The Enormous Orange Ottoman

This has been one of the best pieces of furniture.  It's often been a fort, a hiding place, a reading spot, and now, a place to capture a kitty.

Underground Adventure

It's funny how things you do with the kids show up later on in their stories or artwork.  When we were in Chicago at the Field Musuem, we went on an Underground Adventure where we were shrunk down to the size of a bug and proceeded to explore the world below.

Last week Lee wrote this thank-you note.  I just love the picture!

1776

The girls were in a fantastic production of 1776, put on by the Junior Minstrels, last weekend.  We had a lot of fun over the six weeks or so, working on scripts and songs together and watching the movie version from the 70's.  I also had surprise billing as "Assistant Director", although all I think I did was help run lines with the kids and offer some suggestions.

Lee had wanted a small part, but was given Benjamin Franklin, which was the biggest role besides John Adams.  She had to memorize an awful lot of long lines, and she had major parts in two songs.  She did a great job and really seemed to enjoy it, although when I asked her, she said she wants a small part next year because she doesn't like people looking at her all the time.  I told that to Jody and she laughed and said "Well, you could never tell.  She has 'it'!"  I think in theater-speak (I have learned all sorts of terms like "cheating out" and "blocking") that means she could be good. 

Clara played Lewis Morris, who repeatedly says "Mr. Secretary, New York abstains courteously." whenever a vote is called.  That is until the end, after his estate is attacked by the British and he says "To hell with New York!  I'll sign anyway!"  She loved it, but had a hard time keeping a smile off her face because she was just so proud of herself.  She actually had a few long lines with huge words, and after she said them everyone clapped because it's just so funny to see such big words coming out of such a cute little person.  

Lots of family came to see the show and that was much appreciated.  Even Liam, at fifteen years old, seemed to enjoy it.  

Spelling Bee

We participated in the community spelling bee this year.  We were very last-minute with costumes, but I thought they came out alright.  However, some of the teams were really creative, like the Mod Bar-bees, the Bee Gees, Bee-witched, and the Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Dos.  Next year we'll be more inspired!

Anyway, we went out earlier than seemed fair, getting "bradycardia" in a much earlier round than any other medical terms showed up.   The difficulty of the words seemed fairly uneven in general.  Towards the end, a word like "extraneous" would come right after some ridiculous geological term no one had ever heard of.

It was fun, however, and Lee did really well, knowing almost all of the words for the first three rounds.

Nine Years Old

Where did the years go?!? 

The Ninja Surveys Her Realm

Clara's been really into dressing as a ninja lately, swords and all.

Lee's Ninth Birthday Cupcake