High School Musical

Claire all ready to go for opening night

I have been remiss in reporting the latest star sighting here in Everett:  our Very Own Claire Dayton!!  A few months ago she auditioned for a part in the summer production of "High School Musical".  She was certain that she would get an ensemble part because, well, after all it is HighSchool Musical and not Elementary School Musical. Amidst a sea of tall people, Claire bravely waited for her turn to audition.  She had mastered one of the popular songs to showcase and a short monologue to impress them with.  Claire felt confident going in and satisfied coming out of the audition;  she had learned so much in doing the Seussical Jr. musical and definitely used it.

On the drive home, Claire was ready to receive the callback for an ensemble part with a contented and happy heart. She held the attitude that "There is no small parts" close to her heart and I was very proud of that.  

A few days later, we got the call.  The woman said that they were so impressed by Claire's audition and her overall personality that they had created a special role just for her.  She said that they wanted Claire to be more than just a background character, that she really had a special joie-de-vivre about her. WOW!! They made her a "shadow" of the main character, Sharpay, and affectionately call Claire a "Sharpette".  

Sharpay is one of the popular girls at school, always dressed to kill and has an attitude to match.  Claire follows Sharpay around, mimicking her movements, snapping her fingers in the Z formation, and talking on her cell phone in the same manner.  Claire dresses in these over-the-top fashionable clothes and wears sparkly makeup...it is fantastically hilarious!  

Our family saw the first of 7 shows, and I am going on closing night with Grandma Ellen.  I can't wait to post more pictures from the cast party!  

S. I. C. (Seattle is Cool)

~Rendition of Girl With a Pearl Earring~

~Woman in downtown Seattle doing chalk art~

Waiting...and waiting...and...

Who pick? U pick!

Another "Why-haven't-we-done-this-before??" adventure...  We went blueberry picking for the first time in our lives as Washington residents.  We've been here 7 years (which is a Dayton family record) and never picked a one.

 

When we first walked up they offer tin pails just like in the book, Blueberries for Sal.  I squealed with excitement at the prospect of hanging this metal bucket off my belt loop like a pro.  More squeals ensued when I actually dropped the first few berries in and it made the sounds, "Plink plank plunk," just like the book.  Audrey and Ethan caught onto my excitement and began to fill their own containers, in somewhat of a race to the top.  The only problem they were having was eating more than they could save. It was as if each berry were a new invention from the Willy Wonka factory; they would draw my attention to each one they were going to eat, saying, "Look at this one, Mom!!"

The trees were LOADED with fat, juicy berries. We started discussing all the things we could make with our harvest: pancakes, smoothies, pie, and someone with their mouth full might have said hot dogs. I couldn't quite understand.

 The harvest was plentiful, and the tummies were satisfied. It was #67 on the list of Things We Should Do that I could now cross off. In blueberry juice.

I need to do this every day...but will I fit on the counter??

Tree Tag

We stopped by the park this morning for some good, simple fun.  When we pulled up the kids piled out and started running toward the various play structures.  Nobody seemed to notice that Dad and I were still in the car (for a while at least) so we slumped down in our seats (about dashboard level) and enjoyed the moments of silence.  I think Christopher even said, "Ahhhhhh...." but I'm not sure.
Once we were realized, we ambled out and joined watched the kids in their frenzied play.  I started hearing someone talking excitedly about playing "Tree Tag" in the forest behind the park and then felt my mouth moving. It was ME!  Suggesting a running game! I eyed everyone's flip-flops, noted the tree roots bulging as if to catch our feet, and fought the urge to cancel the game due to envisioned injuries.  I was quite proud of myself for throwing caution to the wind.
It ended up being a Memory Maker. Ethan darted in and out of trees like a squirrel; Audrey insisted on being on Dad's team--on his shoulders; Julian being the stellar athlete he is, never got tagged; Claire coolly walked from one tree to the next very-close-tree, not needing to ever break a sweat.  Me?  Well I ran around in my flip-flops, stumbling over roots, getting tree sap on my hands, all the while shrieking like a little girl. 
Good times.