Little Valley Choir Performance...

With James O'Neil Miner "A Valentines Celebration of Love Songs Concert" This year our school choir was asked back to perform with Mr. Miner as his annual concert in St George. The kids had been practicing really hard on two new songs along with perfecting the ones they already now.

This year Rylee had one request that Reganne & Ryder stay home with a babysitter. Last year was crazy running in and out. Maybe this could be classified as a date night. The choir opened with "The Star Spangled Banner" sorry I am biased but they sounded better than Kellie Clarkson last week for the Super Bowl.

Getting their wiggles out.

Rylee & Brianne

Everyone get ready, get set, SING!!!

WOW!!! Did they sing.

As they started singing Do Re Mi the audience rippled with various comments of how well they followed each other and the director. Another comment was how good they were for being kids. They sang an additional 3 songs and blew our socks off with the range she has taught them.

They are the largest elementary school choir in the district and the songs she picks are ones that are really complicated. The kids make them sound so easy.

The kids were pretty bored with the piano music but they sat through the concert with alot more patience than last year.

Next performance will be at Tuacahn in April. I can't wait to find out what Mrs. Kohler has planned.

Rylee's Favorites for 2011

4th Grade School Picture

My Favorites:

Color: Pink & Purple

Dinner: Hamburger Casserole

Dessert: Ice Cream

Book: Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Cabin Fever

TV Show: So Random

Movie: None

Song: Red Solo Cup

Vacation: Lagoon

Subject: Science

BFF: Brianna Smith

First Late Night Party

The kids have started begging to have sleepovers with their friends. I heard this great idea to have late nights with their friends. Then at the end of the night everyone goes home and sleeps in their own beds. I believe that our kids are still to young for sleepovers since on any given night somebody gets up and needs something. I am too tired to add additional kids that might require nightly assistance as well. So late nights are the perfect solution.

This week was Rylee's turn with her friend Jayce from summer camp. She came home with us after summer camp. There was dinner, secrets, pokemon cards, little sister, little brother, movies, and finally fingernail polish.

Painting fingernails.

They had a fun time and it was over by 9:00 and everyone then went to their own beds for a good night's sleep.

Summer Karate Test - Green Belt

How quickly time has flown since the Winter karate testing. Rylee wasn't sure she was ready to test so soon. I asked her if she was ready she promptly replied Ma'm and Sir told her to practice and she would be ready. This test was setup to be harder with the addition of breaking boards.

Rylee & Levi doing their one steps.

Rylee, Levi, and Sir sparing.


Rylee & Sir breaking boards. 2 hand, 2 feet, and 1 finger.

Rylee & Green Belt

After waiting for a week for the test results she came home with her new belt. She is now officially 1/2 way to her black belt. Word of warning don't come up behind her and scare her. She really packs a punch or kick.

LV Choir @ Tuacahn Spring Festival

The Little Valley Choir was invited to participate in the Washington County School District Spring Concert @ Tuacahn this week. Wednesday morning they boarded the buses all 130 members and traveled to Tuacahn to practice with 8 other schools from across the county. They practiced, learned new songs, and made new friends. The concert started at 6:30 with a chance of rain. When I asked Rylee if they would cancel the show if it rained. Her reply "Mom, the show must go on rain or shine." There was no rain, but no sun either.

All 9 choirs together on stage.

Little Valley Choir...Rylee is on the front row second in from the end.

Once again all the kids singing their hearts out together.

The kids all had a great time and enjoyed performing together. They sounded awesome.

Happy Birthday Rylee #9

This year's birthday dawned at the campground at Cedar Pockets at 5:00 am wanting to watch the sunrise. Then with a chorus of Happy Birthdays from everyone. Her day was all planned and we must follow through. After soccer we headed for Chuck A Rama for lunch.

Then a quick shopping trip to Barnes & Noble for a Birthday Treat and a Birthday Book. The wait began for her party, presents, and cake.

Finally time for presents with friends & family and a little help from little brother.

Pokemon cards and holders, Shrink e Dinks, Tangled, and a Ladybug Pillow Pet.

Grandma Johnson's Chocolate Cake .... AKA Birthday Cake

Make a wish and blow out the candles.

She had a great day full of activities, birthday wishes, and treats. I am amazed at how fast the nine years has gone and how she is growing up.

We Love You Rylee Bug!!!!

The Results Are In:

She passed her karate test to receive her next belt.




She is officially a Blue/White Belt. She is learning more about sparing, breaking boards, and how to use Num Chucks. These scare me to death. Too many memories of Uncle Darryl playing with a set when we were just a little older than Rylee. The first couple of days she had to sleep with them and they went every where with her. Except to school.

2010 Year End Karate Test

This years end of year karate test was held at the Washington Rec Center with another group of students. There were over 35 white belt students ranging from the ages of 3 to 10. Rylee was the only Blue Belt testing and Levi was the only Green Belt. They tested together for most of the levels. The White Belt Testing took over an hour to complete. Finally, it was Rylee's turn to test.

First Test ..... Do all the forms and be able to name them in Korean.

Second Test ...... Sparing

Third and Last Test .... Break a board once with your hand and then with your foot.

Last Step ..... The Board of Review

They finished the test with the results to be annouced at the next class. Her next class is on January 5th will she be a Blue / White Belt?

Third Grade Christmas Play

Little Valley Elementary's Third Grade puts on a annual Christmas Play. The kids all get to try out for various parts or participate in musical numbers. Rylee informed us that she was trying out for one of the main parts. We were a little anxious for her, but eager for her to try. Tryouts were held and she was asked back for the second round. The teachers then made them wait until the next day to find out what part they would be playing. I picked them up from school that day. Rylee came running outside and about knocked me over with her excitement. She was one of the lead elves "Sparkle". She came home with instructions for her costume and the practice schedule.

The work began. She was full of ideas for her costume and she drew them out on paper. Dave & I tried to direct her to what we thought it should be. She had her own ideas and was quick to tell us no.

The day finally arrived for the performance. The usual nerves appeared, but the excitement soon took over.

Rylee as Sparkle

Class Singing

Please, Please, PPPPPlease

Rylee and her costume

She did such a great job and remembered all her lines.

As we were sitting there watching the play. Ryder asked what was behind the garage doors. What garage doors we were in the school gym / cafeteria. Then I looked to where he was pointing and to my amazement there was garage doors or rather the rollup doors for the kitchen and where they serve lunch to the kids. We tried to explain to him they were not garage doors. No amount of talking could convince he otherwise.

Little Bird or Little Boy???

I thought I had seen everything when it came to the kids filling their beds with toys, books, animals. Well here is a new one. Ryder emptied out his closet with all the blankets, receiving blankets, and sheets. He piled them around him and was snuggled down inside. I wondered if he was cold but he is on top of his comforter.

I just wished it would ensure a good nights sleep, but he has started waking up at least once a night screaming for MOM!!!! He stands in the middle of his bed yelling for me. He is either wet, thirsty, or lonely. It is never for the same reason. The first time I thought that he had woke up needing to go to the bathroom. But no such luck and he refused to go either.

So again I ask is he a bird or a boy in his nest?

Christmas 2010: Rylee

Rylee Ann Waters

Age 8

Favorites:

Color - Pink

Dessert - Ice Cream and Muddy Buddies

Dinner - Breakfast for Dinner

Book or Books - Any book by Roald Dahld

TV Shoe - iCarly

Movie - All movies

Toy - Wii

School Subject - Lunch & Recess

Best Friend - Briona

Activities - Watch TV, Karate, and Piano

Vacation - The Hogel Zoo and Discovery Gateway

Rylee has had a busy year full of fun activities. The highlight was being baptized and having her family with her. She loves school and helping the teacher. She has so many friends that it is hard to keep up with her and who she plays with at recess. The favorite recess game is wall ball. She loves to bring the ball so she can be in charge. She has continued with Karate and will be tested later this month for the next belt Blue/White. She started the piano and loves to play and make her own songs up. She also shares her lessons with Reganne. She also joined the school choir and loves to sing all the time know.

I asked her if she was feeling a little overwhelmed. Her reply was yes. So we went down the list of activities starting with choir. No, mom I have commited to this and paid for my shirt. Karate? No, you know I want to earn my black belt. Piano? No, I love playing the piano. So what do you want to give up? Gymnastics!!! was her reply. You don't do gymnastics. But, I would if I started it.

She has wonderful logic and loves to plan activities for the family. We love her and glad she is a part of our family.

Little Valley Elementary Choir

Back when Rylee started kindergarten. She heard about the school choir and wanted to participate. Each year when school starts she has asked if this is the year she can join. This was the year they decided to let the third graders join. I believe the whole third grade turned out for tryouts. The kids started right away with early morning practices getting ready for their first concert. The first concert was for Veteran's Day during the school assembly. However, they forgot one thing. The parents in our school are very supportive. If everyone showed up the school would break the fire code. A quick remedy was for an additional performance before school for the parents.

Rylee...Choir Uniform

Little Valley Choir...approx 100 members

Rylee and her friends

WOW can they sing!

There was only time for two songs. They sounded wonderful. A little wiggly from nerves and excitement.

Their next performance will be for Christmas. We can hardly wait.

Last Day of Summer Camp 2010

Summer camp was full of wonderful adventures and great friends. The field trips, the water fights, the great teachers, and of course the great friends. This was the year of Pokemon Cards, DS Systems, and riding in the oven.

Rylee & Ms. Trisha

Ms. Trisha, Rylee, Audrey, Kami Kay, Kayla

Only a few of my summer camp friends.

See everyone back next year.

First Grade Talent Show

Were has the school year gone? Thursday was Rylee's First Grade Talent Show. Each child was asked to share their talent with all first graders and their families. Rylee and her friends didn't want to participate. They were scared of getting up in front and showing off. No amount of talking on my part could change her mind. She finally decided on sharing a picture that she had drawn. She was convinced that she wouldn't have to talk. Surprise!! Mrs. Torgerson had her go up and show her picture and say her name. She did it and was all smiles afterwards. They started out with singing a summer song all together. These kids have really grown up over the past 9 months.

Rylee and her class singing "The Summer Song"

Rylee & Seriah

Rylee showing her talent of drawing.

Afterwards we all went back to their classroom for cookies & lemon water. The kids served the parents first and finally they each were able to eat a cookie. They each had a portfolio of writing and projects for the year. Again, I am amazed at how much she has learned and progressed this year. We are so proud of her!! She has also had another year of 100% attendance.

Rylee & Her Picture