dance demo at the museum party

E loved the dance, did it several times, but always refused to wear the colorful shirts they had for the kids. She stayed on the periphery but had a great time. No, I don't know what the song is.

David's latest painting

costume family

On Saturday our children's museum had a costume party called the Make Believe Ball. David was recruited to wear "#9" and sign autographs for the kids in the "outer space" area. E has been so into Wizard of Eyes that I steered her into dressing up as Dorothy and made myself into Scarecrow. She wanted me to be Tin Man, but I said no, Daddy's the Tin Man!

This is us during a break backstage. David took the head of the robot off.


E would NOT wear the blue gingham apron that I wanted to fashion into a dress for her. She cried and ran away, several times, as if it was coated in acid. And she really wanted "the pink kind of ruby slippers" not the red ones (we found these at the dollar store). But once she saw herself in the mirror, she was pleased. You can't see all the straw I had tucked into my sleeves and shoes - it was a mess. David made my hat. Toto shared Dorothy's basket with Purple Blankie, which is hidden behind the diaper bag in this photo. Because Blankie was in it, E didn't seem to mind carrying the basket.

It was a fun evening. E's favorite activities were playing in the play kitchen, sifting sand for "buried treasure" (rocks painted gold), and smearing a balloon with thick gobs of paint. She also loved the African dance lessons - I'll upload a video soon.

cooperation defined

David asked E what co-operate means, and she said "It means right now!"

blame detective Harry

or you can blame my aunt, for giving me a good crime novel to read. It's taking my time away from blogging.

went on a hike today

first day of my trip

I woke up to a dusting of snow on the fir and aspen trees this morning. Saw lots of elk yesterday. There were several female elk grazing on the grounds, and a male elk in the woods not far from the footpath into town.

Here is a link to where I am this week: Banff Centre. The mountains are AMAZING.

cinderella at the sink

We'll be waking her up in a few minutes so David can drive me to the airport. Even drugs couldn't help me sleep last night. I don't understand myself. Excited like a little kid? Or a nervous wreck?

dancer

At the Latin American Dance Festival today E loved dancing on the stage during breaks. Camera wasn't ready in time to catch the best of it, but I did get this odd moment. Figured out later that she was doing a little curtsy or bow and shouting "clap!" at me.

latest ballet video find

Chinese Ballet Circus video

E said she can dance like this when she's a little older.

remind you of anyone?

Yes, this was her own idea!

weekend update

I cooked again today! I baked sweet potatoes and cooked rice in chicken broth. So proud of myself. I discovered I love sweet potatoes creamed with ripe banana and milk. I called it pudding but E still wanted none of it.

Last 2 days I've been making a "done list" again. Helps put things in perspective.

Next week, Tuesday, I go on a trip for work to Banff, in western Canada. It will be my first trip to Canada. It may snow. The airline routed me through Houston, so I'm going to stop over to see my aunt and uncle there - the high will be 85. I'll come back Sunday night the 12th.

The power company is going to cut down 2 of our dead trees instead of just one - hallelujah!

E has been pretending to be Princess Cinderella Dorothy. She'll call me Mommy Tin Man or Mommy Scarecrow and ask me to say something, then I'll say it. Then she'll respond (she's always Dorothy) and add after her statement, in a narrator voice, "...said Dorothy". She just started doing that yesterday.

David's painting in another theatre until Monday night. My flight leaves Tuesday at 6:30 am. He'll be home with E during my trip.