Scottish for the Day

Every year the kids in grades 1 and 2 have "Country Day" where they represent their home country. My little 2nd grader was born in Singapore, holds an American passport, but decided to represent Scotland (we are Campbells afterall!). There were a few other kids representing America, so she choose to be a Scot for the day. She learned so much! She found some real Scottish heroes like Eric Liddell (a Christian Olympic champion who refused to run on the Lord's Day); Mary Slessor (a woman who went to Africa and convinced the tribes there that twins were not a curse of the Devil, thus saving many lives); Alexander Graham Bell, King James (as in KJV)...the list goes on and on.

She got to dress up in a native costume. We scoured the house for a tartan. Unfortunately my only Campbell tartan is in the form of a winter blanket. But we did find this jumper, along with sister's borrowed boots, and a headpiece just for fun.

And she took a native dish. Scottish Shortbread, anyone?

Morning Sunshine

How's your weather been? We've had a beautiful Spring! The girls leave the house in light jackets, but by 10AM, it's warm! I've been taking BB to the park some mornings before his nap. He loves it! What I had to convince his older sister to do at 4 years old, he readily attempts at 20 months...the tube slide!

I've also included a video of my little guy because it is CLASSIC BB! Down the slide...giggles...helicopter overhead....excitement....where'd it go?....oh well, back to the slide. This is my everyday with him! Enjoy!

Don't Mind it a Bit!

A precious couple enabled us to buy our van, one of them in heaven, one here on Earth still serving the Lord. It's more of a mini-bus sometimes. We're constantly picking up folks and stuffing even more in. This morning, BB's carseat had been removed to make room for hauling some folks, and it had not been replaced.

I told him, "Just this once, I'm going to let you ride in a big boy seat around the corner to home. Just this once. Just down the street."

And he did not mind a bit!

Wizard of Oz: Final Post "Things We Learned"

This was a great experience for my girls... in my final Wizard of Oz post, I thought I'd mention a few things we learned....

how to be flipped up in the air by high school guys (I pre-approved all 3 of these guys, they're some of the best I know!)
...how to be a part of a team and work together to accomplish something great.
...that prayer helps on opening night.
...that it takes longer than I thought to do stage hair and makeup!
...that it's nice when people clap for you!

...that friends make long practices more enjoyable!

...that there are some very nice girls in the high school.

...that we have some teachers who care enough to work for slave wages and still give it 100% and love their kids.

I hope you've enjoyed a glimpse of this little highlight of our year!

Wizard of Oz: Part VI Flowers

I wanted to surprise the girls after their last performance with a bouquet of flowers. I knew just what to get...

Red for Esther.

Pink for Annika.

Blue for Mary Erin.

All the way home, the girls said, "Oh, mama, you didn't have to do that...." and "Oh, mama, you are always getting us things, we should get you flowers." Then I told them that I got them flowers because I wanted them to know how very proud I was of their hard work, and that I got them individual colors (their favorites) to tell them that they are each unique and special to me. Having girls is nice....!

Wizard of Oz: Part V Jitterbugs

Mary Erin was chosen to be one of the five jitterbugs.

A jitterbug is a little 1/2 plant, 1/2 animal critter who interrupts the process of following the yellow brick road. The jitterbugs method of disturbance? They make you dance...and dance and dance and dance!

The girls learned the Charleston (a harder version than I've ever tried), as well as Swing Dancing. All week I've tried to upload a video of their dance, but it must be too big, it just won't work.

Still shots will have to suffice. Take my word for it, they were fabulous!

Wizard of Oz: Part IV Munchkin Land

See my comments below to identify each video.

Our drama teacher envisioned munchkin land to be whimsical, fun, colorful, silly. The kids' clothes were mismatched. All the socks were striped (and, I must confess, most came from our house!). The hairstyles were adorable and crazy. Annika had so much gel in her "heart on top of her head braid" that the 3 twines of the braid stood straight up when we took it out! All these little peeps did a wonderful job. They remembered their lines, they stayed in character, and they were just darling! I hope you enjoy watching them. So, Here are some video clips of my munchkins!

Video 1. The munchkins discover the Wicked Witch has been killed and Essie's big 'sneeze' that scares her fellow munchkins. (Annika is in the striped top, and pastel halter top and pant set. Essie is in the yellow top and hot pink patterned pants.)

Video 2. Munchkins meet Dorothy and sing "The House Began to Pitch...."

Video 3. "Ding Dong the Witch is Dead" (and Annika/Esther's special solo singing lines)

Video 4. The Lollipop Guild

Video 5. (below) And finally, the appearance of the Witch (which I just HAD to include because Esther's scream center-stage is so priceless!)