Mary at MCC

Mary was in musical theatre workshop at MCC the past two weeks. It wasn't as intense as Collin's.... only 2 hours a day, and just one performance... but it was very cute. Mary had a couple of solos and did a great job. She loved it. Here she is with her cousins, who were in it with her.....
.... and her friend Addi who was also in it.

Staycation

We had a fun "staycation" this weekend at the Westin Kierland Resort. (They offer great summer rates for locals, since it's so stinking hot that no one wants to come here in the summer.) We had a blast hanging out by the pool, relaxing on the lazy river, and riding the water slide.
Yes, I had a blast on the slide too, but I'm not going to post that video.

The kids also got a kick out of the cottontail rabbits hopping all over the resort. They were so cute!

MCC

Collin spent about 5 hours a day for the last two weeks in a musical theatre workshop at MCC (he gets a kick out of being able to tell his friends, "I went to college this summer"). He has been in it for the last four years, but this year he was in the "older" group for the first time, which includes 5th graders up to seniors in high school. He did a great job. Here he is with his cousins who were in it with him.
They worked really hard and did a great job... 3 performances in 2 days. Collin stole the show during one of his solos on the number "There is Nothing Like a Dame" from South Pacific. He can't wait for next year.

We are all enamored with one of the girls' songs from the show, "My Party Dress" from the show Henry & Mudge. It is hilarious. We have been singing it all week.

Collin is going to spend the next few weeks working hard on Webelos badge requirements.

"Up"

We took our kids to see "Up." We all loved it! I laughed and cried.... quite a bit, actually. (You would have to be made of stone to not get choked-up during this film.)

I think it's now my favorite of the Pixar movies, probably because the story is so human.

May "Review"

I know, I know.... June is half over and I'm just finally doing my May "review." Here goes:

School got out just before Memorial Day. Collin and Mary both received the "Perfect Attendance" award, and Mary received the award for best music student for the 2nd grade. They both loved their teachers and were sad for the year to end. Here is Mary and her cute teacher. Jack also "graduated" from preschool. He is very excited to start kindergarten in the fall. Here he is with his buddy, Bryce.We left that afternoon to spend the Memorial Day weekend at the cabin. It rained most of the time, but we had fun. We did lots of reading, worked a 1000 piece puzzle, walked around the lake (and watched an osprey dive in and wrestle out a fish!), and relaxed. Mary and Jack made friends with the neighbor's grandkids. We had a good time.Jack and his instant friend, Timmy.

Bedtime for Frances

Jack asked me to read this to him yesterday. We hadn't read it for a while, and I was happy to oblige.... it is one of my favorites. I love all the "Frances" books (A Baby Sister for Frances, Bread and Jam for Frances, A Birthday for Frances, Best Friends for Frances, and A Bargain for Frances) but this one has special memories.

I used to read "Bedtime for Frances" to my baby brother, Marcus, when he was little. It was definitely one of his favorites. I had it memorized at one point.

However, I made one change whenever I read it to my brother... I substituted "Frances" for "Marcus" and "she" for "he." Marcus loved that.

Another book that I frequently read to Marcus was "The Three Billy Goats Gruff" by Ellen Rudin, A First Little Golden Book version. I have never found another version that I like better. This one is great, and so fun to read aloud. (Yes, I was the "read-aloud queen" in my family, because I do all the voices.) And Jack likes it too.

Marcus is now a college student, so I'm glad that Jack still likes me to read to him. Actually, Collin and Mary still like me to read to them, and I do. I hope that doesn't change any time soon.

And yes, I still do all the voices.