The last few weeks

Howdy Folks! Sorry it has been so long since we’ve updated you on our crazy life. But it’s been, well, crazy. I’ve had three performances to prepare for, and a midterm (and been sick), Rus has been sick off and on, (mostly on) for 4 weeks now, and Xander has had random bouts of vomiting. So, don’t feel too bad, the laundry hasn’t been getting done either. We will try to fill you in on what’s been happening the last couple of weeks.

Isaac participated in the district-level science fair, receiving a red “outstanding” ribbon.

Rus has had some sort of nasty respiratory infection and a case of laryngitis. Though he still feels quite sick, luckily the laryngitis is on its way out, since Rus and Isaac performed in “Fairy Tails” at the zoo yesterday. They were there along with Jon, Bethel, Dave, and Mikey—all Wilsons—so it was probably the first Maxed-Out Puppetry performance involving so many people with the same last name ever. The Deseret News and KTVX channel 4 were there as well, filming/taking pictures of the performance, so who knows—we might show up in the paper or on TV. As part of the program, a zoo docent brought an opossum and an eastern indigo snake that Rus used to work with when he was an Eco there. All of the kids were good techies backstage, and Isaac also controlled the fire puppet. Some of the older kids are interested in doing some speaking parts, and they’re getting old enough to do it, so that will be fun.

The other night Kelly’s jacket was lying on the floor, and Cosmo, our kitty, decided it would make a good cave. He crawled underneath it, using it like a blanket, and hung out there quite happily for some time.

One morning when Rus was just about to leave for work (i.e. it was early) we noticed the moon looking particularly big and dark and beautiful, so we’re putting up one of those pictures as well. Isaac actually wrote a poem about that moon:

An eternal moon

Hung over darkness,

But God spoke,

And the darkness was banished forever.

The last Saturday in February was the recital for the Celtic Center where I have been taking my Scottish Highland/Cape Breton Step dance class. I performed a fling, and a step dance. The fling went better than I expected, but I totally botched my step dance…so the step dance video will not be appearing here lol. Even with messing that up, and the fact that I’m not exactly 12 years old, and don’t get off the ground like a 12 year old on the Highland, it was a lot of fun, and I’ve really enjoyed taking the class. I’m taking a break for spring and summer, and hopefully will be able to start up again in the fall.

Yesterday was Springfest, the bellydance festival up here in SLC put on by Thia. Xander, Laurelin, and Gwen came with me in the morning to watch some dancing, and look at “sparklies” in the shopping booths. Then I went back later that afternoon to get ready to dance. Anya and Valerie did solos, and they were both awesome! I performed with Anya’s troupe, Tiger Eyes Dance Company, and I performed my solo to John Simmers and J-Time by Wolfstone. I feel like it went really well-it was a very special moment for me for many reasons. One of my goals when I dance is to make my audience feel-to uplift them, and show them the beauty and hope in life, and I think that happened last night- quite a few people made positive comments afterwards. Hopefully that doesn’t sound like I’m tooting my own horn. I don’t know if the feeling of the dance and the feeling that was in the room will come through on the video or not (which will be forthcoming, not ready yet), but it did feel really good to dance.

We’re putting up pictures of Isaac with his ribbon, Cosmo being cute, and various Springfest pictures, Blogger is being stupid and not letting us put up videos right now, so I'll try to add those later.