Drama Girl's First Day of School

I love the day after Labor Day on social media. All of my mom friends are posting beautiful pictures of their kids starting school. I have a few of my own.

Here's Drama Girl on her first day of kindergarten.

And here she is on her first day teaching a college class. I love that she sent me a first day of school picture. I love that she apologized for the unpacked boxes. As if I would care! She just moved into her new apartment a few days ago.

I am so proud I could burst. There is nothing like knowing your kids are going to make it, that they're doing what they love, that their future is so bright they've gotta wear shades.

Congratulations Drama Girl. I love you so much.

It's Not About the Day

Happy Mother's Day to those of you who have children, wish for children, or are just starting to think about children. And if you are uncomfortable today because you've lost your mom, or you have a strained relationship with your mother, or for any reason really, I'll be your mom. Today and every day.

The greatest gift Drama Girl gave me today was informing me that she'd invited another friend for this Thanksgiving. I'm already excited.

Last Thanksgiving, my kids and their friends flew in from all over the country to my house. I got to be the mom for everyone who needed it. They slept all over the house in beds and couches and air mattresses, they all cooked, arranged flowers, and got board games going. It was a lot of people in my tiny house.

It was the greatest time of my life. One of the many payoffs for raising kids is getting to embrace their friends and being embraced by them in return.

 Happy Mother's Day to you and the family you were born into or the family you have found. It's not about the day, it's about the love.

Where Are We Now? Part 4

Jungle Boy has never been afraid to leap into things. Like Drama Girl, when it was time for college he selected a small school across the country that had a good program in the field he was interested in.

He marveled at the age of buildings there - California is so young by comparison. He joined the crew team, took an intense class in wine tasting offered by the local culinary school, and met up with Drama Girl in New York city on occasion.

But California and a change of plans called him back. He decided to change schools when he switched his major to electrical engineering and decided to spend some time catching up on all the prerequisites he needs at a community college first.

A month ago he entered a big hackathon in L.A. with some friends from school. 1600 young people from all over the world competed to design, create, and program innovative products. There were prizes from major Silicon Valley companies and even a big grand prize from Nintendo.

Jungle Boy and his team won the grand prize, and each received a Nintendo Switch gaming system.

He's president of the engineering club at his school now, and taking a lot of science and math classes. For fun he throws his surfboard into his little convertible and heads to the beach.

I am, as always, ridiculously proud.

Where Are They Now? Part 2

Drama Girl was 11 years old when I started this blog in 2008. We were struggling with the issue of her messy room and celebrating her love of Harry Potter books. My how she's grown!

She's traveled the world - exceeding her goal of 21 countries before her 21st birthday. Better still, she figured out ways to work while she traveled, doing things such as teaching English, so that she managed to pay for almost all of it herself. (Mom says yay!)

She graduated from a college that has a castle just like Hogwarts and finished her degree in three years. (Mom says yay again!) She just got accepted into a fully-funded (Mom is delirious with yays) three-year program to get her MFA in writing. She'll be teaching the next generation and passing on her love of books. Her students will be very lucky.

Everything I could have hoped and dreamed for her is coming true and I couldn't possibly be prouder. Not only is she reaching high and achieving her goals, she has blossomed into a compassionate, fierce, spectacular woman. I'm glad we're friends.

Her room still tends to be pretty messy though.

The Final Tears

This weekend was the final ballet recital for Drama Girl.  After nine years of study,  it was time to say farewell to her beloved ballet school.

As in previous years, she was asked to use her storytelling skills to keep the excited younger dancers calm backstage.  I got a picture of this during dress rehearsal.

You could have heard a pin drop, they were so attentive.  I didn't hear the whole story, but it was a fairy tale that she made up.

She has worked as a student teacher for each of the classes of younger girls over the years.  She knows every single one of them.  So I was not surprised when the head of the ballet school made Drama Girl the star of the show.  She was the "birthday girl" and each class performed a dance as part of the party scene.

When she came out in her party dress, she was so lovely and happy. She combined her love of acting and dance and just glowed onstage. 

The final dance was the tribute to all of the graduating seniors.  It was beautiful and touching and at their last bow the five girls each got a big bouquet of flowers.  Several were fighting back tears, including Drama Girl.  Many of us in the audience were dabbing our eyes.

This dance school has been a huge part of her life.  She's taking her ballet shoes to college and hopes to make room in her schedule for classes.  As for me, I will be forever grateful for the chance to watch her experience all of this.

Happy Fatigue

I am so exhausted today. Spent all day yesterday cooking and preparing for the party.  It all went well.  My kids have wonderful friends.  Several of them came over right after school.  Others came throughout the evening.

Several of the girls pitched in to help skewer fruit, set up the buffet, and even decorate the front porch.

I set up a photo area with props and today I found about 60 shots on my camera that I'd left in that room.  I have no idea how many they took with their own cameras.

And, true to form, the teenagers ate and ate and ate.  The big batch of deviled eggs was gone instantly.  Ditto the "mummy dogs."  Meatballs that I thought were too spicy were inhaled.  Wasabi Girl tried to sneak off with the chex mix.

I finally broke up the party at 11:00 because today there is school and work to get back to.

Today I'm moving pretty slowly.  I was tired to the bone last night.  Wish I could join Hestia and just stay tucked in bed for the day.  But it's happy exhaustion.  I'd rather have all the kids at my house than worry about my kids and what they might be doing at other people's houses. 

Here's the list of recipes with links, for my future reference, and in case you're interested.

Pumpkin Fluff dip with cinnamon grahams and nilla wafers.
Bacon Cheddar Deviled Eggs
Fruit skewers with Halloween peeps on top
Pumpkin chip muffins
Mummy dogs
Cocktail meatballs served  with rolls to make sandwiches
Chex mix
Marshmallow popcorn balls with mini m and ms added
Chocolate pumpkin rice krispie treats

Now to try to get some candle wax out of a tablecloth.  Any suggestions?  Of course it was a black candle...

Colors of the Wind Quilt

This is the latest quilt that Wasabi Girl and I basted.  It's been waiting patiently, but I think it's time to quilt it up since Fall is just around the corner.

While we were pinning, Wasabi Girl said "mom, you just put all the colors of the wind in this one!"  This phrase is a reference to the Disney movie "Pocahontas."  We just had a quick trip to Disneyland so I think she was still in a Disney frame of mind.  It seems like a great name for a quilt to me, so that's what I'm going to call it.

If you'll look carefully, you'll see a big mistake.  I can't believe it.  I didn't notice it until I was well underway with quilting and I looked at this picture again.  Too late to turn back now so the mistake stays in.

Right now I'm quilting all the seams around every single leaf.  Then I plan to go in and add detail quilting.  This one is going to take me a while.

I now have a high school senior and two sophomores in the house.  Although more often than not, my house looks something like this:

A bunch of kids gathered around watching Downton Abbey.  Or playing Clue, or doing other awesome things I didn't even imagine teenagers actually do.  I love them all, although I'm never sure how many people will be over for dinner.  It's a wonderful problem to have.

Something New

Well this came out of nowhere.  Wasabi Girl asked for a ride to her old middle school yesterday.  She had made arrangements to take French horn lessons from her former band teacher.  She is going to pay him by working - she transcribes flute parts for him.  She's done that for him before.  He has some extra horns that aren't being rented out over the summer and he's letting her try one out.

She already plays the saxophone, which isn't anything like a French horn as far as technique.  She came right home from her first lesson and spent a long time practicing. After a while she figured out how to play "Yo Ho, A Pirate's Life for Me" from the ride at Disneyland. 

I have to admire her initiative, and her interest.  I'm not sure where she's going with this, but I'm proud how she figured out how to pursue this idea almost all on her own.  I wont mind a few trips in the car for lessons.  She's almost 15 1/2 so she promises she'll be driving soon.

Our living room is turning into quite the music room, with the harp, piano, trumpet, saxophone, various recorders, guitars, and now a French horn.  I love it, even if it is a bit cluttered.

A Letter From My 16 Year Old Daughter to the Senate

Today, I am ashamed to call myself an American.

        I will carry this shame with me until the Senate decides to pass a bill that expands background checks on purchasers of guns. Any bill, whether it’s President Obama’s gun control package or the Manchin--Toomey plan. Any bill at all that does anything to atone for the violence and hatred that has been so recently running rampant throughout our country. Anything at all to comfort, however slightly, the heartbroken families of the Sandy Hook victims and the countless others suffering because of loved ones lost to gun violence. But until that day, I am ashamed.

        I know there have been compromises proposed by both parties. I will not pretend to be an expert where gun control is concerned. But I do know that President Obama has proposed measures expanding background checks and banning certain military-style weapons. I have no statistics for you, no data that says the number of attacks that would be avoided because of these measures or how many potential murderers will be stopped because of them. If you want this kind of evidence, then my argument is already lost, because I believe that this is not an issue of science or numbers but of human compassion and responsibility. I have no data, only this simple belief--that more background checks would decrease the number of mentally unstable people purchasing guns. Even if it only stops one person, just one person who could have bought that gun but was stopped, then maybe that background check just saved an entire elementary school. To me, this is the same principle as airport security--as American citizens, we are willing to undergo certain inconveniences for the sake of our safety. I will not argue against the right to carry a gun, only against the assumption that everyone has the right to do so. There are bad people in this world.

        I hope that you will understand why I feel this way, because I have tried and tried but I still cannot see your point of view. I cannot understand how you can look at these victims, how you can look Gabrielle Giffords in the eyes and say to them, “I want to help.” You said that to them when you chose to serve on the United States Senate. You took a promise, your personal moral values aside, to help the people of this country. Yet in the very room where that hope and promise of the future is supposed to be brought about, by you, you instead turn to these families and say, “I will not help you.” Though to be fair, perhaps in your mental narrative it goes something like this--”You see, I want you help you, but--” And then perhaps you will go on to explain yourself. You might mention the pressures of the National Rifle Association, or were there political factors that were involved in your decision. I only hope, that when you offer some sort of excuse for yourself, you will not embarrass this nation further by claiming that you acted on your own conscience. If that is the case, then my shame is only worsened, because instead of weak-willed political puppets making decisions about my safety, instead I have monsters. Instead I have people who cannot empathize with the suffering of their country.

        Before, I was not afraid of guns. I am a sixteen-year-old girl living in the Bay Area of California, a place I believe to be one of the most open-minded and safe places to live. I thought I was removed from the horrible deeds of the world. I didn’t have to worry about getting shot on my way to school. But wasn’t that the same train of thought subconsciously running through the minds of those elementary school children on their way to Sandy Hook? Didn’t they believe they were safe? They didn’t realize it, but they had you to protect them. That is your job. To protect every child who is simply going to school. To protect every single person in this country. They trust you, whether they have learned about our country’s government system or not. They know that there is someone out there looking out for them, someone who can make a difference.

        There are bad people in this world. I am old enough to understand that, and I had hoped that you are too. Sometimes, these bad people can’t be reasoned with. There isn’t always a happy ending for their story, and they will go on to do bad things. But we have our government, our lawmakers, and our policemen, actively protecting us against anything that would harm us. There are laws in place regulating unsafe working conditions and laws against murder. These are beautiful things that our country has created, that our government has created. These laws act to protect the most important human right we have--our lives. And we have you to thank for that.

        Until today.

        Until today, when suddenly I am very, very afraid of losing that right which I hold dear. Now, I am afraid. It is not because there will be more violence, and it is not because I am now more aware of it. I am afraid because the people I thought would protect me have left me, and I suddenly feel very small.

        I’m just a teenager trying to get through my junior year. I don’t really mind blending in with countless other Americans right now. I don’t need to stand out or do important things, because at the moment, I am only responsible for myself, my family, and my friends, and that’s enough. When I am old enough to vote, I will be responsible for my country, and I will take that right more seriously than anything else I have done so far. Because in that small way, I can speak directly to you, a single, tiny voice in a vast crowd, shouting to be heard by you, the people who can make a difference.

        Today, my voice is lost. The voice of the nation is lost in that room where you voted today. I don’t know how you drowned out the voices of nearly 90% of our nation, but somehow the sound must not have bothered you enough.

        So here I am, bothering you. Do you know how much difference one annoying person can make? Almost as much as an entire country. We will be here, shouting at the top of our lungs. We want to be safe. We want you to be our protectors. That is why we chose you. Now, we just want you to do your job. 

        Please. Because I just want something to hold onto. Some good people in the world for me to turn to as I grow up and see more bad things, more violence and hatred and evil. People I can trust. People who I know will always, always do their very best to protect my life and my rights, so that I can still feel safe on my way to school.

        Will you be that kind of person for me?

Field Trips Then and Now

Back when I was in high school, I remember we had opportunities to go to fine arts events.  There was one concert in particular I remember.  It was a young artist series and we got to see a young man play the cello.  His tuxedo didn't fit very well, but I remember I really enjoyed the concert.  He was just starting out at the time, which is why he was playing for students.

I remembered that young man often as I learned the harp.  Seeing and hearing him helped me realize that solo instruments could draw an audience.  To this day I think hearing good live music is one of the most valuable gifts we can give children - and ourselves.

Here are Wasabi Girl and Jungle Boy off to see "Rigoletto" at San Francisco Opera.  They are going on a field trip with their symphonic band.  It's really just a dress rehearsal, which is why the tickets were available to schools.  Jungle Boy wanted to dress up anyway.  I think they look great.

Not everyone appreciates opera.  I love some, don't care as much for others.  But I believe trying  new experiences like this is like trying new foods.  You can't really know unless you experience it.  I'm grateful that their school gave them this opportunity.

And that young man who played the cello in the ill-fitting tux?  His name was Yo-Yo Ma.  He's won many many awards in his brilliant career.  I'm proud to say I've been a fan since we were both very young.

High School is a Whole New Ballgame

I wont lie.  I love the start of the school year.  There are some annoying tasks - like filling in three huge stacks of forms that need signing.  Contact information, permission forms, lunch forms.  On and on.  Usually takes me hours to complete them.

Happily, this year all three of my kids are at one school - high school - and all the forms are online.  Easy Breezy.

So imagine the look on my face after the first day of school when they all brought me piles of forms.

Contracts.  I hate them.  Every single class wants me to sign a form that I will hover over my kids and make sure they do their homework and wipe their noses.  Then I have to fill in three contact numbers and an email for each class.  Seriously, are you going to have some emergency in math class with my kid that you have to try four different ways of contacting me?  Are teachers really going to keep these numbers handy?  They couldn't use the contact information I supplied the school?  Are they going to take me to court if I don't sign one of the contracts?  I'm all kinds of annoyed at these.

But I slogged through my stacks until I got to even more forms, that were not contracts and permission forms.

Like an order form for a pearl necklace.
And a tuxedo shirt
And opera tickets for Rigoletto and Tosca at San Francisco Opera.

Whoa.

Turns out the twins have to dress formally for their Symphony Band concerts (it's a faux pearl necklace - but it still threw me), and they get to go with the band to see the operas.

So awesome.  I almost wish I were back in high school.  Almost

This year also brought some surprises in the school supply category.  No longer can we raid the big office stores for colored pencils and pink pearl erasers.  The supplies are considerably more boring now, and expensive - like graphing calculators and expensive textbooks.

Finally, every year I remind my kids that I'm not a delivery service.  I will not deliver forgotten lunches or books or homework to school.  If they forget they have to face the consequences.  The exception is the very first week of school.

Minutes after their dad dropped them at school this morning, I got a call at home.

"Mommy?  It's the first week of school, and I sort of forgot my biology project and I really need it!  It's out on the front porch."

"All I see is an Altoids tin."

"That's it!  Could you please bring it to school?  Thanks mommy!!"

I can't resist it when they call me mommy.  I'm also human.  And it's the first week of school.  So I agreed.

The one thing I should have resisted though, was opening up the tin to see what was inside.

If you can't tell, there are a bunch of pill bugs/potato bugs/roly-polys in there.

I miss middle school already. 

Coming Home!

I'm so excited today.  My kids are finally all going to come home.  Drama Girl has been here, although she's been at ballet camp every day.

We're going to go hear Wasabi Girl perform with her jazz combo tonight to mark the end of her week of jazz camp.

And right now, on the other side of the country, Jungle Boy is performing with other students at American Ballet Theatre's summer intensive program.  Tomorrow he gets on a plane for the long journey home.  We'll be monitoring the flights and texting him to be sure he makes his connecting flight.

I've missed Jungle Boy so much.  A month away is a really long time!

So right now I'm planning a coming home party and a big brunch for Sunday morning when we're all together.

I still haven't planned what I'm going to make - do you have any favorite brunch recipes?  Thanks in advance.

Sorting Day

Today is Sorting Day for Jungle Boy.  Well, they don't really call it that - it's really something like "Placement Day."

He is off in North Carolina for a month to study with American Ballet Theatre during their Summer Intensive.  Four weeks of all-day dance classes with some of the best teachers in the world.

He flew on his own this time, with a single suitcase and his dance bag as a carry on.  I have spent weeks worrying about packing everything he needs to stay in the dorm - bedding, clothing, a ton of dance gear.  There wasn't room for any extras so his room will be pretty bare.

My husband and I sent him off on a red-eye flight so he could get there to check in on Sunday morning.  When you're 14 a red-eye is probably more fun then when you're older.  Then we watched our computer screens to see if he would make his connection.  This is the hard part about sending kid off on their own - worrying about whether they can negotiate a strange airport.  It didn't help that his flight out ended up landing 25 minutes late.  We both started texting him.  His dad told him which gate to get to, and told him to hurry.  I waited until he texted that he had made it to his next plane, then I told him I was praying to the luggage-transfer gods.

We got a call from the service that was picking him up - someone else in the program flew out on the same flight but missed the connection.  They wanted to know if he made it.  I was so proud to say that he did.

Hours later, we got the texts that he and his luggage had arrived just fine.  I am so relieved!  Now I'll try not to worry about him.  He has enough changes of clothes and dance clothes to last him if he does laundry every week.  They'll feed him all he can eat at the cafeteria.  He got a haircut the day before he left so he wont look too shaggy in four weeks.

And today when he takes his classes to get sorted into a group, I'm pretty sure they'll see a whole lot of awesome.  I did my job, now he can show off all of his hard work and training.  Good luck Jungle Boy!  Have Fun!

Congratulations Graduates!

It seems like not so long ago I dropped off my twins for their first day of kindergarten.  I pulled out my camera and asked them to stand together for a picture.  Jungle Boy threw his arm around his sister and made a series of goofy faces.  I couldn't get a serious smile out of him but the photos match the giddy happiness that day.

And here they are last night, all ready to go to the 8th grade graduation dance.  I asked them to pose for a picture and Jungle Boy put his arm around his sister again.  A little more serious this time, but no less happy I think.

Congratulations on finishing middle school kids!  I love you so much.

That Girl

Just when I think I can't be more proud of one of my kids, something happens that just takes my breath away.

Wasabi Girl is amazing.  She is conscientious, diligent, hard-working, and dedicated - in everything she does.  I have seen the results in her championship gymnastics medals.  I have heard her play the saxophone and seen her band win the highest possible honors.  I see her perfect grades.  I am so proud of all of her accomplishments.

But this morning, as I opened my email, I wasn't prepared for what I saw.  A note from her math teacher.  She is being honored by the local high school as one of the top two 8th grade math students.  I had no idea!  I am thrilled beyond words.

Congratulations Wasabi Girl!  Maybe next time we're at that gift shop I'll let you get ONE of the goofy pink stuffed animals.

Guest Post by Drama Girl: Myths in the Media

    I would be the first to admit that Hercules was probably my favorite movie when I was younger. In this Disney film, you got your comic relief, in the form of the adorable minions Pain and Panic, your romance, with Meg and Hercules, and of course, the villain--Hades.

    But why does Hades always have to be the villain? In this film, he is portrayed as a power-hungry maniac, while sarcastic and witty, still wants to rule the world and overthrow the gods of Olympus. But besides going against the very basis of Greek Mythology, this depiction of Hades is only one of many that have sought to use him as a scapegoat for all that is evil.

    The first problem with this film is obviously the title. Anyone who knows the tale of this hero knows that the Greek form of his name is spelled Herakles, or Heracles. While this wouldn’t normally bother me, it is the fact that this mistake is so easily rectified that makes me wonder who got dropped on their head at birth to come up with the title.

    But back to Hades. He is obviously the villain, with his ominous blue fire hair and villainous voice. But all of his motivation throughout the entire movie is based on something that while interesting, is nowhere near anything resembling Greek mythology.

    While there are always differences in every myth, such as how many brothers and sisters Cronos had or the exact pronunciation of Menelaus, there are basic storylines that must be followed.

    The Hades in this film breaks not one, but two of these widely accepted myths.

    The first is his motivation and sense that he has to overthrow Olympus and rule the world. Say what you will, but Hades certainly does not want to overthrow Olympus. Besides his loyalty to his brothers and sisters, however unapparent, there is the fact that his sense of duty keeps him in the Underworld. He is content to bring the outside world to him, in his kidnapping of Persephone, his wife who is never mentioned in the movie.

    It is this same sense of duty that would never let him release the Titans. Their imprisonment in Tartarus goes back before his birth, and that is truly his primary purpose in the Underworld--to keep them there. Along those lines, the depictions of the ancient Titans in this movie is shudderingly inaccurate. They are portrayed as puppets at the hands of Hades, a strange sight indeed since they were once in a war against him, and all.

    In the end, I feel that although this film does need a villain, as every story does, Hades is far from the perfect candidate. The fact that he was chosen is even more agonizing for us myth junkies, because let’s all think of the story of Heracles--doesn’t he already have a driving force, in the form of a demented king who sends him on impossible tasks and may or may not go by the name of Augeas?

    But that is not my only beef with Hollywood at the moment. It has come to my attention that in the soon-to-be released film The Avengers, the main villain is Loki, a trickster god of Norse mythology.
    Before I go into his part in the film, let me tell you what I think of Loki. He is unique in the way that he does not have a direct counterpart in other mythologies. What other tale describes the story of a half-Chaos ball of fire, blood brother to the king of the gods? The fact that Loki is so unique makes it so much worse for me to see him become the villain.

    There is also the fact that, while unlike any other god, Loki is not black and white. In fact, his primary quality is that you do not know whose side he is on, or if he is even on a side. My opinion of Loki is based on a quote I read in a book whose name I have forgotten; “He made even the goddess Skadi laugh, as she was mourning for the death of her father.” This is a story I have seen echoed in various places--Loki, while he plays tricks and irritates the gods of Asgard, is at heart a playful comedian, despite the fact that his pranks may sometimes take a turn for the worst.

    But again, we see a complex character made into a villain. Though I have not seen the film Thor(because I am sure I would talk through the whole movie) to my understanding, The Avengers features Loki as the bitter villain from that film, bent on ruling the world. Oh, that sounds familiar.

    All this is leading up to my opinion of myths in the media these days. I believe that if a director or screenwriter chooses to base a character off of one in mythology, they do so for two reasons--the first is to tell the tale as it is in the myth, a simple matter of storytelling. But the second is to use the character, and the popular ideas centered around their name, to avoid coming up with original characters with their own backstory. In this case, the writers simply draw from popular belief, such as that Hades is evil because he deals with dead people or that Loki wants power because he stirs up trouble among his friends, and they take those beliefs and expand and exaggerate them to fit whatever story they are telling.

    The fact of the matter is, the characters of mythology are never black and white. The writers have two options--they can either use the names and stories associated with someone in mythology with proper respect to their story and complexities, or they can simply get off their lazy butts and come up with their own villains.

While you were watching the Super Bowl

Wasabi Girl was competing in an invitational gymnastics meet this Sunday.  She got her best-ever score on beam (9.3) and ended up winning first place all around.  Her smile and chest full of medals says it all.

I brought some yarn along to the meet and had plenty of time to whip up some coasters I found on Pinterest.  I thought these would be cute to have around for Valentine's Day.  I made 3 at the meet, and 3 more at home, so I have 6 cute coasters now.

You can find the free pattern over at Ravelry  (free site registration required).

Pretty good day despite missing the big game.  How was your weekend?

The Hidden Messages in Food

It's the first day of school so I got up a little early to make a blueberry coffee cake.  I hope my kids get the hidden message.  The twins are starting 8th grade and Drama Girl is a sophomore in high school this year.  Wow.  Let's not get started on how time flies.  I'm just going to keep baking coffee cakes until they're out the door forever.

The Awesome Never Stops

It's audition season for ballet company summer programs. I received a calendar from Jungle Boy's ballet teacher, with dates for a dozen different auditions. We're lucky to live near San Francisco because all the big companies take their audition tours through here.

Last Saturday was his first, for a major New York company. We navigated through unfamiliar streets, found parking, and found the host ballet school. It was a cool old building with an old style elevator - complete with attendant to close the grill and guide the car to its floor. I haven't seen one of those in years.

There were long crowded hallways full of young women and parents. The girls were all stripping off sweat pants and uggs and stretching in every imaginable form of extension. Wall to wall limber limbs all around. The parents were nervously shifting around on narrow benches trying to get comfortable and focus on reading magazines.

We turned in his application and photos and I sat down to wait. Jungle Boy ignored all the girls, sat off in a corner, and quietly read his Kindle. Meanwhile, all the girls were getting quite noisy with the chatting and more extreme stretching.

When the audition began, all the dancers went into the studio and we parents started chatting among ourselves. Some had horror stories of auditions. Some were new to the process like me. Although we were excluded from the studio, the door was open and once in a while a few parents would try to look in without being seen.

When the hour and a half was nearly over, my curiosity got the best of me and I went to peek in too. The girls had just been dismissed to put on their pointe shoes and the teacher was marking through the men's combination. All the terms are in French, and I know most of them, so my ears pricked up when the teacher asked for a "double tour." A tour is when a dancer jumps straight up, and spins around. Imagine jumping straight up and spinning twice before you land.

Jungle Boy has, at his best, done one and a half tours. I didn't hear him, but he told me later that he asked the teacher if he could do a single.

"No, I want to see you try a double." I think at that point I stopped breathing. I knew what was up. The combination began.

And he nailed it. The double tour. I nearly screamed.

We'll start hearing audition results in a week or two. Fingers crossed. But even if he doesn't get into any of these programs, he's still my hero. Now I understand why his teacher insisted he do all these auditions. Clearly the experience brings out the best in him.

Makes My Monday: State Champion

This short video captures the amazing moment of joy when my daughter won first place all around in the Northern California gymnastics championship.  I wasn't quick enough with my camera, but you can hear the announcer say "...level champions.  Gymnasts please salute!"  That's Wasabi Girl there in the number 1 spot with the enormous smile.  She's holding a pillowcase they gave her as part of her award, that says "Dream Big."

Throughout the competition season, the first place all-around medal has eluded her.  It's been her single goal.  She couldn't have picked a better meet to win it.  I'm so proud I could burst.

Having a champion in the family makes my Monday.  To see more Monday makers, visit Cheryl at Twinfatuation.