kids and arts

I’ve been pretty neglectful about blogging lately, but I haven’t fallen into a black hole. My life has just been consumed by baseball and theatre. Tonight's 10 p.m. wish: that I'm able to ride the wave of this very busy season and soak up the JOY. This is always a super busy time of year. This year, my son Cal is not only playing on a travel team, but also his middle school baseball team. If there’s not a game, there’s almost always a practice. If he’s not playing or practicing, he’s eating like a horse, coating the shower with dirt and sweat, or (hopefully!) getting caught up with homework. My washer and dryer are getting a WORKOUT and-a-half. It’s a darned good thing I love baseball. Genuinely love it - especially what all that discipline, teamwork and lessons about winning and losing do for kids. On top of the double-dose of baseball, we have a double dose of musical theatre happening. My fourth grader, Clara, is just over a week away from opening night of The Music Man at Lawrence Central High School (April 29-May 1), where she’s lucky enough to be playing a kid in River City. (Oh, we’ve got trouble my friends…) She is LOVING this experience of sharing the stage with teenaged theatre kids. In the meantime, I’ve had a few rehearsals already for a production I’ll be in in June 24-July 10, “Billy Elliot” (a BobDirex production directed by Bob Harbin, performed on the stage at Marian University.) I couldn’t say no to the chance to play this amazing role: Billy’s mother, who is no longer living but appears to him when he needs her. The songs are beautiful and heartbreaking. (I DARE you to watch this song/scene, "The Letter," without crying.) I can’t wait to see the dancers in this cast tear up the stage. I understand all of us – even Billy’s “Dead Mum” - will be putting on tap shoes for the finale. I am not a capital “D” Dancer. But I say, "Bring it on." I’ll do my best. My youngest, Daisy, who loves to sing but is too shy to get up on stage yet, will get to tag along at rehearsals and soak in more theatre magic. Chances are good that my funny kindergartener will make new friends and find fun ways to stay entertained, just like she does at baseball games and pretty much everywhere she goes. I’m certain my house will not be as clean as I’d like it to be this spring and summer. My kids will need some rides from friends, I’ll need a little help from my amazing parents, and a few things will get a little lost in the shuffle. I’m willing to pay that price. We get to do things we love to do. Things that keep our spirits alive. That’s a home run in my book.

kids and arts

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