Glows and Grows

It has been no secret that January has been lengthy this year. Normally, I have no quarrel with January, but this one has been long.  

The downstairs dry erase boards so often are filled with writing that I'm used to seeing the words, maybe glimpsing some words or phrases and having an idea of what is going on. For whatever reason, I had not focused on the boards enough, but recently I stopped short when a couple of favorable compliments caught my eye. 

The trio had made a list of "glows" for each other, along with some constructive "grows," and it made my whole month.  

GEORGE

Glows from Lauren: 

I love how social and nice you are to everyone you talk to. 

I love how you put a lot of dedication and determination into things!

Grows from Lauren:

Listen to mom and dad.

Be less angry.

Glows from Grace:

I love how nice and kind you are to us. For ex: If Lauren or I get hurt, you immediately see if we are kk. :) [Laughing emoji.]

Grow from Grace:

Work on your temper a little bit!!!

George's response: Thank you. I think you were just right. Thank you.

GRACE

Glows from George: 

I love how you always try to break fights and I also like how you always are uplifting others. 

Grows from George:

Need to stay calm.

Glows from Lauren:

I love how you care so much about everyone that you would probably give up your life.

I love how sweet and generous you are. 

Grows from Lauren:

Be less stressed. 

Don't give up easily.

Grace's response:

I love what my siblings said about me. They are right about all of these things. I also like how they told me to be less stressed/calm down and not to give up. I am going to work really hard to achieve these goals. Thank-you guys. Love you both to the moon and back. 

LAUREN

Glows from Grace:

I love how you make sure everything is the way it should be. For ex: If 2 of us were arguing, u would immediately fix the problem. 

Grow from Grace:

Be on your phone less and enjoy the things around you!!!

Glow from George:

I like how you are organized and nice. I like how you are social and help others out. 

Grow from George:

To be on phone less. 

Lauren's response:

I love the glows you gave me, that was really nice. I would like to improve being on my phone less often because it definitely isn't fair to you or myself. I should always remember the things happening around me. 

All 3:

We are a united team!

Spend more time and value each other!

Do not put each other down!!!

Argue less often

Always love each other; don't take one another for granted

Do not say things you do not mean!!!!!

Be together, not against!

Y'all. This blew me away and definitely made my entire month.  

13th Birthdays

Starbucks this morning to kick off the birthday celebrations

Happy 13th birthday to Grace + Lauren! “Well, surprise, guys! You’re having twins!” We were surprised then, and you ladies have been blowing us away for 13 years! Grace, you are so kind and loving, and you want to give the WHOLE WORLD a big hug. 🌎 Lauren, you are the most determined person I have ever known... you could run a small country! (She’s looking at you, France!🇫🇷) We are so incredibly proud of you both, and we wish you the happiest of birthdays! We love you to the moon and back! Happy, HAPPY birthday! 🎈🎉🎈🎊🎈💕💜💞

Girls Weekend

While the guys were camping with the Scouts, Lauren and Grace declared a "girls weekend" and planned out 36 hours of fun. 

To their credit, the first order of business was to shop for George and his upcoming 8th birthday. It was completely fortuitous that their was a monsoon-like summer rain while we were at Target, requiring us to simply shelter at the Target for an hour or so.  

Lauren found unicorn salt and pepper shakers. 

Grace explored the Swell selection. 

Grace also found a pair of water shoes that George owns... in Skip's size. They are a little... bigger.  

We concluded our shopping with Starbucks because... it was on the list! 

We did all of those things on the list, except we did not quite make the 9:30 curfew imposed by Lauren. We did have a lot of fun! 

JCIB Awards Day 2019

The last couple of weeks have been incredibly busy at middle school. There has been the usual homework, and there have been group projects in every class. Lauren and Grace have tried to stay competitive, and they have been working to finish strong. 

They have learned the pros and cons of working with a group, and they have learned that when a classmate drops the ball, someone has to do the work or their grade will suffer. Although unfair, in the end, if they want an A, they have to do the work. This has been a tough lesson over the last two weeks. One night Grace was up until 11:30 editing video and making corrections to other's work.  Their hard work has paid off. 

When the school year began, we talked with them about expectations... that they might not make all A's in their new, rigorous environment... that they might make B's... that they might even make a C. What we told them has been reinforced by teachers and counselors. The goal of their school is to challenge students, and they instruct students to focus more on the process than the grade they earn.

They worked so hard this year, and they were both ecstatic to receive a letter saying that they would be honored at awards day this morning.  

Grace proudly received the A-B Honor Roll certificate. She made all A's and a few B's in math. We are so proud of her diligence and determination.  Outside of grades, she has grown so much over the past year into a confident and capable speaker. She has given so many presentations this year that she is comfortable speaking in front of groups of students.  Gracie also earned "highest average" in her English class.  

Lauren proudly received the A Honor Roll certificate. Lauren also earned highest average in her math, science, and social studies classes. She also received a sportsmanship award in PE. Lauren has also worked incredibly hard and has proven herself to be a true leader at her school. 

Grace and Lauren, you made it! And we are so proud of you! 

Ballet 2019

This weekend Grace and Lauren performed in their ninth dance recital. They were excited for recital day to arrive, and they were eager to perform. 

They have made significant progress with pointe this year, and their ballet performance was much longer this year. They are really happy to grow and improve their technique.  As always, they were thrilled to have their grandparents - Grammie, Gran & Poppa - in the audience cheering for them.  

All photos and video are from rehearsal so, unfortunately, there are no photos of them en pointe. The improvement from last year to this year was truly remarkable, and we are so proud. 

Grace and Lauren, you were phenomenal, and we love to watch you perform!

Happy recital day!