High School Musical

Brooke and I went to see the Central Crossing High School production of High School Musical. We were both very impressed. It was neat to see students that I had taught in 6th or 8th grade suddenly transformed into confident, talented, self-assured individuals. Brooke was in awe of the cheerleaders and the dancers.


Neither of us had ever seen the actual movie, so we were both eagerly awaiting as the curtain rose. We had very few expectations. I was simply hoping to sit for an hour or two in a comfortable chair. Brooke was satisfied the minute she saw pom-poms.

For those of you unfamiliar with the HSM plot, it can be summed up as follows: A mix of Romeo and Juliet with a bit of S.E. Hiton's The Outsiders and a dab of Grease. It is simply put, a classic story of cliques that clash. As I held Brooke in my lap the entire time, I couldn't help but ponder the question - How would she survive the brutal nature of teenage girls? Her tenderheartedness leaves her easily offended by small little comments. She can tear up unexpectantly, even if someone isn't trying to hurt her feelings. She is scared of the dark. She doesn't like to go to the movie theater because it gets "too loud, too big, and too dark!" She says her "heart hurts: when she misses her mommy and daddy. She crumbles when she is scolded and knows that she did something wrong. How can this little thin-skinned child one day survive the jungle of high school?

I guess it is our job to prepare her for this world. How do I prepare her for it without hardening her? How do I keep that sweet heart inside of her without leaving her exposed to years of hurt? How do I nurture her innocence without making her a target? Each day I have more questions and fewer answers, but somehow I seem to get by. I hope I have a few more years to figure these things out. I am SO not ready to have teenagers (Especially those of the female variety!)

Still, the show was FANTASTIC.

Fast Friends with Alyssa "Grace"

Our good friends Chris and Heather live about an hour and a half away. So, we don't get a chance to see them as much as we would like. With a busy life full of having kids, potty-training, birthday parties, family events, work commitments, and all the other requirements we have as adults, it is difficult to uncover a weekend that both of our familes are free for an evening. So, we were really excited last weekend when the kids were healthy and we were able to visit them in their new home. Even though they have lived there for about a year, we had not yet seen their place!

One of the best parts of the evening was watching the girls play together. Before we arrived at their house, Brooke decided that Alyssa's middle name had to be "Grace." It is actually Marie, but the entire night Brooke called her Alyssa Grace. I am not quite sure why. Just one of those things that makes sense to a four-year-old.

Alyssa and Morgan are exactly a month apart in age, and when you get two two-year-olds together, it is a bit of a crap shoot. Luckily, they became fast friends. They bonded over ice cream and princess dresses. We (the adults) bonded over pizza and beer. Good Times!

Disney Surprise

It is advisable to keep information from your children if you are planning to go somewhere fun. In doing so, you may actually get them to nap before you leave the house. You can avoid the constant questioning that goes something like "Are we going to leave soon?" OR "How much longer until it is time to go bye-bye?"

After learning this lesson the hard way, we decided to really surprise the girls with a trip to see "Disney on Ice!" They both napped great that Sunday afternoon, and as they woke up, we threw them in the bathtub, and told them that they were going somewhere fun! Brooke's guesses included bowling, Tuttle Mall, the library, and Cracker Barrel. Morgan simply repeated all of Brooke's guesses like a little mocking bird.

Even as we drove to Nationwide Arena, we didn't give them any hints. We got inside of the building and even up the escalator before Brooke realized that she was in for some sort of Disney treat. Her first reaction was "Are we in Disney World?" I snapped the second shot as the idea was dawning on her!

.

Morgan's favorite part of the show? Eating Popcorn! Brooke's favorite part? "The skating!" To our surprise, we were front and center. The girls could actually feel the flakes of ice fly from the rink as the skaters slid, jumped and twirled by. Chip (or maybe Dale) gave the girls a hug during the finale. Overall, I'd say it was a great night. Still, it kinda makes me wonder if my kids need more excitement in their lives. I mean, bowling and the Cracker Barrel were on the top of their lists!