Theatrical Kind of Day

This day was right up Shayla's alley (being the "theater girl"). First, for her gifted class, she had me video her doing a commercial advertising a book she read. She really got into this project and I'm certain (cough) everyone will want to run right to the library to read the book after viewing her commercial in class. It was so good! (OK, I'm bias, but I thought it was precious and she had a great time practicing and getting everything ready!)

Thankful for a break from working on my dissertation disaster, we met 40 of my students and their parents at Heidelberg this afternoon where we watched the musical, "Into the Woods". While I won't post photos of my students, my observations and conversations with them indicate they really liked it very much. I'm so grateful to teach in a school with supportive parents and I thank them for bringing their kids to the theater today since this was not a school activity, simply a "meet Mrs. Thomas at Heidelberg if you want to see this musical" type of event.

On Friday, the director (Dr. Jen) brought three of the actresses over to my classroom where they helped prepare us for what we'd see today. When the parents of one of the college actresses tracked me down to tell me how much his daughter loved coming to my class, I was really touched. These Heidelberg students were doing ME such a big favor! God is good! Shayne is driving back from Kentucky, so Shayla went with me and thought she was "all that" as she sat with sixth graders and ate dinner with 8th graders after the show! She really loved their attention.

Just before going to Heidelberg, I received a text from Olivia - SHE MADE IT!!! 13 miles!! Without a doubt, that is absolutely incredible! I bet on the day she was born (along with her twin sister) her mother never would have believed anyone who would have told her that ONE DAY Olivia would enter a 13 mile running competition! THANK YOU, Olivia! I believe Christi was holding your hand and trying to make you giggle while you were out there today! Thank you for raising money for her memorial fund and keeping her memory alive! I'm so very proud of you!!

Shayla got all except one of the actor's autographs. Imagine that! (smile) Many times my eyes wandered to where Christi's friends were sitting in the theatre and I wondered what she'd be thinking of the show. I'm willing to bet she would have loved this musical comedy, her friends and her sister did.

Shayne just called. He made it back to Ohio, but his grandma is in the hospital so he's stopping to visit with her on his way home. We learned from his mom this week that grandma has been sick, but this is the first I learned she was in the hospital. I pray she's back home soon!