Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
Tagged: family vacation, photography, Spring Break, St. John, travel, USVI
Our Everyday
Sharing our stories, big and small.
Twenty years ago Anthony and I married on St. John, USVI. Twenty years later we brought our kids to stay at the same hotel where we stayed, to eat at the same restaurants we ate and to swim in the same calm, blue waters we fell in love with over twenty years ago. There was change; new restaurants, more facilities at beaches, bigger crowds but remarkably so much stayed the same.
Cinnamon Bay 
Tagged: anniversary, family trip, family vacation, St. John, travel, trip, USVI, vacation
Bringing the kids to Rehoboth Beach since 2007 we’ve made a lot of traditions. With Happy Go Lucky, celebrating Penny’s birthday has become one of them. Her second time bringing friends to celebrate her birthday, she got to share some of her favorite things in one of our family’s favorite places while creating traditions and memories that are all her own. 
Tagged: 15, birthday, Delaware, fifteen, Happy Go Lucky, Penny, Rehoboth, Rehoboth Beach
Beyond the Stars was our studio’s last team competition of the season and the one event all three of my kids competed all their routines. The season is always busy but always seems too short. 
Tagged: Beyond the Stars, competition, Creative Dance Center, dance, Lucas, Oliver, Penny
Second dance competition of the season brought less nerves, more competition and more growth.
Maria
Last year at Hollywood Vibe Nationals, Lucas was selected for Vibe Company. For the 2023-2024 season he would have the opportunity to assist the faculty at three regional conventions, work with a mentor and participate in other projects to broaden his growth and skills as a dancer. We have attended two regionals and the third, and last, was Norfolk, our team event.
Tagged: competition, convention, dance, Hollywood Vibe, Lucas, Penny, Vibe Company
Every time they take the stage I appreciate where they were yesterday, how they are today and what might be possible for tomorrow. I see potential, nerves, hard work, frustration, delight. I see Penny pushing herself in her solo and owning that stage, alone. I see Oliver overcome what were paralyzing nerves nine months ago to have fun and let his personality come through in his performance. I see their release of endorphins as they come off the stage, chatting with their friends, and giving me the biggest hugs. I see their bonds with their teammates as they recall every moment of the routine and I see them doing something that is hard but giving them so much joy and fulfillment. I see them making lifelong memories. 
What does a 17 year old wish for when more years lie ahead than they can comprehend? When potential and opportunity are things they hear daily that they have to maximize. When they are told to dream big, seize the day and anything is possible. How does a 17 year old hold all these ideas and ideals, hold their dreams and those of their parents and plan for a future that is seemingly limitless? What does a 17 year old wish for when every wish counts?
Artists Simply Human (ASH) Dance Convention is the first competition for Penny and Oliver of the season. Because one of our guest choreographers, Matthew Smith, is a faculty member with ASH, Lucas and some other team members also competed routines choreographed by Matthew at this event. All three kids took classes together, competed together, were selected for the closing show together and won scholarships, together.
Tagged: Artists Simply Human, ASH, competition, convention, dance, Reston
DanceMakers always kicks off our competition season, the first convention for the team. This year it was also Oliver’s first convention. Each of my children came into this weekend with different levels of nerves and expectations, Oliver simply wanting to survive it, Penny wanting growth and Lucas hoping he and the team could achieve beyond last year.
Our Everyday 