Spring

Spring is here!  Yay!  Here are some pictures from the very first day of Spring!  Too bad that the next few days after were filled with rain, sleet and even a little snow.... I am hanging on for warmer weather!

 Big slide

 Jack's buddy Bella!

Come back Spring!

Beauty and the Beast

I am finally getting around to posting this......as previously written last week!

This past weekend my students performed the Disney musical Beauty and the Beast.  I was the vocal director for the show and it was a undertaking that I thought might break my sanity at given moments.  (The kids were awesome, it was more trying to balance work, practice, mommying, keeping our house in some kind of order, and getting a little sleep every so often).  Though having a little guy at home did increase the stress a bit for me, I must say that it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my career thus far.  I love, love, love being a music teacher.  I have been so incredibly blessed to be able to work with such amazing colleagues, students, parents, and support staff.  This show was special from the beginning in so many ways, even more than I or anyone could know!  The stars aligned and we were able to cast the show *perfectly*.  Literally.  The kids were so incredible to work with and were EVERYTHING that you would want in any cast in any show.  They were amazingly talented, yet humble, kind to other students, took direction extremely well and gave 110% throughout it all.

Now that it is all over, I can sit back and remember that this is why I wanted to teach.  I wanted to inspire and give something special to my students.  I think that we achieved that this year.  Jay (the director and my awesome co-worker) and I have made our best effort to make this the most positive experience that could be and I am so proud of what we were able to accomplish!

The show was amazing from acting and singing, to costumes and sets.  It was more than amazing, it was magical.  A theater critic came to just watch the show (not to review it) and said that it was unlike anything he had ever seen at the middle school level and that it moved him to tears.  Such a huge accomplishment!  Well Joe, you were not alone.  I don't think there was a dry eye in the house....at least not mine!

Mary as Belle

her very proud teacher

the sillies

the "leads" making one little girl's birthday party very very special!

There were hundreds, maybe thousands of pictures taken from the show.  Since it was so hard to choose I am posting the link below so that if you are interested you can look through them!  

Click Here for lots more Beauty and the Beast Pictures

I am so, so, so, so, SO VERY PROUD of a job extremely well done!

Party Time Take #2

I am still in shock that Jackson is two.  Maybe it's because I was so busy preparing for my spring musical that I didn't have time to really fixate on the fact that he is absolutely not a baby any longer, but a big boy doing many, many, many big boy things.  I am amazed and in awe of who our son is becoming, his own person, unquestionably decisive, but yet so kind and caring, with a sense of humor that makes us all laugh.  I know I am gushing but, hey....isn't that what Mom's do?

This year we asked Jackson what type of birthday party he would like to have, to which he quickly responded "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" (decisive)!  So Mickey Mouse Clubhouse it was.  This year was especially fun because he really seemed to get the concept of the birthday party being his own and he LOVED that. 

He had a fantastic time at his party, as did all attending, thanks to Daddy's smart thinking to celebrate my birthday too with a wine and chocolate tasting.  It was really a perfect second birthday party.  And now what you have been waiting for I'm sure.....

The pictures:

 Jackson's Clubhouse

 getting ready for the party

 don't laugh at my cake.....

 kissing sweet Bella hello

 Mimi Mouse!

 Jack loves his Ella

 pin the bone on Pluto

 the old standby:  it's my party and I'll cry if I want to

They played football while....

 Jackson played in the car

We were all ears

And then there was cake

And then after the sugar crash

It was a great party!  Thank you to our friends and family that celebrated with us!

And thank you too to my wonderful son and husband for the delicious gluten free cupcakes!  

I am so blessed.

Two

 

Unbelievable.  So amazing and totally unbelievable. 

Birthday party photos to come.

Dirty Bowling

Literally.  Get your mind out of the gutter.  The bowling alley was filthy.  Frank even asked if we could change lanes because something sticky had spilled on the floor and of course our almost two year old can't resist finding the very stickiest spot and walking through it over and over.  Regardless, we had a blast.  Jack loved carrying the ball, and especially playing in the *seemingly outdated* video game section.  (*we're talking late 70's pinball and 80's gaming).

Here are some pictures from our bowling adventure for you to enjoy!

 "it's a weally hebby"

 Daddy always has that competitive streak and this day was not any different

 and now I see where he gets it from....

 playing between the games = kinda gross

 Mommy getting her bowl on

and just in case you wanted to know....I let Frank win this one.