Another $70 down the drain

Natalie did a great job on her dance. The production was Balanchine's "Jewels". Natalie was a Ruby and looked absolutely adorable. She really loves ballet and is getting better about remembering the steps. Plus, she gets to wear stage make-up, which is just about more happiness than she can stand (yes, we're beyond terrified of her teen years). During the first performance, she got frustrated because the girl next to her wasn't standing on her mark. So she stopped in the middle to point this out to her. It was so funny.





I had to laugh. Another little girl joined Natalie's dance group this spring. Her mom and I were talking the other day about the cost of dance. Natalie's costume for her spring recital was $70, and she gets to wear it all of twice. She was talking about how she wouldn't let her daughter touch it after the recital because it cost so much. And I said something like, "Well, whether she plays with it or it sits on the hanger until it doesn't fit any more, the money is already gone. She might as well enjoy it!"

The Duster's Decor

The Duster project of the month was refinishing the interior. Joe did a LOT of research and found a kind of spray paint that's flexible enough to do fabrics (and leather). So he used it for the seats and the door panels. The black looks so much better than the green did. The drivers' bench is in pretty bad shape, so he commissioned me to sew him a cover until he can afford to get it reupholstered. I'd do it, but my sewing machine doesn't have nearly the gusto to do something like that. Nor am I that confident in my skills.

Adventures involving the '50. Oh, and a baptism

Brooklin really likes riding with Daddy!



In April, we took the '50 and the RC cars out to the sand dunes, played around some, and barbequed hot dogs with Aaron Gimmeson, his kids, and Jon Redford. Joe did a fantastic Superman face plant off a jump with the '50. I WISH I had caught it on camera! He was trying to show off for his friends. It was a beautiful 70 degrees and sunny, but the sand was really dry and deep. Makes it hard to ride in. Plus, there's always way too many people. Actually, we were laughing because this kid comes out in a super nice truck with full-blown gear from head to toe on a brand new bike (there's an argument, unresolved, as to whether it was an '80 or '125). His dad was trying to show him how to ride, and neither one had a clue. The dad couldn't even manage to keep his feet on the pegs. The kid did a little better, but kept popping the clutch, wobbling all over, and never once shifted into second. I should have recorded him too.



We attended Joe's nephew, Andrew Crowell's, baptism that night. AJ is getting really excited for his turn in July!


Brooklin likes to climb and hide inside cabinets, etc. She's just cute!

So Easter was a month and a half ago; you're all still interested

We had a great time coloring eggs and decorating them with glitter, beads, and colored sand. Echo joined us for the fun from next door.





The whole Johnson clan (minus my nephew Steffen) got together for Easter dinner. It was wonderful to have John home from Iraq!! Dyana arranged a huge egg hunt for the little kids. Some of the eggs even had money in them! The weather even managed to cooperate somewhat, so the kids could hunt.

As we marvel at LeiAnn and Joe's talents

Here is the kitchen remodel from start to finish (minus the inbetweens). BIG DIFFERENCE!! And it only took us a year and a month to complete...