Free to Be You and Me

Well, it was nice to be part of a truly ensemble show- no stars, just everyone working together. Technically, I was the musical director. As I usually say when I am called to help teach music, I am simply a facilitator. Once again, I believe that my strength lies on the stage rather than in directing. Thank goodness for awesome accompanists!

We had a great cast, and it was fun to spend some summer nights with them in rehearsal.

Caleb was stage crew during the last few weeks (there goes the babysitter!), and he even got to run a fly line full of vines for the jungle scene.

Lydia came to many rehearsals, and just as I remember doing as a child, she just watched and learned all the parts and made friends with cast members. She was at home in the auditorium!

Lyd and josh practiced coming up on stage for the finale. Isaac got to come up impromptu during the actual shows. Daddy brought the three kids both days and sat in the front row so they would be ready.

Meal time

That's a lot of mouths to feed. On this day Caleb and Ashley headed up pizza roll production. The kids gobbled them up, even the supplement pans Tyler and I whipped up. It's fun to have the kids working in the kitchen.

After show

After Free To Be You and Me the family (plus Ashley) went to the cast party and had a blast with marshmallow guns.

Swimming with cousins

Look at this crew! What fun it is to have that big group of big kids swimming together! We have met several times for lessons, lunches, playground, creek and free swim. Good times.

A little trip

I took Isaac and Lyd for a short 2 night trip to see Grandpa Terry. These pictures show the relief time, fun with the kids on a hot day. The reason for the trip was to support Grandma Camilla during the time of Grandpa's intense illness. He passed away early Tuesday, 7/22.

We did not return for the funeral. My time on this little trip was more valuable- to Mom and to Terry- than attendance at the service.

Happy Birthday, Josh!

Lovely afternoon at the beach. 8 cousins, 3 friends and my 4 kids. Josh got to float his milk jug raft, and we all had a good time!

Little date

The older two spent the night with cousins on the farm so we took the younger ones for an ice cream cone at Gilligans. A nice little date.

Millbrook

On the Fourth of July we spent a chilly afternoon at the beach. Too cold for me, but it didn't stop the kids from playing in the water.

Chicken BBQ

Mom, Dad and Diane's family came over for a chicken BBQ in the evening of the Fourth of July. The kids love running around together.

Back to charcoal and wood on this batch.

Fireworks

Although the pictures are not clear, they represent our firework experience on the front yard with family and neighbors.

The expressions from the children were beautiful. Isaac really enjoyed fireworks this year.

Josh noticed a probe in the sky nearby. Maybe taking pictures?

Bear Hunt

At a Rogers program we played bear games, read the bear hunt book, tried on a bear skin and did a paper/glue project.

We love Rogers Center!

At the park

I'm impressed with Caleb on the hanging spinny thing! He really looks amazing. It's taken years of practice (and growing) to master it, and he has!

Swimming lessons are going well. Isaac is very comfortable, and is a leader among a group of many small ones. This photo shows a slow day. I try to stay out of his way so I don't distract him. There was one time when he got upset about the teachers forgetting to bring out the noodles by the end of class, but other than that, he's been right on top of things!