Annie Jr. the Musical

March 3rd and 4th found us at the new North Middle School auditorium watching our little orphan,  Ilah.  She did an amazing job!  Over 100 students were a part of Annie Jr. in some way- either building and decorating the set, sewing costumes, operating the sound/lights, and/or acting.  I was completely blown away!  Tucker even thought that it was better than the high school plays he's attended. 

Henry was able to see the 1st performance on Wednesday when they performed it for all of the incoming 5th graders.  He was fun to sit next to at Thursday night's performance (opening night) pointing out where Ilah was on the stage each time she was in a scene.  It was sooooo good that Taysom and I decided to go again Friday night while the boys were gone camping.

Although we were asked not to record anything, I couldn't help getting a couple of clips of the orphans singing.

One of These Things is Not Like the Other...

   

Tucker hurt his finger the first day of open basketball prior to basketball tryouts.  In fact you can see it wrapped in the splint in his football picture.  The trainer said that it would be swollen for 8-10 weeks.  Well, it has now been over 4 months.  We decided to have a doctor look at it.  She told us that it could remain like this for a year to a year and a half.  I guess his CTR ring is going to be lonely for a long while!

Peanut Butter and Raspberry Jelly!

Ever since the Annie Jr. play, Ilah has caught the acting bug.  She went to her first casting call (if that is what it is called) for a movie about Bonnie and Clyde.  I guess some of it is going to be shot here in Joplin, and they need extras.  Ilah convinced me to take her a few Saturdays ago.  We had no idea what to expect.  We found a super long winding line that luckily kept moving.  Unfortunately we didn't realize that she needed to bring a photo of herself (head shot?) so we got to pay a young man $5 to take a snap shot of her.  Then we filled out a short form and left it in the box marked for girls 10-12.   Sadly, she hasn't heard anything.

A couple of Sundays ago, Ilah and Henry spent all afternoon - while Mike and I napped - choreographing, practicing, and then performing, complete with costumes, "Peanut Butter and Raspberry Jelly". (They have made some minor changes in the lyrics so that both Peanut Butter AND Jelly are singing ;)  Ilah said that she was going to show it to Mrs. Reidiger (the director of Annie Jr.) in hopes of making a lasting impression.  Henry and Ilah are both planning on trying out for next year's play.  I think Mrs. Reidiger would be a fool not to cast them for some major roles!




This reminds me of the many times I would try to get my brothers and sisters to pratice a song/dance with me so that we could perform it for Mom and Dad and/or Grandma and Grandpa Hinckley out on their back lawn.  Too bad we don't have some old videos of that! 

I wish I would have had the guts to participate in a play or musical in highschool.  For some reason I was petrified of trying anything extra curricular.  I don't think I would have admitted it then.  I probably would have just said I wasn't interested or that I was too busy with homework and later on work.  And it is almost impossible to have a job and participate in extra curricular activities.  Taysom and Tucker can attest to that.  (We're keeping our fingers crossed that they get to shuck some corn this summer in Iowa! )  Speaking of Taysom, she tried out for the highschool's spring musical.  It is called "The Drowsy Chaperone" - has anyone ever heard of it?  She is a showgirl and an extra in most of the scenes.  Performances are coming up in May!

The Wallace Way to Wash Dishes

Step 1-  Realize that its your night for dishes and attempt to persuade parents to make sandwiches that will be eaten on either paper plates or paper towels.

Step 2-  If the sandwiches and paper products aren't used protest by refusing to eat the meal which will make more dishes for yourself.

Step 3-  Seek pity by having a 30 minute crying session over the sink.  (You must produce actual tears and bonus points are awarded for screaming tantrums throughout the process.)

Step 4-  Lets make a deal.  If you are lucky enough to still have money from your allowance, then offer to pay your sibling a sum of cash in exchange for your freedom that night.  (Please note that this tip can only be used if you do not spend your entire allowance on bubble gum and mint ice cream... this is a serious concern in our family.)

Step 5-  Beg for others help.  If they refuse continue following them around and yelling, "Please! Please! Please!" in their ears until they threaten to get Mom and Dad.

Step 6-  Casually mention that you'll be taking a shower during the next twenty minutes, and that dish miracles are always accepted and appreciated :)  (Such miracles do occur during the Christmas season, but mysteriously disappear throughout the rest of the year.)

Step 7-  Return from your 20 minute shower only to notice that the dishes are still in the same place you left them.  By this time, the rest of the family is either down stairs watching TV or in their rooms, which means that they won't be able to hear your heart wrenching sobs.  Fortunately, there is an alternative way to capture their attention.  Simply, drop the dishes into the sink or bang them together!!! (both ideas are equally loud and obnoxious) 

Step 8-  If none of the previous steps have gained you help, then this is the time to submit to your horrible fate and begin washing the dishes.  I suggest silently sobbing while you complete your torturous task, so that after your done, you may walk by your siblings and parents with bright red eyes and make them feel sufficiently guilty.

We realize that this is a vigorous list of steps and wish to warn everyone that this is not for the faint of heart!  However, if you follow this pattern every time it's your night for dishes, you will definitely reach the Wallace Family Standard (WFS).  Good luck with your future dishwashing endeavors!!! :)

Approximate time needed to complete- 3 hours

Sincerely,

Taysom and Tucker Wallace

One last tip-  Come up with a creative idea for a blog post and your mom may offer to do your dishes in exchange for your blog post.  If this occurs, take her up on the offer!  It's way better!!!!

Naughty or Nice? ;)

Ilah was looking up some Christmas sites these past few days and found a really fun one that tells how good you've been this year.  Thankfully no one got on the naughty list.  Although, my dad's did say that he kept switching from the nice to naughty list :)  He better watch his step, cause Santa Claus is coming tonight!!!  We wish we could be with you guys this Christmas, but we are grateful to be celebrating the birth of our Savior and Older Brother, Jesus Christ, whose atonement allows us to be together forever.  I'm looking forward to spending forever with you!  I love you all... there is no greater family (biological or friendship wise) out there.  Merry Christmas!

Love,
The Mo Wallace Family

P.S. We looked up a few results ourselves :)  If your name isn't on here you can check your standing at
http://www.claus.com/naughtyornice/nn_rating.php
Louise Crosby
It was a pretty good year, so we'll go for a "Nice" rating. A few naughty marks for excessive junk food, not going to bed on time and nearly forgetting someone's birthday. Really tried to keep up with household chores, though. Extra credit for smiling a lot. Is kind to senior citizens. Keep improving!
Richard Crosby
Overall, niceness outweighs naughtiness. Was good a lot last month! Politeness often good, but has room for improvement. Could help around house more instead of watching so much TV. Expected to move even higher up "nice" list.

Mary Crosby
Nice, but has naughty lapses. High marks in the good deeds department. Better than average manners. Hopefully, thoughtfulness will continue to be as good as last month. Neatness needs improvement!

Frances Wallace
"Nice" with just a few naughty marks for excess TV. Also had a tough month back in February, but has shown real "nice" effort ever since. Beware of not cleaning up kitchen messes and forgetting to say "thank you." Very nice job of kissing everyone "good night."

Jimmy Wallace
Nicer than nice. A real champ! I was really proud of all the hard work that went towards changing those "naughty" habits of last year. Treated friends nicely and was exceptionally honest (which happens to be one of my favorite traits!) It's amazing what a good old fashioned "I'm sorry!" can do for a rating. Keep up the good work!

#94

Here is the football picture I promised.
Love that smile!



P.S. Notice the injured finger.

Christmas Programs

Here are a few links to see the kids in their Christmas Programs...

This one is for Henry's 5th grade Christmas Program:
http://www.jet14ondemand.com/ondemand/musicvideo.php?vid=eb4290a4a

He is Santa Claus!


This one is for the All City Singers Christmas Program which Henry was a part of:
http://www.jet14ondemand.com/ondemand/musicvideo.php?vid=e2c526fa9

Henry is on the right, second row down from the top (I think).


This one is Ilah's Beginning Band Concert:
http://www.jet14ondemand.com/ondemand/musicvideo.php?vid=5381c6435

She is on the front row on the left.


This one is the Joplin High School's Choir Concert. Taysom is in "A Touch of Class" (the blue dresses):
http://www.jet14ondemand.com/ondemand/musicvideo.php?vid=3e30d4337

Taysom is hard to see because she is in the back row on the left.


Merry Christmas!