Step Up Revolution

     For every day that I think I kicked ass as a parent there is a day that I push the envelope a little.  It's always for a good cause but for every night at the opera something has to balance.  For every vegetarian healthy meal is some junk.  I want to be a little bit of everything as a parent and I want my kids to grow into adults that are flexible and well-rounded. 
     That being said today we grabbed a banana on the way out the door to a cheap seat early movie at the mall.  We went to see a PG-13 dance movie.  It was loud and in 3D and we loved it.  The bananas were the healthy part of a lunch that consisted of the LARGE popcorn, some soda and a box of Buncha Crunch.  As I see it the banana made it all better plus we giggled as we carried the peels through the parking lot to throw away. 
     We have watched SYTYCD since way back.  This movie was a tribute to the world of dance and the music and choreographers that make the dancers come to life.  It had a story, a message and a mission and it was thoroughly entertaining while giving it to us.  It also made me feel like dancing.  It was nice seeing the SYTYCD alumni strutting their stuff in some amazing dance mob scenes.  A perfect fun summer movie!

May & Walsh and a Bag of Doritos

     Tonight, I watched as May and Walsh kept their streak and made the US proud with their volleyball skills.  Does it make me miss volleyball more than ever?  Is there a sting in accepting that playing in the sand with my friends was over half of my life ago and feels like just yesterday? Am I feeling very excited and proud for them... but a little sad about me? Well, let's just say I ate a small bag of Doritos while watching and I haven't had a bag of junk food in this house in quite some time. So yeah...maybe a little.  Monday was a rough day but at least I didn't get the worst sunburn of my life from wearing a french braid and no sunblock while on the beaches of Rhode Island...
     That memory was supposed to make me feel better.  Turns out it did quite the opposite.  In any event... GO USA!!!

Opening Ceremonies

     We started to watch the Olympics the other night but it got late.  They sat safely on the dvr until this morning.  Today we watched the different athletes walk proudly with their flags flying high.  We marveled at their uniforms, read the stats out loud and wondered how there were countries that we had never heard of even though we all share the same planet.   Today we watched more events.  I love the summer games and am hoping to spread that love to my children.  I think it's working since my daughter appeared to be trying a butterfly stroke at the pool today.  They have also been practicing their karate forms more than ever.  I'm hoping the child that I have called my "little gymnast" since I carried him under my ribs might feel the flicker of the torch.   Olympic hopefuls and daydreams aside I want them to see the work, passion, training, pride and love that makes an Olympic athlete.  I want them to be inspired by the stories of sacrifice, endurance and opposition.  I hope that they see the heart that makes these athletes who they really are...heroes for the country they represent.  I also want them to see that the world can celebrate together and join forces and be unified...even if just for a few weeks.  The very competition that should make them enemies is the gift that brings them together.  Humanity can make sense...even if just for a little while. 

La Traviata

    My daughter was in a piano competition months ago.  One of the judges was a gentleman from the committee of the Buck Hill-Skytop Music Festival.  There was a spot to place information and a chance to win tickets.  We won our choice of events.  Jazz.  Dance.  Cabaret.  I've done them.  Opera.  Insert eye roll here.  I don't do opera.  But what has this girl learned in the past year and a half??? The old me didn't do opera or eat calamari or break bad habits.  This new girl...well...she does ok.  To the opera we went.  Children were free. 
     It was breathtaking.  Stunning.  Divine.  Absolutely delicious.  The world class performers not only did a Jewel Box production but then did a Q&A session afterwards.  A Jewel Box version takes the four hour saga of the opera and transforms it to a ninety minute show.  It's perfect for the beginner.  This festival is growing in leaps and bounds and brings artists to this area that we are lucky to listen to and/or watch.  It also gives the local youth the chance of a lifetime as they get to work with these musicians, vocalists and coaches. 
     As for me...I get it now.  Showers might never be the same. 

750 Words

     On this momentous day of seeing my blog reach 10,000 hits....I did yet more writing.  I still do my new thing and post about it but I've been missing the other writing that I had been doing.  I had a blog that was much more personal and inspired by a song.  I would pour my soul out into that one.  The music site stopped the sharing capability and now my blog sits there dusty.  I can look back on it to see how far I have come.  I still love my music and use it to inspire my day but I have missed the outlet.  My friend, Mark passed a site to John who passed it along to me.  It is a private place to write and the goal is 750 words a day.  I rocked it today and rather quickly.  It might just be the next step in developing this whole way with words.  I never had one and yet lately I can't seem to shut up.  I have so much to get out....
     You might want to give it a try.  I bet you have so much to say as well and nothing beats a little "you did it!" when you reach the goal.  Happy writing and thank you again for reading my ramblings.

Boom!

     I got to spend three nights in a row with my sweetie, Gabrielle.  Tonight the kids had karate so I threw out an invite to my buddy, Ryan and his two gorgeous gals to come on over for dinner.  Mama is off getting a little much deserved R&R so I am hogging them for a bit.  Gabby took a huge drink and as she put her glass down she let out a "Boom!".  This led to giggles.  For a long time. And a new thing to do when one has put their glass down after a much needed and very refreshing drink....BOOM!  The kids and I did it for the rest of the meal.  We're hoping it catches on. So grab something cold and frosty and give it a try! "Boom!" is the new "ahhhhhhh".  ;)

Dorney with the Kids

     When I was a kid I was very lucky to spend lots of time with my sister.   Summers meant a week or two at my house swimming and sunbathing followed by a week or two at her house with adventures around every corner.  We went back and forth for years.  I loved summers more when she was around.  Some trips led us to a campsite far, far away complete with frolics in waterfalls, treats by campfires and swimming in lakes.  Others took us to an amusement park where flume rides and roller coasters were celebrated. 
     A while ago I chatted with my sister about some very special trips to Dutch Wonderland and Dorney park.  We reminisced about how much fun we had.  A short time later a card arrived in the mail complete with a check and the directions to go to one of those parks with my own children.  I tucked it away for just the right time.
      About two decades ago I went to the very same Dorney park with my dear friend, Tina.  I don't think I have been there since which is insane since it is less than an hour away.  She threw out the idea to head there for the special night tickets and before she was finished with her sentence I knew the "right time" had finally arrived.  I had just watched a show earlier in the morning that stressed that adults need the "good adrenaline" and I knew just where that could happen.
     From the Wild Mouse to the Steel Force we checked out several crazy coasters.  The new Snoopy section for kids is adorable.  The park is more beautiful than ever.  I rode brand new rides I had never been on before and did something I never did.  Gabby instructed me to put my hands up after we made it over the biggest, scariest hill ever and I obliged...because sometimes a new thing is as simple as that! It was a night full of laughter, dancing and so much screaming that our throats were a tad bit sore. 
     Thank you Victoria for making it possible.  It has been hard to do the exciting things with the kids lately and she made it a mission!!!  Mission accomplished with some money left over for maybe another adventure on another road...thank you again from all of us!!!