raleigh

 Last Friday, I went on a field trip to Raleigh with Josh's class. It was a fun day. I remember doing this as a child, but couldn't remember much about the actual trip. I did however, make up my mind that if Bev Perdue were to talk to the children, that I would introduce myself and inform her that she has lost my vote. She never came out of her office. I mean really she is only the Governor, she doesn't have time to step out and say hello?

The children took tours of the Legislative Bldg, The Capitol, The History Museum and The Science Museum. The Science museum had this grossology exhibit to explore, but it costed something to get in. Since we are members of the science center here in the Emerald City, I was able to get my little group in for free. It was a cool exhibit about digestion, poop, spit, blood, bugs, animals tape worms...you name it, if it was gross, it was in there. I loved spending the day with my Joshua. Sis. D picked up the youngest 2 wardlings for me and played with them til we made it back to the shop. What an awesome fun day.

the sun'll come out, tomorrow

 ...that's right...Annie. This proved to be a difficult show to pull together. Mainly because the shop doesn't do costumes for children. This show is going to a middle school in Georgia and the school aged children ranged from maybe a size 10/12 in girls and boys to a 16/18 in women's sizes. It also wanted 17 matching servant /maid costumes. We had several, but they were being used for The Sound of Music's Von Trapp children. So, along with making Annie's red dress costume, I made 9 matching dresses. The more I made, the more I, 1- made them simplier and simpler and b- began to loathe the paisley print fabric.

Next on the docket was Cats. A local college here in the Emerald City, was doing a revue of Andrew Lloyd Weber. We needed to make 7 cats costumes, along with putting together costumes for Jesus Christ Superstar and Phantom of the Opera.  I neglected to photograph any of the cats that I made and am regretting it. They turned out so good!!  When Cats was finished, so was my temp job @ the costume shop. Once a few more shows come in, my job will resume. I have loved working @ the shop. It has made me a better seamstress and made me use my imagination and creativity in a whole new way. I am everso grateful for this chance to do something different. With this last week off, I have attempted to rest my still sprained and quite swollen ankle, chosen paint colors for our bedroom, got some things done in my garden, volunteered in my babies classrooms, and played chauffer to and fro soccer practices. It does feel weird to have gone 1000 miles an hour and then to stop.

derby cars

A coupla Thursdays ago, we arranged to go to Bro. L's house to cut out our derby car designs. The big race is Thursday and boy are we excited!!

scouts treat

On St. Patricks day, we had scouts. I usually do not have snacks for scouts. If I provide snacks it is usually a banana or something. One of my scout boys refuses to eat any treat brought. Well, my scout boys saw that the activity day girls had krispy kreme donuts and the complaints started flying. Things like, "We never have snacks." What?! When I bring snacks they are refused and you are complaining now that you didn't get a treat?! So, I made a deal with them...if they wiggled and said that I was the best weblos leader EVER, I would treat them to KK. As the picture above proves that they wiggled and I am the best Weblos leader ever.

dress-up Libby

Clyde had a conference Monday to see a Holocaust survivor. The big girls stayed home from school, but went to the shop with me. They were a bit reserved and shy for about an hour, until curiosity got the better of them and the dress-up bug hit. Libby tried on 3-4 dresses and this was her favorite. She pranced around in it for a long time. I love that they still love to play dress-up.

terrific kids

Josh was chosen for one of the two children recognized, in his class, for terrific kids. I just love that he didn't brush his hair that day and didn't even care. That's my boy! Congrats Josh!!

first soccer saturday

 I should begin with how flipping freezing it was yesterday. freezing! Jacob's game was first. He started out as goalie. Clyde had a talk with him the night before pumping him up for the goals that he misses. Even professional soccer players miss goals. The most important thing is to get back in the game. I'm glad he talked with Jacob because he did miss 2 goals. He played the first half as goalie. Then the 2nd half he was let loose on the field. He got his 2 goals back! He scored 2 of the Rowdies 4 goals. He was so proud of himself but not as proud as we were. He has a determined little fella. (4-2)

 Penny's game was next. It was like watching a swarm of bees chasing the ball. The children each took turns throwing the ball in. When it was Penny's turn, she hit a girl in the head. good times.  Penny's team won 1-0.

 She then found a dog name Charlie and held on to him for Josh's game.

 This is unfortunately one of the 2 pictures that we got of Josh playing. Clyde was in charge of the camera for this game. I think his hands were too cold and shakey to take pictures. Josh's team are the Krusherz and boy did they do some krushing. In the 3rd quarter Josh played goalie. He played so well and even got shots on the goal. Josh's team won 4-1.

This was a great way to start the season with 3 wins. Now if I could only feel my fingers again I would be happy.

take a deep whifff...

smell that? it's smells like soccer. we had our first offical soccer practice tonight. Libby is trying out for her middle school's soccer team, Josh and Penny both had practice as well.  Are two hour long practices normal? We thought that Jake would have practice too but apparently coach Ann didn't have her ducks in a row to call us in time, to tell us that his practice is on thursday night. I had one very sad charlie brown themed song humming, clat wearing 7 year old tonight. I can't seem to let things go...I spoke to the head director and by the time we got home and dinner (spinach ravioli) was ready, we got a phone call from coach Ann. We switched leagues in hopes that our wardlings would have a more positive experience.  Josh got more coaching in one practice, than he did in all of last season. Penny ran around kicking balls and even tackled a girl. It was an accident, but she did cause the girl to limp and cry.  The girl had to be carried off the field.  Jacob was running around with a ball just itching to participate in one of the other wardlings practices. He is such a good player. He'll be ready for Thursday. Let the soccer balls fly.

the show must go on

What a whirl wind last week was. Monday morning, while walking into work,and wearing my year of Ashley Danskos, I stepped on a rock that I didn't see and totally sprained my ankle. My foot went one way and I went the other. I fell down on the street. Way classy no?! I hobbled into work and kinda knew that it wasn't broken, since I could move it around and walk on it, thought it hurt like a biddy. We have been busy busy at the shop: too busy to stop for a sprained ankle. We were working on "The Little Mermaid." This show had to be completed and was to be picked up on Saturday. There were several costumes on hand but a few that had to be made from scratch, added to, or altered.  The gals bust for the Little Mermaid was on the bustier size and the costume that was already in the shop wouldn't work...so I made one.  This was done towards the end of the week, when Sis. D had gone to a theater conference in Georgia and B, the other lady who works there left for DC. I was left all alone in the shop and it wasn't my favorite. On my first afternoon alone, I had the 3 youngest wardlings, to finish the Little Mermaid main costume, the phone kept ringing, one rental , several purchases, and a lady from a school that wanted to 'look around.' I told the looker no, she couldn't be left alone to pruise the shop, had to get a crash course in register use...over the phone, and hand wrote a contract for the costume, and added sequins to the corset to the costume. Below is the finished result...I think it turned out nicely. And to brag...it is all my design. The 2nd day, the business remained closed and I just sewed. I realluy appreciated Clyde and all his pampering. I would come home from work with a ginormous swollen ankle day after day and he would take care of everything. He totally rocks!

Then there was the Sea Witch. The main costume we had but nothing and I mean nothing to make her an octopus. I made a skirt...using the drapes that used to hang in our bedroom @ the townhouse, added sequins and 6 legs (knowing that her 2 would make 8) to complete the evil look.

NF walk

A few months ago, I went to a symposium about NF. While there I learned of a walk, held here in the Emerald City. We need some help! We need sponsers and/ or people to join our team. If you are interested in joining our team or donating click on the link below. All money raised gets donated to The Children's Tumor Foundation to help aid in NF research and to aid NF patients.

http://fightnf.org/default.aspx

Our team name is Erin Bean and I am the team captain. Thanks!!

happy birthday dr. seuss

happy birthday dr.suess from sam i am, the cat in the hat and fox in socks! when i asked them to smile for a picture they hugged each other and smiled. i didn't ask them to hug each other, i only asked them to smile. this was a good mom moment.

penny cottontail

Working in a costume shop has it's perks. Penny found this ensemble and fell in love. Sis. D let her keep it and she wanted to wear it into school. She is our Penny Cottontail. She got loads of smiles and I think that's what she was aiming to do. :)