A very wet High School Musical at the Muny

Well, the long-awaited HSM at the outdoor Muny in Forest Park was a little different than planned. I purchased 20 tickets for everyone who wanted to see HSM in my family. They were great seats plus we had a backstage tour before the show (compliments of Grandma Carollo's connections). Unfortunately, we had a downpour right before the show started (we did have umbrellas), but the show started at 9:15! We did not get home before midnight. Rosie & Anna are going to be so tired after a day at camp today - let's just say there could be some meltdowns when we get home this afternoon. I'm a little tired too.

Anna fell asleep a little after intermission in my arms, and then I carried her to the car. She hasn't figured out that her flip flops fell off while I carried her b/c it started to rain again when "We're all in this Together" started. We decided to leave, and in the mess of people leaving, flip flops fell off. I wonder how she will handle that revelation? She has certain clothing items that she really likes.....

If you have seen Anna in full fit mode, you can imagine what it will be like. I'm already counting to 10 in my head.....

All 20 of us up on the Muny stage!

Pete with his favorite guitarist of all time!

Pete went to see Modest Mouse last night, and he got his picture with Johnny Marr. He is so funny! Last time, he got his guitar signed by him. I just had to post this picture!! I just told Melissa at work that Pete looks so happy - it makes me laugh because he is such a little kid.

Swimming & Relaxing - the June Birthday Party

That same day, we all went to Joanie & Tim's house to swim & hang out. Their house is perfect for the kids - pool, playground with grass, and a bouncer! Basically, the kids played for 8 hours & the adults relaxed & periodically fed them. Thanks Joanie & Tim for feeding us all day long!

Rosie & Jo on the bouncer!
Jacob, Anna & Alison swimming like little fish!
Janet & Greg (birthday boy & girl) - I'm missing Tim Decker - it was his birthday too!
My brother Greg & Rosie bouncing! He is still a little boy.

Race for the Cure

70,000 people - that's amazing! I think we are becoming the biggest race in the nation now. Someone told me that, so I hope that fact is correct. My mom is a survivor, and my sister Mary, is the organizer of the event for our family. Mary, thank you! As Rosie said, "It is so great that we do these events together." The grandkids really like being together. They will miss ball games, playdates, parties to come to the family gatherings.

We all come out to celebrate 33 years of my mom being cancer free, and of course, to help find a cure. My mom was only 37 years old when she was diagnosed, and she never once thought she wouldn't beat it. I was very young, and all I remember is Mrs. Brown (see pic below) coming over & taking our sheets off our bed & washing them. I also remember visiting my mom in the hospital, and she had her hair cut really short. She decided it was time for a change, but I remember not recognizing her at first. 6 children, and Joanie & I were under 5 years old. My mother is amazing!

My mom with her best friend, Mrs. Rosemary Brown. Both survivors for more than 20 years!

Mom & Dad with their three daughters (who is that little girl by my legs?)

My silly Dad with his grandkids (sans Adam).

Rosie, Anna, Jo & me

Joanie, Alison & Wil (being shy boy)

Mary & Caty (great pic!)

Greg, Kay & Jacob (Jacob really loves getting his picture taken!)

Janet & Rachel

Joanie & Rachel made the T-shirts for the walk, so all the kids had their names plus their age! Thanks Joanie & Rachel - we loved them!!

Enough said....

It's a jungle out there!

That's the name of the muscial that Rosie & Anna were in at the end of the 1st session of SummerQuest. First of all, 2 weeks flew by! It was super cute, and I was very impressed with Rosie's class. Great singing & darn good acting!

Anna's Play

Anna with her new friends acting as an elephant in their play.
The whole class (Anna is far right).
The kindergarten "elephants" are singing now.....

Rosie's Play

Rosie saying her lines during the play.
Rosie & her whole class singing. Rosie as an "elephant."

I'm so proud of them - most of all Anna because she did not know ANYONE at SummerQuest. She has made friends quickly, and I know it is hard for her. Now, all the girls run up to her when she comes every morning, and I am so happy that she acclimated to this program. She is also swimming so much better and can't wait to show me her backstroke on Saturday at the pool.

Funny things about Jo

I don't want to forget some of these funny things that happen every day with Jo & Rosie & Anna. Jo thinks she is the only one who gets hugs & kisses from Mom & Dad. If I am hugging Rosie or Anna, Jo comes running over & pushes them off me. Of course, this makes Rosie & Anna hug me more to get Jo mad. We think it is funny but it only makes Jo madder.
I just found out at her daycare that she is as stubborn there as at home - not that I'm surprised. If she does not get her way, she lets everyone know. They do the same thing as us - ignore her so she doesn't think that tantrums work.
About a month ago, Jo climbed the ladder to the top bunk of Rosie & Anna's bunk beds! She has it mastered now & does it too fast for me. Once she is on the top bunk, she runs around the bed & laughs her head off. About that same time, Jo was downstairs with me while I was doing laundry. She was happily playing, so I was focused on the laundry & not keeping a close eye on her. Well, I hear Jo saying something to me & I thought "that sounds like she is at the top of the stairs." Sure enough, she climbed the entire stairs & was standing at the top yelling at me.
She is something else - she is my "boy" that I will never have! Ha Ha!
I also have to get a picture of her waving - we call it her Queen Elizabeth wave. Daycare loves it as she waves to everyone if they come in the room or leave the room. Jo definitely has a personality!

I love nights like these.....

We took a ride up to Walgreens & around the neighborhood.
Pete helping Anna ride on 2 wheels - she almost has it! Good try Anna!
Jo & Anna waiting to go - most of the time Jo is trying to get out of the stroller & get down! She is a mover - not the least bit lazy like Anna & Rosie used to be - they loved to be pushed in the stroller! Pretty funny!

I love that we left the dirty dishes on the table & walked out the door. It was a gorgeous evening, too nice to stay inside. We stayed out until 8:15 and then I had to get Jo to bed - it was WAY past her bedtime. We paid for it also - she did not sleep well last night. Oh well.....