Guitar Hero

I started this blog as a 'Dance Photo Album' - as a branch of our Studio site to feature photos from performances and activities. But now I've caught the 'blog bug' - that state of mind that everything is blog material. Everything we do now, I think - ooh I have to get a picture of this, it's great blog material. I'm pretty sure I caught it from my sister. The other day we were discussing that Live Active cheese - I won't get into the nature of the discussion but she says 'OH, you have to take a photo of the cheese and tell the story on your blog - it's great blog material'. Now everything we do I'm thinking...blog material...

I have also been thinking that I blog Jalyn way more than Jace. I suppose it's because of the whole 'dance theme'...but now that summer is here and things at the studio are slow, I can venture into the exciting tales of Kasper Summer Activities.

Jace started guitar lessons this winter. He really likes it, and is actually getting pretty good. It's kinda cool because he's learning on my Dad's old Silvertone guitar from the attic. We dusted off the cobwebs but the sentimental value remains, and I am enjoying seeing him play it. It's shown in the bottom photo...

But back to what inspired the 'blog material'....We went to see Paper or Plastic, a High School 'rock band' which features Christian music. They were playing at our church, and the guitar player just happens to be Jace's teacher, Brock Bebermeyer.

This is pretty much where Jace stood the entire concert. He never took his eyes of Brock. And I have to say, I was really impressed with these guys! The drummer is also a good friend of ours, and the bass guitar and lead singer are brothers, their Mom works with Phil at the Radio Station. When they started playing, I couldn't stop smiling. I don't know what I expected, but I thoroughly enjoyed the evening. My favorite was when Brock played an acoustic guitar and sang by himself, it was awesome.

Jace was inspired to practice when we got home - and it's neat that the guys have something they can enjoy together.

Picture Pick-Up Day!

Picture pick-up day will be Tuesday, May 27th at the Studio in Concordia! I will be there from about 10 until 5:30, so please stop by to get pictures! DVD's will also be available on that day!

If you're unable to make it on Tuesday, the next available day is Sunday June 1st from 2-3:30pm, at the Studio.

After that, the studio will be open on Wednesdays in June from 10-11 for Toddler Music and Movement!

Hope to see you soon!

The attached pictures were some 'fun shots' Jamie took on picture day - these girls were waiting in between groups and put together some fun poses!

I Wanna Be a Supermodel!

Jalyn recently got the opportunity to have her own special 'photo session' with my sister, Jamie. I didn't get to go...but I packed some of her dancing clothes from the Recital. They went to my Dad's farm, the old park in Green, and the alley downtown - but I don't think it would matter where they were - the poses and ideas are so cute and creative! Jalyn really felt like a queen! I am posting some of my favorites - but there are so many more. I don't know how I'll ever choose which ones to frame!! The great thing about them, is it's not the same old cheezy smile she gives me everytime a dig out the camera...she's not standing straight up in front of some tree in the front yard! Like the straight face one above - they really show her personality.

This one's on the back steps to the Clay Center Studio!

I loved the ones with this tutu and her cowgirl boots!

You can tell I really like the black/white or vintage tones, but this one is so bright and joyful. There is a stage at the Green Park and she just told Jalyn to get up there and dance! What a treat for her, and what a genious Jamie is with her camera! Thanks, Jamie for making Jalyn feel so special!

She won't ever let me pay her for all the time she spends working on our Dress Rehearsal photos - so yesterday I treated her (and myself) to pedicures and lunch at Chile's! It was a really fun day, and of course we couldn't resist a little shopping on the side! It was nice to take a day to ourselves, and just goof around!

Check out Jamie's blog and website for some more photos she's taken of her kids and mine. She has done lots of sessions with little ones and they are adorable!! http://www.infullbloomphotography.com/ or http://www.claycenterblooms.blogspot.com/

GOLD.....times SIX!

GREAT GREAT GREAT job at Competition on Saturday! All six of our groups received a GOLD rating - which is awesome! I was so proud of you! I know some of you were nervous, but you didn't show it on stage - you all did a great job! We received new plaques for the studio wall, and each of you will get a Hall of Fame 'Gold' Pin!

I thoroughly enjoyed watching the dancers from other studios - it's quite an eye opener and sometimes makes us look very conservative!! But I did see some fun stuff, and although I'm ready for summer break - I'm also excited to start fresh in the fall with some new ideas!

I hope the girls were as inspired as I was, because after all - that's what it's all about! Getting inspired to be the best dancer that they can be!

I LOVE LOVE this picture of the 5-6th graders in Concordia! It just shows how being part of a team can bring you closer! Building friendships...creating great memories!

The Modern Class above...and the 5th graders from Clay Center below. Rylee R also performed her solo in KC and received a GOLD rating, and a Superstar Dancer Award! Congrats Rylee!

The 3-4th Grade 'Thriller' dance was a fun one! And below is the Ballet class from Clay Center.

I didn't get a group shot of the 'Red Umbrella' group - they performed earlier in the day and I wasn't thinking ahead! Emily, Sara & Erin did a great job, they are in the large group picture at the top.

Great Job everyone!!!

You were Awesome!!

Wow! We made it through another GREAT Recital Season! The Brown Grand was standing room only in Concordia! WOW! That's over 600 people coming to support our awesome kids. I always love the backstage pictures! Above is backstage at Concordia. Our dressing area isn't very big, so we did our pow-wow right on the stage before the curtain went up! Below is the dressing room at Clay Center.

Here's Jalyn and Lindley, right before the Opening Number. I said 'strike a pose' and this is what they did. Superstars!

Here's Taylor 'mudding' up her Thriller T-shirt! I thought it was hilarious - I said they could put mud or makeup on their shirts to make them look more 'zombie-like'. So, right before the Recital Taylor took her shirt right outside and smashed it around in the dirt!

Allison and the girls stayed with us after the Clay Center Dress Rehearsal, so they didn't have to drive all the way back to Republic. The girls had the best time! They all had their 'penguin' pj's on, in Jalyn's twin size bed, with the dog of course!

Isn't this a cute picture of Darcee with the 'New York' class? We will miss Darcee as she and her fiance have moved to Beatrice, Nebraska! He was given a job promotion, but we are crossing our fingers that another transfer back to Manhattan is in their future!

Don't forget to view all the Recital Snapshots at www.infullbloomphotography.com!

Thanks Jamie!

Great Job Clay Center!

Wow! What a great job everyone did at the Spring Recital! Each year the show just gets better and better. I am very proud of all of you!

Soon I'll post some of my favorite moments in pictures...but I wanted to post the link for Jamie's snapshots. She always takes some fun ones, this year there are over 400 pictures! She posted them on her website, you can place your order right there and I'll deliver them when they come in!

http://www.infullbloomphotography.com/photocart

Thanks again, Jamie, for all your time and talent!

Recital Moments...2007

As we come up on Recital Season 2008, I decided to flashback to some favorite moments of last year's Recital! Rachael and I agreed that it was our best show yet...can we top it on April 12th??

Remember the solos? Josie flipping her hair? And Hannah the Nun? How about when Maggie had to go pottie during her Pre-School dance and told the rest of the girls to 'Wait right here, I'll be right back!'? The tap-dancing twin boys? It was so much fun!

We have a great show in store for you this year too...I have seen more improvement this year than ever before! The kids are developing their style and it's so fun to be a part of their after school lives! Each year at this time, I am both excited and saddened at the thought of ending another Dance Season. Excited for the time I can spend at home with my family, but sad that the year is coming to an end and classes will be over just when we were starting to get in the swing of things! Doesn't it seem like we just started??

Tell your friends not to miss the Clay Center Spring Recital! Saturday, April 12th, 7:30pm at the CCCHS Auditorium!