Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Grade School Musical

Once again, the annual St. Joe's Drama Club put on their performance and this year it was a large musical that had around 60-70 actors/singers/dancers in one epic performance!

If you remember last year, there was some sadness because the program is for elementary aged kids and so it was Ivan's last year to perform.
He has loved being a part of this club for the past three years.

He was able to help though.
His drama instructor appreciates the help of the middle school kids since there are a lot of very young kiddos running around who need some direction.

A few weeks into the practices, I received this email...


Mrs. Baumbach,
                I have always enjoyed working with your children in our drama club, but Ivan has been especially valuable to me this year. I keep missing opportunities to tell him myself, so I wanted to let you know. He is a natural leader – directing our younger actors and actresses with compassion, discipline and patience. His approach with me has been, “Good afternoon, Mr. Mattson. How can I help today?”
                I was a tad on the emotional side when he finished last year’s play knowing that our time together in this program was over – it’s easy to bond with a student who puts his heart into the content.  I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to have Ivan with us again!


Of course my heart about burst!

On top of that - a few weeks later - Ivan found out he would be able to have a small part as an "understanding father" in the play because one of the 4th grade actors decided he didn't want to be on stage.
His instructor allowed him to fill that role and he was thrilled.
Awww...look how understanding he is!

As far as stage roles go, this was Jenelle's year for a bigger part!
She was sooooo anxious in the hours before the play!
She played a mom who, of course unknowingly - :), embarrasses her son when his friends come over.
This is Jenelle and her "husband" happily looking through their son's baby book while his friends are over.
Her son breaks into a very cute rap song about how "Parent's Just Don't Understand!", while Jenelle dances and mimes the lyrics at him.
Funny lyrics that talked about his mom buying him clothes from the 1980's (the olden days?!?!) and being embarrassed by her.
I don't know how they make this stuff up...
 She did a great job and it was really cute!

At the end of the show, one of the girls sang a solo while the rest of the actors stood on stage and waved glow sticks.
Donald and I noticed that Jenelle didn't look very happy at this point.
She told us later that there were too many people on stage and little kids were pushing her around.
Diva!
It was definitely another successful drama evening!
Faces were glowing once again!
The chocolate roses seem to be a hit each year and the middle school kids who helped out got an extra bonus, in the form of a giant (I'm sorry, I mean GIANT) candy bar from their drama instructor.
Congratulations to two amazing kids!
We are always so proud of you!


Saturday, February 23, 2013

The Other Creative Girl!

We've been doing a few artsy and crafty things lately.
I'm sick of cold and uncomfortable weather that keeps us all inside.
Being inside turns to screen/tv/video time and its getting old.
So, until the weather turns nicer...and heck!...even after, we are being crafty and creative.

While Hannah worked on her bracelets, Jenelle finished a little project we thought up a few weeks ago.
We bought a few 8 x 10 canvas boards and some glitter.
Not your standard gold and silver glitter - we found neon colored glitter in a 6 pack!
This IS Jenelle we are talking about!
I suggested we cover a canvas with Mod Podge (crafter's greatest invention - this stuff is amazing!) and then cover the Mod Podge with glitter.
In my head I imagined a very abstract look.
I pictured her sprinkling glitter randomly all over the canvas, so I was surprised to see her laying it out in thick lines.
The end result was so pretty!
She had all her colors in rainbow order and after we let the glue dry a bit, we shook off the extra glitter and then sealed it with a Krylon spray made specifically to allow glitter to keep its shine.
After that dried, we were ready to hang her art.
A perfect addition to her glittery rainbow world!

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Today

It started out like this...
How can it not be great!

Monday, February 18, 2013

Creative Girl!

Tucked away in her bedroom with her favorite music plugged into her ears...Hannah's been busy.
She's been making these fun bracelets!!

This one is mine and I love it!
I'm looking forward to wearing it out and getting lots of compliments!

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Dearest Joanna...

...this is for you!
(click on the image to see it a bit larger)

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Life is like...

a box of chocolates -
you never know what you're gonna get.
It's more exciting that way!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Monday, February 11, 2013

My Weekend

We finally had a weekend that makes me believe spring hasn't forgotten us!
Saturday was okay, but Sunday was beautiful.
Sun and warmer temperatures.
They motivate me!

I had a couple of projects for Etsy to finish and I did that.
Sachets for a baptism in Canada...
and eye pillows for a wedding in Arizona.

Last spring, I bought a $30 desk for Hannah from a lady on Craigslist.
It was painted a hideous black, but it was solid wood and had potential at a very good price!
Came with a nice chair as well!

I put off working on it last year, but now it's time.
I've started the exciting process of stripping and sanding.
It's a lot of work, but will be fun to see what comes of it!
The kids have a long weekend coming up - with more sun and warmer (50's) temperatures expected - so Hannah will have a chance to help me sand transform her new desk!

Friday, February 8, 2013

Roses

At my door!
Makes me smile!

Happy Anniversary!

20 years together...
and 16 years of marriage today!

Dating
Engaged

 Married
Pregnant
(found out this very day)
Skip forward three children...
I love you Donald.
Let's do 16 more!

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Etsy Update

I got a pretty cool message in my Etsy shop last week regarding this sachet set in particular!!


Hi, We hope to include the following item in a special Real Weddings issue of Martha Stewart Weddings and I'd like to check the details with you. Please confirm the spelling, price, and vendor info is correct and will be current when the issue is out on April 8.

My Heart’s Design “Country Inn Style Lavender Sachet Pillows”, $12.50/3, www.etsy.com/shop/myheartsdesign

Please reply to my email address below.

Thanks!

Rebecca


Of course I did contact her right away and confirmed all the information.
I'm looking forward to seeing how its included...even if it gets just a tiny mention!
Mark your calendars and get your issue in April!  :)