Grease Lightning

We love theatre! This year we were at the opener for Grease at the Valley Youth Theatre. Of course we dressed up for the event knowing there would be a costume and dance contest. It really pays to hoot and holler loudly! Ethan won for best dance moves. I'm not sure they were the best moves to the Twist, but more the applause that won him the title. Godchild Carl took the prize for best costume. He was looking the part with a comb in his back pocket, slicked back hair, a tattoo on his arm (I love Mom) and a cinnamon stick for a cigarette! We met some of our favorite characters too, one of whom remembered us from last season. Ethan's a little shy so I don't imagine him performing anytime soon, however we enjoy the shows! If You Give A Mouse A Cookie is up next.

1st Day of Preschool for 2010

It's that time of year again. We're back into school mode. Bed time is a bit earlier. Wake up time is much earlier.

Ethan was so excited to start preschool again with his Auntie! He was even more excited to show off his new backpack.

Ethan has changed so much over the summer (growing an inch since May) and I know he'll continue to grow with Auntie again this year. Here's to my Smart Cookie!

"Welcome children, I'm glad you're here.

We're all going to have a wonderful year!

We'll draw and we'll write,

We'll sing and we'll play,

We'll paint and we'll build,

And learn new things each day!"

Cooking Club

In the spring I had a workshop for some of my student teachers and several of us got to talking about starting a craft club, which soon evolved into a cooking club. Two of us decided to make it happen, somewhat like a Bunco group, but for foodies and those connected in some way to ASU. Everyone is a mom and a teacher of some sort. I had the pleasure of hosting the first gathering with a "Fruitilicious" theme. What fun! We had French Martinis with raspberries, lemon balsamic chicken, pear jello, pineapple salad, prosciutto wrapped melon, puff pastries with plums, apples and cheese baked on top along with a cheesecake covered in fresh berries for dessert. Next month's theme is "World Tour" and I have to plan an appetizer. I've got to scour my cookbooks for the perfect recipe unless you're willing to share one of your favorites! :)

Coyote Girl

We spent the day at Build-A-Bear recently thanks to a birthday gift certificate from the Miltun Family. Of all the animals possible to build, Ethan went straight for the coyote. Then, he picked out a voice chip of a barking dog, stuffed his coyote and put in a heart. His favorite part was giving his coyote a bath and brushing her out. He could've spent all day at that station. And yes, her. I assumed it was a boy coyote and proceeded to point Ethan to the boy accessories, but he said her name was "Girl" and decided to pick out a little pink outfit and pink sandals, one for each foot! He even bought her a dog house to sleep in, however she's become the main animal these days on the bed and helps to keep all the monsters away. I was starting to think I was going to have to create some magic monster spray so I could settle any fears at night, but coyote "Girl" has eliminated those problems, at least for now.