Shrek The Musical!

Lilah and I have been attending a few of the local plays around town, over the last year.  Ever since Lilah was in Snow White, we've both been more and more interested to watch others in action. Once I saw the advertisement for Shrek, the musical, I asked Lilah if she wanted to go (because I wanted to) and she immediately said "YES!"

We had a special night on the town planned and invited Gram to join us. Lilah treated it like a real date and knocked on the door to pick her up.  Poppy said hello, but NO BOYS ALLOWED.

And we were off...

We headed downtown for dinner, the candy store, and the musical SHREK!

We met Lilah's BFF and family (not daddy) at Alejandro's.  Doesn't every perfect night start with chips and salsa?

After dinner, we headed to the local Candy Store.  It's actually called "The Candy Store".  LOL!

I am so glad that Lilah has met her match.  She was teary one day and said, "Mom. I just really love Avery.  She's like a sister to me.  I feel sad when I am not with her."

Gram had to get in there a snag a pic.  I was glad that she was able to join us.  I know it meant a lot to her.  

Downtown photos always turn out so good.  Look at this sweet photo I captured of Avery with her momma.  

And then my mom stole the show in the candy store.  I swear, she always keeps us entertained.

Until the candy store attendant stole the show by bombing our photo.

Shrek, the musical, was incredible.  

The entire show was great, but the role of Lord Farquaad had us all dying laughing.  His costume was HILARIOUS.

It really kept everyone's attention.  

This outing was so sweet.  Of course, it had to end with a sleepover.  Haha.  Lilah finally used her sleepover coupon that she got in one of her hidden, Easter eggs to invite Avery over.  

"YES" Day!!!!

Summer is coming to a QUICK close! Due to the ages of my children and their personal LOVES (fortnite, youtube, and musicallys, and slime), this Summer has been the slowest, most unproductive, and uneventful Summer to date. We have also been a little busy serving my mother and father, who recently moved to Roanoke, so our normal, Summer days took a major detour for a good month or so. No one has complained. I guess I just have mom guilt now that the school year is about to begin. I am thinking about all of the things we could have done or should have done, but didn't.  I am grateful, however, that my children LOVE being in their home and don't have to be whisked away on vacation and entertained constantly. When I stop and think about what we've done... we did plenty: we went to Charlotte, King's Dominion, Myrtle Beach, and Richmond. They had Starbuck's, Salem Ice Cream Parlor, Dairy Queen, and Bahama Sno-Shack.  They went to the pool (both ours and a friends'), the trampoline park, the YMCA, and enjoyed multiple/expensive sports camps, drama camp and cheer camp! Went to birthday parties. Had a sleepover or three.  We ate out A TON! They even were able to enjoy a day at the mall shopping for back-to-school clothes and then Target/Staples for personal school supplies. They were able to sleep in and didn't have to go to daycare. Sounds like a good Summer to me.  

BUT... I wanted to do a little something that would leave a lasting impression.  I feel like I am constantly saying "NO".  Kids don't get that discipline is love.  Guidelines are necessary.  Rules are required.  Motherhood/Fatherhood, PARENTHOOD ain't easy.  YES, I say no mostly out of convenience, because I know our daily agenda and what will fit into it, and for selfish reasons, but I am allowed to.  I've been a kid.  It was done to me and I survived.  My kids will too.  When they are parents, they will do what I am now doing.... "AH... now I guess why my mom ...."  [Fill in the blank]! I am not here to fulfill their every selfish desire.  I am hear to fulfill their needs and an ENTIRE day of fortnite, staying up till 1:00 a.m. every Summer day, eating endless amounts of CRAP, and not expecting them to do chores or allowing them to sleep till noon is NOT being a loving parent.  It's being an unprotective, negligent, lazy, abusive parent. It's teaching my kids how to be nonproductive humans in society.  I am raising the next generation, future adults, and hopefully, most importantly, CHRIST FOLLOWERS.  So saying "YES", all the time, is NOT necessary, practical, or loving.  

BUT TODAY, I will be saying "YES".  I do have (10) Guidelines, mostly for my sanity, but also because I know, allowing my children a day of asking questions that only allow me to say YES, will pose dilemmas, IF I don't set those guidelines. They knew this day was coming and they were already planning out their absurd desires, like pulling an all nighter, thinking they could have a budget of $100 each (guess who that was), or skipping their already planned out obligations to invite a friend to sleep over.  "UH... negative!"  So, guidelines were necessary.  Suggestions are mentioned.  They have the choice to make some major decisions and if they choose unwisely, like eating ONLY junk, they will pay for it.  

So, tell me what you think.  See the guidelines below.  I will also include a link for you to print these same guidelines at home, if you desire to mimic ours.  I plan to make sure I have plenty of coffee available to me.  I have ONE friend who has done this before and she said by the end of the day, you feel like you've been hit by a mack truck, went out partying all night but didn't enjoy it, or feel like you could sell your children to North Korea's leader and never look back.  HAHAHAH.  We shall see what they ask me to say "YES" to.  Stay tuned... 

P.S. I bet today will be the best day of their lives.  #MOMGOALS

 

After reading the guidelines, do you feel like I've put far too many stipulations on the day?  OR do you think I was fair?  There are (3) links below, that you can click on, and print if you wish to use BOLLINGWITH5's guidelines.  Oh and let me preface... these guidelines were created by ME! They work within the dynamics, morals, faith, and personalities of our family, so if you do not like them... make your own!!!! I am curious to see how they change, if you do make up your own. Send them my way! 

Guidelines 1-4
Guidelines 5-7
Guidelines 8-10

The Legend Of PB&J (Videos)

The videos that I took, of Lilah's production, are so pitiful. I was so torn between capturing this sweet performance or watching it.  Being it was next to impossible to even hear what the kids were saying, I chose to try and do BOTH.  I was clearly unsuccessful.  I am hoping another momma got better recordings and I can replace my videos, with hers eventually.  For now, this is all I've got.  Boo hoo!

The Legend Of PB&J

When Lilah performed in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Mrs. Georgia shared the Summer Camp dates with her cast.  Lilah was excited and wished to be a part of the Summer Drama Camp at Attic Productions.  This camp was the only camp that Lilah has signed up for this Summer, but she is also taking two dance classes.  I swear, Summer is sometimes busier than the school year.  

This camp was limited to a certain amount of campers and filled up fast.  Camp was a FULL week, from 8:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (most days).  The cast learned an entire script in ONE WEEK (half days mind you).  

The cast was divided into two age groups and two plays.  Lilah's age group performed "The Legend of PB&J". Essentially, it was about one kingdom that loved Jelly and one kingdom that loved Peanut Butter. Each kingdom argued over which "condiment" was better.  

Lilah was given a key role as Jester.

It was Jester's job to try BOTH and judge, in his/her opinion, which one was best.  

Just a little aside... Jester Lilah HATES PB&J.  Hehe.  

And, Jester Lilah had to test BOTH a slice of bread with jelly and a slice of bread with peanut butter.  I mean, after all, that's how you JUDGE which is better, right?

The play's plot was so darling and the perfect length of time for a one week production.  

My only complaint was that the younger crew was not permitted to use mics and it was very difficult to hear them.  I literally have elephant ears.  I knew what the plot was about and I still had a very hard time really hearing the play.

Jester was so wise.  She tasted the Jelly Kingdom's sandwich and then tasted Peanut Butter Kingdom's sandwich and had the best idea.  She took one slice of the jelly sandwich and one slice of the peanut butter sandwich AND COMBINED BOTH!!!

Jester decided that what was best, was for the two condiments to be blended, for a tastier sandwich result.

Lilah had 5 lines, but she also had two dances, two songs, and her own little "act" as she tasted the slices of jelly, then peanut butter, then combined them and took another bite.

It was TRUE acting because like I said, she does NOT like PB&J.  She had to even act out ENJOYING all of it.

At the end, the entire cast, young and "old" performed to the song Million Dreams from the movie The Greatest Showman!

This was a great experience for Lilah as she prepares to audition for Annie in the Fall.  Side note: the director pulled me aside and asked me to have Lilah audition.  I told her we had planned to.  She said Lilah is a great little actress.  I agree.  :)

I am uploading the only videos I took.  Be on the lookout for that post next!

Orange You Glad It's Summer?!

The principal and school secretary MUST be ready for a break and must are bound to be SICK OF APPLES.  So, we are saying thank you with this BRIGHT, cheery, gift basket of ORANGE goodies!!!! I spotted the most delicious DRIED oranges from the FRESH MARKET last week and AS SOON AS I SAW THEM, I knew exactly WHAT I would do with them!!! I KNEW I would design the principal and school secretary's gift SOLEY off of those oranges and THIS is what I came up with?!

"Orange you glad it's SUMMER!"

I absolutely LOVE everything about this basket.  AND... I am so glad that tomorrow is the last day of school because I am tired of obsessing over the color/fruit orange.   Everywhere I went, I scoped the stores for ORANGE THINGS or ORANGEY gifts.  

I created a "sweet" printable for all to use.  If you would like to make a basket of your own, to gift to teachers, bus drivers, janitors, or school staff, click here, for the printable.  Please send me a photo of your creations. I love seeing them!!! And don't forget to tell others about our family blog if you do use the printable that I am generously sharing with you.

What was inside?  All kinds of goodies.  See below.

Boom Chicka Cheddar Popcorn

Peach Hand Sanitizer

Reese's Stuffed With Pieces

Trident Tropical Gum

An Orange Candle

Dried Orange Slices

Fanta

Campfire Crunch

A Bath Fizzer

An Actual Orange

Orange Life Savers

I am so pleased with the finished product.  I printed the label, cut it out, and adhered it to a bendy straw, via scotch tape, so that I could manipulate the printable to be seen by the recipient, from any angle I desired.