music...and More!

April was a busy month for music. Brittany had a school concert for her 7th grade choir, where she had a "Solo". (And she did a great job on it) Then the Show Choir sang and did their show that they would be doing on their Cali tour that week end.
Again...Brittany did a great job.

Just after singing for "Disney's Magic in the Parks"
Our Feet before Disneyland, they were happy.
This is the group of girls that were hung out with in Disneyland.

Once again I went on the Cali tour with Brittany...we would be gone on Rachel's 10th birthday:(
While Brittany and I were gone. Paul took Rachel and the kids to a fun pizza place, Amazing Jakes. They had so much fun that they forgot Brittany and I were gone. We had a family party for Rachel on Sunday went were were home again.
On May 1st Rachel's choir, Chandler Children's Choir, did a show up in Phx. It was fab! We even got a CD recording of it!


(so my camera's battery was starting to go out, and so I kept telling Brandon to take the picture that's why I am talking in the photo)

Titanic: Treasures from the Deep

Rachel and I went on a Mother/Daughter date on Saturday April 18th. We went and got some Cold Stone Ice Cream and walked around the mall. Rachel's 10th birthday is on Friday April 24th, and I will be gone. I am going with Brittany to California for her choir tour. So Rachel and I went on a date. The ice cream was yummy and the mall was fun to window shop in. Outside the mall they had a big exhibit with 50 different things from the Titanic. Rachel and I waited in line for an hour and a half. We had an umbrella to shade us from the sun. While we waited we talked, and talked and talked some more. As we got closer to the entrance we were given a WHITE STAR LINE Boarding Pass. On the back it had the information of a real passenger. Rachel was Mrs. Antoni Yazbeck, age 15, from Hardin, Lebanon. She was traveling with her 50 day old husband, who was a shoe merchant. They were on their way to Wilkes Barre Pennsylvania.
Once inside, we read and read all about the different displays. There was a lot of cool things. Rachel really liked seeing the money and jewelry. We even saw a man's suit coat that they found inside his suite case with all his over clothes folded inside.
At the end of the tour we came to a wall of memorial. Of the 1,324 passengers, only 492 survived. Of the 892 crew members, only 214 survived. Rachel's lady was one of the surviors, mine didn't.
Good Times.

Wax Museum

Have you ever been to a wax museum? I went to one today, in Rachel's class. The whole third grade was to dress up like a civil war hero. Rachel was Ulysses S. Grant. She used Brandon's old cub scout shirt and belt. Then we made a beard for her to wear with a hat. She made a poster all by herself, with 5 fun facts and a whole bunch of pictures. On one side of the poster was a button for the parents/grandparents etc...to push. Then she would tell us all about who she was without telling us her name. When she was done with her speach she would say "Who Am I"? Once she was done telling us, other people came up and pushed the button. Rachel said she was busy the whole time talking and telling people about her person. Rachel did such a great job. She sat down on her chair and read what she had researched. Her Grandpa and Grandma Geier where the first ones to push her button.

Rachel Renee the chef

Rachel got invited to a friends birthday party. It was a bakers heaven. They got their own apron and chef hat. They made homemade pizza, and smoothies, they decorated cookies. Rachel LOVED her time there and when she got home she told us all how to cook etc...
The chef hat and apron are now on her bed, close at hand, in case she needs it to help me in the kitchen.

A Night of Light and Hope

October 18, Rachel sang with her Chandler Children's Choir at the Arizona Biltmore. It was a fundraising 'gala' for Childhelp. Childhelp is an organization that is dedicated to the education, prevention and treatment of child abuse. There goal is to heal from the inside out. Aimee Stewart is the Director and had those children well prepared to sing while the guests arrived. Rachel loved singing in her "GOWN". She felt like a princess at a ball. Once they were done singing in the lobby they prepared to sing the song David Grover wrote for the event. "I am a Light". The children came in holding candles(not real), while singing. It was very powerful. Rachel looked like an angel on stage.

They did a little photo session on the lawn, then sang some songs to warm up. This one is my fav "Connecticut Peddler".
The Choir will be singing in December, you should come...it will be great!

Rachel's Turn!

Why would Rachel want a turn you may ask. Well, everyone else has, why not.
It started on Friday night with a fever of 103. The sad part is that when I took her to the doctors, he said it was just a virus. So she had to wade it out. Monday afternoon she developed a very LARGE cold sore inside her mouth, just to make sure she felt bad. Shane Layton came by that night after hearing about it and gave her his over the counter medicine. Liquid Silver. It didn't take it away. But boy did it help reduce the pain and size. Thanks Uncle Shane!

I am happy to report that Rachel will be going to school tomorrow. She had been fever free for 24 hours. YEAH! Life may get back to normal at our home...we'll see.

Student of the Week

Our Rachel was student of the week, last week. (I am slow)
She made a poster with great care, to display in her classroom. She picked out some fav' things to share with the class. Yes, her Webkinz was one of them. Paul even went to class on Tuesday and gave a career talk. (Rachel loved the game he played with the whole class, her side of the class won.)
On Friday I went and had lunch with her. She was so excited to see me, it was so fun to see her face light up. What a doll she is. Love ya, Rach!

Rachel sings her new song!

Our Princess Rachel

Last night Rachel wrote a song. Paul thought it was a Disney song. She was singing all afternoon today.

"It's hard to be a PRINCESS"

Brandon helped put music to it. He also gave her the confidence to sing for the video.

I love music. It is a very big part of our home. I feel it is a blessing. What talented children we have...I love them so much!

Rachel Turns 9 years old!

Rachel is the happiest 9 year old ever!

Rachel had a fun filled day. It started with french toast for breakfast.

Then after school Rachel had two friends over to play before going to art class. She brought cup cakes to share with everyone.
At the family party..Uncle John and Aunt Tess came with Kia. Ma Moo and Pa-Pa came too for the pizza dinner. After the dinner, Rachel opened presents. She got every Littlest Pet Shop toy that she had on her list. Aunt Ellen and family even sent a painting project of "LPS" for Rachel.

Brandon was at the video camera and Brittany handled the digital camera. It was a fun party.

We ended the night with a little pin the tail on the donkey game. Rachel kept the rules of not looking while Aaron found a peeking spot and won the game. "Oh, Aaron", was all Rachel could say.

What a great day for a girl turning nine years old.