If You Give A Mom A Camera...

The picture would be better if Princess didn't chastise me for trying to use my flash.
("They said no flash fit-ah-gerfy, Mom!")

Last Friday was a date night for Hubba, Princess, Cowgirl and I.

We went to see a production of the children's book, If You Give A Mouse A Cookie.

This was Hubba's first time to see a play so we went over the rules on our way to the theater.

1. You are not allowed to be hungry in the theater.
2. You are not allowed to be thirsty in the theater.
3. You are not allowed to ask to go to the bathroom after we are seated in the theater.

I think that, because we went over the rules, he just wanted to test me and see if I meant business. Because he asked for each of these things at least twice before the curtain came up.

In Cowgirl's words, the play was awesome. The kids were captivated by the giant mouse (even if Princess called him creepy at first) and laughed and watched as The Mouse and The Boy made a mess of The Boy's house.

As for me, it was well worth the $6 adult admission for the nice nap I ended up taking after the first 15 minutes. I think that watching those two create such a mess just made me tired for whoever got to clean up after them every night. Then, the next thing I knew... BAM! It was over.

As we were leaving we noticed that The Boy and The Mouse were posing for pictures with the audience members and we happened to be right near the front of the line. And besides, I did have my camera. Other than Hubba suddenly being scared of The Mouse it turned out well.

As we made our way to the car I asked Hubba why he wouldn't stand closer to The Mouse for the picture. He told us that he could see through The Mouse's head up close and it looked like a boy was stuck in there, which was (and I quote) 'really freaky!'

I told him that there was a simple explanation for the boy he saw inside the mouse.

Because everyone knows that if you give a mouse a cookie, eventually he'll get tired of asking for other things and just eat you.

That seemed to go over pretty well.

I love having kids.

Vividly Dreaming

I had a very vivid dream last night - one I could recall completely this morning.

I dreamed that ElemenoB, Thumbelina and I were going to visit my mom. When we arrived at her house she peeked cautiously out the door before throwing it open wide and welcoming us with a declaration of "Happy Birthday ElemenoB and Thumbelina!" However, their birthdays were still quite a ways off. She appeared to have gone a bit mad.

Her small apartment was decorated with balloons, streamers and ribbons galore. When she noticed the confused looks on the girls' faces she sadly asked, "Did grandma do something wrong?"

"Just go along with it, guys," I cautioned under my breath. "You don't want to hurt her feelings."

"No, no, grandma - everything is fine!" ElemenoB declared, a bit too happily patronizing.

"Yeah, this is great - you are so sweet!" Thumbelina added.

My mom then got out a small cake which was festooned with 15 candles. We watched as she lit the candles one by one with a super-sized matchstick and began to sing Happy Birthday. The girls blew the candles out in unison.

"Now let's eat!" Mom instructed as she cut the cake and passed us each a plate.

We ate and visited for a bit before a grand announcement was made. "I have presents for both of you!" Mom proclaimed excitedly as she handed brightly wrapped gifts to both ElemenoB and Thumbelina.

They tore off the wrapping and found Christmas boxes exposed beneath the colorful exterior. "Grandma is going crazy!" my mom said. "I can't believe I used Christmas boxes for birthday presents!"

"It's okay, grandma, we do stuff like that all the time," ElemenoB assured her.

And then they opened the boxes and found that they were empty. My mom was going crazy.

Upon further investigation they discovered envelopes taped onto the underside of the box lids.

Inside the envelopes were tickets to Wicked! Screaming, happiness and nearly-passing-out ensued.
I found a ticket in my purse as well. (Funny thing, dreams.)

They checked their tickets for a date. The show was that very night! In less than 3 hours! However, they were still wearing their school clothes. What could they wear to the show?

"You could borrow some of my clothes," my mom generously offered.

"We could use safety pins," I suggested.

"Okay," they apprehensively agreed.

"I would go in my pajamas if I had to," Thumbelina conceded.

We went to Mom's closet and sorted through her various skirts and dresses. "How about these?" she asked, pulling out some of our very own clothing which just happened to have made its way into her closet - along with shoes to match. (Dreams can be so funny that way!)

"Have a good time!" Mom called to us as she left for work. We picked up some dinner, got dressed and were on the road to the show in record time.

I vividly recall the fact that there was no traffic on the freeway and parking was plentiful. Gotta love dreams.

We made our way into the theater to discover that our seats were perfectly positioned for prime viewing.

As the music began some winged-monkeys slowly drew up the curtain to reveal the opening scene for what could only be described as the best on-stage musical production we have ever experienced.

We did our best not to sing along... but a couple of times Thumbelina couldn't help herself. In fact, I found myself lip syncing throughout much of this portion of the dream.

The show was incredible. Exhilarating. Surreal.
It was a dream come true.

The Secret Ingredient

A friend of mine requested a post on my homemade pizza. She says I must have some kind of secret ingredient I use because hers doesn't turn out like mine when she makes it.

Well... she's right.

There is a secret ingredient I had not told her about previously... but I am ready to reveal what makes my pizza so amazing.

I start off with this simple recipe:

1 Tbsp yeast
1 cup warm water
1 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp oil
1 tsp salt
about 3 cups flour

Mix all ingredients together in one mixing bowl (I use my Kitchenaid). Let the dough rise for a half hour then roll out onto desired pan. Add toppings and cook at 425 degrees for 10 minutes.
While the dough is rising I get my toppings ready. Use whatever your family likes. Our pizzas include pepperoni, olives, mushrooms, pineapple, green pepper and plenty of cheese.
Plus the secret ingredient.

The above recipe times 3 is enough for me to make 3 regular sized and one jumbo sized pizza. I split the dough into 4 blobs and flatten each dough-blob on a pizza pan using my favorite kitchen tool... my hands.
Lay down some sauce, sprinkle a little Parmesan cheese over the top and then add a layer of mozzarella.
Cover the mozzarella with whatever toppings you've decided on...
Add another layer of mozzarella...
And bake.

Oh, I almost forgot. Did you notice the secret ingredient in the picture of all the toppings? Here it is:
Music.
That's right, I like to pretend I am acting out a scene from a musical as I prepare my pizzas.
When one of the kids come into the kitchen I improvise and add them into the scene. (I'm awesome with kitchen improv.)
Mr. Scarlata would be so proud to know that all of those classes in high school were not in vain.
I believe it gives the pizza some pizazz. Makes it a little more cultured. More diverse. More tasty.

Be sure to orchestrate a big finish for the best results...Now you try. Throw a little of my secret ingredient in the next time you make pizza and see if it doesn't make a difference.

(Thanks to ElemenoB for the cinematography)

UPDATED: School House ROCKS!

UPDATE! UPDATE! UPDATE! UPDATE! UPDATE!

In a smart, last-minute move,
Thumbelina has been cast in the part of

INTERPLANET JANET!!

Resistance is futile. You must come now.

School House ROCKS!

My 2 oldest girls are performing in a stage production of "School House Rock" this weekend.

You totally want to come.

It is held in the auditorium of our local middle school (the one that pretends to have a dress code when it seems convenient) THIS Friday and Saturday, February 20-21 at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets are $3 for adults and $2 for students (or $1 for students with ID).

Remember "Interjections"? "Conjunction Junction"? "I'm Just a Bill"?

Yeah. Come see.

A Night At The Theatre

(Two of the audience members, eagerly awaiting the start of the play)

I am often treated to a play which is written, directed and acted out by my kids. Last night's was especially suspenseful. Here are the general rules:

1. It must take place in the basement.
2. Costumes and props must be used.
3. If anyone forgets their lines, any other actor may fill in.
4. The script can change at any time. (Improv is good.)

And now, without further ado, I present for your theatrical pleasure:

MURDER IN ALYSSA'S MANSION!

SCENE 1.

We begin in the kitchen where the maid is preparing dinner.

"What are you doing here, Miss Coleson?" the maid asks.

"I'm just visiting." Miss Coleson responds.

"Dinner will be late, madam." the maid says kindly.

And then Miss Coleson pulls out a pink plastic knife from her tea set and STABS HER TO DEATH!!
(dim lights, crew member drags maid off)

"Mom! I'm getting dragged to change my costume!" the dead maid calls out to me.
SCENE 2.

Miss Coleson tries to visit Alyssa in her room.

Lucky for Alyssa there happens to be a guard at her door who sends Miss Coleson away.

BUT! The guard turns his back on Miss Coleson. Big mistake!!

She pulls out her pink plastic knife from her tea set and STABS HIM TO DEATH!!

SCENE 3.

Alyssa meets Miss Coleson in the secret passage to her secret cellar and asks, "What are you doing here?"

"Ever since you invited me to your birthday party and your dog bit me I have been ANGRY!" Miss Coleson yells. "And now you shall never see daylight again!"

Miss Coleson pulls out her pink plastic knife (from her tea set) and STABS HER TO.... wait!

Alyssa ducks!

She lives!

A guard happened to be in the secret passageway to the secret cellar and saw the whole thing and called 911!

A storm trooper shows up with a rubber-band gun pointed at the guard! Is he in cahoots with Miss Coleson?
No one knows!

Because at this point the cast giggles uncontrollably, takes their bows, and declares the show over.

But WAIT!!

Regardless of the fact that most of the audience has gone, the storm trooper turns his rubber-band gun on Miss Coleson and shoots her dead with a loud "P-choo! P-choo!" sound.

THE END.
(close curtain)

Thank you for joining us for a night of mystery theater.

Tune in next week when the entire cast meets for a group counseling session.

Guys and Dolls: Flashback!

WHS production of Guys and Dolls, 1991.
(Havana dancers in Rainbow Brite dresses, myself, and Nicely-Nicely)

When I graduated from high school, I didn't know what to do with myself. My problem was this: all of my closest friends were a year behind me in school. So, I became "Bob". The movie, "What About Bob?" was popular at the time, and I just wouldn't go away, so some people started calling me "Bob", or just saying, "What about Gerb?" My high school drama teacher, however, saw that he could use this to his advantage. Since I was showing up to all of the rehearsals for the school musical "Guys and Dolls" anyway (all my friends were in it!) he asked me to help with costumes. I have never had so much fun in my life! Guys and Dolls is still one of my favorite musicals to this day.

WHS production, 1991
(Crap shooters, Hot Box Dancers, etc. - and an amazing set!)

So, you can imagine the excitement that surged within me when my oldest daughter asked if she could audition for her Middle School's production of Guys and Dolls. She and all of her friends tried out and all were accepted for various parts. One friend got a lead role (Adelaide), some girls were Dolls, some were Crap Shooters (not enough boys auditioned - I love Middle School!) and some got to play cowbell in the Mission Band - namely my own EM.

Middle School production of Guys and Dolls - 2008
(Look at that gorgeous Mission Band member, 2nd performer from the left!)

Miss Adelaide and Mission Band Cowbell Ringer, 2008

I can not express how much I love watching my kids experience some of the things that I enjoyed at their age. I must admit, though - I am a little jealous.

I have never had the opportunity to ring a cowbell.