Getting ready for prom

Yesterday, the kids had half day of school, so the girls came home and did their nails for prom in the afternoon.  I gave Sylvia a pale pink pedi, and she put on her own fake nails.  They were coffin style, and she decided she is never wearing fake nails again.  She hated them.

Annah did her own silver pedi, and put on her fake nails too.  She is all about them!

I taught lessons until 11:30 today, so didn't get to go with the girls to their hair appointments in Lexington.  I saw them for a few minutes before they left.  

They did their eye makeup before they left, and were super cooperative when I asked for a picture.

Annah finished her makeup at the salon while Sylvia had her hair styled.  Then Sylvia took a couple pictures of Annah having her hair done.  Kacey did a beautiful job with their hair.

Sylvia's salon selfie

Caeden and I had favorite lunch while we waited for the girls to get back home.

The weather was nice and clear, but cool.

Caeden played video games all afternoon while we took pictures of the girls all glammed up.

3rd in State

Back at the beginning of March, the girls participated in Solo/Ensemble Contest in various ways.  Each of them played a solo on their string instruments, and they both scored very well. Because most Class D schools do not have orchestras, there are few students playing string/orchestra solos or small ensemble pieces at contest.  The girls' two high-scoring solos earned them 3rd in the state for Class D school orchestras in Illinois.  

I knew this the day of contest, because I came across some stats as I was looking on the IHSA website when we got home.  I thought it was funny, but really just a technicality.  However, when the school athletic director was contacted about purchasing a plaque to commemorate the Ridgeview school orchestra placing 3rd in state, he assumed he should order it.  The plaque came this week, and it is huge!  

The girls' picture was taken with it, and articles ran on the school website (RHS Website Article) and in the local newspaper.

This past Sunday was the first in April [this year] that we didn't have snow!  There is hope for Spring!

Some flowers are blooming in our front yard

These poor daffodils have been snowed on 3 times, but they're hanging on!

Visiting Addie

We went to Aurora today to watch Addie in her first college musical at Aurora University!  Into the Woods is one of my favorite musicals, and this was a great production.  Addie played one of Cinderella's stepsisters.

She had the biggest fan club at the matinee today!  I think there were over 20 of us there to watch her--the 5 of us went in Joyce's van and took her and Ryan and Jacob. 

 Addie was so happy to see her people.

After the show and visiting with Addie and her castmates, we had a phenomenal dinner at Two Brothers Roundhouse.  Then we went to the Chicago Prime Outlets in Aurora. We didn't buy much, but it was fun to walk around, and the kids all had fun hanging out together.

We got back home after 11:00, but it was a wonderful day!

Annah was so tired when she came home from school, she sat down in the recliner and fell asleep still wearing her coat!

National Honor Society Induction Ceremony

Annah and 16 of her classmates were inducted into Ridgeview's chapter of the National Honor Society this evening!

Principal Campbell lighting the center candle to begin the ceremony

Current members explain the 4 Qualities of NHS and light the 4 candles to represent them: Scholarship, Service, Leadership, and Character

VIDEO: I missed the beginning of Katie's words about Annah, but she shared some very nice sentiments about our girl.

We are so proud of our young lady. 

All members reciting the NHS Pledge:

I pledge to uphold the high purpose of the National Honor Society to which I have been selected;
I will be true to the principles for which it stands;
I will be loyal to my school,
and will maintain and encourage high standards
of scholarship, leadership, service, and character.

Mr. Riggins and Mr. Snell--NHS sponsors, and Mr. Campbell--principal

2018 Ridgeview Chapter of NHS

New Inductees/Members

Shelby and Annah

Congratulations, Annah Christine.

Enjoying some cake!

Chatting with friends and teachers

Buddies!

What a special ceremony and honor!

My Friend

Sylvia is fortunate to have some great friends in high school, which is a direct answer to a lot of prayers throughout junior high!  She and her buddy Kyle wrote this sonnet during English class this week, and I thought it was so great and such a blessing!

Our friend Emma

Our friend Emma is moving to FLorida soon, and we wanted to get together with her before she moved.  So ,we met her at Bob Evans this evening for dinner.  We had such a nice time catching up, and giggled about the Great Alaskan Cod being in the center of this picture...

...So we took another when we dropped her off at home.  We are so glad for this friendship, and thankful for technology that will make it easy to communicate across the miles.  And, it just gives us another excuse to need to visit Florida to see Emma and her family!

We wish them the best, and pray for good things for them on their journey!

Spring...Winter...Sprinter...???

This was the view out my bedroom window when I got up on April 9th.

This is my car's thermometer on April 12 at noon, just before I got home and opened all the windows in our house until 7pm.  It reached 80 degrees that day and gave us all hope for spring!

April 15th warning...

View out my back door this morning, April 16th...

What?! 

The memes are flying all over social media.  I think this is my favorite one.