The Backside of the Stage

Staley loves theater.  She loves all things theater.  She loves listening to theater soundtracks.  She loves watching theater performances.  She loves rehearsing for theater shows.  She loves hanging out with her theater friends.  She loves performing on the theater stage.  And now she has found a new theater thing to love...

Working backstage on a theater tech crew!

For NTA, kids can begin the Tech Kids program once they turn 12.  Staley didn't waste any time getting signed up to learn more about the other side of the stage.  She then volunteered to work backstage for all the Oz shows for the other casts.  She loves doing mics, moving props, and striking set after the shows.

Theater is something that Staley loves.  She enjoys every opportunity she has to learn more about this world of theater.  And now she is embracing a new side of the theater.

Welcome to the backside!

Oz

My kids just completed their spring Stage Kids session, culminating in their performance of Oz.  It was another fun performance, and my kids enjoyed being a part of it.  Oz is the story of the Wizard of Oz once Dorothy's house has landed.  It has the same story and characters as the book, but the songs are all different and new.

The Eureka cast combined with the Peoria cast to bring this show to the stage.

All 3 of my kids had a variety of parts in this show.

Briggs was a munchkin, a teacup, and a baby flying monkey in the ensemble.

He continues to improve with knowing his songs and dances and creating his characters on stage.

His favorite part was when he got to jump on a trampoline as a baby monkey during the song 'Castle of No Return.'  He was a pretty cute baby monkey!! 

Adelie was a munchkin, the China Princess, and an Oz citizen.  She was one of the munchkin soloists and got to do a short rap during one of the munchkin songs.

Her China princess scene was her biggest part in this play.  She had a bunch of lines, and she was PERFECTLY sassy and demanding and haughty as the China princess.  One of the directors said that there were several different people that mentioned how good the China princess was after the show.  For a one scene part, Adelie killed it and was a highlight of the show.

Adelie also did a great job knowing all her songs and dances in the group numbers.  She is now one of the kids in the front row during group numbers as a more "experienced" performer.

Staley was a munchkin, a scarecrow dancer, an Oz dancer, and the king of the winged monkeys.

She enjoyed being a featured dancer as a scarecrow and an Oz dancer.

She said her Oz dance was her favorite of the dances and her Oz dancer costume was her favorite of the show as well.

As the king of the winged monkeys, Staley had a handful of lines and a short solo in one of the songs.

No matter what part Staley has, she always loves any opportunity to perform and be on stage.

Each show gives opportunities to learn new things, try new things, and spend time with theater friends.

I wasn't great about getting pictures after the shows, but both sets of grandparents came (although I didn't get a Grandpa picture with the kids), as well as Zach's Aunt Sandi and Aunt Jan (who I missed during picture time.)

Stella and Olivia came with their mom to see the show.  And it was fun that the kids' school friends Josie and Stanley joined Stage Kids for this session too.

It was another fun show with fun friends.

NTA has become such a big part of our lives.  Ms. Kelleen and Ms. Taylor have provided so many opportunities for my kids.

I love every opportunity I have to watch my kids shine on stage.

I sure do love these little munchkins of mine!!

Adelie at 10

Adelie has officially crossed into the double digits, so here is my annual post about all things Adelie at her new age.  Adelie weighs 58 lbs (8th percentile) and is 4'7" tall (62nd percentile).  She is mostly wearing her size 10 pants (although a lot of her shorts are still 7/8) and size 10 or 10/12 tops.  She can still wear some of her 7/8 or 8 things, although many are just getting too short.  She's just long and lean.  Adelie is currently in her size 2 shoes.

Long and lean...and loves the water!

Adelie is in 4th grade in Mrs. Mickna's class.  She is or has been involved in a variety of activities through school including Hornet Buzz, Safety Patrol, 4th Grade Drama Club, Young Authors, and Recycling Club.  Outside of school, she has participated this year in her NTA activities (Stage Kids, Rising Stars, Broadway Dance), tumbling (although her favorite tumbling place closed so we are taking a break from that), volleyball, singing lessons, piano lessons, and Wednesday night Kid's Connection at church.  Adelie typically goes to bed around 9 or 9:30 and gets up around 7:15 or 7:30 on school days.  She sleeps in until 8 or 9 on week-ends.  She is often hard to get up for school or church on a typical day.

Although she likes to sleep in and has a hard time waking up on "regular" days, Adelie is able to pop up early and get ready quickly if there is something she is excited about doing...like watching the sunrise with me in Key West on our vacation.

Likes:  Adelie still has a love for all things mermaid.  She enjoys acting and singing, although maybe not quite as much as Staley does.  Tumbling and swimming are favorite sports, even if she's just doing them around the house or in the summer.  Adelie loves to do crafts, often making very creative and inventive things out of paper, tape, and random things she has rescued from the recycling or the garbage.  Adelie enjoys creative play, making up plays/shows or engaging in imaginative play with Briggs or her friends.

Mermaids have been an Adelie favorite for YEARS!

Adelie is my saver and collector.  She loves stuffed animal with her bed getting overtaken with special stuffies and under her loft being the home to her ever-growing collection of Squishmallows.  She also has a collection of plants on the back porch that she faithfully waters and takes care of.  This is the most and longest we've ever had living plants in our house, thanks to Adelie.  Adelie is also the animal lover of our family.  She is the one who remembers to feed the fish on a regular basis, and she is also the one who can most often be found playing with Frisco or trying to teach Frisco tricks.  (She's currently working with Frisco on playing fetch.)

Reading with Charlie

Like all my kids, Adelie loves to read.  Harry Potter is her current favorite series, but she also enjoys any book series about mermaids.  She also has a habit of re-reading favorite parts of books.  Writing her own stories and poems is another favorite past time.  Adelie's poems are some of my favorites of her writings.  When it comes to movies or shows, Adelie is typically pretty easy-going about watching what everyone else wants to watch.  (Briggs and Staley tend to have stronger opinions about movies than Adelie does.)  She does prefer to skip the scarier parts in the Harry Potter movies that she has seen.

Adelie can read anywhere.  This pod chair was her birthday gift this year...a new, fun place to read!

Adelie is definitely the slowest and not always the best eater in our house.  Fruit is by far her favorite thing to eat.  She's not always big on main courses, but would happily fill up on fruit, bread, and desserts if I'd let her.  Adelie still enjoys wearing dresses and rompers and nightgowns, although she also likes comfortable sweatshirts and leggings and cozy pajama pants.  Anything with mermaids is still a favorite to wear.  Adelie prefers to be barefoot or to wear sandals, even in the winter.  She takes off her shoes and socks immediately upon getting home.

Adelie has her own fashion sense.

Adelie is social and enjoys being around people and spending time with friends.  Her best friends from school are Stella and Anna, but she has a variety of other people she hangs out with at school, church, and in the neighborhood.  She loves playing with her siblings and her cousins.  She and her cousin, Caroline, have become especially good friends as Caroline has gotten a little older.  Adelie also really enjoys entertaining and helping out with younger kids.  I know she'll be a great baby-sitter one day.

Adelie with her friends, Stella and Anna

Siblings still make the best friends!

Dislikes:  Adelie is very sensitive and empathetic so she does not like getting in trouble, disappointing people, being left out, or hurting anyone else's feelings.  She moves pretty slowly in the morning and at night (getting ready for the day and getting ready for bed)...and when eating...and when getting ready to leave the house for activities... and does not like feeling rushed.  Adelie has some pretty legitimate FOMO and does not like when her siblings are involved in things she can't be involved in or invited to things that she's not.  She especially always wants to be included in anything Staley is doing.

Two girls.  Two distinct personalities.  And one who still always wants to be doing what her big sister is doing.

Skills:  Adelie is super flexible and excels with tumbling skills, even without attending consistent tumbling classes.  She can do front and back walkovers and continues to work on her back handspring.  She is a good runner, now running a few 5K races without having to stop and walk.  Her skills with acting and singing both continue to improve, and I love seeing her confidence grow with each show that she is in.

Adelie shines on stage!

Adelie is very creative and an excellent writer.  Her stories and poems are well-formed and often very inventive, creative, and witty.  Adelie is bright and does well in school.  She has gotten all A's on her report card since she has transitioned into letter grades.  Her most recent standardized testing has her skills at the 97th percentile for reading and the 75th percentile for math.

Adelie got some cross stitch projects for her birthday and picked it up really quickly.

Personality:  Adelie has so many facets to her personality.  She is very thoughtful and generous.  Adelie is always giving compliments, making gifts for people, donating her money, and sharing what she has.  She faithfully brings her own money to place in the offering on Sundays and often gives money she gets to St. Jude or wants to use it to buy gifts for people.  Adelie is a great friend and is kind and inclusive with everyone. 

Adelie is always ready to help out.

On the other hand, Adelie is very silly and goofy.  She is genuinely funny and loves to make people laugh.  She is my child that is often making funny faces or doing goofy things.  She can get very silly, which sometimes makes her slow to get things done.  And although she is often sweet, Adelie also has a bit of a sassy side and can eye roll, stomp, or get huffy about things.

My goofy girl!

Adelie has some little quirks in her personality as well.  She sometimes gets weirdly anxious about things like not knowing where something has come from, like a new pen in the pen drawer that she doesn't recognize or not remembering putting a book in a specific place and then finding it there.  Instead of focusing on the logical explanation, she sometimes gets worried about things like that.  This has ebbed and flowed over the past year or two, but has recently started making another comeback.  Adelie is also my most germ-conscious child, washing her hands longer and more frequently than is probably necessary.

Adelie's personality combines the sweet, the sassy, the silly, and the quirky into one perfectly unique Adelie.

Adelie has a strong faith.  She is solid in her convictions.  She prays sincerely, takes notes during the sermon at church, and asks good faith-based questions.  She took a step in her faith this year by choosing to be baptized.  Sometimes she has to be reminded that faith isn't rule based as she wanted to clarify the "rules" when she gave up sweets for Lent or talks about feeling like her prayers should be longer.  Adelie is my daughter who doesn't like to disappoint others or get in trouble, and sometimes this can be reflected in some of her faith questions.

Faith question:  Is stealing wrong if it's from an inanimate object?

Adelie has such a unique personality.  She is sweet, but also sassy.  She is thoughtful, but also goofy.  She is sincere in her faith, but also silly in her interactions.  Adelie is so many things, but one thing is certain.  Our family would not be complete without her!

Love this 10 year old and all the joy she brings to our family.

Question of the Day

At work, one of my pet peeves is when the cupboard doors outside patient rooms are left hanging open.  Without even thinking about it, I am known for walking down the hallway while shutting the open cupboard doors as I go.  So the question:  why is this such an ingrained habit for me?

My daily practice after the kids have been in the kitchen.

*sigh*

Truth

Adelie can drag out a bedtime routine longer than anyone else I know.

Briggs at 8

I'm over a month behind, but here is my long annual post about Briggs and all the things that make him who he is at 8.  Briggs is 53 lbs (32nd percentile) and 4'2 (54th percentile).  He currently wears his size 6/7 and 7 clothes, but I need to get out his summer 7/8 clothes soon.  He wears size 1 shoes.  Briggs has an upper retainer, upper braces, and a lower expander.  He is in Mrs. Beachy's second grade class.  Over this past year, he has played one short season each of baseball, soccer, and basketball.  He takes piano lessons, goes to Wednesday night Kids Connection at church, and is involved with NTA's Stage Kids and Rising Stars programs.  Briggs goes to bed around 8:00 and wakes up around 7:00.

My boy and his braces.

Likes:  Briggs continues to enjoy play activities that involve vehicles or building.  Legos are a favorite!  He still also likes his Magna Tiles, train sets, and matchbox cars.  He enjoys crafts (especially Perler Beads), drawing, painting, and writing/illustrating his own books.  He is always listening to audiobooks in the playroom as he plays with the first 3 Harry Potter books as recurring favorites.  His Harry Potter Lego sets are also top of his list of favorites.

Perler bead fun in the playroom.

Briggs is a great reader.  He enjoys reading and has a variety of series that he is reading.  He has recently gotten into reading graphic novels with Wings of Fire, Heroes in Training, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Dogman, and Dragon Kingdom being recent graphic novel series of choice.  He also enjoys reading 'I Survived', 'Dragon Masters', and any other short series he finds at the library with dragons, dinosaurs, mysteries, or adventure.  He prefers shorter books, getting intimidated by books that look too long.  He often has multiple books going at once and it's not uncommon for him to start a book/series and not finish it.

Briggs enjoys playing outside.  Riding his scooter, sidewalk chalk, and looking for insects are favorite outdoor activities.  Board games are another preferred activity with Spot It, Dragon Realm, and Stratego among his favorites.  Briggs still gets nervous about movies he's never seen and does not like anything with scary parts, people dying, or bad guys.  Episodes of Bluey are favorites, and he prefers movies that he's seen before.  Typically animated movies are his choice.

He's also a great hiker!

Briggs has lots of friends that he enjoys playing with at school, the neighborhood, and church.  Friends he plays with the most include George (school), Coraleigh (neighborhood), and Landon (church).  But at home, his favorite playmate is Adelie.  They have lots of fun together.  He also loves it when Staley plays with them too, but that occurs less often.

Adelie and Briggs are good buddies!  This is the audiobook Adelie made of herself reading a few of Briggs' original book series, "Briggs the Hero," that she gave to him for his birthday.

Briggs is generally a pretty good eater.  When I am making something he likes, he will often out-eat most of the family.  Meatballs, hamburgers, tacos, and pancakes are all favorites.  As far as clothes, Briggs prefers athletic pants or athletic shorts with t-shirts.  Fleece footie pajamas are his pajamas of choice.  And if Briggs is wearing something with a hood, he always wants the hood up.  Always.

Dislikes:  Briggs has quite a list of things that he doesn't like, and he is not shy about letting us know.  He does not like to be woken up in the morning, to be rushed, to have to stop playing to go to an activity or obligation, the way certain clothes feel at certain times (including tags), going upstairs or to the basement by himself, being asked to clean up or do his chores, scary things or bad guys in movies, and generally anything that breaks up his routine or preferences.  Briggs is a creature of habit, so changing that up can be hard for him.  Briggs is also cautious and doesn't always like to try new things that make him unsure, like the zipline at Elevate or riding his skateboard standing up.  However, once he's tried something once and realized he can do it, he generally doesn't hesitate to do it over and over and over again.

There are many things Briggs doesn't like.  Riding on a train of any kind is not one of them.

Skills:  Briggs is great at building Legos.  He can follow the directions to build large sets without any help (and quickly) but is also good at building his own creations.  Building Magnatile creations or cities out of blocks and tracks are other areas of expertise.  He is also very good at making his own Perler bead creations without a pattern.  I think he might have a mechanical mind like his dad.

Legos are so fun!

Although Briggs doesn't have a lot of interest or expertise in playing ball sports, he runs quickly, rides his bike well, and can go fast on his scooter.  He doesn't love to practice his piano, but continues to make progress and is about halfway through his second set of books.  He is very independent with his daily activities including taking his allergy meds, brushing his teeth, and making simple meals.  He has used Staley's cook books a few times to make treats or part of a meal for the family with just a little help knowing how to read the different measuring spoons and cups.  He is not always great about doing chores or cleaning up without reminders, but he is definitely capable.

Getting out the toys is easy.  Cleaning them up is not nearly as much fun.

Briggs is a good reader and seems to have a good math mind, doing mental math to figure out things like how much time until bedtime or how much money 2 things will cost.  He does well in school with his last standardized test scores in reading at the 94th percentile and math scores at the 82nd percentile.  

Creative and smart is a good combination.

Personality:  Briggs is a very dichotomous boy.  On the one hand, he is very sweet and loving and wants to do what is right.  On the other hand, he has a very short temper and continues to be prone to fits of yelling or door slamming or hitting when things don't go his way.  He does calm down more quickly now and apologize more sincerely after these outbursts, but they are still occurring on a semi-regular basis.  He also has a squirrely side and knows how to push buttons.

He definitely has a goofy, silly side too.

As mentioned before, Briggs remains a creature of habit and cautious by nature.  He likes things to be the same and does better with routine and knowing what to expect.  He likes to talk through scenarios and ask lots of questions, but I love how his mind works as he sorts things through in his mind.  Briggs is also developing a deeper understanding of faith and says more heartfelt prayers and asks more faith-based questions.

Briggs has a very sweet nature and likes to please others.  He is a good friend and plays well with a variety of kids, both boys and girls.  He is very proud when he surprises me by cleaning up his room or the playroom or loading the dishwasher without being asked.  He likes to make gifts for others, and he never wants to hurt someone's feelings.  He has a sensitive side that makes him very empathetic towards others.  I love Briggs' heart and his mind and his personality.  

I sure do love this boy!