Spring Musical: Freaky Friday

And that's a wrap!!

Spring Musical season is officially over.  The show has closed, the set has been struck, and the cast party has been had.  Without a doubt, this was the busiest, most involved, most intensive, demanding activity Simone has ever been involved in.  She has had rehearsals 4 days a week since January, a week of late night dress rehearsals, and two weekends of shows.  Lots of volunteering by mom and dad, and a crazy past 2 weeks trying to manage it all amidst the last week of the grading period at school.  But we did it!! And Simone was awesome.  The show was totally impressive, and Simone was in her element.

There are no words to describe just how proud of her we are.  She has stayed committed, independent, responsible -- you name it-- she rocked this quarter.  And best of all, she pulled straight As at school while balancing all the demands.

Quite unusually for an event of this magnitude, was the fact that I got very few photos of any of it.  Between being so busy helping out and the prohibition of photography during the actual show, I only have a few shots of all the activity.  And they aren't the best pics, but I'll post a few to mark the momentous accomplishment.

Simone's first official playbill, and our tickets to the show!

Outside her school on the way in to opening night.

A fellow cast mate before the open.

Last minute pep talk from the show's Director at the final night of dress rehearsal of the white cast.

Simone's first official headshot from the playbill.

After the show with some fans/friends -- LOL!

The after party at a local restaurant.

One of the mom's made these adorable iced shortbread cookies shaped like the  playbill.  We had to taste!

And there you have it.  What an incredible experience for an aspiring performer.  Simone had tons of fun, made great friends, and learned a lot.  You can't ask for more than that.  And she is already looking forward to next year's spring musical which was announced at closing night -- 

Disney's 

NEWSIES!!

It's Getting BUSY!!!

Well, we started March with a fairly leisurely pace, but folks, things are accelerating rapidly. In just the past week or so, the blossoms are starting to bloom, we celebrated Tony's birthday, Simone is preparing for her musical (which is right around the corner), the Great Debate in history class was a success, and Simone's VERY FIRST MIDDLE SCHOOL DANCE WAS EPIC (and, as she pointed out, was on her half-birthday!).

We were especially proud of Simone this week for balancing a remarkably heavy school load with lots of outside activities.  She got through everything with flying colors -- but I won't lie, she/we slept until after 10:00 this morning!

The blossoms are on the way!

 Tony's birthday brunch -- on St. Patrick's Day-- at Patowmack Farm...

An afternoon at Ulta doing a color match for her stage makeup.

Hair cut time!!  and the first time in YEARS that she had her curls straightened.  We both decided we like her curls better!

A pose before the Great Debate.  Simone played Benedict Arnold and argued on the Loyalists team.

Nailed her opening remarks.

And then the SPRING FLING DANCE.... a day of festivities!

Manicures with the girls.

All done!  Lovely!

So much fun!

What would a day be without a Starbucks stop?

Sparkly nails and a chocolate chip frappaccino.

SLURPING!

Dressed for the dance.

A very fierce group of ladies!

Too much fun!

And this week will be just as crazy with the musical coming up and the end of the 3rd quarter winding down.  I'll be sure to post again once it all settles down.

Quick February Update

OK --our long Presidents Day weekend has come to an end, and now we await the incoming snow storm,  forecasted to begin tomorrow night.  This month was pretty chill, but momentous nonetheless.

Yes, the most obvious event of note was Valentine's Day, which Simone really gets into each year.  This year we exchanged small gifts and Simone again had surprise decorations for mom and dad to wake up to.

BEFORE

But now the BIG news!!!  Simone got her braces!  The before and after...

AFTER!

"Installation" was surprisingly quick and painless.  However, the soreness started setting in by dinner time.  We kept it very soft -- Indian Saag Paneer.

Simone's first post-braces meal.

And to ease the pain... some very gentle raspberry parfaits.

And now the long countdown begins until the braces come off.  I'm sure it will be here before we know it (hopefully)!  She has already declared that she hates braces and threatened to rip them right out of her mouth to stop the pain.  (And I almost believe her. lol!)

Happy New Year and Holiday Wrap-up

HAPPY 2019!!!!

Ahhh the holidays! Another season coming to a close--but we've had a wonderful time. Packed full of family, fun, and of course food, how could these not be the happiest times of the year?

We spent much of the week in PA at grammy's house, and Simone got TONS of cousin time.  The kids are all growing so fast.  But they all still love playing with each other.  They all made it onto the "nice list" and Santa was very good to all of them. I felt like we were opening gifts for days.  lol!

Once cabin fever started to set in, we took the chance to get out and hit the bowling alley with the whole gang.  

As well as a giant family dinner at a local Italian restaurant.

Quick flashback, before we left for PA -- our annual cookie exchange.  A great time, once again.  

 This year we made peppermint frosted brownie cookies and chocolate hazelnut pine cones.

Simone with our cookies.

MORE cookies at Grammy's house!

Once all of the Christmas festivities wrapped up at Grammy's we headed back to VA for New Year's weekend.  First up, we decided to make the most the blue, balmy weather on Saturday, and trekked into DC.  We started the day with brunch at Founding Farmers and then walked off our calories marching around the city.  We hit Capitol Hill, the Library of Congress, and then over to the National Portrait Gallery.

It was a gorgeous day and the crowds were extremely light.  So, so nice.... 

We filled Sunday with a final holiday dinner party at our house with friends.  And then slept in late on Monday in preparation for our New Year's Eve celebration.

This year, we decided to go out o the town for the first time since Simone was born.  We found a great family-friendly option at TopGolf just near our house.  It was a super fun night, despite the profoundly raining weather.  We stayed dry, well fed, warm, and entertained until the fireworks show at midnight.  Total success!!

And, finally our last official holiday act... traditional New Year's Day dinner at home.

Voila.  Holidays complete and now back to work and school.  It will be more than a little cruel waking up tomorrow.  But like the song says... every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end.