Under the Sea

For the past four years, our kids have participated in the school's musical production.  I can't believe I've never written about it before because 1) it really is a great show 2) it really does take up our lives in April 3) my kids are uber-talented and amazing in each show.

This year was Disney's The Little Mermaid.  Emma was cast as an eel.  Sydney was Flounder.  Aiden was a fish and a frog and Taylor was asked to be a butterfly.  I wish I could post the video because then you would understand how amazing the production is.  It is definitely a high school level acting and singing.  Not to mention the costumes and sets which are out of this world!  A sister duo in our ward directs it each year.  It seems all the LDS families step up and help sew costumes, build sets, sell tickets, teach voice, work backstage etc.

The full cast.  Check out those costumes.  Don't you love the pufferfish?!

Aiden sobbed when I made him wear makeup.  But, then he saw all his friends wearing it and he decided he would be okay with it.  

The seagulls even learned a tap dance.  They were great!

Emma's hair, makeup and costume was definitely a highlight of the show. They had lights up one side and in their hair.  All the sparkles and glitter really caught the lights and they looked like electric eels. I am still trying to get green glitter cleaned up in the bathroom.

These three rocked their "Poor Unfortunate Souls" number.

 Isabelle and Emma had to slither and move the whole time they were on stage.  They came up with discrete hand signals so they could mirror each other's moves.  Who knew Emma could be so good and being creepy and eel-like.

 When moms help out a lot (I was in charge of all advertising and tickets), the directors let their little ones play a small role.  Taylor was thrilled when they asked her to be a butterfly.  She loved her ten seconds of stage time.

 Sydney got the coveted role of Flounder.  She knocked it out of the park.  Here she is doing her solo number "She's in Love".  This girl has no fear on stage.  She was also a crowd favorite.  

Don't you love the blue hair?!

  The kids did five shows in three days.  We were exhausted!

Here is Sdyney and Ariel (Zoe) They had to crawl under the stage so they can pop up in the water.

Paper Airplanes

Last week we attended a paper airplane contest held at the Pima Air and Space Museum.  It was the coolest event.  Held in one of their huge plan hangers, there was lunch, tons of candy (the event was sponsored by Mars), photo booths, exhibits, amazing raffle prizes, jumping castles, free t-shirts etc. 

Taylor and Aiden driving a simulated race car

Sydney getting jiggy with some of her friends.

But, here's the best part......Aiden won 1st place in his age group!

Each kid folded a paper airplane by themselves and threw it. Our kids had brought their own that they'd tried out with dad the day before. During four rounds, each airplane was measured by a judge and the top distances advanced.  We had no expectations, so each time Aiden advanced, we were amazed and thrilled.  Here is a sample of what he looked like all afternoon.

Each time you advance, you get a prize.  This was him after the third round.  The airplane is a large M&M dispenser.

Finally, the last round came.  The six boys left (out of several hundred) threw their planes individually.  I think his winnings can be credited to luck and his consistent throwing.  One bad throw and you get eliminated.  I think Aiden's distances grew with each throw.


We were told that each winner would win a one hour flight over Tucson (pretty cool).  But, before they announced the winners, they read off the prize package.  Yes, the free flight was included.  But, so was a brand new mini ipad!  Plus, annual memberships to museums, signed paper airplane books, a bomber jacket, plus more. 

I wish I would've taken a video of Aiden when they announced him as the winner.  He was jumping up and down and yelling like crazy.  I finally had to go tell him to stop and get on stage.  Here he is accepting his prizes and posing with the winners from the other age groups.

It was really the coolest thing ever!  The only downside was that Brent was referring a tournament and didn't get to come and Emma was on a temple trip.  Who knew it was going to be so memorable?  This kid has not stopped telling everyone about it (especially his own brand new iPad which is better than mom or dad's).  Here he is will all his loot and his winning airplane (really it wasn't anything special).