Encore! Encore!

Today is Cinderella's cast party to celebrate the success of their drama club performance (of 3 weeks ago).

I'm a little sad that I won't be able to be there.

I didn't realize how much fun I had with those kooky and wacky middle schoolers, until my time with them was over.

"This is the happiest I have seen you in a long time."

My mother's observation was right-on and a little shocking.

I had no idea I would have this much fun working with Cinderella and her classmates.

They're funny, exuberant and stuck in that awesome and awkward place between childhood and adulthood. The dynamics of their relationships are laced with sexual tension that they have yet to understand or even realize. They are beautifully innocent and frighteningly grown-up all at the same time.

Being backstage with them left me feeling something like a Big Sister, Friend, Mom and Warden all rolled into one. I wanted to strangle them and laugh and hug and run around being silly with them all at the same time.

Cinderella and I bonded in a way we had never done before. Her play gave us something in common - something neutral to enjoy together, that existed beyond our home and chores and custody/visitation issues and the problems with her Mom and the dynamics of our Stepmom/Stepdaughter relationship. We connected easily. We chatted, gossiped, planned and genuinely enjoyed each other's company. 

This experience has left me wanting more.

I can't wait to do it again.

Spring May Now Come

As we have successfully filled our snow fun quota for the season after Friday's storm dumped close to a foot of snow.


Yep, he's totally aiming for his unsuspecting sister.


But then realized it's way more fun to simply run down the snow-covered hill...




... because snow suits are just as slippery as any sled.


No snow day is complete without hot cocoa. This time, I was smart and started the machine BEFORE we went outside so it was ready-and-waiting for us when we came back inside.


All the fixin's.


Apparently, it's all about the marshmallows.


The perfect cup.


The perfect ending to a perfect day.

(Man these photos suck ass in terms of quality. I just got a new camera and have yet to figure out the proper settings.)

Make Tracks

Nothing beats being the FIRST to make tracks in the newly fallen snow.

I can't even begin to tell you how happy I am that it's snowing and that they are predicting close to 11 inches by the time it stops. Whhheeeeeee!!!!!!!!

(Shut up. It's not like *you* have to shovel it!)

(Well, that's only true if you don't live on the East Coast and, if you do live in the tri-state area, well... suck it up! *I'm* happy about the snow!)

(And yes it *is* all about me.)

Knitting My Fingers to the Bone...

... in preparation for a Baby Shower this weekend for my StepBrother and Sister-in-Law.

Over the holidays, I was given a hand-knitted dishcloth by a fellow knitting friend on Twitter and I LOVE it. It's super absorbent, makes a great pot holder and is oh-so-pretty.

So I decided to make some washcloths to go in a layette basket for my new nephews.



Cute. Right?



And some bibs too ...



I think I may be addicted because they are so quick to knit and I am an instant-gratification-kinda-gal. I predict gifts of washcloths and dishcloths for EVERYONE!

When BioMom Asks You To Lie (The Resolution)

Lucky for us, this situation (which took place three weeks ago) resolved itself within 24 hours.
After her Friday night phone call with Cinderella, Prince Charming spoke with Maleficent and convinced her it was better to tell their daughter about the surgery because what upsets her more than anything is KNOWING when he is not being told the whole truth.
The next day was Saturday. The day of Cinderella's school play.
She had two performances that day. Prince Charming wanted to bring Cinderella to see Maleficent during the break in between performances. Cinderella needed to see her Mom to know that she *really* was ok. Maleficent agreed.
Cinderella made her Mom a get well card Friday night and asked her Dad and I to sign it. We did.
Prince Charming picked up a bouquet of flowers for Cinderella to give to her Mom.
Their visit that Saturday was brief but gave Cinderella the chance to see that her Mom would be ok and gave Maleficent the chance to tell Cinderella the truth.
Cinderella handled it well and wound up spending the night with her Mom after her final performance that Saturday night.
We were relieved. More importantly so was Cinderella.