Looking Forward to Some Pirate Fun Tonight

Maceo has been cast as a pirate in the musical Treasure Island at the Springfield Little Theatre and tonight is OPENING NIGHT! Yay! Maceo has had six weeks of rigorous rehearsals and several promotional performances in order to prepare for this moment. Bishop will be accompanying me to tonight's performance and we are so looking forward to it. Aaarrrggghhh!

He Did It!

Last Tuesday Maceo tested for his orange belt and we have learned that he did it! Maceo is an orange belt in ATA Taekwondo! Good job, Maceo!!!

Happy Birthday to...Me!

My 43rd birthday...

and I get to celebrate it...

in my backyard...

with family and friends.

We ate a BBQ feast together...

and fond wishes were sent my direction...

as Keegan presented me with the cake that she baked...

and I made my wish for the year.

The cake and ice cream was enjoyed by all...

and the iced watermelon was found to be refreshing on this muggy August day.

My birthday gifts included a painting by Maddox,

my favorite girl scout cookies, homemade bread with her recipe...

and these fun pins (not shown is the great 'ant' pin) from Roxie.

From my immediate family I received a beautiful vintage croquet set

and we enjoyed it together this evening.

Thanks for such a wonderful birthday celebration, everyone!

It was perfection!

The Fair is Here!!!

Oh, how we love this time of year - the fair is here!!!

The boys discovered the big rides last year. Bishop is quite the adventurerer and discovered that he loves a little speed. Maceo likes to play it a little safer but he loved the bumper cars. Both were greatly anticipating this years fair - Maceo for the bumper cars and Bishop for the water ride. And, I must say, that this years fair was not a disappointment. The boys started with the rides they loved most last year.

Then they met a couple of fun-loving fair-goers who encouraged them to branch out and try some other rides. They loved to race down the giant slide...

and they rode the rollercoaster, after which Maceo declared that he should have written his will prior to coming to the fair.

They hit the fun house...

and some other crazy and fast rides. It was a blast!

We cooled off with fresh lemonade and enjoyed funnel cakes...

and foot-long corn dogs.

Then the food was gone and the fair fun was over.

Great memories were made!

Troupe for Maceo!

Maceo did it!!! On Monday Maceo auditioned for troupe at the Springfield Little Theatre. He had to perform a one minute vocal selection and a monologue. Additionally, while at the audition he was taught a dance piece that he had to perform. On Thursday we learned that he had been selected to be a part of one of the troupes. The troupes meet once a week for training purposes and then have the opportunity to share with the community the musical numbers that they have learned. It is a big commitment but will be wonderful for Maceo. It will provide him with much-desired social interaction and much-needed training and experience that will aid him in meeting his long-term goals involving acting.

The Rainbow After the Storm

Lots of wind and rain took its toll on my gladiolis, breaking their stems, and requiring that I bring them inside. I am so glad. They make me smile. They are like a rainbow after a storm.

First Time Fishing Fun

Bishop and I had such a delightful adventure tonight. I accompanied him on a fishing expedition sponsored by a local church. The church supplied the transportation, the rods and bait, and personalized instruction.
Bishop experienced the lows of fishing - enduring a bit of heat while having to wait patiently for a bite, a rod that wouldn't cast properly, and a tangled line.

But Bishop got to experience the great highs of fishing, as well. In the end Bishop caught 8 fish!

I see another adventure involving fishing in his future!