You Win Some, You Lose Some

Our family went to the Chick-fil-A event at a local restaurant, where all the finalists in the creative writing contest read their stories. Ruth and Chuck ate for free (Chuck ordered the most expensive sandwich on the menu) and Ruth got a big desert, the rest of us tagged along for the experience. Ruth was brave enough to stand in front of a room full of strangers and read her story. She did all the voices and the crowd chuckled at the funny parts. In the end she did not win, but she got some prizes and felt very good about the experience.

The district science fair was on Friday. Ruth practiced for the interview all day and when it was time she was nervous but confident. She felt good about how she did and about her project overall. About 30% of the 300ish entries would be given 1st place and would go on to the regional competition. Ruth got a 2nd place ribbon. While happy that she placed, she was disappointed not to be going on.


Goodbye, Harvey

After an exhausting seven show run, Harvey is finally over. Chaz is exhausted and was grumpy all week from the stress of it all. He seems more upbeat today and is looking forward to finishing out the school year. With graduation coming, his responsibilities with student government will get more demanding.


Free Zoo Day

Ruth and Jared have been off track the last couple of weeks and we've had a fun time being home together. Wednesday was free day at the zoo so we braved the chilly weather and went to spend the day with the animals. We discovered, among other things, that animals stink more in the wintertime.

Harvey

Chaz's play Harvey opened this weekend. Chaz did a really good job and was one of the strongest actors on the stage. Here are some pictures and videos from the show.















"The Queen of Mean"

Kaitlin had to write a letter for her English class using Shakespearean insults. All the students then perform their letter for the class and then the class voted on the best one. Kaitlin won and was given the title "The Queen of Mean" which she is very proud of. I tried to convince her to let me record her performance, but she refused. She did perform it for me and I'm telling you, she was totally channeling Beatrice.

Here is an excerpt: "And when that day comest, and thou wilst come in a beggar’s shoes, and ask at my feet for forgiveness, will I oblige? Forgive thee, thou wenching pale-hearted snipe? I’d forgive a dog and gift it ons before forgiving thee, for a dog must be more clean!"


Kung Fu Cow

Ruth got work this week that her original story Kung Fu Cow is one of the finalists in the Chick-fil-A creative writing contest. On Tuesday she and Chuck will go to a special dinner party for all the finalists and they will announce the winners. The grand prize is a year of free Chick-fil-A (one meal a week). Ruth's story was ultra cute and if she wins I'll post it here for y'all to read.


I've been Published!

I got the advanced copy of the March Friend magazine this week in the mail. There on page 17 is my story. It's been shortened and edited, but the basics of it is still there. The girl in the illustration even looks like Kaitlin did at age 9. I have mixed feelings about it, mostly nervousness, I guess, but overall, I'm pretty excited.

Harvey

You may have noticed that I haven't blogged about Chaz lately. The reason is that he is rarely at home. He has been busy practicing the play that he is in at school (and when he is not doing that he is with his friends or hiding in his room). Chaz will be appearing in the play Harvey on the 17th, 18th, 19th, 21st, 25th and 26th of this month. (I believe it starts at 7:00 pm each night)

You may remember Harvey as that old Jimmy Stewart movie from the 5o's. The play Harvey opened on Broadway in 1944 and ran for four years. It is what the movie was based upon. Chaz plays the roll of Wilson. I don't know much more than that, because I have not seen it. I do know that Chaz isn't a lead, but he is one of the bigger parts that appears throughout the play.


Babe, the Sheep Pig

On Saturday, Ruth, Jared, Kaitlin and I drove down to BYU to see a production of Babe, the Sheep Pig. It was a very cute performance, geared towards children and families, with a lot of audience interaction. After the play we ate icecream at the Creamery on campus and then looked at some hands-on science displays in the science building. Afterwards we had planned on going to another museum on campus but when we tried to get to it, all the roads were shut down because of a basketball game, but we still had a very fun day.

A New Look

Yes, you're in the right place. I decided to give my blog a new look. It has had the same green stripes for three years (that's like 100 years in computer years). I had hoped to have it updated for the new year, but as you see, I'm already five weeks behind in my resolutions. Kaitlin helped me with the header. I hope y'all like it.

It may take a few moments to load the first time. But it should be faster after that. If you have a problem with it, let me know. Oh, and Denise, try leaving a comment now - it should let you.

Off to State

Ruth's Reflections theater entry won at the Regional level this week, and she is going on to state. On Wednesday they had the awards ceremony where Ruth's theater entry, along with six others from our school district were chosen to go on to state. The irony is that Ruth spent most of her time working on her Film entry, which didn't get past council, and this entry she did in just one afternoon at the last minute. I've shrunk down the file and I'll post the video her winning entry here. She had to write and submit the script as well as a video of the performance.




Early Valentines Day

Because Ruth and Jared tracked off at the end of this week, they had their class Valentines parties this Friday. There is quite a competition at the school for cute and creative Valentines boxes, and much thought and work went into the creation of the kids boxes this year. Ruth's ant hill, made from paper mache, is a totally original idea (as is all that Ruth does). Jared's is a lego guy head.



Put up the Quarantine Tape!

Yes, our good fortune of not being sick at all so far this winter has come to an end. I got it first, and then Kaitlin had me pick her up at school on Wednesday. It's only the 2nd time I ever remember Kaitlin coming home sick. Wednesday night was Ruth's awards night, and then the next morning she was starting to feel sick as well. Kaitlin and I felt functional after only a day of rest, but Ruth's moved down into her chest and developed into a nasty cough and fever. On Friday, Ruth stayed home in bed while I went to her class and set up the Valentine's party. Once I got all the volunteer moms going, I excused myself and went back home to my sick Ruth. I brought back Valentines to her from her class which helped a little, but darn it!, it sure stinks to be sick on fun days. And then this morning, Chaz had it too. It still remains to be seen if Chaz will have the short version or the long version. For now, they are both on the couch.

So it was just Jared, Chuck and I who got ready and went to church today. In the car on the way, Jared folded his arms and said "It's not fair. I wish I was sick!"