Recitals and Roses

The recital went well yesterday, both afternoon and evening performances. No flash photography permitted but we got a few pictures after the show. Here is Grammy and Ellie.

Papa and Ellie.

It's fair to say the full audience was amazed at the quality of the show. It was like little Broadway in the middle of New Hampshire. The teenage dancers were strong and detailed. They told the story with their dance. I always appreciate a dancer or athlete who plays without any appearance of hesitation. It is most enjoyable to see a body in motion when it is comfortable even in great effort. I thought it was special that most of the dances chosen allowed the dancers to act this way even if they were very young and not yet fully proficient in technique. For example, the youngest dancers, had plenty of crazy bouncing, jumping or stepping to the heavy beat music. That let them go a little crazy, hang loose, really feel the music and share their experience with us. Each child was a star.

Today was a stay home and rest day. While concentrating on photographing flowers and bees, I got stung by something on my eyelid, probably a mosquito because it itches. You'd think everyone would feel sorry for my swollen eye and encourage me to lay down all day to watch the French Open on TV.  I suppose the garden, the flowers, the dragonflies and the bees are a sure sign that summer has arrived. 

Thanks for the flowers, Grammy & Grampy. It was nice you could come up for the recital. 
During nap time, I did not sew. Sewing is in a bit of jeopardy right now, as the summer is bringing a new routine at home, new duties for mama, and tennis. I worked on my resume. That would be my tennis resume. Although a part of me considers the legal field, I've concluded I owe myself a chance at thrills and joy and passion first. I've got 20 years to work. Wouldn't it be nice to love it? 
Tomorrow we begin a new season, new routine, new room for new ideas and goals. I love the refreshing freedom of a blank slate. What goals will I set for a three month calendar?

Fauna and Flora

Around the yard this morning:

Froggy likes our new pond.

Our frog pond still needs some fixing up.

But today is for resting.

Dress Rehearsal for The Lion King

It's Dress Rehearsal Day!

An entire school year of dance classes comes together in celebration today. Put on your tap shoes, girls. Go and show your stuff. Ellie and her tapping classmates met backstage for this exciting occasion. They are Baby Chetahs in the Alton Dance Academy's production of The Lion King.
During the long wait, the girls talked, giggled and played ring around the rosy. There was an air of excitement with all the older kids running around, everyone in costume and makeup.
The girls settle down with their idol, dancer and assistant instructor, Nora.
The girls were keen to chat with Jacob, the best male dancer at the academy. Very nice of him to stop by their assigned blanket, where they were instructed to sit quietly until their turn on stage.

The chetahs did a fine job out there on the big stage.

Ellie looked coherent and happy.

Backstage again, after their rehearsal on stage, the girls are all smiles. Don't they just look like they are 5, going on 22?  
We stayed 2 hours more to watch the rest of rehearsal. Ellie was inspired and electric to see the whole production. What a valuable learning experience for her to see she is part of this. Looks like everything is right on target for tomorrow's performances. Amazing what kids can do!

Cute Comforts

It's that time of year here in the lakes region. Look closely at the lake's edge and you may see a mama duck and her babies, or even a loon.  I spotted this family this morning and got out to take their picture.

This morning I sewed a new little wallet to carry my cash cards and coupons. It matches my favorite sweatshirt.
This matching lanyard is going to keep my keys reachable even while carrying my toddler and 4 overloaded bags to the gym.

Also sewed this pink purse/wallet with one of my Ebay vintage doily finds. Quite a bargain on Etsy. I should raise the cost to account for the cost of the doily. Sometimes when I sew a thing, it doesn't seem like a business transaction. This seems like somebody's little purse already. Maybe I am destined to sew gifts and make my income in some other way. 
Rest of my day... unusually quiet.  This is my last day having both kids at preschool. I suppose I should have planned for this with a fabulous hair appointment, lunch and shopping.  Oh well.  I guess it will have to be a cup of hot tea at home today.  Tomorrow things pick up again and we look ahead to the beginning of summer vacation. Bye bye preschool routine. Hello to something new. 

Smack Dab Between

Today I am thinking about the unique part of being a mom where you live partly for yourself and partly for your children. Sometimes what is best for one is also in the interest of the other. Moms are constantly making decisions about what is best for their children and how to fit their own welfare into the equation. 

What does this have to do with push ups? Well, see, having children destroyed my fit body. Took two years to recover from having Ellie.  Now I find myself passing by the 2 year mark again. As Julia approaches that magical time when toddlers start to walk more often than ride (in my arms), I predict I might finally be able to find my own body under this weak, blobular mass.  I gave up my body to have kids and now I'd like a partial refund.

While I am rambling to myself and any blog-viewers this evening, I might also comment on the phenomenon of gym privacy. Nobody else was taking pictures of themselves working out. People go to the gym and do things and those experiences are seldom if ever shared with their families or friends, unless their friends are in the same yoga class or whatever. I think the gym should show itself in the light of day. I don't want to write in my blog "went to gym today," and leave it there. I want to see myself evolve from blobular suffering mass to fitness diva. Good luck me!  Keep trying!  Don't give up, Mama!

Soon I was back on Mama duty at the pool. Ellie was very brave at her swim lesson today. She is really trying everything. It really pulls my heartstrings when she chokes and spews up water. I asked her about it.  She said that part was just an accident because she forgot to close her lips a couple times when putting her face in the water. I would be watching more closely except that if I do, Julia will leap to her death.

Julia has no fear.

The nap hours were spent preparing for tomorrow's last day of preschool for Ellie. There will be cakes, goodie bags and teardrops. I am glad Ellie doesn't have any other responsibilities or activities tomorrow because saying goodbye to this group of friends and teachers is going to be hard on her.
Wrapping up the end of preschool and looking ahead to kindergarten in the same day --->

My evening routine was totally thrown off because I attended New Parent Orientation at Berwick Academy. The highlight of the evening was a very enjoyable A cappella singing performance by the Headmaster, Greg Schneider and others. Teachers are my kind of people.

Seeds of our Future

Today we enjoyed a much anticipated tour of Berwick Academy, where Ellie will begin kindergarten this Fall. 

Here she visits the kindergarten classroom.

She loved the library.

"My favorite part was the lunch room!" The self-serve style cafeteria was a huge excitement to Ellie because at home she is only just beginning to serve herself in any way. She is just now asking to make her own sandwich, for example. The push-button juice dispenser was very exciting. They say the first weeks involve a lot of helping the kindergarten kids but soon they learn to serve themselves, and clean up after themselves as well. It is also exciting that the middle school and high school kids share this same cafeteria. All new territory for Ellie, as she looks, wide-eyed, to her future social scene.
Another first happened today, as Ellie got her first camera. She is growing up. Amazing to look at her now and see the next 13 years unfold before my eyes.
We took this photo this afternoon at her last dance class preceding the recital. This is a big week. We are stepping excitedly into each big pre-planned footprint in our path. This is an important life lesson for Ellie. Even if we focus on the events of only this day, she sees that the key to success is to dream it, wish it, plan it, do it.

All American Day

Observe: the small child near the pool. Yes, she started out rather reserved, sitting at the edge, hopping in the shallow end. But soon, after seeing her older sister jump off the side of the pool, she was a beast of the air. She flew, I tell you. This child jumped off the side of the pool and flew through the air with her arms and legs spread wide. She is completely unwary of the dangers of the water. I got my work out catching her. 

Ellie was brave during her swim lesson in the indoor pool. Then we headed to the outdoor pool. She is transforming into a fish. She only emerges from the water when necessary for food.
Julia was tuckered out after her flying leaps. She snuggled up with animal crackers while her older sister continued swimming as long as possible.
During the afternoon on this superb Memorial Day, I sewed with patriotic fabric and vintage lace. A lanyard to hold my keys.
A hipster tote bag with an antique, tinned brass button and vintage lace doily. Sweet America, let's go shopping!

If Heidi Had S'mores

Today we drove up to the north country to the local amusement park called StoryLand. 

It was a thrill for the kids, who hope to come back many times this summer.

We hit a few attractions and met some animals.

Here is Heidi's grandfather. Notice his pet chipmunk who eats out of his hand. He is very kind and welcomes you to his mountain hut. Heidi is nowhere to be seen so we assume she is out tending to her baby goats.

I can't get enough of the little clocks.

Papa and Julia went on the clock ride two times.

And then, it rained. So chilly up there. The kids got tired. Lines for lunch were rather long. We decided to make it an early departure. Naturally, the rain clouds blew over as we drove out of town. I'm sure the guests who stayed had a nicer afternoon. No worries: we'll be back other days.

Julia napped the afternoon away, leaving time for watching The French Open tennis on TV.  We wound down the evening with a simple dinner and our first go at the fire pit in the backyard.

Julia roasts a marshmallow for the first time.

She liked the idea of holding a big stick. She did not, however, grasp the concept of cooking the marshmallow by the heat of the fire. After a minute with the stick, she plucked the mallow off and took a bite before offering it to the dog and moving on to the swings.

Others of us lingered by the fire...

Ellie liked the concept of story telling by the fire. She is looking forward to backyard camping when it gets warmer.

Ubi likes anything to do with smores falling on the ground.

And that wraps the weekend!  Only one final week of preschool before the kids are free as birds for the summer