Rehearsal

Spin!
Originally uploaded by carly scholz

Sophie's big (first) recital is tonight! This picture, from outside her dress rehearsal, makes her look so grown up. Sigh.... Luckily the video shows her to still be a kid. I won't show you the various close ups. The dance company insists on make up and hair spray to 'tart up' the kids. Is this really necessary?
I know my kids will eventually grow up, and honestly I don't dread it. But, it is images like these that make that future seem oh so close.

Trial and Error

Will is an adventurous spirit. Today after a pancake breakfast Will went to the bathroom to wash his hands.
Now, most of us would say the handwashing thing has pretty much been perfected.

Wet hands, lather with soap, rinse, dry.

What more is there?

Well that sort of thinking never built a rocket or pyramid. Will is a visionary. "How can I improve this?" He asked himself?

And Will isn't the sort who brings ideas to the "committee" to ask for approval. He takes bold steps, he makes executive decisions.

Now, some may question the wisdom of washing your hands with the toilet brush. "Unsanitary!" you might say.

"I got it wet!"

So there Mr Unsanitary. He got it wet.

Cultural Elite

Friday, Will and I took some Daddy and Boy time, and went to the "Dinosaur" (Natural History)Museum. Ironically, Will can't stand the dinosaurs. There is simulated storm sounds in the dinosaur sections, or the lighting is too shadowy, so we skipped most of that. Still, we looked at birds, and the various NC related flora and fauna. It was a fun way to kill and hour or so. It is nice bringing just one kid at a time (Sophie was in school). He could move about freely, and there was less corralling. We topped off the learning experience with a trip to the nearby Krispy Kreme for a special treat. Will was mostly interested in his red, white and blue sprinkles, though eventually he was interested in the huge conveyor belts of doughnuts getting showered in liquid glaze. Nom nom nom.

Then yesterday.
A school friend had a set of tickets to Sleeping Beauty she couldn't use, so the four of use went to the Ballet. It was very long, and perhaps needlessly so (how many congratulatory dances do the bluebirds need to do, really?). But Will and Sophie made it through the whole thing. They made good use of the intermission to race around the grounds (especially the pillars off to the side) and burn off some energy. Including the 20 minute intermission, we were there from 10:45 to 2pm. The kids were pretty antsy around 1:45, but Carly and I were both impressed. The dancing was really quite good (for all I know, I am no expert) and the cast was huge. Will and Sophie liked (and were scare of) the four person Dragon puppet they had that nearly filled the stage.

I sometimes worry that we don't do enough edumacational things with the kids, but not this weekend.

We had friends over for lunch today and the kids got some good 'kid-time' to play, and eat together. Apart from the tearful goodbyes, it was a good time for all.

Happy Family... hey where'd those wrinkles come from?

Family Photo
Originally uploaded by carly scholz

We did quick early morning photo shoot (using the timer on the camera, and a grippy tripod attached to a deck chair. This was for a teacher appreciation thingy for Sophie's teacher, but it is nice to see the family all together on occasion.

Steve #879

I made the list!
Project Steve!

In response to an Intelligent Design effort to show the support of "dozens of scientists and academics for Intelligent Design" the National Center for Science Education did the same, only they only sampled those scientists and academics with the name "Steve" or variation thereof (Stephanie, Estabon, etc.)

I am number 879.