Lydia, Kindergarten grad and professional singer/ballerina

Clearly we have some catching up to do. And, as a result this post is going to be chalk full of Lydia stories and her accomplishments. A few months ago I sent a text to Nate because she told me that she plans to name one of her sons Nate when she's all grown up. Nate, Adele and Casey. Just FYI. Here's the text: "She's actually a pro at not only identifying Adele when she hears her on the radio, but also telling me the title of the song she's singing. 😄 Pretty amazing, that one! Hello (with the missionary parody) was where her love for Adele started. She also plans to be on the radio one day. 😏 Fair warning!! But I honestly think she could be and she'd be great. She sang me a song on the walk home from school about how change is hard and she doesn't love playing outside at recess. Poor kid!"

Back in January Lydia dropped a ten pound weight on her toe right before her ballet class.

It was clearly black and blue from the start, but she was tough and a week or so later it wasn't bothering her to badly and we didn't think much about it. We didn't think much about it until April 1st when Lyds disappeared during the Saturday morning session of General Conference. I called to her and she came sobbing to the top of the stairs. She told us that she'd prayed three times but she didn't want us to rip her toenail off. She didn't even want us to look at it. Apparently it was too ugly.

There was quite a bit of blood, and the nail was 90% separated from her toe, but she did not want us to pull it all the way off. Not yet anyway. Jon rinsed her toe off in the bath while I read 101 Dalmatians to her. He wrapped it up and we kept a Band-Aid on it for a few days. About a week later the nail came off and she handled that really well. Her nail has grown in beautifully, but it was kind of fun to have that bond with her when I lost three toenails training for my race. She told lots of family and friends about her lost toenail and how her mom had lost some too.

In February Lydia's Kindergarten class wrote thank you Valentine's to soldiers. She said she wished she could write one to Grandpa Andrus. Shortly after he passed away she prayed about him and how happy she was that he was back with his wife. I needed to hear that. I'm happy for him too. I just miss him. Then, a few weeks later I went in to volunteer in Lydia's class and Miss Shelley told me that I was in trouble. Lydia had been holding hands with Conner. Miss Shelley said she's just so sweet and kind and cute. And that's why we're in trouble. All the boys are going to like her. Lydia told us that she didn't want to mean and pull her hand away. They sat together at each table that day, but after we discussed that she didn't need to hold his hand if she didn't want to, she just told him no.

About this same time her teacher told me about Layton High's The Little Mermaid. She thought Lydia would really enjoy it, so we bought tickets for our family and were really excited to go to it. Unfortunately Mia caught a stomach bug that she quickly passed along to Sophie and the three of us were home puking while Lydia and Jon were enjoying the show. What a fun Daddy/daughter date! Jon said that she LOVED it! She was clapping so much and on the edge of her seat. She kept on asking if there was more, and sang along with the cast. So glad it was such a fun experience for her!

We went to the store to find a gift for a friend's birthday party and we found a Troll's microphone. Lyds took a moment right then and there to sing her heart out. I love these three little ladies and their singing and their enthusiasm for life. It's delightful!

She's composed a few songs of her own. Hand Hold, which I love. (May 1st).

And a Breakup song. Pretty sure she found her inspiration from Christina Perri's Jar of Hearts lyrics. It's titled, Who Do You Think You Are? By Lydia Frazier. "Who do you think you are? Tearing up all the love, crashing down all the waves." I'm sure there will be more to it as time goes on.

Check phone for other fun Lydia stories.

Saturday June 24th was Lydia's Clytie Adams ballet recital. She was the cutest little forget me not! She worked hard all year and loved her teacher and her classmates.

Top (L to R): Claire, Kaydence, Anna, Lily, Kate
Bottom (L to R): Ellie, Lydia, Emily, Brooklyn, Marley

One day when Jon was picking her up from class Lydia's teacher came out to tell him how much Lydia had grown since her first day of ballet. She knew nothing at the beginning and now she's confident and picks up on the dance moves quickly. She also mentioned that she's so positive and joyful and she just loved having her in class. We loved watching her perform.

Her brilliant smile was my favorite, as was making faces with into my phone after it was all over.

Lydia's Kindergarten program was June 28th and she performed her part beautifully. Her line was, "Not just me, we're all Magical!" Before the classes sang Magical Me. Someone said she had major stage presence and she knew it! Not so!!!! This girl is shy!! But she has grown leaps and bounds in her confidence. My friends nieces decided to pick out the cutest girl and chose the one in yellow. Lyds!! So cute! She knew the songs so we'll and she sang right to us and did all the actions she was supposed to. We were sitting far to the side, so while everyone else was facing front and center Lydia was singing her heart out to us. Soph was dancing along with her and is so excited for the day she'll be in Kindergarten. Miss Shelley is the best!!

And two days later was the last day of school. Lydia decided she didn't want to go at the last minute. The thought of moving on to 1st grade was too much for her. I finally convinced her that if she didn't go, she'd be missing her last day with Miss Shelley- the teacher she wished could move up each grade with her for the rest of her life- and that would be worse than facing the last day of school. So she went into class very reluctantly and I cried after I dropped her off. Ridiculous, I know. But she made it. There were more tears on her end after school, but I'd much rather know she loved her class and her teacher than have her hold it in or not care at all. This little lady feels things pretty deeply!