Sneak Peek...Upcoming Dance Recital

Last weekend was a busy one. It included a professional photo shoot at Mary Catherine's dance studio.

As this is our first year with Miss Amanda's Dance Academy, everything is new to us.  Including how super-duper organized Miss Amanda is!  We paid for recital costume fees last November, had fittings in February, and her in-house seamstress had alterations done by April.   (No fabric glue or safety pinning for this recital mama!)

So, no surprise, (but a new experience for us!), Miss Amanda has professional recital portraits taken at the studio.  It's a totally no-sales pressure deal (IF, you can resist the cuteness of your own kiddo!) as in,   you show up at your scheduled time-slot, pictures are taken, and you leave.  Individual and group dance shots are then available on the website for purchase...meaning you don't have to make an on-the-spot decision and end up buying more pictures of your daughter in the Nutcracker than any one mama needs.

While the professional shots aren't ready yet, I captured a couple of Mary Catherine with my camera phone between takes.  So.Stinkin.Cute.

First up...Blackbird. (Ballet)

And next up...Pink Cadillac.  (Tap)

Again, really cute.  I especially love how appropriate the costumes are...believe it or not that can be a challenge within the dance community... so I really appreciate the fact that Miss Amanda goes with age-appropriate, modest costumes.

 

Mary's "Lullaby League" Solo

UPDATE #2:  Thanks again to my sweet friend Bille Jo.  She provided a suggestion that I have tried.  (I went into Facebook, changed my privacy settings on these 2 videos, deleted the original link that I had embed and copy/pasted the public link.  Hope it works.  If not, no big deal.  I just thought their sweet angelic voices were a beacon of light in a sometimes crazy world!)

UPDATE:  So, my sweet friend, Billie Jo, emailed me to let me know that she can't view the video?  Is anyone else having this problem?  I can view both of them from my end.  Strange!!!  I'm not very tech savvy so I'm not quite sure what the problem might be.  Billie Jo mentioned something about privacy settings????

Such beauty and grace in this tiny, pint-sized, ballerina!  

As I promised, a snippet of video I took at Mary and Benjamin's school Spring Musical.

Mary was given a bit part as a "Lullaby League" girl and a small solo.



 


So very grateful to Grace (left) and Logan (right) for taking Mary under their wings and working with her on their Lullaby League trio.

Mary's very talented music and art teacher has brought her passion, love, and gift for music and art to the students of this tiny parochial school.  A former Broadway actress and opera singer, she encourages and nurtures music in EVERY student!!! She also taught music education in both New York City and Washington, D.C.  We are so blessed to have her return to her native roots...she grew up in a tiny Kansas town out west.

She has created and taken the non-existent "student choir" to exciting heights and has big things in store for them this summer.  And although, Mary and a couple other 2nd graders are too young to officially be in choir, she is allowing them to participate in a summer singing festival that is sure to be a big deal.  Can't wait to share down the road!!!

In the meantime, Mrs. E. used all student talent to create the scenery for The Wizard of Oz with only a bit of help from parents.  During dress rehearsal, as I was setting up an "Art Gallery" for her, I heard only grace and kindness come from her mouth!  She was gently explaining to the 7th and 8th graders (middle schoolers, OY!)  :)  that typically during dress rehearsals, "directors" are screaming at their actors, but she didn't adhere to that philosophy.  (Although I did hear her raise her voice a time or two to get some silly-acting boys and girls in line!)  What was amazing though, was how much the kiddos listened to her...they love her and want to perform for her.  Proof positive that you really can catch more bees with honey than vinegar!!!

As the evening wrapped up, parents were treated to one more surprise!  Mrs. E. had been working with the students on their own rendition of Phillip Phillips' Home.  As I had no idea the kids were going to break out into a non-Wizard of Oz song, I didn't have a recording device ready, but I did manage to catch about a minute of their performance.  Check out the Tin Man on guitar and Uncle Henry on the drums.  I think these two young men have quite the future ahead of them!  Oh to be only in 8th grade again!!!

Video quality is not the best as I was using my iPhone, but you can hear them really well.  Not sure if you can fine Mary or not, but she is to the left (behind) the Tin Man.  At certain points during the song, she really begins to rock out!  So funny!





Anyway, thanks for indulging me!!!  I claim no credit for Mary's talent...that is all God-given....but I do try to nurture her love for music and direct her towards age-appropriate activities (dance classes that focus on the classics of tap and ballet, piano lessons, summer theater, etc.).

She's currently teaching herself piano using our piano and the iPad.  Time to seek out a music teacher!!!

 

We're Off to see the Wizard!

Last Thursday night (May 2nd, in the midst of a freak winter snowstorm!) Mary and Benjamin had their school Spring Musical.

The theme:  The Wizard of Oz.

Only our most favorite movie of all time.  HELLO...we're from Kansas!  LOL

Mary started to watch The Wizard of Oz around age 3 and had no fears!  Not of wicked witches...talking apple trees...or flying monkeys.  She may have a small issue with tornadoes...HELLO...we're living in Kansas!  LOL  :)

Anyway, the entire school, K-8th grade participated in the musical.  It was pretty incredible for a tiny school...with almost no fine arts budget...and limited parental resources.  But it came together and was a  treat to the ears and eyes.

I am planning on doing a couple of posts on this topic.  Stay tuned for sheer cuteness!!!

First Up...Benjamin!

The Kindergarten Class (all NINE of them!  LOL) were the Poppy Munchkins.  

Next, we have Mary Catherine.

Mary was invited to be part of the "Lullaby League"!  This thrilled her to no end!!!  She was all about her bit solo part and dancing trio!!!

Can you guess which kiddo takes ballet???!!!  

Finally, random pictures of the cast!

These kiddos did an amazing job...and the parents, too! It took a lot of work rounding up and/or creating all these costumes on our own!!!

Finally, a few last pictures of Mary Catherine and her best friend, Ella.  As I mentioned, Mary Catherine was invited to be part of the "Lullaby League" where she danced and sang with a 5th grader and 8th grader.  Quite an honor in her opinion!  :)  Well, Ella was also given a bit part as narrator at the opening of the story.  These two 2nd graders were tickled pink to get to be "special" munchkins!

Best Friends Munchkins!

Next  up, Mary's singing solo!  (Don't worry...it's only about 10 seconds long!!!)
 

First Holy Communion - Table Setting - What's Old is New Again!

Interior decorating is not my strong suit!  LOL

Still, I  try to create a warm and welcoming home for friends and family, especially on special occasions.

Lately, I've been feeling more and more adventurous when it comes to "table setting" and have regularly been setting a pretty table for both extended family visits and dinner for just the five of us.

With only eight table settings (why, or why didn't I register for 10 or 12???!!!), I don't find myself using the "good china" all that often when we have large family gatherings.  Paper/plastic (I know, the table setting police are shuddering!) is just so much "safer" with large crowds...and easier for mama to clean up!

But, since Mary Catherine's Communion wasn't until 2:30 PM, I had plenty of time to put on a brunch for just my parents and immediate family.  With only seven of us total at brunch, I was able to set a pretty table using my wedding china, crystal and silver.

One thing I sometimes struggle with (read..."over-think") is how "dated" my china is.

(And that's a good thing, right???!!!  I mean, in today's day and age, if you've got wedding china that's 20+ years old you gotta be doing something right in the marriage!!!)

So, imagine my surprise and delight to find a great article in the March/April issue of Southern Lady Magazine about how to "update"  your "dated" china.  It was just the motivation and inspiration necessary to help me create a more modern look for my Noritake china pattern.  (And I really do love my china pattern...even if it is "busy" and "dated"!  It is just so delicate and feminine!)

Modern/contemporary chargers brightened up my Noritake setting, Barrymore, by picking up on the muted teal in the plates.  Working with a limited budget, I was so excited to score these chargers for $1.50/ea. at Michael's.

In the same aisle, I was also able to find coordinating candles on sale (scented, even more fun!) as well as some fun glass votive lanterns.

 Burlap garlands served as table runners along my simple table cloth and mini terra cotta flower pots (.49/each) were able to hold delicate flowering buds that picked up on the pink/peachy floral pattern of the plates.

The only thing I am missing, and ran out of time to make, were linen napkins.  (Again, white paper napkins to the rescue!) but after seeing the inspiration photos from Southern Lady I now know what to keep my eye out for...either ready made or in the fabric department.

A very famous "Noritake" pattern updated in Southern Lady Magazine

I love the use of the chevron linen napkin with the floral plates. And orange is just so fun!

My three munchkins (I can't believe we have no more high chairs or booster seats!!!) sat across from our very special guests, Mimi and Papa.  Fortunately, the home decorating blogs/magazines are showing mixed dining chairs around the table.  (I wasn't trying to achieve any particular look...just making do with chairs from different parts of the house! LOL)

This table setting was complete with a scrumptious brunch.  I served jalapeno popper quiche, picnic potatoes, french toast casserole, and fresh fruit.  We were stuffed (like the french toast!), but it carried us until late in the afternoon when we served pizza, cold pasta salad, and cake.  On plastic.  For real.  :)

Recipes for the brunch menu to come!  Each was delicious and the different flavors actually worked well together.

Thanks so much for dropping by and Happy Monday!  I have a sickie home from school (can you believe it???  In May???!!!) so I've been able to play catch-up with my blog.

Hugs,