MAY....

Kalei's dance recital....

(kalei with her proud daddy!)

(kalei is in the front, on the left with her arms up)

This year we decided to do something different than dance and put Kalei in tumbling. She of course had an awesome teacher (Suzanne Cummard) at Higher Ground Dance Studio. She learned so much and had a blast. I think she had ants in her pants waiting for it to be her turn. She was not nervous at all!! She did such a good job on stage in front of such a big crowd. I didn't realize how much she was really into dance until at the recital. She wanted to stay the whole time (3+ hours) to watch everyone dance. This must be her little niche cuz it sure ain't sport, well at least not soccer! They dance or I guess I should say "tumbled" to the song "what time is it" from High School Muscial. Good Job Lei's!

Of course, we had to end the night of right by going to Nielsens Frozen Custard!

APRIL....

Kalei graduates from pre-school...

(kalei & her friend Hallee)

YAHOO!! Kalei has been waiting "for forever" to be able to say that she finally goes to the "big school". She has had some awesome teachers at ABC Express these past 2 years. In December, of this year her teacher Mrs. Merrill passed away with cancer. Kalei loved her!! She was so good with the kids. Mrs. Merrill is the one that started ABC Express. While sick in bed she would visit the kids (in her garage) and sing songs with them and let them know how much she cared about them.

I will never forget when she passed away. I didn't know how Kalei was gonna react, or how I was gonna tell her what had happened. After talking about it with her she sat for a moment thinking about something in her mind and with a concerned look on her face says..." mom she was just really sick. when is she coming back?"... we discussed what happens to our body when we die and where we go. she sat there and thought for a minute and says " mom my teachers favorite song is...you are my sunshine....she can't hear us sing it to her but we can feel her in our heart!" she then puts her hand over her heart with a big smile on her face. Yes, i did my best to hold the tears back for the moment!! That was a sweet moment I will never forget!

(kalei & her teacher mrs. jones)