my happiest songs

Bubbly was a pretty good song - still is - makes me smile a lot.

But there is a new contender at the top of my playlist. I have been listening constantly, and choreographing it in my head.

I have always liked Michael Buble' - but this song is better than all the rest. It makes me think of everything happy -

"You're a falling star, you're the getaway car,
you're the line in the sand when I go too far.
You're the swimming pool on an August day
and you're the perfect thing to say . . .
in this crazy life, and through these crazy times -
it's you, it's you - you make me sing.
You're every line, you're every word, you're everything."

If you haven't already, you must - simply MUST hear it. Click here to listen to EVERYTHING.

go go go joseph

So - supposedly it is my very favorite musical of all time. But after last night, I would be willing to say it's more about Donny Osmond than even I would like to believe.

We saw the Chanhassen's version of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat last night. Punk declared it "PERFECT", Kooka said it was the "best show ever!" , even Aaron said it was "pretty good." But then there is me.

The acting was decent, the choreography was hokey (not that anybody's dance skills were phenomenal to start with), the set was cheesey, the wigs were worse - and most importantly - there was no Donny Osmond.

I know I am picky I KNOW it. But even the adults did not match foot positions, Joseph's wig looked like a Barbie with a bad haircut, and Potiphar looked like he was about 17 (which I later learned was not too far off). Call me critical - but for god's sake - the stage is 6 times as big as the one I work on and they hardly used any of it. I expect a bit more than that for $70.

Having said that - it was not a bad show. It was OK. The bright spot was when one of Pharoah's wives came out to dance with Kooka during the finale. Kooka is a sucker for beautiful ladies that give her attention - and this chick had it all. . . barely dressed, ruby-red lipstick, a sparkly cobra crown and about 12 pounds of faux gold jewelry. Even Punk was a little impressed with Kooka's good fortune.

Afterward they met one of Joseph's brother's outside, and stopped for a picture. I hope my kids don't actually read this post - if they find out how hyper critical I am about this stuff, I may never see another puppet show again.

one more week

One more week until the end of this show. It has consumed our lives the past three months. One practice was 6 hours long. We leave the theater at 10:30pm most nights. Punk falls asleep with eyeliner on. I am stripping the gel from Kooka's hair every night. We have eaten way too many lunchables. We are exhausted. And we wouldn't have it any other way.

defending her boys

A discussion at ballet class.

McKenzie: Did you know something Jana?
Me: What?
McKenzie: Boys - they do not dance. They can't. Boys do not dance.

Poor McKenzie. She never stood a chance.

Because in pipes Kooka- hands on her hips, pigtails swinging. "THAT is such a stereotype! My brother Punk is a wonderful dancer. And actually I know a lot of boys who dance - Punk and Schroeder and PigPen and Fred. And they are quite good!"

Sometimes that kid does not seem 5.

dethroned

After nearly nine years of irrefutable reign, the prince and the princess are about to be dethroned. Punk was born in 1999, Kooka in 2002, and since then have been the only grandkids for Aaron's parents.

But over Thanksgiving Uncle-Cares-a-Lot and Auntie M., announced that they are expecting a baby in June. We are so, so happy for them.

the thought that counts

So Aaron brought me roses for opening night. Beautiful melon colored roses - my very very favorite.

Kooka assumed they were for her, so Aaron slipped one into a vase for her.

Punk saw it - and asked where his was. "You want one?" Aaron asked. "You really want one?"

There was a pause, as Punk looked from the roses, to me to Aaron. "No," he says, "I'd rather just have the cash."

the surreal life

One of the best part of being in an Arts Guild play are the cast parties. This particular cast has 20 kids - and with so many bright, and creative people on hand, the parties are usually more entertaining than the actual shows.

This weekend - the party was at Martha's house. The grownups hang out upstairs, and the kids in the basement - that's not really how it's supposed to be - it's just how it IS. The upstairs is full of polite conversations, mingling and vegetable trays.

Downstairs is where the real party is at. There are no vegetables down here - but there is a pirate in moonshoes bouncing in delirious circles, Snow White singing karaoke, a shirtless 5-year old with a ninja stick. It is more than a bit surreal. There is a bride with Hulk fists covered in light from a disco ball, an 8 year-old with gopher cheeks full of cheetoes, piggy back rides, wrestling and bed jumping - lots and lots of bed jumping. The laughter is loud and the conversations are not always polite - but they are usually funny. The kids range in age from 5-16, and they are all here together - all happy. It looks a little bit like this:



. . . and we feel pretty lucky to live in this crazy surreal world - even if it's just for a few weeks more.

santa and the skeptic

We took our annual trip to the mall to see Santa today. I keep thinking that each year might be the last time, but it never gets old to Punk and Kooka.

We barely set foot in the mall - the place is pretty empty - there is no line at Santa's workshop. We're 25 yards from the place and Punk shouts "Santa!!!" He goes barelling through the mall straight into the big guy's lap, wraps his arms around him and says, "Oh Santa - it's so good to see you again. I missed you."

Kooka is excited but a bit more reserved. She asks for a doll that looks just like her, or a blue fuzzy robe - whatever Santa wants to bring. Punk asks for a cage to keep critters in - specifically toads.

The ride home sounds something like this:

Punk: "Isn't Santa just amazing?"
Kooka: "Actually he is a little suspicious."
Punk: "WHAT?! No he isn't!"
Kooka: "O.K. well don't you think it's weird that he never once got stuck in a chimney? Or that he always just happens to be at THIS mall? Or that he always knows when we are asleep? I mean that's like a miracle."
Punk: "I KNOW - I'm 8 and I still can't figure it out."
Kooka looks at me in the rearview mirror. Her eyebrows are up and her eyes are small - she is scanning my face.

I smile at her. This is the same child who tried to convince her big brother to set a trap for the tooth fairy. The one who at age three asked, "How does a little rabbit carry all those baskets? That story cannot be real."

So there we are in the car, the 8 year-old dreamer who truly believes that anything is possible, the 5 year-old skeptic -nobody's fool, who cannot stand to be duped. And me in the middle, remembering - just in case this is our last trip like this.

the countdown

Less than 48 hours until opening night of Cheaper By The Dozen. Kooka is thrilled to be in her first real play and completely adores her "big sisters" and her stage parents. Punk is really in his element - and loving hanging out with - and trading smack talk with his heroes: Snoopy, Schroeder, PigPen and LaFou (Who in this play are known as Joe, Frank, Bill and Mac).

Dress rehearsal went well for both kids. I am still trying to work out some choreography issues - but overall am very happy with the cast. Here's a sneak peak of the kids backstage in full costume.

funny mom

This mom is hilarious - everything you'd say to your kid in a day - she sums up in under 3 minutes. Check it out here . . . .William Tell Mom.

two down - nine to go

Two shows are over. Just nine more to go. Punk, Kooka, Princess, Zazu and Lillian rocked the house at the MTW show. They performed at a dinner theater review and were fabulous. Hopefully Aaron will give me some pictures soon - so you can all see what you missed. Man they were cute.

here goes my self-respect

I was late for work today. And it wasn't for the usual reasons. Everybody was dressed, had their bags packed, hair combed - and I could not leave the house because of Donny Osmond. He was on Oprah and I could not tear myself away.

So this is my moment of truth: I love Donny Osmond. I do. Ever since I was 5 and he ice skated into my living room on Friday nights. I had the Donny doll and the purple socks. I saw Joseph 4 times. I still listen to Soldier of Love on my i-pod.

I've heard rumors of a reunion tour - I hope it's true. Now all they have to do is bring that one BeeGee back from the dead, turn Michael Jackson back into an 8-year old,reunite New Kids on the Block and I could live happily ever after.

Bring it on - I know the smart-alec comments are coming.

kooka

When I grow up I want to be a cook or a vet.

My favorite color is pink.

My favorite lunch is watermelon, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes and smuckers uncrustables.

The funniest thing in the world when Punk does funny things - it just makes me laugh a lot.

The saddest thing in the world is when some people are sick like Pa and Katie.

My favorite thing about homeschooling is MATH and reading about Gus the bug.

The worst part of homeschooling is history. I like the stories - but there is something about history I do NOT like.

If I could meet one person in the whole world it would be Mr. Disney and I would tell him thank you for making so many things that my brother and I like.

punk

When I grow up I want to be a cartoonist.

My favorite color is green.

My favorite lunch is candy! Just kidding - watermelon and macaroni and cheese.

The funniest thing in the world are Disney Cartoons. They just make me giggle so much I cry.

The saddest thing in the world - it will be be when someone I love dies. It has never happened to me before - but it will.

My favorite thing about homeschooling is that I get to be with my family. And my mom can just help me when I need it and i don't have to wait.

The worst part of homeschooling is nothing really.

If I could meet one person in the whole world it be Teddy Roosevelt because he is just amazing and my very favorite president.

Kooka's debut

Kooka wants me to remind you all that she will be making her theatrical debut in the Northfield Arts Guild production of Cheaper by the Dozen. Tickets are available at the NAG website NAG Tickets. Kooka is the youngest cast member and will playing Jane Gilbreth. Punk plays her older brother Dan. Lots of our friends happen to be in the production too - Schroeder, Snoopy, Pigpen, Lafou, Cole, Lillian & our babysitter "the Napkin."

The show opens the weekend before Thanksgiving, and runs through December 2. It will likely sell out - so get your tickets soon.

overheard at the theater

"Punk - I think your mom is crazy. Cool - very cool, but crazy."

"You're right. She is."

trick or treat

This is our new best friend.

He's our new neighbor Josh - and a Halloween master. When we saw the torches lining his driveway, and the skeletons hanging from the pirate gallows - we knew we were gonna like this guy.

But then . . . .we actually went up to the garage door and the guy WAS Jack Sparrow. He had prisoners in a jail cell, pirate girls passing our candy, and a treasure-filled pirate ship with moving walls that the kids could steer.

Punk was thrilled. Kooka could not believe it. It truly was amazing - we went back twice.

I hope he gets this excited about all the holidays.

Later we stopped to visit Treats, Medea and Mr. Treats. Medea took both kids out trick or treating AGAIN. Kooka's bag was so heavy it actually ripped. After that, it was off to Nikki's - where Punk and Kooka each got 4 candy bars and a bucket of gummi bears. The grand total was about 5 pounds of candy per kid.