Gretel

Twinkle Toes also braved a try-out for the play. She got the supporting role of Gretel. We had a little costume in our dress up box that was a hand-me-down from long ago. It was far too small for Twinkle Toes. But we took it in. The directors pounced on it, "That's exactly what we want!" We took it in to the seamstress, with new fabric. Without a pattern, she made an exact replica to fit Twinkle Toes.

 The director told me that Twinkle Toes can always be counted on for "reacting" to the other characters when she is in the scene. She said anytime she wanted to explain how they must stay in character while others are speaking, she said, "Watch her!"

 She loves doing plays, it's in her blood. I have a feeling we'll see her in more.

 I confess I bought tickets for every performance. One of these days, my little birds will fly away. I won't be able to see them in plays. Now is the time. Because I went to all three performances, I learned more about the plot each night. All the tales were connected in some way. When Hansel and Gretel go to buy their bread, they buy three loaves...one for Hansel, one for Gretel, and one for who-knows-whom...they suggest they just might need it for something.

Twinkle Toes played her role so well. The next morning, she even left me a little trail of sugar pop cereal as she walked through the house, though I am not sure she intended to this time!

Melinda

Though only in seventh grade, Firstborn landed a role in our high school musical, Into the Woods, Junior. She was one of the wicked stepsisters, Melinda, of Cinderella. In this play, the stepsisters were not ugly. They were "Beautiful of face, but wicked and black of heart." She worked hard, learned her lines and songs, and played her role perfectly.

 The play is a spinoff on many fairy tales. It showed the struggles that so many of the legendary characters could have had. In this play, Cinderella had her doubts after the ball. She sang that she wasn't "in the mood" to fall in love with the Prince.

 Meanwhile, the stepsisters are trying to assume her role, trying on her golden slipper.

When the shoe doesn't fit, the stepmother cuts off their toes and forces the shoe on. The play had much comedy. Watching Firstborn limp bravely across the stage with the special slipper on, after her mother had cut off her toes, made me roll with laughter!

Don't worry, Firstborn! Your prince will come. And you know what? We all know you just are acting. Wickedness and blackness of heart aren't the real you. We weren't fooled, even for a minute!

Zoo Day

It's the time of year that I have no shortage of blog material! There is so much going on. I have been teaching the Pre K class while my friend is in the US to see her daughter graduate from college. We planned the annual zoo field trip to be while she was gone. The kids were so excited.

The little girl in the middle rarely smiles, hardly talks. I saw her smile more on the zoo day than all year long.

She stayed by my side all day. The Turks are not used to seeing Africans. They tend to photograph and pinch their cheeks more. She hid behind me all day. I didn't mind being her body guard!

 No zoo day is complete without a shark picture!

 And we always end our fun with some ice cream.

This is the Pre K class of 2012, minus one boy who was having a post-zoo meltdown, plus one boy who couldn't get enough of the zoo, the ice cream, the photo op's, the fun! (Big Ben!)

How Do You Say Goodbye?

Every June means more goodbyes. It's always hard, but this year is by far the worst. I am saying goodbye to some of my dearest friends. So, how do you say goodbye? I decided to host a tea in their honor, put my best face on, and send them off knowing they are loved and appreciated.

 I opened my home, made a few things, and let others bring food if they had time. The food was amazing!

 We chatted, ate, drank tea.

 Lots of tea!

And then we shared a little...some funny stories, some tears, lots of reasons we appreciate them. Below is a picture of all of my friends who are leaving...left, counter-clock-wise
Julie, a school mom friend with 3 boys (I have lots of guns/swords/light sabers thanks to her, as well as some good memories of many times she has blessed me)
Logan, the sweetest girl you'll ever meet, who has taught 3rd grade for us and also taught me about having a spirit of humility and teach-ability
Jenna, who came 7 years ago and was Firstborn's 2nd grade teacher. She has become more than a friend and teacher, she's like a little sister to me and a big sister to my daughter.
Stacey, a dear friend and Bible-study partner, who understands me many times so much better than anyone else, as she has been an administrator like my husband (she also taught Sweet Cheeks to read!)
Beth, who has given so much of herself to our school, from the very first year it was opened, who has given three of my girls the confidence to be on a stage
Alli, who is an MK from Africa, and has such a gentle spirit, has gotten an A plus in flexibility, and who freezes dead birds in our fridge at school for disection (I'll miss opening them, thinking it was a stash of coffee)
And Jen. Where do I start? She was one of the crazy ones who came here when this was all just a little mustard seed of faith. Losing Jen and her husband means losing the only other "originals" from our first before-the-school-started year.
I'm going to miss them all, so much.

 And yet, while it is hard to say goodbye, I also smile and thank God that I knew them and got the chance to work with them here. CC fixed my blocks for the party...it says it all...Goodbye Dear Sister.

May God go with you all!

Hair and Make Up

It's almost time for the play, Into the Woods, Junior. I got to do the hair and make-up for my two girls who are in the play. This is going to be a fun week! 

Italia

We have some sweet friends here who are from Italy. They invited our whole family over for dinner. We began with some appetizers.

Tomatoes drizzled with olive oil and basil, along with Mozzarella cheese.

 Smoked meats.

I do realize appetizers are supposed to be light fare. But how could we resist filling our plates when our food looked like this?


Here is their darling girl, Sweet Cheeks' friend, who made her appetizers into a face.

I am not sure how I managed to NOT get a photo of the homemade lasagna. Anyone reading this ever made their own lasagna noodles? Wow!  Nor did I get a photo of the homemade pasta with a cream and butter sauce, tossed with mushrooms, picked on the hillsides of Italy by the grandmother of this family. I'm serious. Perhaps I got no photos because my mind was on the food!

For dessert, she served something I've never eaten before in my life. Creamy Italian deliciousness topped with a caramel sauce. I will find out how she makes it. Big Ben had been on his best behavior and got extra cream from our hostess.

We were stuffed. Literally. As in, not-another-bite stuffed. And then they offered an espresso. How could we say no to an espresso offered by an Italian? It's their word, after all! It was perfect.

 Many thanks for an amazing meal and a sweet time together!

Red and Yellow, Black and White...They are Precious in His Sight

Last week was our lower elementary International Day. Sweet Cheeks did a report on Tennessee.

 I just could not get enough of the costumes! Here Japan, Italy, and Ecuador are represented.

 And beautiful Africa! That dress looks like it was MADE for that little girl!

 I'm pretty sure this Korean baby doll will never be put up for adoption, but if she is, I'm first in line.

I love our colorful school!