call the babysitter, Les Mis is in town.....

Feeling excited...
Tonight I worked for the theatre stage production of Les Misérables.
I enjoy all that go into the BIG touring show.
The flooring, stage setting, back drops, costuming and wigs; the musical accompany, the high definition projections.
Tomorrow is opening night......

This is Cameron Mackintosh's newest 25th anniversary production of Boublil Schönberg's legendary musical Les Misérables, with glorious new staging and dazzlingly reimagined scenery inspired by the painting of Victor Hugo. This new production has been acclaimed by critics, fans and new audiences and is breaking box office records wherever it goes. The New York Times calls this Les Misérables "an unquestionably spectacular production from start to finish." The London Times hails the new show "a five star hit, astonishingly powerful."

I ♥ my job...

balance is everything........

Today Cookie and I attended a field trip to Popejoy Hall for the matinee "school time series"performance of the Peking Acrobats. 

This group of beautiful acrobats originating from China include gymnasts, contortionists, jugglers, cyclists and tumblers. 

They entertained us with a wondrous assortment of awe-inspiring acrobatic performance and Chinese musicians playing traditional Chinese instruments.

 They were simply amazing!!!

This is not the first time we've seen this amazing troupe though.

A few years ago we, as a family, were able to catch their performance then.

Cookie and I are certain that they have more stunning performances this time around.

The children that filled the theatre today were amazed and astonished as they watching on the edges of their seats. 

The Peking Chinese Acrobats are an AWESOME display of acrobatic discipline, hard work, perseverance and beauty.

Cookie and I truly enjoyed the SHOW......

Take a peek at the video below. 

--If they should ever come to your region; you should definitely considering attending--

T double-E double-R double-R double-I double-F double-I double-C, C, C

I was in a rush to make it to Sweetheart's school from a previous appointment.

The class was presenting a play from the popular book Charlotte's Web.

Sweetheart was the narrator for the play.

I agree she has a sweet lovely voice, perfect for the part.

After the play there was a potluck luncheon for the families who came.

As Sweetheart and I ate our fresh fruit and taquitos we enjoyed the slide show of the class on the promethean board that her teacher compiled.

It was a nice afternoon to reflect on half a year of 4th grade accomplishments!

I'm so proud of my lil' tweetypie!!

(it was like only yesterday she was teeny tiny baby...........oh don't get me started)

"Salutations is my fancy way to say HELLO"

"break a leg"

This evening we're at the presentation of Princess Fifi's drama club performance.

Many families and friends gathered in support of our young thespians as they present us with improv comedy skits and mini informercials. 

They all did a great job and left us laughing at some light hearted moments.

Fifi has a passion for acting in live theater. 

She has great stage presence as well. 

It was a fantastic night out for all.

Princess Fifi second in line on Left with white flower necklace she designed and made for this performance

Thank you, Drama Coach Camacho

jingle all the way

We're at the Highland high school winter festival.

 Neon HHS Sea Bee???

 Various high school bands and chorus performed tonight for parents, family and friends.
Familiar Christmas holiday tunes were played and sung.
So light and lovely and calming.

Then out came the ROCKIN' Jump Rope Team with their GLOW ropes, hula hoops, pogo balls, loud music and choreography.

THAT'S HOW YOU GET THE CROWD TO SMILE and ON THEIR FEET......

"Uno-Dos-Tres-Cuatro
Un-Deux-Trois-Quatre
tʼááłáʼí-naaki-tááʼ-dį́į́"

--hula hoop ankle spin--

now that's synchronization.......

♪I just want.......a hula hoop♫

Cookie had a jump rope performance at El Dorado High School this evening.

The jump rope team performed as part of a winter holiday show at the school. 

The show featured cheerleaders, dance groups from tiny tots, youth and senior divisions, solo dancers, jiu jitsu demonstrations, and country western dancers from throughout the city.

Cookie in her blue shirt, black shorts, pink leggings and orange sneakers (center)

Pogo ball and jump roping simultaneously

What fun.....

Cookie looks tiny while hula hooping in the GIANT hoop

"Hi Mom!"

Eldorado: jump rope show 

We were treated to a great show with an assortment of performances and performers.
Well done!!

jumping and kicking throughout the day

We had an eventful start to the day.
First, Cookie and the jump rope team, went on a field trip to Hodgin elementary school today for a jump rope exhibition show.

This is a duo jump rope trick called "the sneak and peek"

Orange sneakers.....

YES!! They are on pogo balls and jump roping simultaneously

The jump rope team!!

Don't you feel inspired to take up jump rope?
Great job team!!

Later, in the evening, we attended Sweetheart and Cookie's karate ceremony.
Tonight they're showcasing their newly formed talents for families and friends.

Sweetheart does everything with a SMILE

--model student--

Congratulations and job well done girls!

Thank you Renshi Mark and Sensei Anna for enforcing self discipline, manners, honesty, loyalty as well as strength, coordination and flexibility through the art of Shuri-Ryu karate.
Cookie and Sweetheart love Mountain Eagle Karate Academy!

birthday, camping and derby oh my.....

The evening began with a birthday party and ended with derby.

Bam was unable to join us because he's on a camping trip this weekend.

Cousin Map's daughter, Isabella, was celebrating her 1st birthday at Chuck E Cheese.

Auntie Leprechaun and Mike brought Nana and Cheii into town for the celebration.

Nana, Cheii, Auntie Leprechaun,
Mike, Cousin Map, Jackie, and the birthday girl 

There was pizza, wings, soda, and cake for Izzie's first birthday at Chuck E Cheese.

Cousin Map and his daughter Isabella as cute as a doll

We were only able to stay long enough to wish and sing her Happy Birthday.

The gift we sent her was a perfectly cute Tigger Halloween costume.

We were in a rush because Cookie had a jump rope performance that same night and time.

We had to make it from the west side of town to downtown for the jump rope performance at the Convention Center.

Neon ceiling lighting in the underground
parking garage at the Convention Center

 The jump rope team performed during half time for a roller derby tournament.

little kids in a big arena......

We had never been to a roller derby tournament before.

It's hard to capture moving jump ropers on my camera

Do you see Cookie??

Roller Derby is a contact sport played by two teams of five members.
They roller skate in the same direction around a track.
There is a jammer who scores points by lapping members of the opposing team.
The team assist the jammer by hindering the opposition in offense or defense simultaneously.

The players go by creative derby names that are a play on words.

Their "boutfits" are very colorful mix of pop and rockabilly extreme.

The audience and the derby girls were absolutely astonished at the level of performance of the jump ropers. They stopped us several times after the show congratulating us on a spectacular performance.

Cookie said she felt like a rock star.

We thank you for taking our evening out of the ordinary.

We'll definitely come back to see another roller derby event!

jump ropes, violin, and vaudeville

6th Annual International Community Day

Cookie and the jump rope team performed at the International Community Festival at the grassy park in our neighborhood.
The jump rope team kicked off the festival with the very first performance after the opening ceremony from the NM Color Guards with the flags and pledge.

Cookie in her orange sneakers 

The International Community Day has been a neighborhood tradition since 2006. Every year Bernalillo County celebrates the diversity and cultures of District 3 residents through music, food, arts and craft activities, demonstrations, and family entertainment.
Beside the talents of the jump rope performance, we were also treated to a free concerto from the New Mexico Philharmonic and local music from Severo y Grupo Fuego.

Cookie performing a one legged trick jump rope routine

Once again the jump rope team did a great job!
 Special thanks to Coach Jarvis (white shirt) and Coach Cicarrillo for their dedication to the jump rope team.
--------------------------
After the show was over we perused the various booths.
There we found the Music Guild of New Mexico.
They support musical organizations, educate and build community relationships through music.

The girls brushed up on some music history; while learning some tones and notes from different musical instruments.

Sweetheart loved the seeded sounds of the maracas 

"Mommy, would you care to hear Saint Saens Intro and Rondo Capriccioso."

( --Sweet Sounds-- )
Afterwards we headed to the crafting station to make bird feeders and art projects.

A pine cone, a string, some peanut butter and birdseeds
made a fine natural bird feeder

Princess pressed some leaves and glitter between wax paper
for a stained glass effect window art.

Cookie opted for some art on her face instead......

On our walk home we stopped to watch some performers.
We've seen this troupe before at the JCC.
They're a family of vaudeville Renaissance style entertainers known as Clan Tynker. After standing there for a while, I realized they weren't part of the International Community Day. I think they were there for a birthday party. Although that didn't stop many from watching. Our apologies, 'birthday person' for stopping but also thank you for sharing Clan Tynker with us.

Clan Tynker /International Community Day
What a great day and to top it off we also got our van back......... 

cha cha jump roping

Cookie is on the jumprope team.

 Today is their first public performance outside there school.

It was a short 30 minute drive to Peralta, NM, to the local elementary school for the performance. 

Can you spot my tiny Cookie among the tall 5th graders jumpers??

The jumprope team was invited to perform at Peralta elementary schools parent night open house assembly.
The song below is one of the songs they jumprope dance to.......

DJ Casper - Cha Cha Slide

We have an excellent jump rope team this year, lead by Coach Ciccarillo and Coach Jarvis. 

Cookie is an excellent speed, trick and team jumper.
They leave my photos blurred from all the quick action...........

The team performed for a full house tonight.

 They were spot on with the music and performance.

They're a wonderful group of advanced show style jump ropers.

Photos just do not do justice for the skill level they perform.

I'll consider vlogging it for the next performance.

I'm so proud of my littlest athlete, performer and academic achiever.