KIROV ACADEMY
Elle had an audition at the Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, D.C. It has a boarding school program, but also a non-boarding ballet prep program. We got a letter inviting Eleanor to join the school. It was so beautiful inside and the rehearsals we watched were amazing. Eleanor was mesmerized. The older students are very committed, dancing up to 8 hours a day.
Ms. Svetlana, Vagonova master teacher
Prima ballerina's to-be. These two girls are auditioning for the New York City ballet this fall.
Elle getting ready for her audition
We'll never forget out first trip to Kirov.
RUSSIAN BALLET ACADEMY SPRING PERFORMANCE
Performance with Nurlan Abougaliev, Principal for Pittsburg Ballet Company
Eleanor and Sasha with Melissa Zoebisch
Alexandru Glusacov
Sebby gave Elle flowers at the end of the performance- he's always cheering her on.
Elle with Ms. Marina Timofeeva
Lexi, a favorite ballerina friend
Ms. Svetlana
We went to the Kirov Academy spring performance. It was amazing. We snapped these photos at the end of the concert with some of the graduating seniors. Luis Del Cid is a graduating senior who choreographed one of the performance pieces.
A dancer after performing an Act from 'Giselle'
We saw one the teachers, Ms. Yanchuk, during the performance and she wanted to show Eleanor's feet to her colleagues. A little awkward standing there at intermission but interesting to see what they are looking for in someone's feet. They were speaking Russian so we still aren't quite sure what she said.
With Riho Sakamoto - also graduating, and one of Kirov's best right now.
PEABODY INSTITUTE
After three months of violin and Sebastien asking every day to play the cello instead, we set out on a month-long search to find a cello teacher. There was nothing more darling than Sebastien with his little cello. He genuinely loves the sound of the cello, and he really looked like a little cellist. We had many trial lessons with different teachers and found one at Peabody Prep that was a possibility. After realizing it would be another hour long drive to lessons each way (already doing that twice a week in the other direction for violin), and feeling like Ronda offered more and expected more from Seb than any other teacher we saw, we decided we should stay where we were on violin.
Peabody Institute
Mount Vernon
Seb getting his cello
Darling
Alicia Ward
Front steps of Peabody. We love those front doors!
Waiting to observe a group class. I wish we had gotten a picture with Marin Alsop (conductor of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra). She walked past us in the hall. We are BSO fans!
The famous spiral staircase at the Institute.
George Peabody Library. This is the most beautiful library we have ever seen. It's in the movie Sleepless in Seattle. Meg Ryan hurries through the library up to her brother's office to talk to him about her cold feet before her wedding.
Looking under the marble staircase to see if they can see a rat. Sad that it's a real possibility.
We stayed after the group class for the Flower Festival in Mt. Vernon Square.
The famous peppermint lemon sticks
RECITALS
Some of my students
Recital with Ronda
Sebastien IS IN LOVE WITH OLIVIA! She's the girl in the grey and blue shirt. I had to snap this picture because he was standing by her the whole rehearsal trying to get her attention. It's borderline cute and obsessive. Good thing he's four and can get away with it.
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra concert
Ivy playing on an old junky violin with no bridge and Elle's old bow. She wants to be doing what everybody else is doing.
Ivy drawing during Sebastien's lesson. She is lugged around to every lesson and group class. It's hard but it'll pay off someday because she's learning right along with Elle and Seb.
MISSIONARIES
The missionaries made us dinner (their idea, loved that!). Elder Christofferson made his famous Norwegian pancakes. Elle wants them every night for dinner now.
New missionary that we already love, Elder Brown! Seb loves him because he's from Canada and has chased a bear on a four-wheeler.
PICS OF KIDDOS
Poor Seb. He fell right on his face at the park. His big huge teeth cut all the way through his lip and he had four stitches inside his mouth and three on the outside. The doctor said he could see right through. So gross. I was trying to keep Ivy out of the way so Elle held Seb's hand the whole time for me. I couldn't believe he got so hurt even though he was wearing a helmet and knee and elbow pads.
Seb asked for his sunglasses because the light was so bright.
Ivy- waving to neighbors all day long
Poor Seb. He fell right on his face at the park. His big huge teeth cut all the way through his lip and he had four stitches inside his mouth and three on the outside. The doctor said he could see right through. So gross. I was trying to keep Ivy out of the way so Elle held Seb's hand the whole time for me. I couldn't believe he got so hurt even though he was wearing a helmet and knee and elbow pads.
Seb asked for his sunglasses because the light was so bright.
Ivy- waving to neighbors all day long
Found these two like this in their hats and quilt fort watching a movie on my bed. Cute.
Playing in the Little Patuxent River with the Murphys
We took Ivy to a class at Port Discovery. Sometimes we forget to do things for just Ivy.
Watching Kailen perform in Beauty and the Beast
Visiting Kailen on her birthday. Elle played Happy Birthday on her violin for her.
Cute
Even cuter
Picadilly Circus
University of Maryland Day- rubbing Testudo's nose for good luck
It's green and lush here again. Elle and Sebby call a scooter ride a "Razor Ride."
Keeping her occupied while I made dinner
Ivy fell and only wanted Elle to hold her
Seb in his Eric Carle class play
CUNNINGHAM FALLS MAPLE SYRUP FESTIVAL
We missed Grandpa John this year on our trip again for the best pancake breakfast ever, a great hike and syrup making demonstrations. Elle fell in the lake again this year.
We missed Grandpa John this year on our trip again for the best pancake breakfast ever, a great hike and syrup making demonstrations. Elle fell in the lake again this year.
FRIENDS
General Conference Sunday Morning
Mike's famous whole grain pancakes (with chocolate chips)
Elle and McKay- matching. We talked and played legos all morning until the noon session started.
Oh, boy. Parties at Mary's house go downhill after 9:00 p.m. Mary giving me a butterfly (sharpie marker) tattoo. She got a ankle ladybug tattoo and STU written above it. Angela opted for just the ladybug.
Easter
THE best and most exciting Easter egg hunt of all time at the Larkins. They are so fun and generous.
Hannis
Jeff and Jana were visiting DC for their spring break. We met at Cafe Rio for lunch and spent the afternoon catching up. Jana is one of those priceless friends in life. We loved seeing them and meeting their great kids.
So cute.
Teddie's Birthday Party
Teddie's ice skating birthday party. Her dad is on the hockey team in VA and they reserved the whole ice skating rink for the night. It was a night of food, games, skating, dancing and more food. So fun.
Mike spinning Elle around
So funny.
The serious game happening on one side of the rink and the first-timers/kids crying from falls on the other side.
Seb getting his turn
Maggie and Mike. Some of the best friends anyone could have. We had such a great time!
