Cora's acting, singing and dancing abilities continue to grow and develop, and she was blessed to play the lead, Velma Kelly, in her school's production of Chicago (Teen Edition).
When Cora performed All That Jazz on opening night, I got teary. She's fabulous, truly professional quality. I don't say that solely of my own opinion... so many people asked me if she's pursuing acting as a career, including the vocal director for the show, who didn't know Cora previously. Another man who works in the industry tried looking for her IMDB profile, certain she must already be working.
More from All That Jazz, Velma showing her vaudeville singing and dancing moves.
This is from Cell Block Tango, the song where we learn about how it is that Velma is in jail. She walked in on her husband and sister "doing No. 17!" and, well, she blacked out! Didn't even know they were dead until she was washing blood off her hands! Mmm hmmm.
The Cell Block Tango number was amazing. Very talented girls, great choreography and lighting, catchy song. Cora really shone here, too, growling her way though.
Here, we meet Matron Mama, who holds the keys, and the access to Velma's post-jail connections. Cora had some nice acting moments here.
As Roxie - Cora's friend Dani - starts to claim all the spotlight after shooting her lover in cold blood, Velma begs her to take her sister's part in their doubles act.
In "I Can't Do it Alone," Cora shows off her newly honed dancing ability.
This scene is from "Velma Takes the Stand," where she describes to attorney Billy Flynn how she wants to approach her upcoming trial.
This is from "Razzle Dazzle," the big number with Billy Flynn and Roxie. I am so proud of all these kids, and Jarod the director, for how this whole show looked and sounded. It was so much fun to watch.
After our stars bamboozle the juries and get away with murder, they do in fact perform as a doubles act.
Hot Honey Rag! A great dance number, totally vaudeville style.
And the finale - All That Jazz!!
The theatre had such a successful show - bringing back quality musicals for the first time in years, and selling more than 460 tickets for the four shows. We are so, so proud of Cora.
Oh! I nearly forgot the actual star of the show - Stace's mock piano! Gotta love it!
Closing night final bows, with roses on the floor, from Melanie, thrown from the wings during "Hot Honey Rag."
Dani gave Jarod a bouquet (made by Mel) and a lovely speech of gratitude, and Kyle is handing him a rose.
The Queen's English car show was this weekend, and Stace and I made a quick trip there to walk around and admire.
Later on Sunday, Cora was at a show choir rehearsal, so Stace, Violet and I took another Quigley walk. The wildflowers were beautiful! Besides the poppies, these tiny lavender flowers were pretty and prolific.
The girls returned to school, and on Thursday, we went to Violet's last Family Dance at her elementary school. She didn't want to go, but because it was one of our final family events at the school, we forced her to go. Can you tell that we also forced her to take this photo in front of the photo backdrop?
Violet doesn't like crowds, modern music, or loud music, so DJs and dance music aren't her thing. We didn't really spend much time in the actual dance, so I snapped a quick pic as we left, for memory's sake.
Exciting day on Friday! Violet got her braces off! Here she is, post-removal, taking all the photos for her chart.
Just look at that gorgeous smile!
Violet had two loose teeth, and both were pulled out when the ortho tech removed the braces. Her LAST two loose teeth!
So, the Tooth Fairy made one last stop at our house (years after our dear girls knew the truth...). The note says, "Congrats on a mouth of adult teeth, Violet! - TF"
On Sunday, we went to Jenn and Jeff's for the Super Bowl. It was nice to hang out and watch the Los Angeles Rams win the championship, in their home stadium, no less.
Along with watching the game, the kids played baseball in the pitching/batting cage, and swam, since it was one of our crazy February heat waves. In the pic here, Cora is pitching to Violet.
Monday was Valentine's Day, and Stace arranged with my sister to have this beautiful arrangement for me.
I was so excited on Monday to be able to help with a Valentine's party in Violet's class. Volunteering in class hasn't happened for me since 4th grade. Besides Covid, this year Violet's teacher just doesn't ask for help on those party occasions when it would be normal to have helpers.
Anyway, the children were painting, and that takes a lot of set up - each child needed a palette of paint, three brushes of various sizes, water cups, etc.
Sandy, a friend who I've been co-room mom with four different years, and I enjoyed catching up while we set up the art project.
Violet's lovely ombre blue background ready for flowers... I didn't see the finished product, but Violet tells me they're all on the classroom walls.
Other art on the walls included this Van Gogh lesson - this was Violet's.
Here's what you get when you take a photo with this crazy girl!
Valentine's pancakes for dinner!
Also this week, Cora went to her Winter Formal high school dance. Doesn't she look absolutely lovely?
On Sunday evening, I enjoyed a fabulous few hours with these beauties. I'm blessed with some awesome friends.
This was the girls' last week of school before Christmas break.
The photo here makes me happy and sad at the same time. It represents the first Christmas celebration at school that I wasn't able to help with or even attend, for elementary school, and it was Violet's last one.
I love her teacher, but she didn't want parent helpers at the class party. And she doesn't send photos of classroom activities, as most of Violet's teachers have done.
Here, Vi is exchanging gifts with her kindergarten "buddy." I lucked out that another mom and I were chatting, and her daughter is IN the kindergarten class that Violet's class is buddied with. She graciously took this photo for me, so I can use it in Violet's 6th grade yearbook.
We gave Violet's buddy beyblades (a toy), and he gave her a very nice art kit. She was very appreciative!
Signs of the season - the trees on my favorite Summit walk are again decorated for Christmas!
On Wednesday night, Violet's KidZone/Pioneer Club group had a bake sale to raise money for charity. These two cuties sold a lot of cookies!
On Thursday, Violet's class performed their hip hop routine, as the end of their hip hop unit. A special teacher had come in weekly for the last few months to teach them.
The kids seem to either love or hate this experience. Both of mine hated it.
But Violet was lucky - her group did one routine all together as a class, and then her group of four kids did another short routine on their own.
We got together with Patrice, Tommy and Charlie after school on Friday, picking up lunch and taking it to Placerita Nature Center. The kids had a great time; we only wish we'd had more time before we had to get the big girls from school. Here, they're looking at tadpoles and tiny fish in the butterfly pond.
Violet's school hosted the annual family dance Friday night, and Vi was happy to be asked to volunteer for part of the evening, as an honorary member of student council.
She came very close to getting on the council during the class elections, and has been asked to help out at events that council members help with. She's been participating in meetings, too, and helped with Valentine Grams last week, when one of her class's representative was out sick.
Cora also helped out, with some of her junior high friends, so that they can get volunteer hours they need for membership in the National Junior Honor Society.
Cora was also to hang out with her friend Charlie at the dance.
The dance was Marvel-themed, so we had plenty of things to wear.
Violet was excited about one of the raffle prizes - a camping-themed set in a cooler. She had us buy tickets and put them all in for that prize...
...and she won!
Good stuff! Besides the small cooler, it had items for S'mores, themed cloth napkins, skewers, an insulated, lidded mug, a themed blanket, four head lamps, and some things you throw on a fire to make it colorful.
This scene is from "Velma Takes the Stand," where she describes to attorney Billy Flynn how she wants to approach her upcoming trial. 
This is from "Razzle Dazzle," the big number with Billy Flynn and Roxie. I am so proud of all these kids, and Jarod the director, for how this whole show looked and sounded. It was so much fun to watch.
After our stars bamboozle the juries and get away with murder, they do in fact perform as a doubles act. 
Hot Honey Rag! A great dance number, totally vaudeville style. 
And the finale - All That Jazz!!
The theatre had such a successful show - bringing back quality musicals for the first time in years, and selling more than 460 tickets for the four shows. We are so, so proud of Cora.
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