lesson, we went trick or treating at Jim, Jacky, and Katie's house. Their entire neighborhood has a huge "block party" with food, haunted houses, and lots of candy. I think they were trick or treating for almost 3 hours!. WAY too much candy. For some reason, I didn't take many photos and the ones I did take with my cell phone are not very good. Jasmine was Elsa, of course, and Katie was a witch. Literally 50% of all little girls were Elsa- I heard on the news:). It seemed to be the case. Usually there were at least 3-4 Elsa's at every door we knocked on. One woman said "I made a bet with my husband and I get a "shot" for every Elsa". I'm sure she was extremely drunk by the end of the night. Miss Elsa at Katie's house. Elsa and the witch:)

Desert Breeze Skating Competition in Peoria, AZ

Jazzy skated her "I Love You Arizona" program for the first time in Artistic Dramatic category. She also entered the Compulsory category. She really skated the best she has ever done. Rozaline said that several of the other coaches came up to her and complimented her on Jazzy's skating. I even had several coaches and several strangers who came up to me and commented on what a great job she did!! Unfortunately, many times if there are not enough competitors in a division, they will combine them. So- Jazzy was skating against girls who were older and more experienced. Even though she skated a perfect program, she got third place... which was great! In Compulsory, she got first place because she was the only person in that division (Freeskate 1). It was a fun day! We'll have another competition in a couple of weeks. Getting ready to skate with Rozaline, Jazzy, Katie and Jacky. Rozaline and Jazzy:) Katie and Jasmine- First, second and third place- all from Ice Den Chandler! (very unusual) Peyton McGraw, Adeline Bodi, and Jasmine. Rozaline, Jazzy, and Katie. Done with Compulsory and just hanging out watching the other skaters for awhile!Making the goofy face- as usual... Just watching....

UN night at CEE

Tonight was United Nations night at CEE! Each class is studying about a certain country or explorer. The drama club performed a play about Native Americans. Outside was an Italian Cookout catered by Rigatony's Italian Restaurant. None of my outdoor photos turned out:( We had an Italian dinner with Iryna and Kalisia, as well as Mrs. Spoonhunter. Of course, Jasmine had three of the Italian horn cookies!!! Jasmine's project about John Cabot, the explorer.

Horse Hands 2 Grooming Day....

Today in our second to last Horse Hands class, the kids were required to brush, clean the hooves and give their horse a bath:) It was interesting to watch. Should have brought the swim suit:)