Life in the Blue Hair Lane

It seems that lately, when someone in this house gets a hair cut...it warrants photography. I took pictures of the girls getting bobs last year. When Michael got his hair trimmed. When he got it buzzed. My hair never warrants photography as it hasn't changed in a decade. There is something sad about that situation.

Anyway. Katie got her hair done today. Madalyn got hers trimmed. But I suppose that Katie's was a bigger deal. Since she got her hair dyed. Dyed. Really.

Well. Just a small part of it. First we had to pick which part was going to get colored.

And then it had to be bleached. Which required some time under the dryer. And while she was under there, there were very LOUD requests for entertainment. And very LOUD questions about how much longer. Beauty takes time my dear.

Then there was washing of hair. And acclamations about how drastic it is looking already.

And then. The dye.

Do you see that? It's blue. ELECTRIC blue. Multi shaded. It's a wow. And she looks pretty darn cute. I am such a cool mom. For the next 15 minutes anyway. Except that I am now the bane of existence for the moms of Katie's friends. I apologize in advance for any strange hair-do requests that you may now have.

So...what about you? Have you ever done anything wild with your hair? With your kids' hair? Are you the cool mom?

Medieval Times

Katie's birthday was New Year's Eve. And I told you a little about our celebration in this post. But...I got a number of questions about what we were doing. So, I thought I'd tell you about the whole evening.

Last year, Katie had a slumber party with 6 of her friends. And I vowed to not do that again. I made lots of suggestions for her for this year. A pool party. A cooking party. I was pretty much open to anything that did not involve a sleep over.

Then a few weeks ago, we saw sale ads for Medieval Times. Normal prices are about $50 a person. I was so not going to do normal. Nor was I going to do the New Year's Eve "special" of $75 a person. So, we made reservations for the 30th. Katie invited two of her friends. And then somehow it all morphed into a spend the night party. I don't know how it happened.

The girls were really excited to go. But we really didn't know what to expect. Except that there would be some sort of show. With knights. And horses. And dinner without silverware. I think that the lack of utensils and manners was what the girls were most excited about.

We entered the hall and found that we would be cheering for the Red Knight. We got banners to wave. And crowns to wear.

We found our seats. (Notice the red glow. Each section had appropriatly colored lights. And we were bathed in red.)

And then the show started. Apparently the king had won a great battle. But his brother was killed by a traitor. So a year after the battle, there was a victory celebration with the valiant knights. And a mystery to solve. Who is the bad seed?

When they first started to come into the arena. Madalyn turned to me and said "they are hot!" Yes. It was Madalyn who started it all. Not the hormonal birthday girl. My 7 year old. I was so not prepared for the girls to spend the entire evening on their feet. Cheering for their Red Knight. Proclaiming their everlasting love. And screaming marriage proposals. I am just impressed that there were no bras thrown onto the arena floor.

We got to see them joust each other. Get ribboned rings. Get flowers from the Princess - which were thrown into the audience. And one was actually caught by Madalyn. Katie was quite sure that it was really meant for her.

There were exhibitions by the Master of Horse.

And a fly over by a hawk.

And then one last battle. When the enemy knight was revealed.

And after it was all over. All the knights came into the great hall with their sharpies. To sign autographs.

Madalyn was all about the autographs. Because they could sign her cast. She had all of them sign her cast. Including the evil knight. Who didn't have many autograph seekers. I think he had fun jeering for his photo.Madalyn wasn't picky. Unlike the older girls. Who only wanted photos with their one man. That they are still working out arrangements to share. Except Diana. Who wisely chose a different knight to love.

So...what about you? Have you ever been to Medieval Times? Or another kind of dinner theatre? Ever thrown your bra on stage? Or engaged in groupie-like behavior?

Theme Song - ELP - Lucky Man. I think it must be the Red Knight's theme song. I wonder if he has any idea what he is doing to these 11 year old girls. I wonder if his friends tease him.

When your birthday is New Year's Eve...everyone wants to celebrate with you

It seems like just yesterday that you were this small.

And now. Look at how you have grown.

You are becoming a remarkable young woman. Sweet and kind. Unless we are talking about your sister.

Smart. Inquisitive. Loquacious. Go look it up.

You are a wonderful daughter. Good sister. Mostly. And a great friend.

And tonight. During your birthday celebration...I saw the future.

As you and your friends. Instead of watching the show. Stood and stared. And screamed. And declared your undying love for the hot knights.

Theme song: Pink - So What. Because that is what Katie says is her theme song. And can you just imagine three giggly girlies singing this at the top of their lungs last night on our way home from Medieval times? While they were jacked up on caffeine and Red Knight pheromones?

Wordy Wednesday: An evening at the Fox

As I mentioned yesterday - during my tirade about those that don't have email - Katie's choir performed at the Fox Theatre last night. They were part of the "Larry, Carols, and Mo" evening. Larry is the Fox organist - and Mo is the Mighty Mo - one of the largest theatre organs in the country. And Carols. Well. That would be Christmas caroling. With Larry playing and the audience singing along before they showed "The Polar Express" movie.

The Fox is an incredible place. It's architecture is like a sultan's palace. Complete with a Bedouin canopy. A blue sky. Twinkling lights. And moving clouds.The choir's first performance was in the lobby. On the grand staircase.They were ready to perform as guests entered the lobby. With all the parents gathered around to listen. We kinda blocked the entrance. And blocked the kiosk of Nutcracker goods being offered for sale. But they had the most beautiful pointe shoes.

For $250.

What would you do with these gorgeous $250 pointe shoes?

After they finished singing...we marched back into the bowels of the theatre into the holding room. Practiced their song again. And then it was time to head back stage.

On the set. And backstage. Are all the props for the Nutcracker ballet. The kids were under strict orders to not touch anything. But I felt compelled to take pictures. And perhaps learn how to use my camera without the flash. I did manage to figure out how to set the aperture. Or is it the f stop? Or shutter speed? I managed to get the lighting correct. However. I couldn't tell that my photos were blurry. So you have to use your imagination a bit.

Here is Mother Ginger's skirt. Where all the kids come racing out from underneath.

And horses. For some part of the ballet. That escapes me now.

The kids get in place. The organ is going for the sing-along. The audience sings Jingle Bells. Then - O Come All Ye Faithful. And at the second verse...the curtain rises.

And the kids lead the audience in the rest of the song.

Then comes the tricky part. All the kids have to come off stage. Stay in line. And wait. Wait offstage while another chorus sings a song. And that wait. It must be in complete silence. Wrangling excited children is a challenging proposition. Because it's dark off stage. And difficult to get the kids to see my mommy look. But that was my job. And I only had to strangle a very few.

After our wait...the kids went back onstage. To sing with the adult choir. They got into position as the audience was singing about Frosty. With Larry. And Mo. And once again...the curtain rose to reveal the choirs together. And with a whole new set. And beautiful voices. And snow.

Performing at the Fox. In front of a sold out audience. What an opportunity. And what a whirlwind. I am so glad that it's over.

So...what about you? Have you ever been in a play? Performed on a stage? Gotten to go back stage? Tried to keep 45 kids in complete silence for 8 whole minutes? Entered to win this week's prize package?

Theme song: Tom Petty - The Waiting. Because. That was the hardest part.