Life has been super
busy here and I just realized that we haven't posted in over two
months. A lot has happened since then, so we'll try to catch up as
much as we can.
Our family is
doomed! Just like their parents, all of our kids volunteer and get
involved in everything, big or small! February was full of activities at the kids'
school, including “Miss Ocharovashka” (Miss Enchantment) contest
for the Elementary School grades, the same one they did last year.
This year our youngest three decided to participate in a true Kazakh
manner (meaning with only three days notice!). They had to do a
little presentation about themselves in a poem style, make a dress
out of whatever they find around the house, and show a talent. For a
mother of three cute little contestants it was a no easy task.
Fortunately we saved Nika's dress from last year's contest, so I only
had to make one more dress for the other twin, and Lina's contest
was on a different day, so she shared the dress.
The only reason our
twins wanted to participate is because they really wanted to sing a
famous Russian song that they learned earlier in the month and were
enthusiastically singing just about every night on their way home
from school. And the only reason Lina wanted to participate is
because she really wanted to play her guitar. These were the
classroom competitions, and whoever won would go on to the school
competition. I was really hoping that we would somehow avoid it
remembering all the hassle with it last year when Nika won her classroom contest. Well,
this year Lina won. I guess it just runs in the family. All the girls
had the blast though, and we were really proud of them.
Lexa and Sophie, ready to start!
Twins with their best friend, Dariya.
They are just so cute!
Lina is waiting for the contest to start.
Their teacher really went above and beyond in organizing this contest.
Lina is playing Lizginka (a Georgian folk dance) on her guitar.
Lina won her
classroom Miss Ocharovashka (Miss Enchanting) contest and went on to the school one which they did in honor of the International Women's Day. It
is a pretty big deal because it is turned into a big show, and so
they spent two hours at school after their classes ended every day
for the next two weeks just practicing for the event. It was really
crazy at times but Lina did it, and we were very proud of her. It was
amazing to me how much talent the kids have. We had singers, dancers,
gymnastics, a guitar player, a flute player, magic show, puppet show.
It was fun! Lina didn't win the contest but she got the title “Miss
Elegance”, which is the exact title Nika got last year! Sisters!
Lina waiting for her turn to go on stage.
On stage
All of the contestants did a little dance together.
Doing her introductions.
She was pretty pleased that high school kids were serving her!
Playing her piece on the guitar
Getting ready for the talent show.
Happy Kid
About to go on a stage again
Doing the fashion run
These are some of the costumes that other contestants made. These two are out of crepe paper and plastic cups.
Wrapping paper and foil
More crepe paper
Garbage bags and napkins on the left and groceries bags and napkins on the right
Lina had the loudest cheering group! Those are her classmates that came to cheer for her.
