Thoroughly Enjoyable

Claire did a production of Thoroughly Modern Millie this summer with her theater group and it was BY FAR the best production I have ever seen.  Granted, I am not a cultured theater go-er who sees the most current and clever shows.  However, I do know a good thing when I see it!!  Those friends who saw it would agree with me, and the multiple standing ovations prove it so.
The main characters were all high school and entering college students, yet I felt like I was watching trained thespians on Broadway. They were perfectly cast...every one of them.  Claire was part of a special ensemble group called "the newsies", who were young paperboys.  This group was the first one to be seen at the opening of the show, and they would make adorable appearances throughout the show and between acts. This was one show I am most glad to see Claire record on her resume!!

The Newsies

The Cast

These girls were cute as buttons on stage!

Claire's Cupcake Wars

~A Sugary Good Party Where the Girls Bring Their Bake On~

The teams carefully select and plan their Master Cupcake Designs.

The categories were:  

Most Creative

                                 

Best Tasting

                                 

Best Looking

 Ethan and Audrey were their own One-Man Teams. What gooey masterpieces!!

...just a few of the ingredients to choose from...

And the winners are...

THE AFTERMATH

Happy 11th Birthday Claire!!

May all your hopes and dreams come true!

**You are OUR sweet cupcake Claire**

I was looking in the Google Search History for a website that I had visited earlier in the week, and stumbled upon these attempted searches:

**Can dogs eat one cup of olive oil?
**Dogs: how much should my dog eat/cottage cheese daily rations?
**Can dogs eat tomato sauce with green peppers?
**Are green chilies ok for dogs?
**Which foods are toxic for dogs and cats?

and lastly,

**Alternative medicines for dogs

These are the kinds of "trails" the web researchers and advertisers probably look at to determine how to get hits on their websites. I just chuckled as I read down the list of things ****someone**** had entered in the search bar, and not shortly thereafter did I keep the dog outside for the rest of the day.  I did NOT want to revisit any of those foods Charm had possibly ingested.

The sun has set, the dog's stomach seems settled, but the questions still remain:

Was someone holding a cooking class with the dog as the only student?
What would possess someone to feed a dog a cup of olive oil anyway?
Did this person think that a cottage cheese chaser would help keep the oil from leaking out the other end?
Did Charm enjoy the green chilies?

High School Musical

I cannot believe I haven't done a follow-up story on Claire's performance in High School Musical! As you can imagine, the role of a "mini-Sharpay" fit Claire like a [Gucci] glove.  The 3 actresses nicknamed themselves Sharpay, Sharpette, and Sharpetite--which was Claire.  (Ok, that was kind of an inside/backstage joke and not-so-funny in print.) Claire was so fantastic to watch, prancing and preening around the stage.  She always had these over-the-top sequined and pink outfits, replete with purse and matching cell phone. Claire did not speak one line in this entire play, but her actions and attitude said it all!

Claire's Grandma Ellen had the treat of being in town for the last performance. We proudly escorted Miss Claire to the cast party :o)

This faboo cake was designed by one of the parents. Apparantly, she does something cool and different for each show.

The party was at a piano bar down the street that let the cast of kids request any songs and the guy would play them. I was amazed at how many of them knew all the Journey tunes!!

It's All About Your Perspective...I Guess...

Claire (drawing a cartoon picture of Julian):  Hey Julian this is gonna be a picture of you when you're 20!

Julian (eating, as usual):  Oh ok.  Cool.

Claire: I'm going to make you have a tattoo!

Julian:  Oh ok.  Make it be two swords crossed.

Claire (stated in her famous multi-questioned way):  Hmmm. I don't know how to draw swords.  How do you draw swords? What do swords look like?

Audrey (peering over Claire's shoulder):  I know how to draw swords.  Just draw a banana with a handle on the end.

Audience laughs.

End scene.

The Many Faces (and hats) of Claire

Could this little girl be any cuter?? Any sweeter??
YES.
Every year that has passed has made our daughter more delightful, more beautiful, and more engaging.
It's been six years this picture was taken of Claire.
We love her 6x as much...but probably more.

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!  

SuperClaire!!

Double click on the image to see the details...

"But wait, if you order NOW...."

I don't remember how we jumped onto the topic, but it was mentioned that Claire is a VERY excellent bed-maker. We all chimed in that her covers were military-style straight, and the pillows were always fluffed and propped like a bed and breakfast.

Offhandedly, I said that she could make some money with an enterprise like that.

The next morning I found this in the printer:

Claire's Cleaning Club

If it's not the best bed making you've ever seen, IT'S ON US!

Bed making is the lowest price you will ever see! Only fifty cents! PLUS,

not only do you get that, but if you subscribe in the next 15 minutes, you will get FREE

pillow fluffing!

Winter Piano Recital

Claire's latest piano recital. We can see a lot more confidence and maturity in her playing over the past few months. She was excited to start using the foot pedal :o)

Church Talent Show and Chili Cook-Off

Claire was first billing in the church talent show this weekend. She was really nervous to be up first, but as you can hear from her voice (and the swell of applause) she had NOTHING to be nervous about!!

We were so incredibly proud of her confidence, beauty, and giftedness. I was fighting back tears the entire time yet screamed like a soccer mom at the end!

At the end of April, Claire will be in her first stage production. It is Seussical, Jr and she plays two different jungle creatures--a frog and fish. She is part of the ensemble but also was chosen to be in some special numbers with less people on stage. It is a large cast, so it was quite an honor for Claire to be chosen.

Tour de Tree

Claire's Winter Piano Recital

Claire played a few short songs and did very well. My camera battery died on the last half of her last song ~AARGH~
She continues to love piano and practices often without my reminding her. I just love how creative and talented Claire is....

A Star is Born

This blog serves as an excellent medium to brag about the kids.

Claire has been taking a musical theater class on Saturdays for the past few months, which she absolutely loves. She's passed up a birthday party and a weekend at Gramma's so she wouldn't miss any classes. Now THAT says a lot for a 9 yr old kid!
On this last day of class, the kids did a mini-performance for the adults to show what they have been working on and demonstrate skills. It was so awesome to watch Claire with her twinkly eyes and sparkly spirit. I know I'm biased, but I really felt she stood out amongst her ten peers.
After class, the instructor stopped us in the hall and said that Claire was definitely ready to move to the intermediate classes. And this was only after taking one session!! We were both beaming. The instructor continued to say that if Claire was planning on auditioning for the spring stage production, this next class would help her prepare. Wow!! To hear the woman say that Claire was audition-material was so incredible. It's the stuff Christopher and I always knew about her, but love to hear from someone else.
The musical is called "Seussical" and auditions are mid-January.
Better get my Cat and Her Hat ready for an audition!!

Claire's got a new cute 'doo...

Lights, Camera, Claire!

The following are a few snippets of Claire's performance in her summer musical theater camp. It really gave Claire the "theater bug", and she decided to take more classes this school year. She's got an amazing voice, contagious cuteness, and a lotta moxie! I will look forward to posting more performances of hers throughout the year....