first theatre camp

 Every year, I do a workshop at my theatre called the "Triple Threat Workshop". It is where we work with kids for six hours a day (with an hour in the middle for lunch) on acting, singing and dancing - elements to become a Triple Threat on the stage. They do an hour in each class in the morning and in the afternoon and then perform at the end of the week. It is in intense and full week - we really push the kids to do difficult material and to learn and improve.

Well, this year I finally decided to let Hannalyn participate. She could have started doing the camps two years ago when she turned 8, but I knew that she wasn't ready. But this year, after lots of thinking and wondering and praying and talking with her about if she even wanted to do it, I put her in the class.

And it's been amazing.

Oh, we've had our moments. A few difficult spots where she wants a drink from my water bottle or wants me to fill up hers instead of her doing it, things like that. Moments where I want to be harder on her because I know her and see what's distracting it and want to fix it and have her be perfect. And moments where I let things go I probably wouldn't let go in other kids because she's my kid and I don't want to "pick on her". It's a constant back and forth in my brain.

But she has done awesome.

She is excited to practice. She has written a ton of notes. She loves singing the songs (to the point I made her close the door to her room so I wouldn't have to hear it). She is engaged in what is happening and interacting with the other kids (not entirely sure how successful she's been, but she's trying!) and talking and doing the activities and everything, It has been so cool to watch.

I am so proud. I am so grateful that the teachers I have this week are being so kind to and thoughtful of her. I am loving seeing her be so excited to be in this space and doing things.

I have no idea what will come next, if she will do a show, if she will want a break, etc etc. But for right now, I am loving being with her and having this experience together, watching her grow every day.

What a blessing.

dad turning 60

 just because i want to remember...

For my dad's 60th birthday, we did some fun stuff.

In his room, I put: 60 balloons, 60(ish) feet of streamers. 60 mini animal figurines, 60 glow sticks, and 60 cards (signed by my siblings and mom) each with a $1 bill inside. Also a party light. I thought about doing 60 m&ms or something like that, but decided not to. 

I also had each of my siblings make a video with 60 of something. So, I wrote a little story that was 60 words long and had Hannalyn read it, my brother did 60 knit stitches (is that how you'd say that?), my sister did 60 seconds of silence, my brother's kids counted to 60 and blew 60 kisses, my sister took 60 steps, my sister counted 60 skittles and then ate them, and my mom play 60 notes on the piano (including counting out how many notes are in "happy birthday" and making that part of what she played).

It was delightful.

I love my dad and I am so very grateful that we got to celebrate him yesterday. I think he had fun - he sent me a picture late at night of one of the animals he found hidden in his room, so that's a good sign I think.

I am so blessed to have this family and this life. <3