End of the Year Wrap Up: 2019 Edition

Oy!  I am not sure this blog is going to continue much longer or even past this End of the Year Wrap up.  Over the past several months, I'll have the idea to write about this or that, something or other the kids are going thru.  But before I know it, it has become a fleeting thought and my attention has been diverted to something else.

This blog was key to me surviving my kids' early years.  Motherhood is not for the faint of heart and mostly being a stay-at-home mom pushed me to the brink of insanity some days.  Having this medium as an outlet was therapeutic.  I was able to let it all out, move on and start with a clean slate the very next day, or sometimes the very next hour.  I believe journaling the good, the bad, and the ugly is how I survived and didn't run away.  Don't get me wrong, not every day was rough, but there were definitely some trying times. Let's be honest, these years become a blur and having it all written gives me a opportunity to see how far we've come and remember the fun, silly days, as well as the challenging ones.  Each phase comes and goes for good and bad; it's nice to go back and relive it from a distance, through my words.

Ian and Samantha have grown into these awesome people.  I am so proud of them!  And I love them more than I ever thought humanly possible. I get how parents can be helicopter parents or my new favorite term, lawn mower parenting (parents who try to remove and smooth obstacles).  I will do anything to keep Ian and Samantha from feeling defeated or have their feelings hurt.  I want so much for them to never know how cruel life can be or how mean-spirited people can get. Every day should be their best ever!  Have all these amazing experiences and go through life with rose colored glasses.  I fully realize how unrealistic this is and my job as a parent is to make sure they are prepared and can handle disappointment and failure.

There was a time, I'd go to bed at night, review my day in my head, and feel like the worst mother in the world.  Somewhere over the years, that mentality has shifted and I think this parenting gig is working out.  All the time invested, energy given, and hand holding has been worth it.  I find myself turning to writing this blog to vent and 'get it all out' less and less over the months.  Ian and Samantha are truly what I hoped and dreamed of when becoming a mother.  Their judgement is solid, they are empathetic, courageous, and go after what they want.  They are polite, conscientious, and very witty.  I love their sense of humor.  I no longer view time off from school as our 'dark period'.  I actually really enjoy planning activities the 3 of us will enjoy doing and getting to live these experiences through their eyes. They are always up for an adventure and will try anything once.  Can you ask for anything more?  I think not.

As I look back at 2019, I am content. Wow, what a great word to summarize how I feel.  Sure, there are so many things we need -- updates and renovations to the house, money to travel, money to put towards college savings, a new Acura MDX would be nice (Ha!), but none of that is a necessity.  Everything we truly need we have and then some.  We are in good health, have a roof over our heads, food on the table, and our kids are happy, caring, independent little people.  I have a blessed life and recognize how fortunate we are.


Travel this year:

January:  Robyn and Samantha in Orlando for 4 days
March:  Ian attends Ramah reunion in Palmer, Mass for 3 days
April:  Ian visits Max in PA for 4 days
April:  Spring Break in NYC for 3 days
June:  Robyn and Ian - theatre trip to NYC for 2 days
June:  Robyn in Orlando for 3 days
July:  Ian and Samantha in Orlando for 11 days
July:  Week at the beach, OC, NJ
July-August: Ian and Samantha at Camp Ramah for 4 weeks
July:  Robyn in MA and RI for 2 days
November:  Week in Orlando for Thanksgiving
December:  Weekend in NJ for family Hanukkah party
December:  Ian in NYC for 4 days


The biggest change in this past year has been Ian's activities.  He now takes anywhere from 4.5 hours to 6 hours of dance classes each week.  Boys Ballet, Broadway Tap, Musical Theatre, Partnering Ballet, or drop-in tap class keeps him (and us driving him) going back and forth multiple times a week to dance.  He has realized how important it is to know how to dance if he wants to make it in theatre.  It's fun to see him master a new step that has been giving him difficulty and then doing that step all the time at home. Or, when he gets in the car after picking him up and he chatters on non-stop about how well he just did.   Add the two plays Ian was performing in and it made for a very busy Fall.  Ian absolutely adores camp and wants to go for the whole summer. Oh my!  I can't even imagine him being gone for 8 weeks.  We have him registered and will try to make this a reality.  But oy, is it expensive!

Ian has taken the concept of going after what he wants to heart.  He wanted to do stand-up and found a way to make it happen at a local restaurant/bar.  He did a great job and plans to expand his routine and keep at it, performing at local places.  He has been writing scripts for short films and is circulating it around for feedback.  I read this latest one and I have to say, it's pretty darn good.  I love how focused Ian has become on his goals and has a plan to make it happen.  Ian ultimately wants to be hired to be on Saturday Night Live, and said to me the other day, "I hope I don't get too well known before getting to NY because you have to be an unknown to do SNL."   Um yeah, somehow I don't think this should be a concern.  Really, would getting discovered earlier than expected be a bad thing?  Ian needs to worry about other things.

Oh and there is that little matter of Ian auditioning for a short film and getting the part.  Last June Ian played Elliot, a blind, gay, Jewish middle schooler.  The short film will finish production by the end of December and be entered in film festivals around the country.  This was a very surreal experience and still a bit in awe of how it all came to be.  Ian's first paid acting gig!

Samantha is doing so much better at school. Her teacher for 6th grade is a dream come true and it makes going to school that much easier.  We've enlisted the help of a reading specialist and the progress Sam has made is fantastic.  She still enjoys horseback riding the most and is happy to do just this one activity.  Samantha loves camp and will go for 1 session this Summer.  She has yet to discover wanting to wear name brand clothing, or spend hours doing her hair.  I am just waiting for that to happen next year at middle school.   Sam is very happy wearing the same 4 purple t-shirts and black leggings.  She has a closet full of clothes and they just hang there, looking unloved.

Jeff's cooking and baking has soared to new heights.  He now has a kitchen aid mixer, a micro plane,  and other baking/cooking tools he felt necessary to help him achieve greatness. Jeff has a running list of baked goods he wants to make.  He most recently made blueberry and lemon scones with fresh clotted cream.  It's been fun to see him enjoy his new hobby.

I am still really enjoying my job at the preschool and this year added in Fridays too.  I am now there 5 days a week, for 3 hours a day.  As great as it is and as much as I enjoy it, I think its time to find a full-time job, starting in June.  Samantha will be out of elementary school and will be attending the same school as Ian.  Her hours for school starting will be much earlier and I'll be able to get to an office at a reasonable time. I have no idea what I want to do, but am keeping an open mind and going for it.  It's a little overwhelming to me the changes that will be occurring in our household, but I feel this is a necessary step. I am hoping that by starting in the summer, I will have a chance to get used to our new normal and by the time school starts, it won't be as hard of a transition.


The year ahead in 2020:

As we head in to 2020, here is something I NEVER thought I would write.  I am currently happy with my weight and the progress I have made towards losing.  For the first time in several years (too many to count), I've got a new attitude towards eating and feel this sense of control I didn't know I was capable of.  I am constantly faced with temptations, but after one bite, I am satisfied.  Or, maybe I don't even want that one bite. Wow, right?  Since October 1st, I've lost 21 pounds and I am finally seeing a difference now.  This is the best feeling. I wake up in the morning not scared to get on the scale, knowing I've done the best I could do the day before.  Maybe the number doesn't always go down, and shoots way up from time to time, but overall it is trending in the right direction.  I am following the weight watchers plan and know that I can incorporate this well into the future.  Don't get me wrong, I am far from perfect, but my head is in the game and its been a long time since I can say that.  Here is where the word "content" comes in to play once again.  :)

I want to find a full-time job that still gives me flexibility, so if I need a day off or a few extra hours to be with the kids, I can.  I am not sure what kind of job this will be, but that is my goal. Something with the hours 8:30am to 4:30pm, 10 minutes from my house would be awesome!  Maybe if I close my eyes real tight and wish & wish with all my might, it could happen.

I am so excited for Samantha to be graduating elementary school this year.  She now has braces on her teeth and looks like a real teenager.  Her growth this past year has been measurable.  She is tall, confident, and so lovely.  And I think she is finally appreciating me and all I do; at least I hope so.  :)

I'm head over heels in love with Jeff and how we operate as a team.  He has my back and I have his.  I never feel like I am in this parenting thing alone and appreciate all the support he continually gives. I've said it before and I'll say it again.  You can fall in love with the guy, but you won't know how he'll turn out to be a father until you are way thick in the weeds.  And that's where we are...deep in the weeds.  Jeff is the most amazing father.  One of his best qualities is that when he leaves the office, work gets left behind and he is 100% present being with the family.  I am not sure what this has to do with "The year ahead in 2020" but I do know we both appreciate how far our kids have come and what an honor it is to be their parents.  So maybe 2020 is that parenting is getting to be more rewarding after all the that we've been through to get to this point.


My New Year's Wish:

I wish for kindness.  Kindness to our selves, kindness to friends and family, and kindness to strangers.  If everyone made an effort to be kind, instead of being mean, full of judgement, selfish, or uncompassionate, think how much better the world would be.  We are all more alike than different.  May 2020 give us endless energy, better sleep, and the ability to make the better choice.  Happy New Year!

Tales from the crypt: Crazy man no more

I found out some sad news this past week.  The Crazy Man has passed away.  He died of heart failure due to pneumonia.  Towards the end, his mental state had decreased greatly and he was having problems coping.  He had been hospitalized for suicidal tendencies and was not able to get transferred out of the psych ward until he met certain goals.  And he kept failing to meet those goals.

About 6 months ago, it was determined he could no longer live on his own and would need 24/7 care.  I think it was losing this independence that was the final straw.  He always told me that once he could no longer live like a rock star, at the top of his game, he'd want to end his life and be done.

It's sad to see this is how The Crazy Man's story ends.  He went from being so full of life to no life at all.  He alienated almost everyone around him, including those who said they would stand by him and changed their mind when the going got really tough.  It was his neighbor in the end that helped him the most and got his affairs in order.

Over the past 2 years, I'd hear from The Crazy Man from time to time.  He'd ask me my advice on something or a question to where some paper, file, company, phone number, etc., was located.  I'd help him as best as I could, but I could tell his mind was going and it was harder for him to form coherent sentences.  He was a big fan of Ian's and would call just to ask what he was up to and if there was a performance he could come check out.  He never actually did see Ian act, but The Crazy Man was certain that Ian is headed for greatness.

Working for The Crazy Man was definitely one of the more interesting things to happen to me. I never failed to have a funny or outlandish story at the ready, whenever anyone asked me what he was up to.  I could entertain friends and family for hours with all his antics.  He lived life to the absolute fullest, never was one to take 'no' for answer, and always had a plan for how to find some loop hole or back way in to make his latest big idea a reality.  The Crazy Man was the true definition of what it meant to have chutzpah (definition: extreme self-confidence or audacity).

Rest in peace Crazy Man, and go easy on the Big Guy. I am sure he has got your number and knows all the tricks you are up to.  ;)

The halloween that almost wasn't.

The weather for this Halloween didn't look too promising.  Between an impending storm, strong winds, and a tornado warning, the weather reports kept getting scarier and scarier.  The final message from the weathermen was to get all your trick-or-treating done by 5:00pm.  WHAT??  How is that even possible?  Is anyone home to hand out candy at that early hour?

I had arranged for us to go trick or treating with one of Sam's friends, Riley.  We had a plan to get together at 6:30pm.  However, as the weather reports would get updated and much bleaker than what was reported before, we kept moving up the time we would meet.  The tornado warning was the final straw and we made the decision to go to the local mall where they were doing a 'Malloween' event and the kids could go trick-or-treating safely indoors.   The mall event ran from 5:30pm to 7:30pm and we decided to meet at 6:00pm.  This whole time we are not only changing the plans and time with Sam's friend's mom, but also with Ian's friend too.  It was a crazy topsy-turvy back and forth all afternoon changing our plans.

Around 5:10pm, the sun is shining!  This is the craziest thing ever!  One final change of plans and we decide to take it back outdoors and let the kids trick-or-treat for as long as they can.  We thought the kids might have about 30 minutes before we have to take cover.   Everyone started early to get a jump start before the storm moved in.   Here's the thing -- the storm didn't come until 8:30pm!   The kids were out trick-or-treating for 2.5 hours!  The amount of candy they brought home was insane.

Sam had big plans for us to dress up in the same costume.  She got much delight from this.  Ian was on the fence on if he should even go trick-or-treating at the ripe old age of 14.  After checking in with his good friend, they decided they are not too old to go door to door.   Ian found himself a hysterical inflatable costume and waddled his way around the neighborhood.  It was hilarious to see him in action.

Stand-up success!

Ian has BIG plans.  B. I. G.  The ambition is pouring out of him and he has many, many dreams.  Broadway, movies, stand-up comedy, restaurant owner/operator of multiple different themes and all kinds of food, and tons of television series ideas, complete with several episodes sketched out with characters and plots. And oh yeah, he wants to get his pilot's license.   I absolutely love the enthusiasm he has and want to support his dreams as best as we can.

Ian has been working on his stand-up routine and was recently given the opportunity to perform it at this restaurant/bar in Alexandria.  It was set-up by his friend's father who knows the owner of this restaurant.  They have an open mic night on Wednesdays and Ian got the chance to perform. Ian had a 5 minute set and got up on the stage like a pro and killed it.  Everyone in the bar area stopped what they were doing (you know, drinking and talking) and gave Ian their full attention.   After it was over, so many people came over to him and complimented him for his poise, how funny he was, and that it was too short!

The level of confidence Ian has coupled with no sense of fear is admirable.  How many people can say at age 14 they would've had the wherewithal to do something like this?   After his performance, Ian said he is now comfortable inviting people he knows to watch future stand-up gigs.  And believe me, there will be more.  Ian is already researching where he can pop up on stage again at an open mic night and is working on more jokes.

I honestly feel like the minute Ian has all the freedom he needs and isn't hindered by 8 hours in school every day or having to get to bed at a reasonable hour, it will be fascinating to see what happens next.  This is a kid who is living his best life and is jumping at the chance to do new things and get going on all his plans.

The bane of my existence

If there is one area that I should feel in complete control over, it's my weight.  My weight fluctuates more than a yo-yo goes up and down and up again.  I am currently experiencing an upward swing in numbers.  It's not fun and I'm a mix of disgusted, disappointed in myself and very frustrated.

I hate how difficult it is to lose and then maintain a healthy weight.  I love how I feel with I can wear the smaller sizes in my closet (heck, I could open a store with the range of clothing sizes I have represented).  And I love how I don't dread getting on the scale and seeing a smaller number than the day or week before.  But for some reason, it is extremely challenging for me to stick with it and to keep enjoying the positive benefits of weighing less.

I am back to doing weight watchers and tracking what I eat.  I am determined to make it this time and not give up.  I don't expect huge results overnight, but I do need to be more diligent about what I eat beyond the first few months.  I seem to do great at first, take a breath so to speak, and the next thing you know, I am back to where I was.   No more!  This time will be different.  I want to change for the better and stick with it.

I am such a strong, persistent person in all other areas, why can't I be the same way with my weight?   Jeff says he doesn't care how much I weigh as long as I can fit thru doors.  While that's a really sweet sentiment and gosh, I love him for this way of thinking, I want more for myself than that.  I want to be proud of being able to look this stupid struggle I've had my whole life square in the face and know that I was stronger than it.

Taking it up a notch, or two or three

The amount of activities Ian is involved in this Fall has skyrocketed to proportions we have never experienced before.  Ian has decided that he very much wants to try to make a go of acting professionally. While he is a very talented actor, he is just as untalented with dancing and singing.  Ian took a few voice lessons last year and has vastly improved his singing, but his ability to handle any kind of dance number in a show is less than stellar. 

Ian was up for taking a musical theatre class this year. Every 12 weeks, the teacher picks a number from a Broadway musical and the kids learn the dance and corresponding song.  The style of dance will change with each new session.  It's a really cool class and I love how they work on one singular song for the entire 12 weeks.  Ian is currently working on "It's too darn hot" from Kiss Me Kate.  After the first and second weeks, Ian gets in the car when I pick him up and tells me how he is the worst dancer in the whole class.   Yes, I have to agree he must be.  He hasn't had any dance instruction before and I've seen what he was capable of in other shows he's done.  It's pretty entertaining, and not in a good way.  I told Ian that I am sure all of these kids have taken other dance classes before.  I told Ian he needs to work at this more than he is, if he is truly serious about wanting to make it.  Heck, at this point, he needs to take some dance classes just to be able to audition and have a chance to even get a role in the high school musical.  There are a lot of very talented kids in Ian's school.

Ian finally agrees that taking more dance classes is a necessity.  We were able to register him for a Boys Ballet Class (all kids are 12+ in age) and a Broadway Tap 1 Class.  With the addition of the Musical Theatre Class, Ian is taking 4.5 hours of dance a week.  I adore this dance studio we found.  It's close to the house and everything Ian is taken is filled with students who are there to improve their theatre skills.  In a nice surprise, Ian knows almost everyone in each of his dance classes.  Ian went from having no dance shoes to now owning a pair of Jazz, Tap and Ballet shoes.  :)

Additionally, Ian is performing in two different plays this Fall.  A dramatic play with his high school and a musical with the acting program he does thru George Mason University, AFYP.

Here is Ian's current schedule:

Monday:
rehearsal at school from 3 to 6pm
tap class from 7:30 to 8:30pm

Tuesday:
rehearsal at school from 3 to 6 pm
boys ballet from 7:30 to 9pm

Wednesday:
rehearsal at school from 3 to 6pm

Thursday:
every other week Ian stays at school for Improv

Friday:
rehearsal at school from 3 to 6pm

Saturday:
musical theatre from 8:30 to 10:30am
AFYP (acting for young people) from 1:30 to 5pm

Sunday:
religious school from 9 to 12pm

It is weird that the most I see Ian each week is in the car as I pick him up from one place or drive him to another.  I think I could easily moonlight as an UBER driver at this rate.  I am pretty much already acting like one, minus the paycheck.

It is so wonderful as a parent to see your child find something they are passionate about and want to work as hard as they can to excel. I absolutely love that Ian is a full-fledged theatre kid.  He has found his people and they are such a great group of kids.  They spend many hours together each week and it's comforting to know that Ian is with kids who are similarly minded and are a good influence on each other.

The icing on the cake is going to the theatre and knowing I have a built-in partner-in-crime to join me in seeing anything on the stage.

Flu Shot Extravaganza 2019

Back to school means it is time to do our annual, VERY FUN tradition of getting a flu shot.  If there is one thing I've done right as a parent, this is it.  My friend and I have turned getting our flu shot into an event that is celebrated and very much look forward to.

For several years now we have ditched the pediatrician's flu shot clinic and found ourselves at Target.  It's actually an amazing situation -- not only do we have the flexibility of going whenever we can find a mutually convenient time, but we also get $5 gift cards to spend at Target for each of us.   And who doesn't love free money to spend at Target?!?

Sam is doing a stellar job of getting the shot and not causing a scene.  This is refreshing and we almost can retire the game that goes on, "how long will it take the nurse to administer the vaccine?"

We are in a good groove and this is our third year going to Olive Garden after for dinner and then Baskin Robbins for ice cream.  Why mess with success?   It's easy, everything is located within the same shopping center area, and the kids enjoy the food at Olive Garden more than they reasonably should.  :)

Gosh, I love these kids!!

Sleepaway camp for the win!

The kids were at camp from July 23rd till August 18th.  My weeks without the kids in the house were very restful.  Without taking on any big projects that consume all of my time, I enjoyed the lazy days of summer.  It was delightful and I got very complacent in the art of doing nothing.

I had some time to reflect on what it means to me that we are able to give our kids this experience.  We've somehow made it a possibility to send them for 4 Summers, with more in the works for years to come.

We've seen amazing transformations in Samantha.  She has been able to be to grow emotionally and socially.  She adapts to living life in a bunk with 11 other girls and develops bonds with girls that are strengthened each year.  Her self esteem and self-confidence are on the rise.  Samantha knows she can tackle new situations and take care of herself.   Samantha won't be afraid to take chances in the future and isn't afraid to leave our side to explore a new world.  She is a brilliant thinker and comes up with creative out-of-the-box solutions to whatever dilemma she is facing.

Ian has a group of kids that he gets closer to with each passing Summer.  They pick up like no time has been lost. And it is wonderful to know these friendships will last a lifetime, no matter where life takes them.  This is a bond that transcends time and geography.  Ian has asked if he can go for the full Summer in 2020.  This is something Jeff and I are hoping to make happen for him.

One of the best things about camp is the no technology rule.  Anything that can connect to the internet and/or phone is prohibited.  And you know what?  The kids don't even miss it.  They get to be kids and enjoy running around, playing games, doing arts & crafts, singing songs, dancing, and telling stories.

It's a Jewish sleepaway camp and therefore, they are surrounded by kids who are just like them.  We do not live in a very big Jewish area, it's nice to know they are a part of this community.

I absolutely love how Samantha and Ian will randomly tell a story of something that happened months ago at camp.

A lot of sacrifices and compromises (with help also from financial aid) are needed to make sleepaway camp a reality.  It is not easy, but so worth it.  I know in a few years the kids will be too old to go, but the memories, experiences, boost in self-confidence, problem-solving, socialization, and being in a Jewish environment will last a lifetime.  That, in my opinion, is priceless.

Take-off.

Ian admires my dad and loves to hear all he has done with his life.  One of the things that caught Ian's interest was flying.  My dad has his private pilot's license, and Ian recently expressed a desire to get his as well.   That's all my dad needed to hear and the next thing you know, Ian has his first flying lesson scheduled for the morning after Ian arrived in Orlando for his visit.

Ian's loved his lesson and would like to continue accumulating enough air time to get his license.  Dad bought him a few books to begin studying and Ian has shown them to me now 4 different times thru FaceTime.  It's cute to see how excited Ian is.  

This was a really BIG deal!

Ian filmed the short film on Monday and Tuesday, 6/17 & 6/18.   The timing was absolutely perfect as school had just finished for the year the week before and we still had 2 weeks before Ian was headed down to Orlando to visit family.

Upon arriving at the set on Monday, Ian and I were impressed with how large the crew was.  There was a director, assistant director, the executive producer, the regular producer, cameramen, people in charge of sound and lighting, make-up/clothing stylist, the writer, the casting director, and a few others.   It was a much bigger deal than either of us was expecting.

The parents were told to hang out in the "green room", which was basically a nice basement in the director's house, where the filming was to take place on day 1.  I had a great conversation with 2 of the other parents who also had kids in the film.  These kids were also 14 years old and already very accomplished performing in professional theatre, voiceovers, movies, and more.  Ian and I were definitely in uncharted waters. This was all so new to us.

I learned so much during day 1.  The mom of Vivian and the dad of Talia were so helpful and provided lots of advice and tips on how to navigate this new world for us that Ian wants to explore further and see where it can take him.

At some point during different times in the day, a few of the crew each came up to me and asked if Ian had done film before...um, no!  Hello, this is our first professional ANYTHING!!   They were impressed with Ian, said he was doing a great job, and then let me know that he is really great at improv. Apparently, he was making them laugh A LOT during takes.  They weren't sure I knew just how funny Ian was.  Yep, all you need to do is let him go and he will do his thing for any kind of audience.  Each conversation would end with, this movie will give you great footage to add to his reel.  I guess that means we have to start a reel!

Talia's dad said to make sure we add this movie listing as an entry on his IMDB page.  Ha!  I guess that means we need to start an IMDB page for Ian.

So the big kissing scene turned in to a peck on the cheek.  It just worked out better for the scene for Abby to lean over and kiss Elliott on the cheek rather than turn his head and kiss him on the lips.  But this still counts as Ian's first kiss!  And it is still captured on film.

Day 2 of filming found us at a synagogue in NW D.C.   I was a pro at this 'Momager' thing by now.  :)    I barely spied on the kids during filming and instead hung out at the synagogue's library or the room with all the food and just enjoyed being a part of it all.   At the end of the shoot, we made our way to the National Cathedral just up the street and took a bunch of photos for publicity.  (and maybe a movie poster?  -- do they do those for short films??).  We will find out!

The film is going to be entered into film festivals all over.  It seems to me, it would be a perfect fit for our local Northern Virginia Jewish film festival that I've gone to a few screenings over the years.  Between being about Jewish kids, having a local writer and being filmed in NoVa, it has to make it in!   I can't wait to see what happens next!

NYC for 60!

Ian's advanced drama class does a trip to NYC each year.  I don't need to be told that twice to know I want to go and be a chaperone.  Ian wasn't initially happy with me being on the trip with him, but he eventually came to accept my presence. He even said when the weekend was over, that it turned out ok to have me along because "I didn't get all up in his business".

The itinerary for the trip was pretty awesome. Part of the 48 hours is spent going to two Broadway shows and doing a workshop with one of the actors from a show.  As soon as we arrived, we went straight to the studio and met with the musical director and a member from the cast of "Come From Away".   The kids learned a musical number "Welcome to the Rock", along with the dance that accompanies it.   The chaperones had the option to stick around and watch or go get coffee, wander around and be back in an hour.  Are you kidding me??!! Of course, I am going to stay and watch.  I LIVE for this stuff!!

I tried very hard to be on the down low and not be obvious about taking photos/video.  However, once the kids started rehearsing, I couldn't hold myself back any longer.  I took a chair, put it in the corner of the studio and stood on it to record.  Talk about putting myself out there!  There was no going back now and hiding!

After the dance number, the kids got to do a 30-minute question and answer period with Julie and the musical director.

We made our way to Brooklyn and visited Smorgasburg, the largest open-air food market.  I was in charge of Ian and his two friends, both named Ryan!   This was interesting having to keep track of 3 teenage boys among a thousand people and these boys all wanted to go in different directions.  I survived and we had a great time!   It was such a beautiful day!!

After having lunch, we had free time to walk around Times Square.  Then it was time to go to Ellen's Stardust Diner for dinner.  Love this place!  And having a group reservation is the best way to go.

"King Kong" was the show we saw Saturday night. The funniest part of the trip was when we were getting our tickets for the show as we were walking into the theatre.  Ian had big plans to sit next to his best buds.  He wanted me to be as far away from him as possible.  Ian is quickly shuffling the tickets around, taking the ticket from one person and handing it to another person.  He had very little time to accomplish what he wanted to do.  Upon entering the theatre, the kids went straight to their seats and the adults went to the bathroom.  When I made my way to my seat, I looked at the empty seat next to Ian and realized he messed up big-time!  Ian inadvertently had me sitting right next to him!  The expression on his face as he is realizing what he had done, is priceless.  He asked if anyone around us would switch seats with me. Ha! Not only would no one switch seats, but we all couldn't stop laughing!   King Kong had great special effects. The way the creators had King Kong have facial expressions were so cool and most impressive.  But the storyline and music was very weak.

On Sunday, we did a guided tour of the 9/11 Memorial.   Even though I had been before, I learned quite a bit about the September 11th attacks that I didn't know.  Again, another beautiful day to be outside and walking around.  We had some extra time and took a walk down to Trinity Church and saw where Alexander Hamilton is buried.  So cool!

Lunch was at Carmine's and soooo yummy!   They do gluten free pasta perfectly.  After lunch, we made our way to see "Come From Away".  The play tied in nicely with the 9/11 Memorial tour and it really hit home how wonderful this town of Gander, New Foundland was to the 38 planes of people who had no choice to but to land in their town.  Their population doubled!  Without a doubt, we all loved "Come From Away" and was moved to tears.  After the show was over, we went to the stage door and hung out waiting for the actors to come out.   We got to see Julie and tell her how great she did.

Chaperoning this field trip was the best!  I am so happy I didn't think twice and not sign up to go. I am pretty sure I had more fun than all those kids put together!

Brooklyn Smorgasburg!

The skip day that almost wasn't

Each year, since 3rd grade when SOL testing is administered, I let the kids take each take a skip day from school as soon as all the testing is over.  It's my way of rewarding them for working hard all year, and being done with another year of school.

The kids each take their day separately and they get to the design the day exactly how they want to spend it.  For some reason I asked Sam more than a few times when she wanted to take her skip day and she'd pick a day and then change her mind.  And not just change her mind on which day she was going to take, but change her mind on wanting to take one at all.  What???   Hard to believe.  It wasn't until the 11th hour (we were running out of school days!) that Sam ended up picking a day to miss school and sticking with it.  Sam mapped out how she wanted to spend her day and got very exact with the timing for everything.   How cute is this note?!?!

However, when the day finally came to be, Samantha didn't wake up until 10:00am, which meant we were already behind schedule.  Then when it came time to play tennis, we both decided it was way too hot to be outside and shifted our focus to getting pedicures instead.

I am so happy Sam ended up skipping school.  We had a great day together!

Update on short film

Ian was emailed the script for the short film.  It is really, really short.  Like all of 7 pages short.  When he went for the audition and had a few pages sent to him to do the audition with, it turns out that was half the script!

In one of the scenes Ian's character will have his first kiss with the girl who likes him. And now it will be recorded forever.  We've been having lots of fun making jokes about this.

I guess my plans to have a screening party is no longer necessary.  This short film can't possibly be longer than 5 minutes in length.  My new plan is to post it on YouTube and send it to friends and family.   Don't get me wrong, we are all so excited that Ian got picked to star in the movie, but it could be a while before he is getting recognized out in public.

Ooops, she did it again!

Almost 3 years to the day, Samantha broke her arm.  This time it was her other arm.  It happened at school and I got a call from the school nurse that Samantha had fallen at recess and her arm was bad enough that I should come get her and have it checked out.  Sure enough, she fractured her elbow.  The orthopedist described it as significant.  After getting xrays at Fair Oaks Hospital emergency room, we went the next day to the specialist and had them put a cast on her.  For 4 to 6 weeks she will have this cast.  Ugh!  Just as the pool was opening for the Summer.  So. Not. Fun.

Samantha said it happened when she was doing a handstand on the playground.  I am sure she is not going to try that again.  We are all hoping that her arm heals closer to 4 weeks than 6.  A one-armed Samantha is not a happy Samantha.

Bucket list item!

A few months ago I found an adult beginner tap class and decided to take it!  Growing up I never took any kind of dance instruction and I guess I have felt that void for many years.   I announced at dinner one night to my family that I was going to register for this tap class. They were all shocked and thought I was making a joke.  Nope, I am 100% serious.  

I sent an email to some friends seeing if they wanted to join me. To my delight, two friends replied back almost instantaneously saying this was on their bucket list too and for years now was thinking about taking a tap class.  Wow!  When I told Jeff that Kelly and Susanne were going to join me, he couldn't believe that there was more than just me wanting to do this crazy idea. 

The tap class was offered thru our local recreation center classes, partnered with a local dance studio.  It was 8 weeks long, an hour each lesson, and a very reasonable cost.  So when I write why I will not take this particular class at this particular dance studio again, I really don't have much room to complain.   The parking lot was dreadful.  Parking was limited and the spots were tight.  The class was held in the evenings, so it being dark made the parking situation that much more troublesome.  The hallway inside the dance studio where you waited for the classroom to be open, was tight.  Very tight. Two people couldn't pass each other.  And with all the classes letting out at the same time, and all the new people showing up for the next set of classes, it was ridiculous!  Lastly, this is the worst part of it; there was a smelly girl in our tap class.  Like really, really smelly.  Her body odor wafted through the whole room and left a pungent smell in the air.  Even standing a few feet away from her made it sickening to breathe.  I ended up putting some lavender oil on my wrists and smelling my wrists when I couldn't take it anymore.  It helped somewhat, but the smell never diminished or wasn't an issue.  I am sure it was a cultural thing, but oh man, it was the worst!  

Other than my list of issues, I did enjoy taking the class. I am going to try to find another adult dance class to take, but at a different studio.  And it still needs to be beginner.  I discovered after 8 weeks, I have little to no coordination and it will be a long time before I get beyond this level.  

14 here we come!

Ian had an amazing year being 13.  He truly rocked 8th grade and had none of the issues he experienced last year when starting his new school.  Ian has a wonderful group of friends and found his groove with the theatre kids.  It is so exciting as a parent to see when your child finds something they are passionate about.  Ian has expressed interest in doing local community theatre and continue with performing in theatre in high school.  He had an amazingly perfect role for him this past year, playing Lonny in "Rock of Ages" and it really sparked the fire for seeing how far he can take this.  Ian has also started voice lessons to improve his singing.

Ian discovered binge-watching and took it to a crazy level.  He managed to watch every show of every season of "Friends", "Cheers", and "Seinfeld".  We're talking like 250 episodes for each of these shows.

Independence was front and center this year.  Ian regularly hung out with his friends and would walk across the street for lunch or walk from his school to the local shopping center.  He made all his own plans and even went to a Nationals game with a friend and no parental units.   And he started dating!  Oh my!  Ian asked out one girl at the beginning of the school year to go to the homecoming football game.  And he asked out another girl a few times towards the latter part of the school year.

Ian continues to be considerate, caring, sensitive, and funny.  So, so funny.  He has a great sense of humor.  Most times we look at each other and break out laughing over something silly that both of us have noticed and no one else has.  This is the same way with my mom and its simply wonderful.

Ian has become obsessed with all things having to do with cruise ships.  He keeps planning a trip for us to take (that will not happen) on various cruise ships and where it will go.  He knows inside and out every ship on Royal Carribean's line, how big it is, what amenities/activities are offered and when it was most recently renovated.  He has his eyes on future renovations with other cruise ships and follows all the new developments.  He is a walking cruise ship encyclopedia. We finally had to tell him to stop talking about them.  It was getting to be obnoxious.  Think a kid with Asperger's who goes on and on and doesn't stop.  Yep, that was Ian for months on end.

Ian has decided he wants to get contact lenses.  And he plans to go to the 8th-grade dance.  Ian has lots of ideas and it's fun to see how his mind works.  I love seeing the person he is growing into.  Oh and this is the year that Ian started to shave.  We've had a few laughs over this development.

Happy 14th birthday to my sweet son.  I hope this year continues to give you opportunities to shine on the stage and let you be the amazing performer we know you are.  You keep doing you and all will be just fine.  We love you so, so much.

Ian as Lonny in Rock of Ages

First day of 8th grade!

Ian as Mr. Marshall in Cinderella 101

Billy Joel for the win!

May 24, 2019 turned out to be a beautiful night and gorgeous weather.  We got to the stadium via the shuttle from Chickie and Pete's restaurant.   Our seats were in the 300 section of Citizen's Bank Park and gave us a view from way up high!  Billy Joel started performing about 8:30pm and kept going to just a little before 11:00pm.   He played hit after hit after hit.  Sometime during the show, Sam leaned over and said she was so happy to be there.  It turned out to be a great idea to surprise the kids and we all loved the concert.

Leaving the concert was quite the scene!  The restaurant offered a free shuttle to and from the stadium so we could leave our car parked at the restaurant. Going to the concert, the crowd wanting to take the shuttle was staggered and didn't have any over-crowding issues.  But taking the return shuttle back to the restaurant, once the concert was over, was of course, everyone leaving at the same time and all wanting to get a ride.  

We were lucky enough to get on the first shuttle heading back to the restaurant and even got seats on it.  However, as the shuttle was filling up, the driver said: "This is going to get ugly."  He had to leave probably several dozen people behind and came back for them.  The shuttle driver rolled thru all the stop signs, asked a woman on the shuttle who was blocking his view if it was ok to get in the lane next to him, and then was surprised when he looked toward the back of the shuttle and saw how many people had made it on.  For sure we violated the total number allowed by easily more than double or triple.  There were bodies everywhere!  My row of 2, had 4 of us sitting on it.  The woman next to me and I was laughing hysterically over what a sh*t show this shuttle ride had turned into.  And thru the whole ride, another woman is saying over and over again, we are going to die.  I think the driver was scared to use his brakes for fear what would happen to everyone standing. Meanwhile, the shuttle driver is also taking calls on his cell phone from people asking where he is.

Oh, and the only way we manage to get on is because we walked thru the intersection he was stuck waiting to cross and got on before he could officially pull up.  It was truly a memorable ending to an awesome evening. 

The proof is in the pudding!  This was a note that Sam wrote and put under my pillow at the hotel:

I obviously will be keeping this note forever!!