Amazing

A few weeks ago, Andrew and I took Abby, Isaac and Henry to see the Broadway Version of "The Lion King" playing here in Salt Lake.  I had bought the tickets over a year ago and was so excited to take the kids to see it.

"The Lion King" has always had a special place in my heart.  It was one of the first movies I saw in a theater after I came home from my mission.  I loved everything about it - the music, the story, the characters, the humor -  everything!  And I loved it so much that I saw it the next night too. As soon as the movie ended on that second night, I immediately went to the store and bought the CD.  As a college student on a very tight budget, it was quite a splurge to see a movie in a theater two nights in a row -  then add another 15.00 for the CD - and I was living large.  It probably felt a little reckless at the time, but I loved that show.

Fast-forward several years to when we were living in Minnesota.  Abby was 4-years old and Isaac was two and their favorite movie by far was "The Lion King."  Whenever we had a family movie night, that is the movie they chose.   When I was pregnant with Henry and was too sick to get off the couch, Simba became our babysitter as "Lion King" was viewed more times than I care to admit.  When we went on road trips, it didn't matter how many movies we brought with us, it was "Lion King" that was watched over and over again on repeat.  And when Abby and Isaac got tired of watching the movie, we would listen to the CD - over and over again.

Abby and Isaac were hilarious in the way they made this movie part of our lives.  They called each other "Timon" and "Pumba" and used lines from the movie as part of our daily conversations.  Every time they sat down to eat, one of them would take a bite and inevitably say, "Tastes like chicken." and the other would say, "Slimy, yet satisfying."  Should one of them happen to burp at the table, the other would say, "Nice one, Pumba."  It didn't matter how many times it happened in a day, it always made me laugh.

I don't know why, but this picture reminds me of their Timon and Pumba days.

Yes, the Lion King has been deeply woven into the tapestry of our lives for many, many years.  So when I learned that the Broadway show was coming to Capitol Theater, it took me about two seconds to decide that we were going.

I went into the show with high expectations.  I had heard so many great reviews of the stage production and with the emotional history we had with the show, it would have to be amazing to live up to the hype.   I need not have worried, because it blew every expectation out of the water.  The five of us sat there enthralled through the whole show - none of us wanting it to ever end. We were mesmerized by the puppets, the masks, the amazing dance and music. For two hours, we were transported to Africa and loved every second of it.

Since going to the show, we have downloaded the Broadway music to my i-Pod, and it has become the recent soundtrack to our lives. As much as I love the original music from the movie, some of the new songs from the Broadway production have become our favorites.

It was an amazing night and has been an enriching experience for our whole family.  Now that Abby and Isaac have outgrown their "Pumba' and "Timon" stage, I have loved discussing some of the themes and ideas of the show - and their universal, but personal applications.  Most of all, I have loved dancing around the kitchen with Andrew and my kids, with all of us singing "Lion King" songs at the top of our lungs.

Yes, "The Lion King" will always have a special place in my heart.

Labor Day Hike

Labor Day was a beautiful, crisp, fall-like day.  As soon as I woke up and stepped outside, I knew it was the perfect day for a hike in the mountains.  My mom, dad and sister agreed, so we all met up at Silver Lake and hiked to Twin Lakes.

Abby, Emily, Henry and Oma on the path to Twin Lakes.

Henry came prepared - his backpack is filled with stuffed animals. 

Isaac stops to pick up rocks and enjoy the fall weather.

My dad was gracious enough to carry Lucy the whole way - which was good since I had a hard enough time getting myself to the top without having to carry her measly 18 pounds.  Thanks Dad.

The hike was a little steep and half-way to the lake, Peter "petered" out.  (Pun intended.)  Emily was nice enough to take him down the hill and hang out with him at the bottom while the rest of us finished the hike.

The three mighty hikers.

It was a beautiful day.  We packed a lunch and spent the day enjoying our family, the warm sunshine, the cool mountain breezes, the leaves just starting to change color, and this amazing area we live in.

It was such a fun day that it almost made it okay that summer is over and fall is here.

Four Out of Five

Peter started preschool last week and two days into it, I am relieved to say he loves it.  After the first day, I wasn't sure that would be the case.

The first day of school was pretty low-key.  I went with him and stayed with him while he met his teachers and got familiar with the school.  He was really excited to go and he couldn't wait to see what preschool had to offer him.  I could tell this would be a fun experience with him.

I was wrong.  Once we got to the school, Peter shut down completely.  He wouldn't look around at anything and kept his eyes glued to the carpet.  We walked into his classroom and his cute teacher said "hi" to him.  Nothing from Peter - he refused to even make eye contact.  She asked him what his name is - still nothing - must keep eyes on carpet.   She gave him a note welcoming him to preschool with a Laffy Taffy stuck to it.  "Say thank-you" I urged - but still nothing - that carpet must have been fascinating.  It was a little painful to say the least.

Finally, after Peter had avoided saying anything or looking at anyone and I was mildly embarrassed, it was time to leave.   As we drove home, I asked Peter about his behavior.

"Why wouldn't you talk to your teacher?" I asked.

"I was feeling shy." Peter responded.

I then explained that the next time he went to school, he would have to actually talk to his teacher - and that part of learning is that teachers talk to us and we talk to them.

"But Mom," Peter said.  "My teacher kept BOTHERING me!"

Baffled I asked, "How was your teacher bothering you?"

"She kept giving this to me." he said as he held up the note with the Laffy Taffy.

Yeah, so apparently it really bothers Peter when his teachers give him notes with candy.  Somehow, I don't think Valentine's will be his favorite holiday.

Needless to say, when it was time for preschool a couple of days later, I was a little nervous about how Peter would manage.

Luckily, he was as excited and proud as can be.  Once again, he couldn't wait to get to school and he couldn't wait to see his teachers.  When we got to the school and it was time to drop him off, I was afraid he would change his mind - but when the car doors opened, he jumped out and yelled "Bye Mom!"  He trotted off to the school as confident and grown-up as a three-year-old boy can be.  And at the end of the day when I picked him up, he was just as enthusiastic.

That Peter keeps me guessing - and laughing - but luckily, he is loving preschool.  And so, two days a week for three hours a day, I have four kids in school.  Here at home it's just me and Lucy and it's pretty awesome for all of us.

Good job, Peter!