GREASE!

In my years as the music teacher at Battle Monument School, we've done some memorable productions, including Beauty & the Beast, Annie, and adaptations of shows like American Idol & Survivor (where folks were voted ONTO the island!) There is nothing like kids performing on stage!

May 1st we're doing our own milder version of Grease, and this clip shows the summer fling between Danny & Sandy, which we set at nearby North Point State Park. (What a hoot trying to imply "summer" when one of our filming dates was 40 degrees w/no leaves on the trees!) The music is from the first scene of the movie. We'll be showing it on a big-screen TV the night of the show. It's posted for Jim & Kristie, who taught these two students prior to relocating to KY, and for the families of our stars, Amanda & John (who graciously gave their permission.) Amanda & John should be up for some Academy recognition! We had so much FUN! (Inspiration came from my brother, who's pulled these kinds of things off for me in the past.)

I'm also feeling sentimental, as I'll be taking a leave of absence next year. I've always said my students taught me more about life than I ever taught them about music, and I will miss those life-lessons next year!

All About Amelia

It's hard to believe she'll be two in a few weeks! Her favorite phrases are, "Hep me fix," (used to solicit aid for any circumstance), "Seff, seff, SEHHFF!" (interpretation: "Self, MYself, let me do this by myself!"), and sentences like, "I fall," "I run," and "I mess."

One of my personal favorites is how she answers the question, "Who has a poo poo?" If she doesn't pipe up, "I do!", her sly response is, "Evie poo poo."

Check out the adorable hat cousin Laura crocheted her for Christmas ("I hat"), and the spin in Opah's office chair w/Evelyn ("I pin.") Our friend Calvin should note--she's wearing the Old Navy sweatshirt he bought when I first had Evelyn. I love using those cute things a second time around. (Don't worry, Aunt Barbara, she DOES have clothes that are brand new--I appreciate that your position as a third daughter has given you wardrobe sensitivities!)

Road Trip to NC

Who are these relaxed women? Three friends who don't see enough of each other and whose families generously arranged for them to spend a whole weekend together! (I was worried it would be strange w/out my girls, but I adjusted with amazing deftness & speed.) Di & I indulged in hours of conversation en route, and Courtney provided precious hours more on her welcoming front porch.

She introduced us to our first yoga video (not for wimps & not easy to do when laughing) and made great food. She & her household also recorded their voices as the characters for my school's upcoming production of Grease (again, not easy to do when laughing!)

On Sunday I made a side trip to see the aunts, uncles, and cousin Kelby. We worshiped at Barbara's church, then had brunch at their place. We laughed and told stories, and I was only sorry we didn't have time for a parlor game! We'll have to wait for the next big gathering--rumor has it Alyson's got one all picked out. Check out Barbara's lovely table, my cute cousin, the pretty flowers right out of Aunt Betty's garden, and more grins compliments of the delicious pleasure we gave one another!

Bible Verse Bobble Head

Each month Evelyn's Sunday School class does its activities around a different Bible verse, so we've taken to reviewing them together. It has been such a good practice and fellowship, and I am reminded of Deuteronomy 6:7, where we are encouraged to take the words of God and "impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you wake up." (By the way, Evelyn moves her head like this a lot.)

At one point I wondered if it was ok to offer a food reward to my kids for saying Bible verses, but I was refreshed to hear an older woman say, "The Lord ALWAYS rewards us when we know His Word!"

And in the spirit of giving thanks in everything, here is a funny conversation from the car yesterday:

Evelyn: (in her car seat behind me) Mommy, you have noodle hair.
Me: Noodle hair?
Evelyn: (giggling) Yeah!
Me: Is that good?
Evelyn: (laughing...laughing harder...saying while laughing...) NO! (more laughter)

So, this morning I took a shower. I even used the recommended second application of shampoo. The noodles just aren't long enough to become dreadlocks yet.

It's a wonderful life!

(I had to steal The Walshes' blog title for this post, because it was a week of so MUCH wonderful life!) There's Emma between Evelyn & Amelia on our couch. She & her folks, Mark & Denise, were once Hamiltonians, but his job moved them to a Chicago suburb. They were in town & even partook of a Hamiltopia--how good it was to have their in-person company!

On Saturday, my cousin Josh & his wife Laura arrived from NYC. They are modern dancers (click here to see their website) and were to perform in Baltimore's "Transmodern Festival." I got them at the bus station, and met Jon, Courtney & the kids at our house to hang out. Leave it to Coo-coo and No-No to wow the crowd--they brought baby chicks! (What a relief that the chicks survived those hours in our back yard!)

Enjoy the short clips of Amelia & Laura each braving her own slide!

Sunday was Josh & Laura's performance. Their unique concept is to imitate, intermingle, and subtly impose upon the natural movement of pedestrians in public places. (Click here to see a current work in progress!) At the festival they moved with the existing life (people!) of an actual busy intersection. They do not do anything theatrical, nor do they "dance," but instead they celebrate everyday life by turning its movements into an unpredictable performance. Courtney, Anna, Aidan, & I even jumped in! (I'll have to get the video of that from Jon.) They'll be back in October for a project through the Visionary Arts Museum where they hope to move masses of people on Baltimore's Federal Hill. Come perform!

After the festival I took Anna for her belated birthday gift--a hang-out with Aunt Tina. (Isn't that what YOU want for your birthday?!?) We went to a local mall to pet puppies, ride a carousel, and dine at her favorite restaurant, "Noodles," where Esther joined us. Then we had play time with the cousins at our place and an impromptu dessert at Grandma & Opah's. I'm not sure who had the most fun!