Friday, March 21, 2008

Shall We Dance?


Josh thought he'd give Jonah and Ellie a little dance instruction on how to waltz. I found this particularly amusing because (and don't be offended, honey) Josh really doesn't dance. Neither do I for that matter. I always thought it would be fun to learn. I know that ballroom dance was kind of popular thing to do as BYU couples, but since Josh's family is more a "Mormons for Devils" kind of family we never did get that opportunity. I'll just have to stick it on my "Things I'd like to do Someday in my Spare Time" list...right up there with learning how to stay sane being the caretaker of three kids under the age of four. I've been failing pretty miserably with this one lately...hence the picture. It reminds me why I try at all.

Here's another one...


Elizabeth, this one reminded me of you and your post about your hip Star Trek shades.

And one more because I do have three children and don't want the third growing up with a complex...

P.S.

For a 50% discount you may use my discount code MSO-ORCH-51 at the door or on the website when you purchase tickets at http://www.mesaartscenter.com/main.aspx for the Tchaikovsky concert.

Monday, March 17, 2008

Symphony of the Southwest

I'm attempting to step up and do my part in getting the word out about our concerts coming up in hopes that with every one's help we can save the symphony from having to fold! Plus, they really are great concerts with a fantastic music selection. Hope you can make it to one or all of them!

The Best of Tchaikovsky
March 22, 2008 Classic Concert
Saturday, 8:00 p.m.
Symphony of the Southwest
Conductor, Cal Stewart Kellogg
Location: Mesa Arts Center (Ikeda Theater)
1 East Main Street, Mesa, Arizona
Emotionally charged evening of the great Russian composer's
masterpieces. Rich harmonies and stirring melodies of Romeo
and Juliet Fantasy Overture. Capriccio Italien and the
Symphony No. 4 will make your heart dance and spirit soar.

The Price of Freedom
A new musical by Rob Gardner and McKane Davis
Date: Friday, March 28; Saturday, March 29
Time: 7:30pm
Location: Mountain View High School
NW corner of Brown and Lindsay Rd., Mesa, AZ
All seating is General Admission, first come first serve
Starring:
Jordan Bluth, Aaron Ballard, Tyler Maxson, Linsey Maxson, Jenee Prince, Kaitlynn Kleinman, and James Burnham.
Featuring members of the Symphony of the Southwest conducted by Rob Gardner.

Spire Music and the Symphony of the Southwest present "The Price of Freedom," an emotional musical tale of the soldiers who fought in World War II and the loved ones they left behind. Written by Rob Gardner and McKane Davis, this powerful musical is based on actual correspondence between soldiers and their loved ones. The stories are real, the characters inspirational, and the evening one you will not soon forget.

Proceeds from this performance will benefit the Symphony of the Southwest and Mountain View High School Performing Arts.


Here's the link to the website with more specifics and a sampling of the music.
http://www.spiremusic.org/tpof/

If you buy tickets online they are $8 as opposed to the $10 you would pay at the door. Not a bad deal! Easy and cheap.



Back in the Saddle Again

Blogging was beginning to feel like just one more thing I couldn't keep up with in my life until I remembered I can't let myself go down that path. Maybe you all are familiar with it from time to time? The one where you think you're going to just keep sinking lower and lower into the ground under the weight and pressure of all your responsibilities? And never ever be able to get catch up with life? Well, it's a frequent thought process with me and I'm trying to be better. This is a crazy time of life. If I could just remember that and go a little easy on myself...

So, here I am trying to catch up a bit and it won't be exactly what I wanted, but it's at least something to keep our family journal recent.

February/March Top 10 List

10. Jonah got put in time out. (What a surprise, I know!) When Josh got home from work we told him about it, Josh asked Jonah why he got put in time out and Jonah replied very seriously, "I don't know, Dad. That's a good question." The little smarty pants.

9. Ellie has boycotted bed time. We finally started putting her in the play n' go if she got out of bed...and that cured her! Mean I know, but she actually stays in bed now without us having to lay down next to her for an hour while she tries in vain to settle down. I never expected to have a night owl. Josh and I definitely do not fit that mold.

8. Mom came home! Now it feels as though she was never gone and I love that we have her back. What amazing experiences she had while away. It was a blast hearing about it all. Here is one of my favorite pics from here mission and then some of her return at the airport.


Jasmine, Afton and the welcome home sign

Jasmine, Mom, Nate and Jenna

7. Climb to conquer cancer. Josh's work was involved in this event so the whole family got to go. Jonah was so excited until 1, he realized that this sort of climb didn't include actual climbing of rocks and the like and 2, it was a little colder than we anticipated. About 10 minutes into it Jonah started asking to turn back, Charlotte was screaming in the bijorn, Ellie had fallen out of the stroller and needless to say we were getting some pretty pathetic looks from our fellow hikers. When we did finally turn around Jonah exclaimed, "Hey, why is everyone going the wrong way?"





6. We discovered that Charlotte LOVES to swing. Sorry the video's a little long. It was just cracking me up. I couldn't stop.




5. Josh turned 28. I know for the most part we as a human race generally try to stay as young as possible for as long as possible, and I can't speak for Josh, but I for one am totally fine shedding my 20's. I think I've kind of always hated being the youngest...the youngest of my friends growing up, the youngest in my family (almost), and now it seems the youngest in our ward. It shouldn't bother me and I don't know why it does. Maybe I'll just leave it at that since this is about Josh and not me. For his birthday Josh got cleats, a nerf bow and arrow, a princess magnet book and a gift certificate to the spa. So the last few were really surprises for Jonah, Ellie and me but that's Josh for you. Even on his birthday you can't spoil him.




Thank you Uncle Bob and Aunt Shell for the fun pinata!

4. Charlotte learned assisted walking.

Cute bum!

Jonah took these last two.


3. Ellie got caught red-handed, cheeked, eyed and every other part of her face. When all was a little too quiet upstairs I walked into my room to find these two little troublemakers sitting in the shower, make up bag out, very guilty looks on their faces. Don't worry Erika, I'm pretty sure Ellie was the instigator in this matter...as well as all others where mischief is involved.

...and yes, Ellie did find that bag of candy and stuff them all down before I caught it.

2. The Moons came for a visit!!! I questioned their sanity a little, wanting to spend their Spring Break in a desert, but am SO glad they did! We had a blast together, the weather was perfect and it was nice to get a little bit of Williamsburg back in our lives. Since I let Elizabeth take all the pictures with her very nice camera, I will refer you to her blog for details/pics.
http://www.moontimes.blogspot.com/

1. Jonah turned four! And here is one instance where I would prefer that he stay as young as possible for as long as possible. It all goes too quickly...the funny sayings, transient passions (i.e. transformers, bow and arrows, "Mom, I love you" a thousand times a day). I don't want it to end and yet with each new phase of life will come new things to be excited about I'm sure.
So Jonah had a little "Transformers" party (go figure) and loved every second of it. Of course he now has about ten transformers that I can't figure out, but he's grown very patient with me. Just this morning when he asked me if I'd transform his tank and I told him there was the possibility that I may not be able to transform it back and might even possibly break it trying, he said, "Let's just wait for Daddy to get home."





Until next month...