Kids Rock

For the past few years, the Little Theatre has presented a musical every spring. Tina does an amazing job. Talented people from Dar rehearse for months, the get on stage for a week, and sing and dance, and entertain us talentless ones.

Last year, Tina's daughter, Kelly, took over. Kids Rock was the musical. The entire show was done by kids. Not a single adult was on stage. It was a great show. Nothing could outdo it. Or so we thought......

Kelly and Tina were back at it again this year. Kids Rock On has been at the Little Theatre for over a week now. Adults are not allowed on stage! Even the choreography was done by a student!!!

After our wonderful experiences at the Panto and The Wizard of Oz, I thought I'd take Ethan to see this. He loves to sing and dance, so he should love this. Nope! Ethan refused to go. For weeks I'd tell him about it, and for weeks he'd tell me he didn't want to go. Then Ethan met Harry.....

Harry lives across from us. He's in Grade 5, and one of the sweetest kids you'll ever meet. Ethan idolizes Harry. And Harry is so kind to Ethan. Whenever he sees Ethan, he makes a point of saying hi and having a conversation. I once saw Harry and said 'hi'. Big mistake. "He's my friend mommy, not yours!"

I told Ethan that Harry was in the show. Would he now, maybe want to see it. Oh yes!!!! So Sunday, Ethan and I had a date! Scott had work to do, so Ethan and I went to the Little Theatre. We had a bag of crisps for dinner, and at the interval, ice cream was the dessert.

As usual, when we sat down, Ethan decided he didn't want to be there. He climbed onto my lap, and nuzzled his face into my shoulder. But then the music started. And yes, once again, as soon as the music started, Ethan had to look. "Mommy! Look! There's Harry!!!!" And he was enthralled.

We've had to change the name of the show from Kids Rock On, to There's Harry. For the entire show, Ethan looked for Harry. The first few sets had Hannah Montana songs, which Ethan recognised. So when he couldn't find Harry, it was ok. But if he didn't recognise the song, then he had to find Harry! It was all about Harry!

After the show, Ethan asked if he could please go see Harry. When we saw him, Ethan became shy. Was so sweet. The next day, Ethan insisted on giving Harry some chocolate that he made, to say thanks for the show.

Hmmm.... is this idolization, or a crush?

The Cinema

While home over the holidays, I spent a day out with 2 of my cousins, leaving Scott alone with Ethan. Scott had a whole day planned. He was going to take Ethan out for lunch, and then head to the cinema. Ethan could choose between The Chipmunks or The Princess and the Frog. After spending numerous days in Grandpa's basement watching Disney movie after Disney movie, we were sure he'd choose the latter. However, Ethan didn't want to go. Out. At all. He spent the whole day in his pajamas!

A few days later, the 3 of us went out for lunch. While we were out, we went to the cinema and showed Ethan the 2 movies we thought he'd want to see. He surprised us, and chose neither. He seemed scared of going inside the theatre, and we let him be.

Coming back to Dar, we forgot all about taking Ethan to the movies. Then last week, Janita called. She was taking Georgie, Yasmin and Natasha to the cinema to see the Chipmunks, and wanted to know if Ethan wanted to join them. "NO!" he answered. We didn't push him. We were already at Mlimani, so we continued our shopping and went for lunch. While eating at Marry Brown, Ethan saw another Ethan. He knew he'd met the other Ethan before, and was in awe of him. Kelly (Ethan's mom) mentioned they were taking the kids to see the Chipmunks. Our Ethan sat up a little straighter, but still didn't want to see the movie. Georgie, Natasha and Yasmin all came by and invited Ethan to join them. No, he still didn't want to go. But then the other Ethan left Marry Brown's. Our Ethan just HAD to know where he was heading. This time, he felt a little braver about going to the cinema.

Just like he was when we went to the Theatre, Ethan was nervous about sitting inside the theatre. This time he chose Daddy's lap to sit on. And just like he was with the 2 live shows, Ethan loved the movie!

Who would've guessed that Ethan's first time watching a movie on the big screen, it would be in a cinema in Dar and he'd watch The Chipmunks!

Shows

For those that don't know, I'm a huge fan of the Little Theatre, here in Dar. Every Christmas season, they put on a Pantomime. This year, I decided to take Ethan along. The Theatre was putting on a production of Cinderella. And although I'm not sure Ethan knows the story, I was pretty sure he'd enjoy it.

Scott was in SA the weekend of the show, so Ethan and I had a date. We both dressed up, and headed to the theatre for some dinner and a show. Dinner, of course consisted of crisps and a soda. Ethan was a little nervous when he walked into the theatre. He decided he would not be watching the show, and sat with his face buried into the back of the seat. But as the music, singing and dancing began, Ethan couldn't help but watch. In awe. I believe his mouth was hanging open during some parts.

A Panto generally has one dame. We were blessed this year with not one, not 2, not even 3, but 4, yes that's right, four dames! Ethan called the two stepsisters 'clowns', wasn't sure what to think of the fairy, and was terrified of the step mother!

After the success of Ethan's first live theatre event, we thought we'd try it again in Toronto. The Living Arts Centre had a touring production of The Wizard of Oz. Scott's dad bought us all tickets. So once again, we're off to the theatre.

Again, Ethan was very nervous walking into the theatre. He really wanted to go home. Putting his head into the back of his seat was not going to work either. This time, he needed a lap. Mommy's lap.

But just like the Panto, when the music and singing started, Ethan was hooked. He couldn't keep his eyes off the show. He was loving every minute and even gave us commentaries on the witch. He did not think she was very nice!

It would appear that Ethan takes after his mother. He LOVES the Theatre. Now, we just have to wait another 4 years before Ethan's old enough to participate in a Panto of his own!

Shoes

Scott often accuses me of spoiling Ethan. I don't know about that. Is he really spoilt? I could argue that point. However, it has recently come to my attention, that maybe, just maybe, when it comes to shoes, I do spoil Ethan. But just a tad. Maybe.

We're moving houses next month, so I've started packing. I went through all of Ethan's old clothes and packed them up. This is where I discovered that from the ages of 0 to 3 years, Ethan's owned 14 pairs of shoes. (There are 13 in the picture, as I found another pair after I took this).

This made me think I should check out Ethan's shoe rack and see if he still owns a lot of pairs of shoes. This time I found 11 pairs. Not too bad. Then again, we did loose a pair, and I do need to get him a pair of boots when we go home this week.

Ok, so here's the deal. I don't spoil Ethan. I provide him with a choice of footwear!

Elf on the Shelf

Last year I was introduced to the book The Elf on the Shelf. It's a clever story, written in rhymes, that tells children how Santa knows if you've been good or bad, by sending a little elf to your house. The book even came with a little elf.

So this year, we thought we'd try it out with Ethan. We read him the book one evening and told him to watch out in the morning, because the elf may appear. The book instructs the child to name their elf when it first arrives. Ethan decided to name our elf Jake.

Every morning Ethan wakes up and asks where Jake is. He then searches the house for him. He laughs with such joy upon seeing him, and then makes sure that both Scott and I are aware of Jake's presence. The book instructs children that the elf cannot be touched or it's magic will disappear, but you can talk to your elf. So once Ethan's shown Scott and I Jake's whereabouts, he says good morning to Jake, and asks how he got there. Of course, the book also explains that your elf has been instructed by Santa not to speak, so Ethan's not concerned when Jake doesn't reply.

But the best part of Jake, is the effect it has on Ethan. Our dear Ethan, who tends to only eat pasta for dinner, ate a fish pie for dinner one evening, with no fuss, then walked over to Jake and presented him with his empty plate and announced, "I ate all my dinner Jake". Ethan comes home from school and tells Jake "I didn't fight today". And when Ethan starts to fuss, we remind him that Jake is watching, and usually it helps calm him down.

Now what on earth will I do when Christmas is over???

Halloween

Usually when I'm asked what my favourite holiday is, I reply Christmas. I mean, what's not to like? We get to go home for the holidays, we get a good 3-4 weeks vacation, we leave this heat, we get to see family, and best of all..... PRESENTS!!!!!

But another holiday I love, and even more since Ethan came, is Halloween. Actually, I think I may be a little obsessed over Halloween.

This year Ethan hosted a Halloween party. He invited his mates, and put his mum through a lot trying to decorate and bake. But I think everyone had fun.

The weeks leading to Halloween, Ethan kept insisting he be something scary for Halloween. He'd want scary masks that we knew he'd never wear. We finally found something we could agree on. He wore last year's skeleton costume, but added a scary mask that he made.

His mates arrived and they played all kinds of games. We hung marshmallows and they tried to eat them without using their hands. Of course no Halloween would be complete without bobbing for apples, followed by bobbing for sweets (you have to get a sweet from a tray filled with flour). And since Ethan's all about being scary, we added a slimy activity where the kids had to dig into a tub of slimy green spaghetti to get a slimy rubber bug!

But I think this year had to be the BEST Halloween ever. And not just because Ethan got to enjoy it more, but Halloween night was wonderful. Scott and I went to the Movenpick for their Halloween party, and we won best couple costume. Two tickets to Paris!

Can't wait till next year!

My Dad

Education was always, and is still, very important to my dad. He always wanted my brother and I to do well in school, go to University and get an amazing education so we'd be successful. His love for education is still seen in the way he speaks to his great niece about her choice of Master's program, and how involved he is in his grandson's school.

So when I came across this picture, I just had to share.

Here's my dad, a graduate of Leeds University.