So, The Jews went all out for The Graduation, as I knew they would. We saw a DVD presentation, which was hysterical, and they did a little musical number (I laughed until I cried), and then did a whole sweet little ceremony complete with reception afterwards. It was really cute.I will say that it was a little unsettling to see Big Kid among so many other kids around his age...he is very small. He is one of the youngest in his class, so it made sense that he was the smallest, but to see him with all of the other classes was a bit of a surprise. It makes me nervous for him, it sucks to be the youngest and the smallest but he is way too smart to hold back. Damn these summer birthdays!!
Vivi was very sweet and had even drawn some pictures for him, so he was feeling pretty happy (even though she sat with Reese at the reception), and he got $20 from me and the Air Buddies movie from my mom, so he was flying high by the time we got back home.
When he woke up the next morning, he was immediately excited about seeing the orchestra:
Big Kid: I'm gonna see da woodwinds and da stwings and da bwass...
Ashley: Oh no, it's just one section.
Big Kid: No mudder, an orchestwa is all da sections, all kinds of instwaments together.
Ashley: Yes I know, but this is a "meet the orchestra" sort of thing. You meet one section at a time.
Big Kid: No, no, no. You said it would be da orchestwa, I said "no garbage" bemember and you said it would be a real, live orchestwa.
Ashley: Oh. I'm sorry. Just one section. Like maybe it will be the drums section or something, but no others. I'm sorry I wasn't more clear.
Big Kid: (annoyed) Dere is no dwums section.
Ashley: Yes there is.
Big Kid: No, it's da ercussion section. Dere is da ercussion section, bwass, woodwinds, stwings, and a piano and a conductor.
Ashley: Oh, percussion section, yes. Same thing.
Big Kid: No, because dere is xylophones, cymbals, da twiangle...it isn't all dwums. It's instwaments dat make a ryfym.
Ashley: Okay, you're right. I'm wrong. Sorry.
Big Kid: I'm kinda sad it isn't gonna be da whole orchestwa.
Ashley: Well one day we'll take you to see the whole orchestra, but I bet you'll like this.
He did really like it. I've got to say, it was really cool. Pretty awesome to pay so little to have a section of the orchestra entertain you on a Saturday morning.
Everyone sat on carpet pieces on the floor in front of the stage. Let's talk about etiquette in a situation like this:
1. Adults, watch where you sit. Don't sit in front of a little kid. Should be common sense.
2. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT come in late and squish yourself in the middle. The people in the middle probably sat there, hot as hell and uncomfortable on the floor, for half an hour beforehand to make sure that their orchestra loving child could see the stage and to make sure they had plenty of personal space. Which brings me to my next point...
3. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT move your carpet closer to me for any reason. Or anyone in my party. There was plenty of room, there was no need for it, I came here to see the show, not to brush knees with you or worry if my gigantic purse is touching you. It was there first, I was there first. I'm sorry if that means you can't be right in the middle...next time try to arrive before the show starts. Like I did.
And yes, I was giving your ass dirty looks. Thanks so much for offering to let little kid sit with you after you set yourself down right in front of him. However, my not even two year old needs to sit with me. You're lucky I have the manners to realize this, he would've broken your $800 sunglasses and pooped in your $2000 purse within 15 minutes flat.
So other than the poor etiquette of the upper class (it's always them!), it was a cool experience. The percussion section was amazing and they chose pieces that were really interesting for the kids. Big Kid was transfixed and I thought he was going to pee his pants when the Viola player showed up as a special treat.
Next week is the Brass section and then the series is done because the season is over and the orchestra gets the summer off. Big Kid is totally psyched about the brass section, but unfortunately, he is also totally psyched about a family concert Sunday afternoon, an orchestra featuring a seven year old piano playing prodigy. He is convinced we're going to both, that there is just no two ways about it...but two days at the orchestra??
I'm really not so sure. I know it's probably something I should encourage (or maybe not?), but that's a lot of orchestra.
After the orchestra we did lunch and Toys R Us, where he picked up the new Baby Einstein and the stupid Luv Puppies Wii game. I tried, tried, tried to get him to pick a game I wanted to play too, but nooooooooo, we needed a virtual puppy. Thanks, but no thanks.
Then Sunday, as you all know, the boys were driving me up the wall. Luckily, my mom came and got them, and they got to have fun swimming and playing with horses, and I got to have fun cleaning without people walking around behind me messing stuff back up.
Everyone was glad to see Mr. Ashley again, and I slept until noon today. I'm really feeling yucky. I could have probably slept the rest of the day but we went to my parents for more swimming and some steak and corn on the cob and potato salad.
We were feeling extra nice and decided to bring Lily, our white German Shepherd, with us to my parents' house, since we always bring Murphy and he has so much fun.
Now I remember why we don't usually do this.
She's just so big and seems dumb. However, she's super smart and would've made an awesome search and rescue dog. She's also unbelievably sweet and loyal and would rip someone's throat out if they tried to harm one of us. Every time I felt scared this weekend I'd remind myself that she was there and if she wasn't worried, I shouldn't be. So she is a good dog.
She's just annoying as hell. Constant whining, wanting to play, running around, pacing. She's like 8 or 9, I thought one day she'd grow out of this behavior. Of course all of the Dachshunds are scared of her big goofy self, and she has no clue why she isn't accepted into the pack or that she's different. She also won't hesitate to get in the pool and it just isn't relaxing to swim with her and all of her hair.
Note to self: Don't do that again.
Talk about a headache on top of a headache.
Have I mentioned that she was a "gift" from my mother in law? Talk about the gift that keeps on giving.
Other than that, we had a great time. little kid got his new leather reins for his rocking horse and proudly toted them around. Big Kid swam like a fish, and swears he's shedding his swimming feathers (his misnomer for water wings) any day now. They both cried when it was time to leave.
I think I have some sort of sinus thing going on, I just feel all clogged up and itchy and tired. Mr. Ashley is going to that hard, early in the morning job tomorrow and I'm bummed. I need a sick day from this motherhood gig. I need a few of them, but at least one.
No pay and no sick days. What are we doing this for again? The Glory?
Some days I think it would be easier to just build a cathedral. ;-)
We have some interesting comment updates regarding librarians and the going green debate that I want to get around to commenting on. I'd also like to comment on how sorely inadequate Blogger's comment section arrangement is and what could be done to remedy that situation. (why am I always having to point out the obvious?)
Lots of things to comment on, I hope to see you all tomorrow.
