Talent Show Tryouts

Joseph and Bailey tried out last week for a part in the Elementary school's annual talent show. Natalie will also perform with them, but she was not feeling well that day, so she did not try out with them. Well, they made it. So now they have to practice their act at home and at school. They are singing and dancing to "Life is a Highway" from the movie "Cars". Joseph did a great job coming up with dance moves to go with the music. Now all we have to do is teach his moves to Bailey. Natalie will just follow along and try and do whatever they are doing on stage. I also want to find some "Cars" pillow panels so I can make them each a t-shirt with a large "Cars" character on it. The talent show is not until the end of April so at least I have some time to get our act together.

Where's the Party?

This is just a fraction of paper that was thrown around the house while Taylor and one of her friends were supposed to be babysitting Natalie. The two girls got into a shredded paper fight with Joseph and covered most of downstairs with 1-3 inches of paper. They even shredded more paper when they ran out of paper that was already shredded.

Weekend of Volleyball

Taylor in mid-air.

Taylor makes the save.

Ready to switch.

Great hitting form.

Another hit.

More Volleyball

Mallory was the ref for Taylor's game.

Mallory attempts to block.

Great height and arm swing.

Even More Volleyball

Mallory, Rachel and I drove out to Charlottesville Saturday night for an all day volleyball tournament on the UVA campus. Mallory's team came in 2nd in their group and Rachel's team came in 3rd. Both teams played well and a good time was had by all.

Rachel closes the block.

Rachel needs to straighten her arms when blocking.

Mallory has great hang time.

Mallory doesn't miss many serves.

Mallory knows how to spread out and protect the net.

Family Tradition

Following the rest of her siblings, Bailey is the 5th Stratton to be selected by her teacher to be this month's Special Me.

Natalie wanted to get her picture taken by the sign with Bailey.

Sisters

Natalie & Bailey

Taylor & Rachel

Rachel & Natalie

Middle School Volleyball

Taylor at one of her first middle school volleyball games. She got to play in one of the three games they played that day. The coach put everyone from the bench in for that game. Usually the 6th graders don't get to play. The team is getting new uniforms next year. They keep them for six years before they are replaced. Mallory wore one of these same uniforms when she played there.

Truck Nastics

I took these cool pictures while Taylor flipped on and off the truck.

American Idol?

Do you think that Natalie is ready for American Idol?

Volleyball times Three

Joe spent all day in Richmond watching Mallory, Rachel and Taylor play volleyball. Mallory's team started strong winning their first match, then slowed down towards the end of the day. Mallory wasn't feeling well all day and it showed. Rachel's team was undefeated in pool play, but lost a close match in the semi-finals. Taylor's team struggled all day, but she got to play a lot more than we thought she would and she had a lot of fun. The next tournaments are in two weeks.

Blue and Gold Banquet

Joseph joined Boy Scouts over two years ago, only to have his den disband before the end of the year. Last year, he didn't want to do Scouts at all. This last summer, he decided that the wanted to join Scouts again this year. So we signed him up and he has loved it even though he is the only boy his age in the Pack, all of the other boys are 2-3 years younger than Joseph. Tonight, at the big award ceremony, he finally received 2 badges that he actually earned his first year as a Boy Scout. He also got a badge for participating in the pinewood derby. Plus, since he is the only Weblo, he gets to represent the Weblos of his pack at the district pinewood derby race next month.

Big and Little

Joe said "I'm not carrying either one of them up the stairs to bed!"

More Volleyball News

Taylor found out yesterday, after a week of tryouts, that she made the middle school volleyball team. She is very excited. She is getting frustrated with gymnastics right now and is glad to have something else to do. She also wants to try out for the track team next quarter.

Principal's List Again

We had breakfast at school this morning as Joseph got straight A's for the third quarter in a row, the last quarter in 3rd grade and the first 2 quarters in 4th grade so far.

Fridge Magnets

Fine motor therapy

Natalie loves playing with these refrigerator magnets

Volleyball As Far As the Eye Can See

This is a picture of about half of the volleyball courts that were crammed into this location for a two day volleyball tournament where both Rachel's and Mallory's teams played. The girls and I spent two days living and breathing nothing but volleyball from 8am Saturday morning until about 2:00pm Sunday afternoon. Thank you Grandpa for coming down to watch the girls play.

Rachel at the Net

Rachel's main job is to block.

I have lots of pictures of her attempting to block.

This block was successful.

So was this one.

Rachel's team came in second place in their division. WTG Syrens!!!

Mallory Had a Great Tournament

Look how high Mallory got off the ground during this hit.

Mallory helps to form a wall at the net.

Mallory scored many points with her consistent serving.

Mallory doesn't play much in the back row, but when she does, I think she does a great job.

This hit was a kill. The setter on Mallory's club team is so good that she makes Mallory's job to hit the ball back over the net so much easier. The two of them work very well together.

Tae Kwon Do Belt Testing

Bailey earned her Blue Advanced belt and Joseph very proudly earned his Jr. Black Belt.