Open House plus Tidbits

Violet had her Open House on Thursday, and was pleased that Cora came! 

Cora wasn't really excited to go, and we often don't force her to go places, but Vi was asking her to come and see some of her English work on the classroom walls. 

Thankfully, Cora's favorite Web-streaming D&D troupe, Critical Role, took this particular Thursday off, so that worked in our favor. And in the end, Cora did go around and say hello to a few of the teachers she'd enjoyed in her all-too-short time in junior high.

In fact, we never got to go to an Open House for Cora at this school, because of Covid.
 

The Accelerated Math students worked in groups to make little putting challenges, and Violet's sadly was worse for the wear after an unexpected rainstorm Thursday afternoon. 

Stace had encouraged Violet to cut their project like a puzzle to be able to get it to school, as we don't have a big truck for transport. However, the transport problem didn't seem to affect anyone else, as most other projects were very elaborate and large. The girls got a good laugh at how, um, not excellent Violet's team's project was. 

Oh well, you win some, you lose some. 

Violet is much more of a winner when it comes to art and English and history.

Her poem here was pretty stellar.

ODE TO A GRAIN OF SAND

Birthed from time

Older than life

Beauty in the midst of strife

What became of you,

Oh, great mountain?

As all submit to time,

Even worlds return to dust.

Humans search for cities 

of ruin

For knowledge of secrets.

But what becomes of the overlooked?

Perhaps something of beauty

but instead glass and stones.

Perhaps you know history 

beyond comparison

yet all memories fade to dust. 

Also this week, Seb apparently caught a tiny bird.

And, the poppies are starting to pop; this was the yard of my friend's neighbor.

Popcorn, flowers and church blankets

On Friday, I made a long drive out to Rancho Cucamonga to pick up the popcorn Cora's theatre kids sold to raise funds for the program. We could have had it delivered, but it would have cost so much!

Plus, JT lives nearby and we worked it out so that she could come with me to pick up the order, and we could get lunch together. We also stopped by her church, where she now works, so I could have a tour. It was a lovely afternoon together!

I helped Melanie with a big wedding on Saturday, where I learned how to "reflex" a tulip. See the peach tulip sticking up?

When you slowly, carefully bend each petal inside out, it looks like a totally different flower. Chalk this up to "you learn something new every day."

It was a stunning wedding - see the full arch, covered in flowers? 

On Sunday, this is how Cora looked at church. It's still cold, by our standards for spring, and Cora hadn't layered up well enough. (We take part in the service from our church's amphitheater, because the girls think the music is too loud inside.)
 

Week in Review

 

Cora had a sick day last week and Spence helped her feel better.

These guys! 

Cora was asked to help represent Theatre to next year's incoming freshman class at their orientation day on campus, and then that night to their families prior to the annual school Open House. We're so proud of her! It was nice that she could do the scene two more times, after practicing so much.

Our Christmas present to Melanie and Nick was a new screen door, with installation. Their apartment didn't have a screen door and they'll now enjoy more fresh air during nice weather. Plus, the cat can look outside.

And on Sunday, we got together again, at my parents' house to celebrate the March birthdays. Melanie's was last week, and my dad's is this week. 

Stace helpfully set up all the Paw Patrol figures in a circle so they could sniff each other. Ellie wasn't sure this was a good idea.

Present time!

Happy Birthday!

Snow Day

The last few years, our girls have been very happy to stay home. Neither enjoy large crowds or long car rides, and many places we used to go regularly we just haven't been going anymore.

So, when Violet said she wanted to go out and see the snow, I really wanted to make it happen! 

For weeks, it wasn't advisable to go up to the mountains, because there was just too much snow and the residents were struggling to get out themselves. Then, the roads were cleared but not the "parking areas" for us "snow bunnies."

But this past weekend, we hit the sweet spot, and drove out to Wrightwood into a Winter Wonderland.

Behind us, those slopes belong to Mountain High Ski Resort. We were across the canyon and main road, up near a (closed) campground it might be nice to return to in the summer.

We were able to take a nice snowy walk, and found plenty of snow to throw and make snow creatures. Violet hadn't wanted to sled, so we didn't get the sleds down from the upper shelves, but no need.  We had plenty of fun, smiles and laughs just as it was.

(See Violet's hand on Stace's head? His head was cold in this pic!)
 

Violet created a snow ostrich.

To end our afternoon, we had dinner at a restaurant in town and wandered through some of the shops. It was an altogether lovely day out! 

(And no, Cora didn't want to come.)

Saturday

Stace and Violet went on a little drive on Saturday, through the hills past Placerita and into the area behind Sylmar.

Pretty!

They found a random waterfall.
 

Meanwhile, Cora and I helped Melanie with a big Indian wedding that featured a ton of bright, beautiful flowers. Cora and my Dad worked together on hanging these strung flowers on the poles.

Gorgeous color! Mel is so talented.

Tidbits

Christina invited us to join her at a local brewery, where her friend's husband was playing in a band. 

It's always nice to get out and about and enjoy a brew with friends, now that the kids are old enough to leave home. (Truth be told, they love it when we go out and are bummed when we return!)

Need better cameras on our phones, but we had a lovely view the other evening on one of my typical walks - snow in the distance!

A better view of it - look how thick it was! Our mountains got 7 feet or so!

Fun seeing this little guy/gal in the canyon where I walk...

...and a mallard pair in a normally dry stream bed. 
 

Theatre Showcase

Cora's Theatre Department hosted family and friends Tuesday night to showcase the scenes the students performed at last week's competition. 

Parents didn't attend the actual competition, so we all enjoyed seeing what they'd worked on.

These are photos my dad took from the As You Like It scene. As the scene started, the introduction included the fact that Cora won Best Supporting Actor for her part.

See the video at the bottom.

 

Closing out the show was Ex Wives from Six the Musical. It was outstanding! Such talented girls. Again, see video at the bottom.

Bows! Applause! Go Cora, our award-winner!

Jarod is doing such a great job with these kids and this program!