Spring Ball 2015- Our first Family Ball

                            

We were invited to our first ever Ball.  We've been preparing for weeks with what we were going to wear, how we would fix our hair, and practice some dances to know what we were doing.  It was all so much fun and nerve rattling for my children as they weren't real sure about dancing with people they didn't know.  It turned out to be so lovely and nothing like any of them thought it would.  

We were hoping that Josiah would be brave enough to be a gentleman and ask other girls for a dance, but alas, he only asked his sisters and sat out for most of the dances.  Diella also was quite nervous about it all and denied a couple dances to other boys, but made sure she danced with her dad and Josiah.  Alegra did great, accepting every dance that was offered to her and had a smile or giggled through most of the evening with delight.  Benaiah, well, if you know Benaiah, you know that he didn't have one bit of problem getting a girl to accept his dance offer.  He was bummed when they started a dance without him finding a partner.  Saphira sat with me most of the time except when she danced in her papa's arms and with another young lady friend who loves her dearly.  Jonathon started out dancing with our girls, then as I was being quite comfortable on the sidelines or taking someone potty, he found another young girl left to herself and continued on with the dance party.    

There was a lot of hair to get ready.  I worked at getting the boys' hair cut while my mom was kind enough to come help the girls with their's.  Diella chose a lovely bun with curls all the way around it.  They both chose what they wanted, and we did our best at accomplishing it.  Not too bad for non hair doers.  :)  

She also had a pretty salmon colored flower stuck in her's.

Alegra chose a harder style.  My mom and I both worked at it, but I mostly stood in the kitchen and snacked.  :)   

 It turned out very pretty and grown up looking.  Not sure where my little girls went, but when we fancy them all up they sure grow up right before our eyes.  Guess it's why we aren't big into the trends of clothing, makeup and hair with our girls.  A once in awhile occassion is one thing, but not all the time.  

Guess there aren't any pictures of my hair style.  I picked one that might cover up my gray hair more, but I think it only highlighted them.  :)  It was very pretty anyways and made me feel like something out of a movie.  

 My little family all fancied up for some fun!

This wasn't a typical dance.  Actually, it wasn't a dance at all.  It was a Ball, so there were certain guidelines that both the young men and ladies had to abide by.  There were certain ways of asking for a dance and certain ways of declining or accepting.  When a particular dance was over, all couples went back to the middle of the floor to switch partners.  A lady called out all the dances and went through all the steps so everyone knew what they were to be doing.  Some dances the group got in one big circle and others they were in groups of 4-8.  I would have enjoyed the dancing but for a first timer, I really enjoyed watching how it all went together and how everyone switched partners for certain dances or how they made all the movements work with so many people.  I think we all thought it would be a pair up and that's who you dance with, but it wasn't like that at all.   

 The first song Jonathon asked Diella and Josiah asked Alegra.

 Not sure which song this was, but poor Benaiah had a hard time going the right direction and ending up with his partner, Alegra.  Everyone was so kind to be patient with him and help him along with each dance.  I think Jonathon might have had more fun than the children did.  :)

 This dance was a very tricky one with lots of different steps and movements.  The group that Alegra and Jonathon were in didn't quite move fast enough to keep up with the music.  There were a  lot of laughs throughout it though, which is the point of it all.

 Benaiah asked our good friend, Kam for this dance.  She was so good, as were all the ladies in the group, to help him through it.  He had such a great time dancing!

The final dance, Alegra was asked by Mr. Olson to dance.  Diella caught their, or should I say "his", ending pose perfectly.  I'm sure Alegra was filled with laughter by this.  :D

It was a late night, but was filled with many laughs, joys, and memories.  I'm pretty sure the vote was unanimous that all had a wonderful time, and it was better than they had expected.  I was glad to get home and lay down in my bed. :)

Children's School Program 2015- Bovee Beach Bash

We had a fun school program this year.  Some years I am scrounging for ideas for the program last minute and others I have it all planned out months ahead.  Even though they had been studying the topic of oceanography for months, I just couldn't figure out what the program should include.  The children (mostly the girls) sat down with me and we figured out something that would both educational and entertaining for our guests.  They did a fabulous job, and as they are getting older, I'm learning that they can do much of the planning on their own.  They also helped with figuring out the menu and labeling the foods.  My children are growing up!

We called this The Bovee Beach Bash and learned about and sang about all things ocean related.  Enjoy!

Onto the program.....

 Benaiah started out the program with his report on the Ocean Food Chain.  They each had a visual aid that they passed around for the guests to look at during their report.  Benaiah's didn't get passed around or someone might have lost an arm.  :)

They sang a song called There's a Hole in the Bottom of the Sea.

 Josiah read his report on Narwhals.

 He played the piano.

 Diella read her report on Whale Sharks

 They all sang Place in the Choir.

 Saphira wanted to do a report on Dolphins.  Once she got up there, she got super bashful and ....

 clung to her dad's leg all the way back to his seat.  :)

 Alegra read her report on Sea Turtles.

 She played a lovely piece on the piano called Exploring the Seaside.

Then they each quoted a few verses of Scripture that had to do with oceans, water, or fish.  

We didn't want to let the program go without making sure that we honored the One who created all of the oceans and its creatures.  So, they then sang 3 songs about His creation or songs that included oceans in it that would bring Him honor.  

 Psalm 24 by Sons of Korah

The girls did Oceans by Hillsong United.

They did a group song called Drops in the Ocean by Hawk Nelson. 

I was so glad to have the children's help with not only preparing the food but also being creative in having foods that we could associate with our ocean or beach theme.

My parents always enjoy bringing something along that goes with our theme that the children can enjoy after the party is over.  They printed off this cool shark and nailed it to a board so it would stand up.  They also brought along the neat fish balloons that they tied to the board on the back.  It made for a great background for our pudding and drink table.

 The children made these adorable jelly fish for one of their art projects.  They are so cute, I'm keeping them up for a bit.  :)

 The art table was filled with all of their projects and creative ideas.

 Every year we do a family painting where we include a picture of all of us in it.  This year it was obvious to do a beach/ocean pictures.  It turned out great and everyone participated this year.  Even Saphira helped.  She was the first one to paint the background color that way most of her's would be covered up.  :)  Benaiah colored the sand and we even added some real sand from Florida that we borught back with us from vacation.  The other 3 children did the sky and clouds and ocean water.  Was very pleased with how they all did!  It will be on the wall soon. 

At the end of the program we always take pictures of the children with each of their guests.  It's fun to see how the pictures change from year to year.  Thank you to all who were able to make it to the program and share in this special day with the children.

 Sharon, our neighbor from the Sturgis house.

 Grandpa Ron and Grandma Linda (Jonathon's mom)

 Mike and Kathy Troyer (family friends since I was a little girl and Alegra and Josiah's piano teacher)

 Grandpa Dan and Grandma Deborah (Christi's parents)

Let the silliness resume.....

 Miranda (Jonathon's sister)

 Sillys

 And my one, big, happy, beautiful, and amazing family!

 What is he doing?

 It's a good thing our children don't take after him.  :)

I believe the program was another success and the children are improving on their presentation skills since the very first program we ever did way back in the beginning of their schooling days.  Not sure how the ideas started, but I sure am glad that we have these memories with a small handfull of people that join us every year.  We did miss our good friends, the Brothers this year, but I have a feeling they won't let the children get away with not giving them a special showing.  :)

Next year's studies will be on Human Anatomy.  Jonathon voted for them studying islands, so we could take another trip for their extended study of the topic.  He'll do anything to get out of here during the winter.  :)  We'll see how the program turns out next year.  It should be filled with "heart" warming moments.  ;)