It'll take some getting used to...

So I googled my husband's name in conjunction with his "new boss", and came across a site where the members were discussing the Tampa Bay show last Sunday.

They were surprised at the addition of the songs August sang, but the guy who went to the show said he did a "respectable" job.

If anyone says anything negative, I might have to make up a login ID and verbally kick some butt. So far, that doesn't seem necessary.

And as an added bonus, the guy posted these really, really good pictures!

I call this one, "August, this here is a guitar..."

August really likes his new friend, Jimmy.

And that's a wrap!

Outtakes...the ones that won't make the card...

Curiouser and curiouser...

"We're all mad here," says the Chesire Cat to Alice.

Kennedy's 7th grade drama class performed Lewis Carroll's version of Alice in Wonderland yesterday and it was fabulous.

The entire play was directed by the kids...from costumes to set design to stage direction. Kennedy was on the costume committee, and played the "other" Alice, which in the original story, is the Alice that appears fleetingly in scenes, seen by the "real" Alice who wonders who she is...

Julia and Giorgia shared the role of the "real" Alice, with Julia playing the first half, and Giorgia the second.

Kennedy, Julia, Giorgia

"Off with her head!" says the Queen of Hearts.

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Sydney played an excellent Queen, and here is she sporting the costume that Kennedy and India designed. The dress...purchased from Goodwill one afternoon when the girls forced me into a Goodwill Store much against my will. But hey, the dress was perfect for $7!

"Twinkle, twinkle little bat. How I wonder where you're at!" says the Mad Hatter at the Tea Party.

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Ricky may have been my favorite (besides Kennedy, of course). And yes, this jacket belongs to August and was found in the midst of his 80s stage clothes. Kennedy and India gasped with joy when I pulled it out and showed it to them. They knew it would be a perfect Mad Hatter jacket!

"Oh my ears and whiskers, how late it's getting!" says the White Rabbit.

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Jordan's mom is applying his whiskers before the show.

Good job, Tina...Jordan looks amazing as the White Rabbit!

During the jury scene at the end of the play, the "other" Alice comes out, much to the confusion of the "real" Alice. The Queen seems to want to chop off everyone's head. Kennedy doesn't look too worried... Oh, and this is the other $7 dress from Goodwill, with patches applied by our good friend Shan, India's mum.

"Wake up, Alice," says Alice's sister (India) to Alice (Kennedy). Seems Alice fell asleep during her lesson and had the strangest dream...

India & Kennedy

Mrs. Naturman introduces the cast

These kids should be so proud. They did an excellent job.

"If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary-wise; what it is it wouldn't be, and what it wouldn't be, it would. You see?"

THE END

January Recap

Um, happy New Year and stuff! January was fun-filled, beginning with New Year's Eve!
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Cute kids...


Good friends...

I went to the Craft and Hobby Show (for work, of course, because I am dedicated like that). This was one of my favorite things. The Tree of Life. You can hang memorabilia from it, or pictures or decorate it for the holidays!
Emilee turned 14 and Stacy made some rocking cupcakes and took about 10000000000 kids to the glow-in-the-dark putt putt golf place (as seen on Gene Simmons' show, Family Jewels).

I went along to take pictures. And eat a cupcake.

Nana and Bampa came to visit! So good to see them!

One night, there was a marvelous red sky sunset.

And Kennedy attended her first bat mitzvah, and then her second the very next weekend. And got her hair done for one, and boy is she lovely.

And Brookie had a Girl Scout event on the last day of the month...Thinking Day, and her troop represented the state of Hawaii.

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She really liked the flower they gave her for her hair.

February is off to a fast start... August left today for Chicago. Two days of rehearsal, and a show in Tampa this weekend. This is the first show where he will be singing the lead on several songs.

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He is excited.

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I miss him terribly though.

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Tomorrow, Kennedy's drama class is presenting Alice in Wonderland...a play that has been designed and directed by students. She is "second Alice", which is an alternate Alice in Lewis Carroll's literary version that didn't make it to the Disney version. She was also on the costume committee which put together all the costumes for the play!

August just called from Chicago, he made it safe and sound...someone is picking him up in the morning and his adventure will continue, stay tuned!

Life when you're seven

Admit it, the life of a 7 year-old is pretty darn good. You are naturally cute. You color and play with Barbies. You might have a pink Nintendo DS.

And a loving older sister.

But sometimes the days are dark, like when you have to eat a green bean.

But mostly, yes mostly, the days are sunshiney bright. And when you are seven, some of the things that come out of your mouth are hysterical because you are just so little still.

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Like the other day, Brooke and a friend were discussing how "chatty" some girls in their class are (something about pots and kettles comes to mind), and how Katie and Reilly were talking and talking while Miss Davis was trying to teach, and Miss Davis asked them to please be quiet and then, instead of talking they...

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began "silent dialogue-ing".

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Ummm. I think back in the dark ages we called that "passing notes".

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He said whaaat???

Dennis' feedback on last Sunday's show, as told to August by Tim, the manager:

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I just spoke with his mgr (Tim) for about 30min, and he said Dennis really enjoys my “child-like enthusiasm”..he told Tim that at the show, he kept looking over at me and seeing how much fun I was having, but also picked up on the fact that behind my perpetual grin was the thought bubble “HOW did I get here!?! Is this really happening to ME?!”

Tim also said Dennis told him “I sang really well tonight, for Tony (LaRussa, his longtime friend and show host)…and for August”…he wanted to impress me on the first show. Me!? Haha…this IS priceless J

SO thankful!!!!!

And so it begins...August's fantastic adventure

January 17, 2010 - St. Louis, Missouri - Stars to the Rescue, a benefit concert for ARF (Animal Rescue Foundation). Dennis was scheduled to perform a 6 song acoustic set with his guitar player, Jimmy Leahey.

But he insisted that August come, too.

August met Jimmy and they had an instant rapport. His first show was a success...


Obviously I better come to a show and get some close-up pictures, eh?

Here is Dennis with Jonathan Cain from Journey. (Styx, Journey...two out of three tributes bands are represented right here!)

Jimmy, Suzanne (Dennis' wife of 40 years), Tony LaRussa (manages/owns? St Louis Cardinals), Dennis, and my happy, happy husband.

Did I mention happy, happy husband? And so...the journey begins....

He will be rockin' the paradise...stay tuned!

Welcome 2010

I am proud of my husband.

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2010 will be a big year for him musically. Playing music is his passion, it's been his paying hobby, but certainly he has always wished for it to be his livelihood.

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He's not quitting his day job, but he finally got a project where he can showcase his talents in a BIG way!

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He will be touring. He will be seeing cities he's never seen. He will be singing and playing guitar. (With a VERY accomplished singer/songwriter...I am in awe of the magnitude of this.)

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He will be awesome.