Good Reports All Around!

     I had my first observation at my new job today.  I rocked it with a rave review from my instructor.   There was also a "we LOVE her" from a teacher (or two) in the classroom(s) that I visit which is always a nice bonus. 
     Later on the kids came home with outstanding report cards!  We have much to be proud of!!!

Booked a Camping Trip

     If you've followed me since this journey began than you know about last year and my adventures in camping.  You also know that I swore it off...

     I just booked a two night stay at a site that I approve of and am quite excited about...let's hope for calm and easy and a tad less "adventure" this time! 

Bloom

     I have been following Kelle Hampton's blog, "Enjoying the Small Things", for quite some time now.   It is about motherhood, womanhood, writing, creativity, photography and all of the emotions that are tied up with those topics.  There is also a celebration of the simple and wonderful and an appreciation for the moments in life that take your breath away.  Kelle has also invited us to her home to see her partnership with a wonderful husband, the tactics needed to carry on daily life and the milestones that come with living to the fullest.  Also...she has been candid about the challenges of parenting with her two beloved girls.  Her second daughter was born with Down Syndrome and took her on a whole new path. 

     "Bloom takes readers on a wondrous journey through Nella's first year of life--a gripping, hilarious, and intensely poignant trip of transformation in which a mother learns that perfection comes in all different shapes.  It is a story about embracing life and really living it, of being fearless and accepting difference, of going beyond constricting definitions of beauty, and the awesome power of perspective."

     She makes it all look effortless.  She tells us quite a bit...but we all sensed there might have been a little something we didn't know yet.  I can't express how excited I was to hear there was a book.  Tonight, I will begin reading it and like all things that have come to me just when I needed them to...I'm sure the lessons gained from it will be right on time.  Maybe we all just need a little more time to...bloom. 

Ethan's First Play

     They practiced for weeks.  I had to rehearse his lines after school as part of his homework.  They painted props as proven by stained little hands.  They reserved the gymatorium and invited other classes.  The Life Skills class as well as Book Buddies were invited along with all of the parents.  Emily was his first Book Buddy so she got to be there as well.  Every single parent of every single classmate was there to see a play that probably lasted longer than it is taking you to read this post.  But it was adorable and made us all smile and giggle.  He remembered his lines and it just might have been one of the sweetest little things ever.  One of those firsts you never forget.  Kindergarten has had its ups and downs but I think we're gonna make it...

Chocolate Goatee

     I did some new stuff with the kids during "Mama Monday" but those things got bumped as my new thing because sometimes the silly just beats out the crafty. 
     There is a tray of defunct "fudge" in the fridge.  As I tasted it I realized it reminded me of the top layer of heaven on the chocolate Entennman's cake.   As quickly as I said the words, "This would be good on a cupcake!"....there was John whipping up a bunch of them to top with the rich goo.  It was impossible to eat them without making a mess.  It was too thin to be an icing and too thick to be a topping but no matter what its density it tastes was sublime.  We dug in and there was no way to be neat or tidy.  I put down the role of nagging mother (who tries to teach manners at the table at all costs) and gave in...to...the...chocolate lava.  A drip here.  A smudge there.  Giggles started to spread as slowly but surely we were getting covered.  Hands, arms, noses...nothing was safe.  I then realized at the end of a long and productive Monday sometimes you just need a chocolate goatee.  It made my father laugh and my kids giggle.  Then I sang a little "Somebody That I Used to Know" and made myself giggle.  Get it? Huh? Huh? Do ya?  The morals of this story are: don't take life too seriously and chocolate makes everything better!
   

Birdsong

     I watched a bit of the new series tonight.  It looked like Warhorse.  It also caused me to open up my laptop and to read a bit more about the topic.  There is so much that we just don't know.  Warfare underground was a whole new topic to learn about...but one that I'm not sure I'll continue to watch for entertainment. 

The Secret Garden Musical

     I grew up in a household that adored the musical.  We watched them often.  I still remember taking vinyl out out of a jacket and carefully placing it on the spindle of the record player (within the cabinet that took up half of the living room).  I would sing along to the sweet lyrics that accompanied the beautiful music.  As I got older I was lucky enough to see some real Broadway shows.  When we moved out of NY and headed to PA we left the giant console of music back in the old house...and found a few local theaters that made us even happier.  Many a summer night were spent enjoying traveling productions of our favorites.   We even had season passes for a few years.  I thought I had seen just about all of them...
     I have just had the absolute pleasure of seeing yet another musical...The Secret Garden.  I went to see my friend Mark perform.  This is my second time in the audience at one of his performances.  Last year I laughed and cried through a play that he starred in...this time I got to hear him sing.  The boy can sing.  I mean...really...can...sing.  It was beautiful.  The entire cast was truly terrific.  From the convincing accents to the stunning costumes it was a treat...but the singing was superb.  I've watched many performers and these were simply some of the best!  Great job, Mark!!! (But you do know I expect a mini-musical every time I see you now....)