Sunday, May 20, 2012

April and May Catch-up

We just finished auditions for our summer children's theatre.  This year, Mesquite Kids On Stage is performing "Seussical JR".  Our performance dates are July 12, 13, and 14.  We start rehearsals tomorrow.  I am excited.  This year, because of the complexity and sheer amount of singing required for this show, we have an older, smaller cast.  In the past, we've accepted up to 80 students age 5+.  This year it is 50 students age 8+.  I am looking forward to working with our talented and experienced cast!

I am also glad that I will not be teaching summer school on top of it all, so I should be able to focus more energy on the show and on my family this year.  After the show is finished, we are planning to take a family camping trip, and then I'll have about a month off to do nothing until school starts again.  Whew!

Ellie just got put in the Toddler room at Day Care.  She is doing really well, and loves all the new toys and books!  She just needs to learn how to drink from a regular cup without spilling it all over.  No sippy cups anymore.  She still loves to see her teachers from the Infant room.

Here are some pictures from Easter through May:

Ellie loves wearing hats!  This is her current favorite.  (With Hello Kitty on it!)

At the local Easter Egg hunt, Ellie didn't want any eggs in her basket.  When Mom put one in, Ellie dropped it back on the grass.  She liked her Easter Basket empty, thank you very much!

Ellie got a red wagon for Easter!  She likes sitting in it and reading her favorite books.

She even reads on her slide!  This is a library book, but she takes it everywhere she goes.  She's going to be sad when we return it!

Ellie did much better at our own Easter Egg Hunt in our back yard.  She had fun and even let Mom collect the eggs she found in her basket!

She enjoyed her chocolate eggs a little too much!

We got to hang out at Grandma Bennett's!  Ellie enjoyed the Easter decor!

Brooke had a birthday.  She turned 15 on April 15th!

Dad had a local baker bake this yummy cake for Brooke!

Ellie had fun playing with the birthday balloons!

I started a bath and then turned my back for a minute.  What do you know?  Ellie decided to get in fully dressed!  Stinker!

Ellie loves playing in her bedroom.  I think she is dancing here?

I don't usually have the time or patience to do anything but brush Ellie's hair and stick a couple of clips in, but once in a great while, we make an effort to do something cute with her hair.  Not exactly perfect, but who cares?

Here she is signing "PLAY!"

"Come on Mom!  Let's go already!"

Dancing at the park!  Boogie down!

Getting dizzy!  Wheee!

Ellie is a great storyteller.  She memorizes her favorite books, and then out of the blue just starts telling the story, in order, from beginning to end.  My favorite story she tells is "Pete the Cat".  I'll have to post a video soon.  It is pretty cute.

As she is playing independently, I often overhear her telling herself: "Good Job, Ellie!"  "Yay! We did it!" and "Oh no, try again!"  Funny to hear!

Well, that's the latest here.  Now to just get through to the end of this school year!