Well, I brought Jack to an audition the other day. The director said it was okay. It was at a really nice old home near Lake Harriet in Minneapolis. He kept me on my toes the entire time. While I was reading from the script, he decided to climb the stairs and bang the window on the landing. Needless to say, I was distracted. His fervor was fueled by the host bringing him girl scout cookies. Okay, I had some too. At some point during the audition, I realized that she was giving me the part. I was elated. At the same time, I thought of all the times I had tried to get into this same company without so much as a callback. Could it be that Jack was the muse I've been missing all this time?
By the way, the show is "Old Man Brunner Country" and it is playing at The Jon Hassler Theater. I am playing "Young Man." The show is in June. Maybe I'll see you there.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
March madness!
If you have been following our blogging, you may notice that one of our favorite spots to visit is Como Park in St. Paul. There is nothing more soothing to the soul than pretending you are in a tropical forest in March in Minnesota. Yesterday we headed over to Como not only enjoy the tropical indoors, but also the amazing outdoor 60+ degree weather. Jack led us on a march across the grounds of the park, from the Conservatory to the Black Bear Crossing pavillion. And if you aren't familiar with the turf, that is a tri-athalon for toddler steps. There is nothing more inspiring than a spring-fever infused toddler who has been freed from his bulky winter jacket!
We are also pleased to report that Jack is getting properly cultured as we took him to his first Minnesota Orchestra concert on Saturday. The MN Orch put on Carnival of the Animals, a show just for kids and their families. The concert was a rare occasion to take a toddler to a refined location that allowed unrefined behaviors such as letting out piercing shrieks at inappropriate times, and wandering out of your assigned seat. In fact, Jack took charge of warming up the crowd and timed his shriek just as the conductor was welcoming the riff-raff crowd--causing the entire orchestra to look our way and snicker at the excellent example of misbehavior that was (luckily) welcome that afternoon. We were concerned at first that the concert might not hold his attention (as we WERE working overtime to keep him from either swinging his leg over the balcony edge and leaping to his demise or killing families below by chucking his sippy cup at their heads.) However, once a flock of swans, er, ballerinas took to the stage, he was mesmerized by their movement. To our surprise he was engaged in watching most of the show as long as there was some action on stage, and as the musicians and dancers took their final bows, he asked, "More?"
There is hope for some civilization in him yet.
Speaking of performances, I would like to put in a quick plug for Jack's dad. Josh recently won a spot in this summer's Fringe Festival and we are so excited to invite all of our family and friends to start thinking about saving a date on their calendar in August to come see his original one-man show. We will keep you updated as we know more details!
P.S. A big thanks to E.S. for the complimentary orchestra tickets!
We are also pleased to report that Jack is getting properly cultured as we took him to his first Minnesota Orchestra concert on Saturday. The MN Orch put on Carnival of the Animals, a show just for kids and their families. The concert was a rare occasion to take a toddler to a refined location that allowed unrefined behaviors such as letting out piercing shrieks at inappropriate times, and wandering out of your assigned seat. In fact, Jack took charge of warming up the crowd and timed his shriek just as the conductor was welcoming the riff-raff crowd--causing the entire orchestra to look our way and snicker at the excellent example of misbehavior that was (luckily) welcome that afternoon. We were concerned at first that the concert might not hold his attention (as we WERE working overtime to keep him from either swinging his leg over the balcony edge and leaping to his demise or killing families below by chucking his sippy cup at their heads.) However, once a flock of swans, er, ballerinas took to the stage, he was mesmerized by their movement. To our surprise he was engaged in watching most of the show as long as there was some action on stage, and as the musicians and dancers took their final bows, he asked, "More?"
There is hope for some civilization in him yet.
Speaking of performances, I would like to put in a quick plug for Jack's dad. Josh recently won a spot in this summer's Fringe Festival and we are so excited to invite all of our family and friends to start thinking about saving a date on their calendar in August to come see his original one-man show. We will keep you updated as we know more details!
P.S. A big thanks to E.S. for the complimentary orchestra tickets!
Friday, March 12, 2010
Up! with Pizza
It finally happened...we had our first family movie night! The three of us watched the Oscar nominated movie "Up" while munching on $5 pizza from Little Caesars.
First, let's talk about the pizza. The nostalgic draw of a favorite brand from my youth (Pizza! Pizza!) seems to be making a come back in 2010. Curiosity won over my usual staunch au natural food values and we were soon on our way to pick up our franchised dinner. (And it is hard to resist a coupon for $5 pizza--PLUS free crazy bread!) The pick up was amazingly quick (any illusions of fresh, hand tossed pizza are now definitely out) and the pizzaria was an easy find as it was lit up like a sassy new nightclub, complete with rotating spotlights in the sky. The pizza was edible--the crazy bread doughy and pasty. Jack gave his endorsement "It's good!" My biggest disappointment (I expected the mediocre flavor) was that Little Caesars has lost its signature square shape from the 80s! It's just not the same.
Our next stop was to our favorite Redbox to pick up a $1 movie. You can't beat checking out an Oscar-nominated film for $1. If only I had invented Redbox...genius.
These two simple ingredients: pizza and a movie made for a perfect family Friday night. (and for less than $10!) As the movie was finishing and I was gazing at my adorable toddler and passed out husband it made me think about when I was growing up and used to imagine what my own family might look like someday. I would have the world's most adorable kid(s) and the world's most handsome husband and live in a fabulous mansion.
Two out three isn't too bad.
P.S. I recommend "Up" to all families with kids or not. It is a wonderfully sweet and original film.
First, let's talk about the pizza. The nostalgic draw of a favorite brand from my youth (Pizza! Pizza!) seems to be making a come back in 2010. Curiosity won over my usual staunch au natural food values and we were soon on our way to pick up our franchised dinner. (And it is hard to resist a coupon for $5 pizza--PLUS free crazy bread!) The pick up was amazingly quick (any illusions of fresh, hand tossed pizza are now definitely out) and the pizzaria was an easy find as it was lit up like a sassy new nightclub, complete with rotating spotlights in the sky. The pizza was edible--the crazy bread doughy and pasty. Jack gave his endorsement "It's good!" My biggest disappointment (I expected the mediocre flavor) was that Little Caesars has lost its signature square shape from the 80s! It's just not the same.
Our next stop was to our favorite Redbox to pick up a $1 movie. You can't beat checking out an Oscar-nominated film for $1. If only I had invented Redbox...genius.
These two simple ingredients: pizza and a movie made for a perfect family Friday night. (and for less than $10!) As the movie was finishing and I was gazing at my adorable toddler and passed out husband it made me think about when I was growing up and used to imagine what my own family might look like someday. I would have the world's most adorable kid(s) and the world's most handsome husband and live in a fabulous mansion.
Two out three isn't too bad.
P.S. I recommend "Up" to all families with kids or not. It is a wonderfully sweet and original film.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Crack-a-lakin! Where have we been?!
It has been awhile since we blogged! We had a busy last week welcoming in the unexpected early arrival of Jack's first girl cousin on my family's side. Out with the blue and in with the pink!
While the new tiny one was keeping her mom and dad busy, we were lucky to get to watch Jack's cousin O who is 4 months younger than Jack. The first day at our house had me playing an unfamiliar role of stay-at-home mom. Let's just say that the job is NOT for sissies! Jack and O kept me on my toes with their team-up toddler style. One would yell "Kwacker!" which would cause a chorus of "Kwacker! Kwacker!" until the kwackers were distwibuted.
And naps?? Forget about it. Although both exhibited signs of excessive sleepiness, as soon as I would get them into bed, one of them would break the silence with a giggle which would infuse both of them with uncontrollable giggles and lead into prison-break style escapes from the bed.
I may have had a small glass of wine at the end of the day.
On other subject, one of the biggest complaints I have is that there are not very many pictures of Jack with me. SOMEBODY is always forgetting to capture us on film--er--digital media. (and judging by the scruffy photo below it is clear why there aren't many pictures of me around. Luckily, the cute factor of Jack will keep your eyes averted).
A couple of Sunday's ago Josh splurged and bought us the endangered Sunday newspaper. According to the media, everyone knows that the newspaper is on its way out. I'll admit we canceled our own subscription a couple years ago.
Here is our bid for keeping the printed word alive...lazy Sunday mornings with comics and coffee!
While the new tiny one was keeping her mom and dad busy, we were lucky to get to watch Jack's cousin O who is 4 months younger than Jack. The first day at our house had me playing an unfamiliar role of stay-at-home mom. Let's just say that the job is NOT for sissies! Jack and O kept me on my toes with their team-up toddler style. One would yell "Kwacker!" which would cause a chorus of "Kwacker! Kwacker!" until the kwackers were distwibuted.
And naps?? Forget about it. Although both exhibited signs of excessive sleepiness, as soon as I would get them into bed, one of them would break the silence with a giggle which would infuse both of them with uncontrollable giggles and lead into prison-break style escapes from the bed.
I may have had a small glass of wine at the end of the day.
On other subject, one of the biggest complaints I have is that there are not very many pictures of Jack with me. SOMEBODY is always forgetting to capture us on film--er--digital media. (and judging by the scruffy photo below it is clear why there aren't many pictures of me around. Luckily, the cute factor of Jack will keep your eyes averted).
A couple of Sunday's ago Josh splurged and bought us the endangered Sunday newspaper. According to the media, everyone knows that the newspaper is on its way out. I'll admit we canceled our own subscription a couple years ago.
Here is our bid for keeping the printed word alive...lazy Sunday mornings with comics and coffee!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Fun With Ear Infections! (Or was it Aliens?)
Well, Jack and I started our new job today at The Rec Center. We are supervising the Tot room once a week or so. It's basically a room filled with all sorts of toys and jumping castles for toddlers to play with. We were trained in today and officially start on Friday. It's something we like to go to anyway so why not get paid for it as well, right? We were supposed to start last week but Jack got sick with an ear infection right on his second birthday. Of course we didn't know it then. We thought he just had the flu. After a week of intolerable grumpiness though we thought maybe there was something else going on. Or he had been kidnapped by aliens and replaced with an evil alien Jack. That was my conclusion but Karen argued and eventually I took him to a Minute Clinic. Sure enough, he had an ear infection. Pretty moderate but one all the same. He's doing better now. Although post nap, he's still a terror. I'm still not entirely convinced it wasn't aliens. If he starts backsliding I may have to contact The Men in Black.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
A Terrible 2?
Jack has been 2 for two days now and it turns out that turning two can actually be kind of terrible.
Beginning your birthday with a barf-fest isn't anyone's idea of a good time--especially not if you are a toddler who isn't quite able to articulate why he has to lay his head down on the floor after he feebly opens his present from his parents. In fact, he wasn't able to clue his parents into what exactly was wrong until he took the more obvious approach of puking on his dad. "Aha!" (they exclaimed) "Your tummy hurts!"
"Duh!" said Jack.
Jack and his dad got to spend the next day snuggling and watching movies. Hmm...there is a chance that this was just a scheme dreamed up by Jack so he could watch "Madagascar" all day.
Honestly though, we were pretty concerned about him, as our normally happy Jack was listless for the last two days without cracking a single smile.
However, tonight when he turned to me and said; "I watch PBS?" and then switched on the tube, I decided he probably is going to pull through. (By the way, I had no idea he had such loyalties to a network yet!!)
Beginning your birthday with a barf-fest isn't anyone's idea of a good time--especially not if you are a toddler who isn't quite able to articulate why he has to lay his head down on the floor after he feebly opens his present from his parents. In fact, he wasn't able to clue his parents into what exactly was wrong until he took the more obvious approach of puking on his dad. "Aha!" (they exclaimed) "Your tummy hurts!"
"Duh!" said Jack.
Jack and his dad got to spend the next day snuggling and watching movies. Hmm...there is a chance that this was just a scheme dreamed up by Jack so he could watch "Madagascar" all day.
Honestly though, we were pretty concerned about him, as our normally happy Jack was listless for the last two days without cracking a single smile.
However, tonight when he turned to me and said; "I watch PBS?" and then switched on the tube, I decided he probably is going to pull through. (By the way, I had no idea he had such loyalties to a network yet!!)
Above: A happy birthday moment! Jack was impressed with his mommy's attempt at a Madagascar cake which incidentally, started a fire in the oven--perhaps our first sign that turning two could prove to be tricky. A tip for aspiring cake bakers; remember that cakes need space in the pan for rising! Below is a link to the zebra cake that was supposed to have been Jack's. Let us know if anyone attempts and succeeds!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Nap time is OVER!
There is nothing cuter than watching a toddler pass out in his plate of lasagna. You have to envy his ability to fall asleep mid-chew. It's like driving a car that has ran out of gas. No matter what, that car has to stop.
On the flip side, there is nothing more frustrating than trying to get a toddler to nap when he has determined he no longer needs a nap. (Hey Jack, photos don't lie!) There has been a curious phenomena of late in which Jack just blatantly refuses to go down for a nap. Instead he just collapses around 5:00pm. This is no help to anybody. Now today after a long time I was able to get him down by leaving him in his crib while I stayed right outside his door listening and checking to make sure he didn't try to jump out. After half an hour to 45 minutes he finally sputtered out. It makes me nervous though. I'm scared that he's going to make his way out of there. However, he absolutely will not go to sleep if I'm in there. That definitely does not work. I don't see what the big deal is. I'd love to take a nap! In fact, sometimes when I'm reading to him I come pretty close to putting myself to sleep. If only it worked on him. He won't even lay down with me in bed to read lately because he knows where it's going.
Well, we're in an E.C.F.E (Early childhood family education) class. Maybe they'll have some insight.
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