The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum

Two things about this picture make me very happy. 1) Claire is reading a classic; and 2) she's halfway done! At this point, I think she's definitely invested in this book enough to finish it. It never gets old watching a kid discover a classic!

The Audition

“Claire, I’m taking you to the auditions for Butler Ballet’s Nutcracker this Saturday.”

“OK,” she said happily.

That girl’s always game for anything, I thought.

“You too, Brooke. You’re in the age range and I think you’re under 5 feet tall.”

“Uh … I don’t think I want to,” said Brooke.

“Me either,” echoed Younger Sister.

… yeah, game for anything … unless Big Sister doesn’t want to do it.

I hesitated. Out of all of our kids, Brooke is the most shy and quiet. She’s content to stay in the background and, at the age of 11, quite self-conscious. Even around our own dinner table, her cheeks start glowing if the noise dies down while she’s talking. Thankfully for her, this doesn’t happen often.

As parents, Mick and I aren’t cemented in our personalities, but he tends to be the one pushing the kids and I’m more likely to give them a break. If it’s something I feel very strongly about, I’ll persevere, but in general, if it doesn’t have long-term negative consequences, I won’t be demanding on an issue. I try to consider their individual personalities, passions and quirks when trying to decide how best to handle a situation.

My first instinct was to go along with her. But then I remembered my conversation with Rachel. Rachel, who used to hold the title as the shyest, quietest Worley Kid. Who, at 13 and 14 years old battled nervousness weekly to the point of getting physically sick before playing at our small church. “You don’t have to do this; Pastor Mark will understand,” I told her on the way to church, while she kept her eyes shut and her pale face resting in the open car window. “She’ll be fine; it’s good for her,” Mick said.

And it turns out, it was good for her. The other day, after she finished her first full week at Butler, she said “I don’t know what I’d be doing with my life right now if it weren’t for piano camp and the competitions. I’m so glad I did that, even though it was so hard.”

There were also those other Worley girls I wrote about once who stepped into a new, demanding situation, pushed themselves and were better for the experience.

But those daughters were older and had different temperaments. What to do with this child? Push or give in?

I decided to take a chance and give her a nudge. So, I talked about all the reasons why trying out was a good idea and how it would be fun and no pressure, because these people would be working with young kids, and it would probably be just simple stretches and positions (I didn’t let on that these were just guesses - what did I know?). And because stubbornness is not one of her qualities, we found ourselves at Lilly Hall on Saturday, along with lots of other little Nutcracker hopefuls with numbers pinned to their leotards.

When we got there, our girls were very nervous and uneasy. They pressed themselves back against the wall in the crowded lobby and just watched everybody, not even wanting to stretch out. Meanwhile, I filled out their forms and then spotted a friend nearby whose daughter was auditioning and chatted with her, giving them some time to try to relax a little and get used to the place. Eventually though, I had to convince them that they needed to stretch out a little. So they finally did a little warming up, and then it was time.

When Brooke’s group was called, I squeezed around a window with a bunch of other nervous parents, taking in the scene. The audition room was huge and mirror-lined. There was a long table in front where several serious-looking ballet-types sat watching the girls over their glasses, with notepads and pencils ready. Some Butler Ballet dancers were there also, gracefully demonstrating the combinations for the young dancers. The kids had been separated into groups according to height and Brooke was one of the taller girls, so she ended up in a class with dancers who seemed to be at least her age but mostly older.

I watched as Brooke’s group tried out the first combination. I could see her clearly in the front row, looking beautiful even as she struggled a bit to keep up with the sashays, piquè turns and leaps, which came in quick succession. She had an unsure look and a shy, self-conscious smile on her face as she glanced up at the judges. My heart went out to her and for the first time, I wondered if I’d been wrong in encouraging her to do this. She looked like she’d rather be anywhere else than in that room, trying to get unfamiliar, difficult ballet combinations right in a room full of other dancers watching and ballet instructors critiquing her. The group went through the combinations several times, and each time, she seemed more sure of herself, but as soon as she was catching on, the next group came forward. The audition lasted quite a while – far longer than Claire’s – and it was probably an hour and a half before she came out in a sea of black leotards. They’d told the dancers they would be contacting everybody in a few days, so we headed out to the car. 

As she climbed into the back seat, she surprised me with this: “That was SO FUN! I want to do it again next year!” What? Really?! Fun? Next year? And then she excitedly went over everything that happened, even talking about her nervousness and how she missed a few of the steps because she was trying so hard to learn them quickly. But overall, she seemed excited and energized by doing something that was so different and challenging from anything she’d done before. We decided to get some ice cream to celebrate, and while I listened to her, I silently wondered how she would handle it if she wasn’t picked. She got quiet for a minute and then, as if reading my thoughts, said “It doesn’t really matter if I make it or not, it was a good experience for me.” Yes, that. THAT was how I hoped she’d feel about the whole thing. For sure, to see our girls dancing on the Clowe’s Hall stage would be so amazing, but for Brooke, just making it through the audition was enough this year. And so it was enough for me, too.

I don’t yet know the end of this story - we’re supposed to find out this week if either girl made it - but as far as I’m concerned, the audition was a success: Brooke did it! She stepped up, took a chance, and in the process found a bit of confidence that has become a part of who she is.

Quotable cuties

 

Me: Grant, you can come out of Quiet Time now.
Grant: OK. Are you going to come up and clean up the glass?

Thankfully and miraculously, there was no blood. I think he was trying to see if one of the Little People could fly. It made it all the way up to the ceiling fan! I’m thinking of installing a hidden camera in his room during Quiet Time...

Grant, 3yo

I really don’t post these cute little quotes often enough. I’m afraid I’m going to forget them! I read something I’d posted on FB a few years ago about Claire, who was 3 at the time. It was this:

This morning Claire (3) sitting on my lap, hugging me, kissing my cheek, giggling ... looks at me and says "Wouldn't this make a cute picture?!"

I had completely forgotten that she said that. When I read it, I had a vague recollection of it. So glad I wrote it down then, but I need to be better about doing that here! Who knows, Facebook may be a distant memory by the time our kids are grown, kind of like 8-track tapes or home doctor visits. Although they promise us that whatever we put on there will be saved forever … {cue scary music}.  We’ll see.  :-)

Here’s a picture taken of Claire right around then.

Trent is at that age where he has a quotable quote a couple of times a day. I just need a personal secretary to follow me around and help me out with things like this. :-)

Good morning, sunshine!

This was a phrase Mom used to wake us up with on many a morning and I find myself using it often. Claire is looking especially sunshiny this morning. I was able to capture her first smile of the day, just moments after she woke up.

“The Little Blue Truck” by Alice Schertle

This is a new book that we got Grant for his birthday. As you can see, Trent is a fan. :-)  Through the years, we have accumulated lots and lots of books for young children, but we’re always on the lookout for new books when birthdays and Christmas roll around. Sometimes, I think the only good books are the ones that are at least 25 years old, but then I find a new “classic,” and my faith in modern storytelling is rekindled.

And how sweet is it that Claire was reading it Trent? Rachel found the two of them like this the other morning and I’m so glad she was able to get this picture!

How girls dot their “I”s …

 

… courtesy of 6-year-old, Claire.

Summer 2012 – Part 2

Well, there’s something about Labor Day weekend to make you realize the summer is slipping away, so it’s time to do some more reflecting on Summer 2012, while it’s still fresh in my brain.  Of course, most of it is fresh, thanks only to the pictures that were taken.  Otherwise, most of it would just be a blur by now!

Mother’s Day

We celebrated Mother’s Day in the same wonderful way we are blessed to every year:  with both our mothers. 

The day started off with a nice breakfast cassserole and fresh fruit, courtesy of Mick and the girls.  He surprised me with a lovely mother’s ring and a stack of chocolate (mostly dark) – something sweet from each of the kids (yet another moment I’m so thankful we have 8. ;-).

After breakfast, we drove to Grandma Worley’s church and worshiped with her. She specifically requested that Rachel play something on the piano during the service (yes, she is a proud Grandma), so Rachel played the “It Is Well” medley. After church, we gave her her gift and card, posed for a few pictures at her house, then said our good-byes and drove down to Mom and Dad’s.

It was a beautiful day, so we spent most of the day outside.

 

Since it was so close to our monthly birthday celebration, we lumped in that as well.  Guess who one of the birthday celebrities was?

Ellie and Uncle Ron were also celebrating birthdays in May.  I think Elle was just a little excited about her birthday brownie.  ;-)

Somebody was just a leetle bit upset that I dared wander off a bit too far in the backyard.  Notice how sympathetic his father is in the background?  ;-)

No worries … all better now.  :-)

   

The day was capped off by a trip over to the Bruce ranch to see the llamas.  Ellie is leading “Caesar” here with Sarah keeping a close watch on things.

Family reunion

Back in June, Lois’s family decided to have a family reunion.  I have known Mick since 1986 and no one on either side of his family has thrown a reunion … that we know of anyway … hmmmmm.  :-D  At the time, Lois’s sister Betty and brother-in-law Don had been having fairly serious health issues, requiring hospitalizations for both.  So, the reunion was Betty’s idea and Lois offered to host it and did all the planning.  It ended up being a lovely day.  We were able to meet several of Mick’s cousins and their families who I’d never met, including some second cousins who live about 15 minutes away from us!

Here is Lois with her 2 younger sisters, Betty and Marlene.  They are very close.  Lois and Betty are 18 months a part and Marlene was born 5 years later.  Lois likes to talk about how she and Betty would dress up Baby Marlene like a doll and carry her around. :-)

I just love this picture of the three of them chatting.

One of the things I think we’ll all remember the most about this reunion is Betty’s glazed yeast donuts. Her donuts are legendary in the family; when Mick was growing up, they were a Thanksgiving tradition.  After the big Thanksgiving meal, the kids would all go bowling and the parents would stay back at the house. This was when Betty would fry up the donuts.  Mick remembers how great it was to come back to the house and smell all those donuts.

  

Oh yum, are they delicious!

Later that evening, we had a birthday celebration.  Interestingly enough, Claire shares a birthday with Mick’s brother and sister – June 10th! So, we celebrated all three birthdays.  This was a first, since Mick’s sister lives in Florida and rarely travels to Indiana (something about the cooler weather up here keeps her down there. ;-).

One of the big bonuses of the Worley get-togethers is Uncle Rick’s commercial ice cream maker. So, there’s usually all-you-can-eat homemade ice cream at our get-togethers.   

Homemade donuts, homemade ice cream … I’d better wrap up this post now … I think I need a snack.  ;-)

June 10 – Happy 5th Birthday, Claire!

Through the years, our girls have developed a fun birthday tradition.  About an hour or so before Grandma and Grandpa arrive, I (or more recently, Rachel) spend time preparing the birthday girl’s hair and dress for a grand entrance.  Once Grandma and Grandpa are here, the birthday girl descends the stairs in all her glory, while the rest of the family claps, whoops & hollers over the lovely birthday girl.  It’s a fun tradition that we all look forward to and it always makes for some great pictures.  Here, Claire is obviously enjoying the attention from Grandma and Grandpa, who are admiring her lovely hairdo, courtesy of Rachel. 



I’ve always said I think every child should have at least one doting grandparent, or at least an older adult who fawns over them like a grandparent. 

Claire requested Calzones, green beans and pink lemonade, so we added Doritos and fresh strawberries to the menu.  The table looked great in all its pinkness.



For her birthday cake, she requested Pumpkin Cake.  Her favorite?  Well, not necessarily.  I don’t think she’d ever even tried Pumpkin Cake, but that was her repeated request.  (It turned out really good; I used this recipe.)

Before we started lighting the candles, Mom and Dad spotted Grant making his move on some glaze that had dripped down onto the cake server.  They got the biggest kick out of that and had me grab the camera.  Why didn’t they think things like that were funny when I did them as a child???

Then it was on to the gifts and boy, was Claire excited (as was her compadre)!

I mean, really excited!



Did I mention she was excited?

Yes, it was quite entertaining and gratifying to watch Claire open each gift.  She literally got that excited about everything – from pencils to sidewalk chalk to coloring books.  Soo cute!

Probably the biggest hit overall was the Rapunzel wig we got her.

Thank you, Lord, for this wonderful, effervescent girl of ours!

Mom & Dad ended up leaving around 10:00 and the kids didn’t calm down and go to bed until 10:30 or so.  Tomorrow, we head down to Mom & Dad’s for the June birthday celebration.  While we’re there, Glenn & Mick are going to be helping Dad put together a new shed.  Glenn wants to get an early start to beat the heat.  And now I wonder:  what is the likelihood of a family of 10 getting out of the house by 7:30 am?  That’s what I thought.  Stay tuned …

Strange Cheese

Last week, I bought some string cheese during my grocery visit.  I hadn't bought it in a long time, but the girls remembered it.  Except Claire, who during lunch today asked me for some "strange cheese."  :-D

Point of clarification

<sounds of scuffling upstairs>

<daughter from upstairs> "Mom, Claire's grabbing from me!"

Me:  "Claire, stop grabbing from Brooke."

Claire:  "I'm not grabbing from Brooke.  I'm grabbing from Sarah!"

 

Oh.  Ok. 

Claire Funny

The girls just started watching The Sound of Music.  It was one of the opening scenes with all the nuns.  Claire asks:  "Daddy, are they penguins or something?"

 

LOL!!

3:51 am

Claire: MOMMY!!! MOMMY!!!

Me: (running) What?! (heart pounding)

Claire: Was I a baby before Grant?

Me: Yes. Now go back to sleep.

Claire: OK

Pretty good observation for a 3-year-old. I just hope her next light-bulb moment happens during regular waking hours. :-D

Funny Claire

Claire has had some pretty funny comments lately since she's been potty trained.  Today, while she flushed, she stood at the potty ... watching.  I was washing my hands when she said "Where does it go?"  "What?  The toilet paper?"  "Yes", she said.  "Well, it goes down into the ground and then it just ... goes away." 

<pause>

"It walks?" 

"No!"

"Oh, It can't walk yet?"

 

:-D

Dress-Up Fun

Just had to try uploading a picture. This was taken a few weeks ago when Brooke, Claire & Sarah were having some creative fun. :-)