I've been bemoaning my pregnant state lately (I'm at the really uncomfortable, tired and somewhat nauseated -- again point of pregnancy), so I've been avoiding posting, because I really have nothing happy and positive to say. I decided to adjust my attitude today, though, and post what I meant to post over a week ago about Jon's performance.

First, the story of Jon's evolving costume:
We were given rather vague guidelines on costumes, but the one thing they were really adamant about was that the kids have no collars on their shirts. My sister-in-law (who is an excellent costume designer) was adamant that he needed button-up, collared, plaid shirt. I was stuck in the middle. So he went to the dress rehearsal in a long-sleeved t-shirt. He got there and was the best dressed orphan of the bunch, so it was easy to talk me into the other shirt the next day. Kendra also added patches to his pants and we bloused them so that they were knickers. Jon was okay with everything but the patches. He cried and insisted that he wouldn't wear them. Finally I got him to tell me that patches were girl things. There were only two boys in the group and the other boy and he were the only ones without patches at the dress rehearsal. I talked him into keeping the patches until he got to the show and then, if he still didn't like them, we'd take them off. Well, he walked in in his updated costume and immediately received several compliments, to which he replied, "And, I have patches, too!" and all was well.

My second story was his reaction: After the matinee, we went home for dinner. On the way, he said, "Mom, do I get to do that again tonight?" I answered in the affirmative, and he was so excited.

Finally, I asked him what he thought of the whole experience, once it was all over. His response: "I was good!"

Broadway Babies

This was the second number that Jon's group did. He does sing some of the time, but I don't think he was ever really aware that there were actions.

It's a Hard Knock Life

This was the evening performance. He was very excited about doing it after his positive experiences in the afternoon. He loves being on stage! Unfortunately this is a bit small, so you might have trouble seeing Jon well, but I'll put the afternoon performance on later and it shows him up close most of the time. I liked this one, because he sang his solo so well and I love the ending!

Face Painting

Derek's sister, Kendra, was able to come visit us and we've been having a great time with her. She brought her face paint along. She's not only very talented with it, but has lots of education and experience to back her up, so the kids looked fabulous! Here are a few pictures:


We have two clowns and a butterfly.

















A whale (or dolphin...), a woman (to quote Jon), me reading to them all, the three boys.

A tin man and a tiger.

One little girl in a house full of brothers...

There are those who worry that poor little Nina is a girl lost in a boy's world. I thought I'd post a few pictures that we took after DJ came to me and announced, "I a princess," just to reassure all that Nina can take care of herself.