Happy Birthday Finnegan

It seems only yesterday (except for the added wrinkles) that my water broke and we were heading to the hospital!

A request was made this year for a dragon cake - so that's what was created!

Opened up presents in the morning, played DragonLance with his friends all afternoon and then more friends came over in the evening for cake and ice cream. Pretty good way to spend the day!

It takes some concentration and strategic planning to blow out all eight of those candles!

Christmas Carols and Violin

Over the holidays Tim and the kids played a couple of violin concerts - one at Oliver Place and the other at Luther Riverside Terrace. At Oliver Place, there were two other families who joined us, as we travelled through the building stopping at various spots and playing a few Christmas tunes.

The residents always really seem to love the kids playing their violins.

I also think it is a great experience for the kids to share their music with others.

"The Brown Trio"

My two favourite fellas playing Minuet #2.

LAS Youth Ambassadors

The Ladybird Animal Sanctuary has set up a Youth Ambassador Program for children to demonstrate their support of LAS and express their commitment to protecting animals and being concerned the welfare of animals.

From their participation in the 2012 Pet + Pose calendar, Finnegan and Keira were invited to submit a drawing/writing about their experience and were named the first two youth ambassadors of the program. You can check out their submissions on the Ladybird Kids Corner page.

As new youth ambassadors, they each received a Certificate from the Ladybirds and also these awesome t-shirts!

Vesnianka Final Performance

Finnegan's Vesnianka final performance was held on Thursday May 18th, the day after the UofS School of Dance performance (these last couple weeks have been crazy with rehersals and final performances). I love this photo (credit to Tim) - I think it's amazaing!

Here's Finnegan during the Poltava dance (I've probably spelled that wrong?).

Here's one of their Hutzal dance. (Photo credit here to Tim)

On stage for some final remarks and awards to some of the older students who will be leaving as of this year.

Here's the entire Venianka group of students. Vitali sure provides an amazing program for these kids.

Pirate's Search

The UofS School of Dance year-end performances were spread over two days; with Finnegan dancing on Wednesday May 17th. Unfortunately due to a possible teacher's strike the School of Dance had been advised to find an alternate venue for the final shows. The dances ended up being at the PAC which wasn't as good the threatre the year before but the show was great none-the-less.

Finnegan and his primary ballet "crew" instructed by Miss Sonja danced the "Pirate's Search". Ya-har maties!!! (The credit for the excellent photo goes to Tim as I didn't manage to get my camera out during the performance. This photo was actually taken at the dress rehersal the night before.)

Saskatoon Suzuki Strings Final Concert

The Saskatoon Suzuki Strings Final Concert for the year was on May 8th - so I'm somewhat behind with these posts! Live just has a way of passing by...I'm certainly not the blogger I hoped I might be :) Anyway here are a few pictures from the concert. This was after our family had been to see Riverdance at TCU Place. It finished up at 3 pm and then we all scurried over to the Odeon for the concert and fundraising dinner. We shared the table with Grandma, Grandpa, Auntie Margie and the Kwon family - it was a good, fun day.

Here are all the violinists up on stage.

I think this little guy in front is even younger than Keira and wow can he ever play!

Looks like a good smile on Finnegan!

Here's Keira and Aura playing along as well.

One of the few songs where Keira was facing in the same direction as the other children.

We had no idea what happened but at some point Keira turned around and was playing in the opposite direction - not watching the instructor and staring at one of the other girls.

What was with that?!?!?!?!?

As Keira explained afterwards, Anika had her hair up in braids with some flowers in with the braids and Keira was quite mesmerized by it - literally!

Keira and Finnegan with their good friend, Aura.

Climbing at the PAC

For the last 5 or so weeks, on Saturdays while Keira is in her creative dance class, Finnegan has been having fun on the climbing wall at the PAC.

Finally last weekend he made it up to the crevice which has been his major goal from the get-go.

He's still a longs ways from the top, so no doubt there will be plenty of climbing days ahead of us. Mom hopes to give it a try one of these evenings with her friend from work!

Practice Makes Perfect

Tonight Finnegan had an extra practice for Ukrainian dance as the children prepare for one of their upcoming performances.

This is a fun dance where the children circle together and let out an "ieee"!

And again, "ieee"!

Whirl and twirl - look at those kids go!

All lined up for their final curtseys and bows (not sure if you "cursey" in Ukrainian dancing"?).