Trent's First Flight

Trent had a ball at his first "flight" lesson. He said his tummy did a "flip-flop" the first time the "flyer" "popped-n-dropped" him to the floor. We traveled to a little town southwest of us to meet in a theatrical special effects warehouse. THe ceilings aren't nearly as high as they will be in the theater. In the shot above, Trent was working on his aeriel postrure: shoulders back, chest high, chin slightly up.

I am behind the camera on these shots, but I got to do a lot of practice at flying him. Notice the ladder behind the gentleman knealing on the ground: He has the other end of the line. We actually jump off the ladders and pull to the ground to get the desired height. Thank goodness he's LIGHT. Getting him off the ground is not hard, it's all in the landing. I find it hard to control and get it smooth. We move into the theater Sunday and have a 5 hour aeriel correography rehearsal. Whew. I think I will be getting a workout! I can feel it in my quads and deltoids this morning. More pics of flying after Sunday. It is a really neat experience. It is like nothing I have ever done before and it is physically demanding but I actually enjoy the challenge and the thrill of it. Of course Trent is "soaring" with delight!

Whirlwind Weekend

Here it is - hot off the press, finally.... The Peter Pan Poster! Notice the adorable boy with dimples and holding a teddy bear! It was so cool to get the poster and see Trent on it. In fact, after rehearsal on Saturday we stopped at Learning Express to ask about displaying a poster. The employees were so impressed that Trent was on the poster and a main character in the show. They asked him about the show, about singing and acting on stage and then Trent sang the first verse of "I Won't Grow Up" for them. All of them couldn't believe it. They all said, "I'm definately going!" "Oh, my kids will love this!" "I'm taking my grand-daughter!" I was very proud of Trent for being a good sport about the whole thing.

Here is a peek into rehearsal. This is Trent as "Michael" and Kayla as "Peter" in the last scene. Peter is teaching Michael how to "crow". If you aren't familiar with the Broadway show, this won't make much sense. In the show, Peter sings "I've Gotta Crow" about how wonderful and clever he is.

Saturday's rehearsal theme was "Decade Day". Trent went as a 50's boy and it just so happens that Lauren ("Belle" from "Beauty") went as a 50's girl. They were cute together. Trent had his hair more slicked back, but by the time I took this picture, it was fluffing up again.

Anyway, that was the beginning of the weekend. While Trent was at "Peter Pan" rehearsal I took Brooke to dance class. Then Saturday night we went to McHenry's CYT production of "The Sound of Music". They did a great job, very sweet and cute. Trent go to catch up with all his McHenry County friends. It brought memories of my own high school production of this show. I was "Mother Superior" and sang "Climb Every Mountain". How I would have loved CYT in my youth!

We got home late, got up, went to Sunday School and church, then we headed to another show for NW Cook's production of "Alice in Wonderland". Okay, no, we do not spend every weekend going to shows. It is just that all the CYT shows happen to fall around the same time of year because it is their Winter Productions. "Alice" was really fun and cool. It is a new version of "Alice" done as a Rock Opera and very modernized. It was innovative and a fun twist on a classic theme. Trent knew a lot of the lead characters and a girl from our church was in the show.

Tomorrow is CYT class and gymnastics for Grant. You can pray for all of us to stay strong and healthy. Alex is in the middle of "crunch time" at work. That means overtime every night untill very late and working all day and night on Saturdays and Sundays. So, not only is he under massive deadlines, I am left to run this crazy circus here by myself. I am hiring a high- school girl from our church to babysit Brooke and Grant while I run with Trent. He starts "flight training" Tuesday night. Then he goes for flight work on Sunday evening at the theater. March 2-4 is four hours of dress rehearsal every night. Oh, yeah, and throughout dress rehearsal and show weeks is the school's standardized testing weeks! Great timing huh? We will make it through, we always do.

Dawn

You know the honeymoon's over when...

you buy your own Valentine roses! Now seriously, let me explain. I have always told Alex NOT to buy roses for Valentine's Day because they are sooooo ridiculously expensive. So, when I was at Aldi grocery store on Saturday and saw 1/2 dozen roses for .99 a bunch, I bought two bunches for myself. (Yes, you read that right, I bought a dozen roses for $2!) Of course, when I brought them home and put them on the table, Alex said "That was so sweet of you to buy roses in honor of the Huskers big basketball win today!" Not exactly what I had in mind. Oh well, Happy Valentine's Day!

Your breakfast, M' Lady

This morning Brooke informed me that one of her friends at school has breakfast in bed. Well, not to be out done, Brooke insisted that her toaster-waffle and Sunny D be delivered directly to Her Majesty's chambers!

Gymnastics Totally Rocks Mom!

"So, Grant, do you want to sign up for the next session of classes?" I asked after Grant finished his eighth week of gymnastic's class. "TOTALLY, MOM! Gymnastics rocks!"

I'll take that as a "yes".

LORD OF THE RINGS!!! (well, almost)

When Grant first started gymnastics eight weeks ago, he was really excited. I think he had his expectations set a little high though. The first night of class he expected to get on the rings and swing and flip like the Olympians. Instead, he lasted 3 seconds on the rings and fell off. He sniffed back the tears and looked over at me with "this is HARD!" written across his face. I nodded, smiled and gave him a thumbs up. Last night he held for 20 seconds. When the students accomplish a goal, they get to go ring a big bell in the gym. Grant was very pleased to ring the bell last night.

Growing Up & Super Bowl XLIII Party

Last week was a pretty typical week for us. Monday is CYT class night & gymnastics for Grant. Tuesday evenings are usually free. Wednesday is Awana. Thursday is piano lesson for Trent. Friday night is Trent's rehearsal for Peter Pan. Saturday is rehearsal for Peter Pan and ballet/tap for Brooke. I try to work every afternoon while all the kids are in school. I also try to work when I take Trent to CYT class or rehearsal. I found a beautiful, huge, quiet library near the rehearsal site to work in. And of course Sunday is Sunday School and church. Alex and I both teach. I sing on worship team. I need to get a special music piece ready for next Sunday.

Brooke made a new and exciting step in growing up. She can zip her own coat now! Yipee! You moms out there understand how freeing it is to be able to say "get your coat on" and they can do it independently! I know this was expecially challenging for Brooke because the zipper is so small and she really has trouble seeing it. I think she has learned to do it mostly by feel. Now we just need to work on fastening the seatbelt!



Last night was our church Super Bowl party. Trent was into the game for the first time this year. Usually the kids just go for the fun and friends. Trent actually watched and cheered and was beginning to understand the game. (Actually, he was explaining things to me because I couldn't care less.) He was pretty disappointed with the outcome of the game, especially since the Card's made that really cool touchdown with a minute left to go in the game. He thought for sure Arizona was going to pull it off after all.
Grant was thrilled to win one of the raffle drawings. He won some football trading cards (one included a piece of a player's jersey). It was kind of a late night and the kids dropped into bed like rag-dolls.

Gotta run. I have a mountain of laundry and I haven't exercised yet this morning. I must, must, must work on my writing assignments every afternoon this week as I have a deadline fast approaching.

Dawn