Aside from the goldfish, we're all just beginning our summer vacations (except I'm not really supposed to begin until my students take their final on June 16th). Part of summer break has included cheerleading camp at Springville High School for Elena and Eva. This Wednesday they will perform in the Cheer Spectacular at the high school. Then, on Saturday, they will get to ride in the Art City Days parade.
Summer break also introduces the commencement of many family get-togethers. Rich and Maren (Chris's brother and sister-in-law) came to town for a visit this week. We enjoyed dinner with them three times this week. It was nice to learn a little bit more about their career plans, and their lives in Trinidad. I was sad to see them go. We also enjoyed a Kramer family Memorial Day barbecue, and an extended Kramer family get together for my cousin Kaitlyn's baptism. I have thoroughly enjoyed so many wonderful opportunities to be with my family these past few weeks. When I sat down in the chapel for the baptism yesterday, I was overcome with deep gratitude for families. It is wonderful to be connected to and supported by so many people in my life.
Eva would like me to tell you that I love her. And it is true. I love her very much. This week, Eva says she "goed to primary, and goed to church, and it was so fun." She also wants you all to know that she likes my shirt and my earrings. Can you tell that she is in a wonderful mood right now?
Christopher is adding a few words to his repertoire. He now says "taco, kitty, choo choo, bowl, and here-you-go." This week he kept saying "lellow" and pointing to one of our kitchen cupboards. I finally realized that he wanted me to get out the strawberry quick syrup which happens to be in a yellow bottle. I don't know if he always recognizes the color yellow, but I was impressed. He also did well in nursery today.
I (Elena) have been thinking about auditioning for the Springville community talent festival, but I want my friend to do it with me and she gets kind of stage fright, her name is Sophia. And I will probaly perform the song "Too Cool" from Camp Rock. And I have been visiting my aunt Maren and my uncle Rich a lot because they came to town.
I (Chris) manage to always have some singing project in the works, which is nice because it is nice to put something on its feet instead of just singing for the walls of our music room. Last night was the Art City Days Talent Festival. I sang the "Toreador Song" from Bizet's Carmen and Clara Hurtado Lee joined me for a couple of duets, "People Will Say We're in Love" and "One Hand, One Heart." It was also an opportunity for me to give a shout for the Utah Lyric Opera and the major events we have planned this year.
Here is a photo of Eva with Santa at our Ward Christmas party in 2009. Eva says about this photo, "I want walkie talkies." I think she's reminding me that one of the things she told Santa that day was that she wanted some walkie talkies for Christmas. Santa will have to remember that for next year. . . 
Here is the last picture Eva wants to share today. "There is Christopher all by himself. Look, there's your big foot!" Eva is always quite observant. I forgot I took this picture, so I'm glad Eva saw it in our picture file. One Saturday afternoon, we were all quite busy focusing on lots of things that needed to get done. Somewhere in the middle of the day Chris and I lost track of Christopher. I went hunting for him and found him fast asleep on the bathroom rug, with heaps of bathroom objects in a circle around him. We usually keep this door shut since he LOVES to empty out all of the drawers. I guess that day, we forgot to shut the door.
Okay, so here's a little about my week. I had my dance recital on Saturday (May 15). And here is some things to come. I am starting cheerleading in June and I'm also having my birthday. This is a picture of some pretty flowers that I want you to see.
And i also had a sleepover on Friday(may14) with my friend Sierra. And school is almost out so i am excited. Bye bye here is my mom she will be typing on her own.
Elena has had an awful round of colds during 2010. She recently recovered from a frightening bout of pneumonia, only to develop a terrible sinus infection a week after she returned to school. This week she was happy to resume piano practice, attend dance lessons, and enjoy two birthday parties for her friends. She continues to be an exceptional student (she has received a 100% on EVERY spelling test this year!). She is also an avid reader (anything about fairies, or Junie B. Jones). After I read "The Goose Girl," she listened to it on CD. Now we're reading the sequel , "Enna Burning," together. Of course she still loves Disney Channel, Webkinz, and sending people emails from her very own email account.
No pneumonia for Christopher, but he's had his share of earaches, a yucky cold, and some coughs. No school for Christopher either--unless you count the school of hard knocks Eva enrolls him in regularly. His 24-pound body will soon outgrow hers, and she will be surprised to learn that he can dish what he takes. I suppose natural consequences are a good learning tool . . . Christopher is now 16 months old. Last month he finally decided that walking on his feet was better than walking on his knees. I love watching him toddle around. He is also starting to say a few words: mama (much to Chris's chagrin, this also means dada), chee (for cheese), ju (for juice), lena (for Elena), nana (for banana), and gog (for dog or hot dog depending on how hungry he is).
