Kids Annual Talent Night at the church

For the last three years all of our kids have participated in the annual Kids talent night at our church.  This year the boys decided they would all like to do something different so we tried to come up with things that each of them liked.  Jaron was going to do a monologue, but unfortunate for him his parents waited till the last minute to find him one.  So after playing around with Buddy (our dog) and showing the kids some of the tricks he can do, we thought a dog training show would be cute.  The initial plan was for Jaron to bring in Buddy and Lydia to perform different tricks and do some slap stick in between.  Well last night at rehearsal, Buddy was extremely uncooperative.  So we thought we would just have Lydia do it. 

We practice for about 40 minutes this afternoon on the stage in the sanctuary and Lydia did it every time, well then tonight as soon as she discovered there was a crowd she changed her mind.  Jaron was crushed.  He really wanted to do his act.  Evan came and whispered in my ear that he would do it so Jaron could go on stage.  It was a condensed version, but they got the job done.  I was proud of Evan for helping his brother out and for not caring to wear part of Lydia's pink costume. 

Evan did an arting (what he likes to call it) piece where he drew a picture while music was playing.  Evan practiced several times before his performance and I thought he did a great job.  He was under the pressure to complete his picture in about three minutes and he did it with ease and confidence.  I believe he is on his way to becoming a great little artist.

Ethan did a martial arts piece to "Eye of the Tiger".  He has been taking classes this fall and really loves it.  I thought it would be good for his self-confidence and I've been proven right.  He was great up there and everyone got a "kick" out of him.

They all concluded with a song, but I didn't want to over do it...hahaha.  I hope you enjoy the show as much as we did.

The Boys first day of school...

Jaron - 3rd grade, Evan - 1st grade, Ethan - Kindergarten

The Imagination of Children

Even though the volume of noise in my home is at an all time high, I still feel blessed to hear the sounds of pitter-patter on hardwood floors and little voices using their expansive imaginations.  It amazes me that my 2 1/2 year old is right in the middle of the creativity, putting in her two cents worth of ideas (and they are actually listening to her).  In these moments, there is harmony and unity among them and their camaraderie is something the world could learn from.  They are weaving their ideas together and having fun.  The only two downsides to it all is the mess that they ensue and loudness they impose.  But I try to remember that they are getting along for the moment and that I should savor the moment.  

"You're a good man, Charlie Brown"

Did you ever orchestrate home theater performances with your siblings when you were young.  I remember we would make my parents come out to the backyard for our circus acts on the swing set.  Crystal and I would lip sync into hairbrushes and she would choreograph the dance moves.  I never understood why my parents didn't seem as excited as us to watch our hard work pay off.  I mean we would spend all day practicing (now I realize that was my parents favorite part of it all - it kept us very busy).  Well today I got my own private performance of "You're a good man, Charlie Brown) - special effects and all.  The boys made Snoopy's Dog house, Snoopy's Ears (out of one of Lydia's headbands) and Charlie Brown's shirt.  Just in case your wondering the cast included: Jaron as Schroeder,  Ethan as Snoopy and Evan as Charlie Brown.  They were very excited once they persuaded me up into the Attic (their bedroom) to see their rendition, and reminded me that I needed to clap and laugh between acts (there were several).  They also announced at the beginning of the show that I should silence cellphones and dismiss myself if any young children were crying.  I was a terrible theater patron though, because I answered my phone during the performance.   I apologized and I think they added a number to make up for it.  Anyway at the end I gave a standing ovation, but didn't yell encore, instead I did the next best thing, I told them they had to do the show for Daddy when he got home from work.  Why let me be the only one to enjoy it, right?

Charlotte's Web (The Musical)

Jaron and Evan will make their premiere performance tonight in 

Charlotte's Web the Musical.

Here are their bios.

Jaron Weatherly (Photographer, Concessionair)

Jaron will begin the third grade this year at Galesburg Christian School.  Last year he made his acting debut as Rerun in "Charlie Brown" for Nazarene Community Theater.  Although that was his first official role, Jaron has cast himself in several at-home productions over the years, but most recently his roles have included Ben Gates from "National Treasure", the Prince from "Enchanted" and Willy Wonka from "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory".  During the school year you will find him singing with Kidstuf.  He will begin at the Performing Arts Academy in the Fall.  His favorite thing so far this summer has been a trip to New York City and Cape Cod with his family and grandparents and he also loved church camp.

Evan Weatherly (Baby Spider, Townsperson)

Evan will start the first grade this year at Galesburg Christian School.  He was recently seen as Little Boy Blue and The Big Bad Wolf in his school's K5 graduation ceremony.  He also sings with Kidstuf.  Even though Evan enjoys acting (mostly doing what his big brother is doing), his true passion is Art.  You can catch Evan creating a masterpiece almost everyday.  He has been enjoying "Arting" (what he likes to call it) school over the last few months.  He also enjoys swimming at Pastor Ron's pool where he has just perfected a hand stand.  Evan's favorite things this summer have been family vacation to New York City and Cape Cod and Mommy Camp.

Repeat

We had a repeat of the other night last night, this was the scene before we scooted them all off to there own beds.  Notice Ethan's legs on Evan and Evan's Leg on Lydia.  Too Funny!!!

Sweet Dreams little ones

Last night it was too hot in the boys room which happens to be in the attic, so I had Jaron turn on their air up there and told them all to jump in our bed until it cooled off.  They asked if they could read, which they always do and I said yes.  About 15 minutes after I tucked them in and Lydia into her own bed, Lydia decided to join them.  This was the scene when we turned in for the night.  Buddy of course had to join them once Lydia did, there was no way in the world he would be left in her room or any room for that matter; alone!  We dispersed them back into each of their beds and went to bed as well.

Quotes from the day...

"Mom, You know you don't have to wear underwear when you go swimming, I'm not." (went swimming at the YMCA)

"Mom, Are we ready for sword-fighting school yet?"

"Stink bug!"

"For the love of Lucy!"

"I love you mommy"

"Cheese stick, cheese stick"

Family Night at Perkins

The boys had fun getting their faces painted by a clown during Family Night at Perkins on Tuesday.  They are so funny.  After picking them up from school, Ethan asked me "When you get married are you a mom and dad?  I said that no your not, but if God allows Children in your life then you are.  He continued, "Jaron and Evan aren't getting married."  There was a long silence and then Evan said very matter-of-factly, "We just haven't found the right one yet!"

I just laughed and laughed.  They are my joy.

We're Home!!!

We got home around 5 pm this evening and when we put the kids down at 8 - they were out in 2 minutes or less.  The boys didn't want to sleep in their room tonight so I let them sleep in our office - on the futon.  As I sit here typing there is a symphony of snoring going on behind me.  That's Evan on the left and Jaron is under Goofy on the right - and you can't see Ethan because he is curled up under the blanket, but its a 3 brass band behind me singing me a lullaby.

When we pulled up to our house we caught some of our friends from church hanging a big banner and balloons welcoming us home.  It was nice to see smiling faces and be reminded that we were missed.  

So now the unpacking begins...  Have you ever noticed that unpacking takes just as long, if not longer than packing?  I'm sure I will have something to say about it in the next few days.  But I guess for now, I'll catch some zzzzzzzzz.  Goodnight.