Momma’s Angel

Day Five November 29, 2007

It has been a pretty eventful week thus far. Emily and I have found out the dances we are doing for the recital in June. Our oldest cat, Tuxedo (14 years old), is quickly declining in health.

Monday Sara Ellen and I took a walk up to the library. We also stopped into Blockbuster to rent Ratatouille and got lunch at Subway. The whole trip took about an hour. At ballet Emily and I learned that Carol’s ballet will be Balero, an abstract ballet with a Spanish flair. Instead of this dance Katie M and I will be dancing a modern dance choreographed by Kristi to gives the other ballerinas time to change. We were originally given the choice to do this dance with Kristi and her friend who is the current jazz teacher. Now… the dance will be a duet for Katie and I!! Monday afternoon we learned that Tuxedo, who has been suffering for a while from renal/liver failure was bleeding from his mouth. I found him in the basement with red on his front paw and matted fur. He didn’t have much energy and sat in front of the water dishes while I did the litter.

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Kennedy Krieger Institute Festival of Trees November 25, 2007

With Thanksgiving behind us, the Christmas season is upon us! I wanted to take advantage of the local seasonal events (like pumpkin patches at Halloween) so Tim agreed to visit the Kennedy Krieger Institute Festival of Trees as a family before his trip. It meant driving up to Timonium and the Maryland State Fairgrounds. It was advertised that “if Santa had a theme park, this would be it.” I was really looking forward to wintry indoor forests of decorated and donated trees (for sale), with a few vendors, and the kids rides. It was quite the opposite.

The largest room, a forest of vendors with clumps of pretty trees. We didn’t have a map and finally got directions to the food. We had to cross the crowd to the ATM and back to order our chicken baskets. I got seats pretty quickly, but Tim had to wait in line while more food was cooked. Then we got directions to the children’s area. There were gingerbread houses to buy and decorate for $12 but we forgot to take one home. There were crafts, rides, and games. Everything required tickets. The pony/reindeer rides, train, and carousel were all $5! I know the event is a fundraiser but I think $5 is excessive. The lines were pretty long but at least rides made 3 or 4 rotations. There were also animals to see and pet. A dark colored parrot quietly scratched around his eye but would squawk and sing for Sara Ellen and she repeated back. A lighter colored parrot did tricks with wood chips on his back and imitated our bouncing. Sara Ellen got to pet a fluffy, brown bunny and mallard duck. I discovered a Discovery Toys vendor and Sara Ellen played with a jingle ball maze while I checked out the manufacturing details and products. Hopefully we can find some new ways to keep Sara Ellen busy learning. As we left I asked for help at the ticket booth. I had paid for two adults and one child without knowing under 5’s are free. The nice lady handed me a $5 bill. Maybe we’ll win the Camry we put our names in for.

The drive was a bit long, though shorter than anticipated and the event did not exceed or even meet my expectations. I don’t think I’ll be doing that again.

Day One

Did we really just see Tim last night?! Sara Ellen and I put him on a plane to Norway and we’re already missing him. She has been saying his name off and on since we left him. This is different from the time of our Virginia trip in September, I don’t think she asked about him. He’ll be back Dec 8th, the day before Sara Ellen’s birthday party.

Today I wanted to do something fun instead of hanging around at home so after church, Sara Ellen and I headed to Homestead Gardens. I invited Emily but she accompanied our mother and brother on a shopping trip and then took Michael back to school.

Sara Ellen and I picked up some food (no more Thanksgiving leftovers!) and ate before visiting the garden shop. She enjoyed running around the live trees and plants outside. Inside we visited the plant, ornament, outdoor decor, and train rooms. It was fun because we were just exploring not shopping. I knew this trip was probably something we would enjoy together and could repeat with others later. It was actually a nicer winter wonderland than the trip to Timonium and back for the Kennedy Krieger Festival of Trees.

Sara Ellen is saying “christmas tree” and “birthday”. Today she learned “poinsettia”, “roses”, “cactus”, and “pansy” while we explored the wonderful ways to spruce up for Christmas. I really liked the short topiary-type trees for the front door and large lightable outdoor ornaments which can stand or hang.

Back at home she visited the dog across the street and met two more on a walk with a baby girl and her parents. We’re cozy and warm inside now watching “Bears-a-frog”, aka “Monsters, Inc.”. She hasn’t napped yet, at 5:50pm. Neither the car ride nor warm milk lulled her. She could lie down and sleep soon and we’ll have a late night or just go down for the night early, dear Lord, I hope it’s the latter.

Sara Ellen’s Wishlist November 11, 2007

The holiday season is even more exciting for Sara Ellen, though she may not know it. She has a birthday and Christmas coming and I’ve compiled a little list for the gift-givers. For clothing she wears a 3T or bigger. She already has boots (warm and rain) coats (rain, fleece, and snowsuit).

- There is an Amazon.com wishlist of mostly books and some toys. She is listening to regular storybooks (not just board) and turning pages.

- Melissa and Doug stackable train and vehicle maze (available from Barnes and Noble)

- Thomas the Tank Engine books, dvd’s, and toys

- Tee’s and turtleneck’s

- Winter-warm dresses

- Tights

- Footed one- or two-piece pajamas

- Denim or cord pants

- Swing set

- scooting vehicle

- Fun toys. Use your own judgement, but she enjoys some “3yr” activites.

- Music cd’s

35th State Dance Festival November 5, 2007

So this year’s dance festival is over. I am glad that I attended but it wasn’t as great as I hoped it would be.

First class Friday was Open Stretch with Lucy Bowen-McCauley. It was a full class, dancers of all ages. We did a lot of great stretches, some I’ve never tried before. Second class Friday was Open Modern with Thom and Christine Cobb. Again, very full with dancers of all ages. It was fun but I wish I’d been able to get the combination better that Christine taught us. I felt pretty good after both classes, loose and relaxed. But then I did not sleep well all and woke up early, sleepy and achy.

First class Saturday was Senior Int/Adv Ballet with Rhodie Jorgenson. The lights were dim and the wood floor slippery but the teacher was great. I stood with Emily and Carol (L’EdD teacher) and worked really hard. This time the level was more specific but still, several dancers had their own interpretation of the instructions.
Second class Saturday was Senior Contemporary with Calen Kurka. Helping him were members of his company. It was *really* crowded, maybe seventy or more. They led us through a few exercises to gauge our abilities, then they taught segments of choreography. It was fast, hard to see and very detailed, making it pretty frustrating to learn. By the end I just gave into the throwing myself around parts. Emily and I drove out for lunch and then I returned her for afternoon classes before going home.

I went back for Emily and pizza before the Artist’s Concert. Oh, boy, that did not go well.
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Fun Stuff Coming Up November 2, 2007

November is shaping up to be fun, and busy.

This weekend, Emily, myself, and several dancers at L’Ecole de Danse are attending the Maryland Council for Dance Festival. Starting tonight we took an hour long stretch class then a modern class. Very loose and easy. The rides there and home were nutty. The directions we had were a mess and on the way home the car battery was dying. We made it home just in time. Tomorrow I am taking a ballet and contemporary class, then meeting KRISTEN OLLOCK TYLER for lunch! I ran into her right after checking in! I am spending the afternoon at home then returning for an Artist’s performance and bringing Emily home. Sunday morning I’m taking Modern and Yoga.

Tim plays bells at church on Sunday, 11/11.

Friday, 11/16, we’ll see the Goucher Dancer’s In Action Fall Concert. 8pm.

Saturday, 11/17, I’m attending, and possibly vending at the “Get to Know Your Hillsmere Women Owned Businesses”. From the Hillsmere Shores newsletter, The Seabreeze”: “If you would like to see statistics on how women’s purchasing decision influences the market you can research the web using the search words ‘percentage of purchasing decisions made by women.’” Then we’ll drive to Richmond to see Tim’s mom.

The 22nd is Thanksgiving, and Tim leaves for a two-week trip to Norway.

Woohoo! Christmas Season! Oh, and we’re researching to buy a car this winter!!