Serafina's Reflections Dance

Laurelwood Elementary School's PTA participates in the Reflections Art contest every year.  There is a national theme and kids can submit artwork in several different categories.  This competition has been going on for a long time.  I submitted an original piano piece (I wrote out the sheet music) when I was in elementary school.  My kids haven't shown any interest in years past and the theme is always a little cheesy and obscure.  This year I mentioned to Serafina that she could submit an original choreographed dance.  She decided she wanted to do it.  The theme was Heroes Around Me.  She chose "Fight Song" by Rachel Patten and performed it after school on the cafeteria stage while I recorded it with my phone.   

She was apprehensive about recording and submitting the video.  She was worried she wouldn't win.  I reminded her that it isn't about that.  It is more important that she's brave enough to put herself out there and share her love of dance with the world.  

Last night was the reception for all the participants.  We came late because she had dance class, so when we got there people were already milling around looking at all the entries.  It looked like all the entries were paintings or drawings.  I think there was one photograph display and maybe a written work (story? poem? I'm not sure).  She was definitely the only dance.  They set up her video on a continuous loop on a laptop.  When we got there, several girls were huddled around watching the video.  The principal and vice principal came up to compliment her dance and express how impressed they were with her.  

 Here she is receiving her medal for participation.

 Here's principal Dr. Rogers, vice principal Mr. Fuller, 4th grader Allison and Serafina.

 All the participants with their medals.  A pretty small group when you realize there are close to 700 students at the school.

 She was proud of herself and I reinforced how great it was that she put herself out there when so many people don't even try.

 Here's Leo, Serafina and Tom watching the video.

The chairperson will form a panel of judges and some entries will move on to complete at the district level.  I'm not sure when that will be announced.  I also don't know if being the only dance submission will work for or against her.  

Here's the video of the dance she created for the competition.  I'm very proud of her, especially when I think about the fact she is only nine years old.    

Diving Season Kick-off

It was the diving club's season kick-off party today.  There was tons of food, team t-shirts and a group photo.  

 Both kids had lots of funs with friends and ate plenty of junk.

Sierra School Bike Day

Yesterday was Bike Day at Leo's school.  What a fun idea!  Until you have to haul a big bike in and out of car so he can ride it around on a black top with a few dozen other kids.  This is definitely something that couldn't happen at the public elementary school (too many kids), but would have been easier to get the bike there since we are just a few blocks away.  

 Of course, he bumped into another kid while riding, crashed his bike, scratched it up and banged up his knee.  But he survived.

 Here's a few pictures of Serafina having fun trying on some Halloween accessories.

Beach vacation in Surfside

On Friday, my family of four plus Nana flew to Southern California for a much-needed beach vacation.  Our day-to-day lives are extremely busy and exhausting, so Tom and I were craving these few days from deep down in our souls.  We were so fortunate to stay with my Aunt Sheila while she housesat at the amazing Surfside house.  

 Ten year old twin girls live next door and Serafina was able to use their balance beam.

 What Serafina really wanted was to meet the girls.

Here's Friday night's sunset with the big wedding tent in the foreground.

 Friday night a big storm rolled in.  There was thunder and lightening which is rare and exciting in Southern California.  Unfortunately, it scared the crap out of Serafina.  Saturday had some glooming weather in the morning, but we made it into a good day by visiting Main Street Seal Beach and spying on the wedding two doors down.

Serafina took some pictures of Saturday's sunset along with some wedding guests.

 Saturday night, Leo joined Tom, Dillon, Zoranna (Dillon's girlfriend) and me for dinner at Taco Surf.  It was Leo's second Taco Surf burrito of the trip.

 Sunday started off a little grey but it didn't stop us from having fun.

 My cousin Ciara came over with her husband and kids.  Tom taught Zoe how to play whiffle ball.

 Dezi turned a box into a spaceship.

 My stepdad almost died this summer.  It was really bad.  But he didn't die and his amazing brother Phil was incredible during a terrible time.  Phil was in touch with me regularly and made sure I had what I needed to get info directly from the ICU nurses.  I haven't seen him in at least a decade, but he's moved back to Seal Beach.  He came over on Sunday and I was able to hug him and thank him.  Here he is catching up with my mom.

Here's the miracle man himself chatting with Zoe and Sheila.

I burst into tears when I first saw him again.  This picture makes me so happy.  

My Uncle Gene is a character. 

 Saturday afternoon Serafina got to meet the girls next door.  They became fast friends and on Sunday, she spent most of the day playing with one of the twins, Addison.  They had so much fun together.

My kids got to live the amazing life of kids in a gated beach community.  They rode around in a golf cart driven by a 12 year old.  They had their run of the beach, allies and even in and out of houses.  They were barefoot and free and so very happy.

 Mingling of family, neighbors and dogs.

 Dezi checks it all out.

 The bride and groom's sunset photo shoot inspired me to take some picture with Tom.  We celebrated 13 years of marriage on Monday.

 Sunday's sunset.

 Leo with Abigail the dog and Dezi.

 Nana hung at the kids table for Sunday night dinner.

 Picture of all the cutie pootie kids - Zoe, Dezi, Serafina and Leo.

 Cousin picture - Dillon, me and Ciara.

 Steven and Dezi.

 Dillon and Serafina.

 Monday we had a late enough flight to allow for another trip to Main Street.  Our favorite destination is Jennings and Allen, the awesome store owned by Colvin and Steven.

 Gotta visit the pier.  It's even better when we visit it with Grandpa Skip.

 Tom is the long-armed selfie king.

 Best weather of the vacation was the day we had to leave, of course.  But we didn't hesitate to throw on bathing suits and squeeze the last bit of fun out of the trip.

 Cousin Dillon came down for some final fun.

And that was a wrap on four incredible days at the beach.  I'm so glad my aunt Sheila is so generous to share the house with us.  I'm also very appreciative of Jo, the home owner.  I'm also extremely happy that we flew because it made everything easier.