A Good Reason to Boogie

This is what a batchelorette party looks like when Olio performers are involved. We require themes, complete with costumes and general shenanigans. Susie, our blushing bride seen here, chose a "swan" costume - an old favorite for many of us - and jazzed it up with her classy veil and faux horn-rimmed glasses (from a different number all together). Others, decided on, uh, well, less conservative numbers? We had flower girls in polka-dots, and bridesmaids wearing their favorites from weddings gone by. Mine? I last wore "Brownie" for Abbie's wedding. Also seen pictured is my buddy Steph wearing "Big Red" from Sarah's nuptuals. Susie was lucky enough to have great friends and her gorgeous daughter (who recently became engaged herself) join her on a night out. We performed the show, hopped in a limo van, and headed to a karaoke/dance party hotspot known as the Timber Inn. Classy in every way, we fit right in with the Saturday night ambiance. As you can see from the photos, I was held at gunpoint and forced to perform my classic, "The Rose," complete with trademark interpretive dance moves. You can see I was provided with back up from the Swan Dancers. After whooping it up, we were graciously shuttled by our friend Kenny to our hotel rooms. The next day we were rewarded for our many entertaining efforts with breakfast at Butch's. Six Readers, Butch is the banjo player for our shows who lives in a Swiss Family Robinson inspired home he designed himself. No joke. Butch not only cooks like a champ (we were treated to mimosas and a tasty, greasy, "logger breakfast"), but has a pool. This was the perfect combination for our danced-out bodies. Although no one likes to see a good party end, we are already planning for Jenny's batchelorette party next summer. It's nice to have something to look forward to, after all. So congratulations, Susie! I love you dearly, and know you and Ed will be hitched forever! And isn't that what a good batchelorette party is for? Oh, no? It's just for an excuse for a girl's night out? Well, I'll take it and run with it either way.

The End of Summer Approaches...

And should this be my outfit for the first day of school? This is my last week left of vacation (inservice is next week), and my last Sawduster show is this weekend. This will be capped off by a gi-normous batchelorette party with the Olio ladies. I am excited, but skeptical that my elderly sleeping habits will interfere with a good time. Then it's work, work, work, and my sister in-law's wedding over Labor day weekend (we are super excited, Monica!). As usual, I have reached the point in my summer where I'm looking forward to returning to school anyhow. The rain here is helping to put me back in "fall" mode. I'll have a fresh batch of first graders, and a few more grad classes to take. Chase will be taking his POTTY-TRAINED self to preschool (more on these items later). Shawn will be a full-time student in the fall too. It sounds super-cheesy, but it seems to be a great time of change in our household. I've been having several "time marches on" moments, as I'm sure a few of you can relate to. All Six of You enjoy your last weeks of summer. I'm off to watch my TiVo'ed Big Brother After Dark while I still have the time!

380 Days Later...

What a difference a year makes!

Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!

I cannot believe it is August already! Yesterday I thought it was time to go on all the outings that we haven't gotten around to this summer. Well, we didn't go on all of them yesterday, but we DID go to the Wildlife Safari in Winston. It is a drive-thru safari, where you drive through the habitats and see all the animals through the safety of your vehicle (no convertibles allowed). Chase absolutely loved it - except when animals were lurking in places he couldn't see. Three year-old appropriate mini-tantrums followed. Hayden was into it at first, but then he thought the car didn't move fast enough. Cue the portable DVD player - at least he didn't have to pay an admission. The pictures of the animals you see here are the ones Chase demanded I take, and then show him immediately on the camera. Hmmm... it occurs to me that I might have taken pictures of the animals he couldn't see, and showed him right away? Of course I do not come up with these genius ideas until it is no longer appropriate to use them... I was impressed with Chase's ability to name all of the animals (I suppose I shouldn't be, because he is three and the smartest kid I know). However, my terrible parenting skills shone through when he corrected my pronunciation of "cheetah," calling him a "cheeto." Yikes. After we drove through the large exhibits, we visited the "Safari Village," which contained more animals, a petting zoo, and other novelties. Shawn and I both remember taking elephant rides when we were younger, but we didn't even go there for this trip! We did ride the safari train (duh), and take some cute shots with these animal faces. And now if you'll excuse me, I must go and see what my little animals are doing. I hear growling in the background.