BTS! BTS! BTS!

I'm listening to BTS right now, and, if you don't know who they are, this post will be hard to understand!  (Visit here and here for more info, videos, and pics from the concert.)  Beware, Lambeth, I think they are headed to England next!

They are a seven-member, K-Pop boy band from South Korean, which means they perform in a mix of rap and song, Korean and English, with very complicated dance routines and coordinated outfits.  They have been together for 7+ years and are popular the world over but are only now making a relatively big splash in the US.  They have their own lingo--fans are called ARMY, their are specific chants for each song, fans have preferences of favored members which are called "bias" or "stans" (I'm sure I don't have that quite right.) Still, most people I know don't know them, despite topping several Billboard charts, winning at the Video Music Awards, selling out stadium concert venues, and appearing on "Good Morning America" and "Tonight Show" this week.

Bud loves their music and their dance routines, knowing all the lyrics (which he sings in Korean and English, having read the phonetics and the translations!) and the moves.  When we heard they were coming to the Prudential Center in NJ, Mama managed to get tickets in the upper balcony.  (For reference, they sold out the 42,000+ Citi Field in 10 minutes, with some seats going for $5K or more.  And that's not the scalpers' price.)  And so, on Saturday, the three of us (Sis stayed home to do horse things) trekked down to Newark, of which we'd only visited the airport before, early.  See, BTS fans are rabid--they known for screaming and dancing and buying up merchandise.  Even though we got to the venue about 6 hours early, we couldn't buy t-shirts or hats or hoodies or bandanas; they were all sold out.  (Oddly, they sell the concert merch outside the venue not inside and don't restrict it to ticket holders; they could've sold so much more stuff if they'd had it.)  Bud was bummed, so I snagged him a bootleg shirt from a guy with a full backpack.  He got the official light bomb, which officials programmed to his seat location so it can blink and flash based on the show, with colors and patterns determined by the house.  He also managed to get the last poster of the band!  Our cashier rushed to the table and grabbed it before the other cashier making a beeline for it could take it away; when they posted "sold out" on the sign, there were a hundred audible groans behind us!  Craziness.

We spent the rest of the afternoon milling with the other ARMY.  Mainly, Bud danced.  See, each song has a specific choreography which people learn.  So, some of the fan club people had brought a speaker and music and were playing the songs or just the choruses.  If you knew the song, you rushed into the open space with others and danced while everyone sang.  It was a beautiful flash mob!  And Bud danced his heart out.  He's got great moves, especially being one of the youngest there.

See, I thought there would be more young teens, but it was a lot of women in their early to mid-20s instead, some from as far away as Germany and Australia!  And of all races, not just Korean.  I saw Orthodox Jewish women, Muslim women in hijab, African Americans, Latinas, SE Asians (eg India, Pakistan), Caucasians, etc etc etc.  There was even a palpable lesbian presence (though not a discernible gay male one, which surprised me, given the relative androgyny, even femininity, by US standards, of the group.) BTS has a very wide appeal--they aren't vulgar or overly sexualized or violent or aggressive; their music speaks of emotions(albeit some hard ones)--the arc of three albums is entitled "Love Yourself," a major theme of their recent speech to the United Nations--and they are beautiful, talented young men (all between about 21-25.)

The talent was definitely on show on Saturday night.  They danced and sang for three solid hours (with no opening act, beyond their own videos, which the audience used for karaoke), taking turns with solos, in an elaborately produced show.  As far as I know, they sing live, not recorded, and they have vocal chops, which is not always noticeable on the heavily-produced recordings.  And they can all move!  Then, at the very end, they took 10 minutes to thank fans and express their gratitude, excitement, etc. Yep, I was very impressed.  And had a great time.  I don't know the lyrics or the fan chants, much less the dance moves, but it doesn't really matter.  I loved watching Bud have such a great time.  I think he screamed and sang the whole time, but it was so loud that, even though I was next to him, I couldn't hear him!  I'm glad he has some worthy Asian, male, celebrity role models, which Mama definitely didn't have growing up.  They have talent and work hard, talk about feelings and challenges, and work with UNICEF.  It makes a difference to see people who look like you succeed and be popular.  (Even as a white girl, I knew this at a very early age--I preferred Snow White and later Princess Leia because they were the rare heroines with dark hair! )

And they're just fun.  I'd go to their concerts again.  Yep, I'm a proud ARMY mom!

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Setlist:

"Idol"

"Save Me"

"I'm Fine"

"Magic Shop"

"Trivia: Just Dance"

"Euphoria"

"I Need U"

"Run"

"Serendipity"

"Trivia: Love"

"DNA"

Medley: "Boyz With Fun / "Attack on Bangtan" / "Fire" / "Bapsae" / "Dope"

"Airplane Pt. 2"

"Singularity"

"Fake Love"

"Trivia: Seesaw"

"Epiphany"

"The Truth Untold"

"Outro: Tear"

"Mic Drop"

Encore:

"So What"

"Anpanman"

"Answer: Love"

The Show Went On

I can't even put the wonderful experience of the weekend into words.  The kids' elementary school musical was phenomenal!

Well, for an elementary school production.  But I'm a proud mommy and I thought it was marvelous.

Way back in January, they had been nervous about auditioning for the show, even though everyone gets a part.  Still, standing up and singing in front of people is very intimidating.  But they did it and both got into the ensemble.  Bud had a callback and had hoped for a small speaking part.  Instead, he became one of the dancers.

For months they practiced every week.  Hours.  The last week, they rehearsed until 8 pm on Tuesday, 6 pm on Wednesday, and 9:15 on Thursday.  And behind the scenes, many parents were busy.  I stepped in to coordinate the healthy snacks for the performers during the show (the last person left no notes and, of course, I wasn't involved last year so it was a steep learning curve all the way through the weekend.)  Mama served as a backstage runner/stage door manager so someone else could see the show on Saturday.  I bought make up, found the right shoes, filled out forms to buy t-shirts and DVDs, and designed our congratulatory ads for the program.  We did a lot of driving back and forth.  Other parents spent everyday at the rehearsals and nights making sets and costumes and props.  So much hard work by so many dedicated and enthusiastic people.

We were all atwitter on Friday for the hour or so between their arriving home on the bus and their needing to be back at school.  It was a long wait for all of us.  Finally we got the kids freshly showered and deodorized (imagine 80+ sweaty kids without deodorant under hot lights with no air conditioning in rooms together.)  I got the snacks and paper goods into the car.  Off we went.

After getting them where they need to be and setting up the snacks in the cafeteria, Mama and I took our seats for the first show.  So excited for them, so nervous for them.

And they both shined!  Lit up the stage!  What can I say?  I only watched them.  Sis was in a flowery dress with a pink bow on her head.  Being shorter than almost everyone else, she looked about five years old.  Sweet and cute.  She doesn't like dresses, being "sweet" or "cute, though she likes pink but not bows.  We told her she was a great actress to pull off the role!  Bud started in a dark suit with a cap, then removed the jacket to show his suspenders and hiked his pants like knickers (with this handy little elastic thing.)  Later, he'd put on a band uniform.  And he danced and danced with great expression and joy.  Of course, I got all teary.

We saw them perform twice--Friday and Sunday--and spent Saturday helping backstage.  The kids got into costume, then went into hair and make up, and then waited in the cafeteria for their various cues.  They ate fresh fruit and veggies, had lots of water, and talked relatively quietly with their friends.  Sis played UNO and read.  Bud ate lots of fruit.

After each show, we went out, mainly to a late supper at a local place.  Just like real Broadway stars!  They told stories with their friends, wolfed down fries and shakes, sang songs together, gave one another back rubs, and signed each other's special shirts.  The adults sat, ate, and marveled at the kids' energy.  Bud especially talked and talked about the whole thing; I wish I could remember everything he enthused about.  (If I do, I'll insert it here.)

And then it ended much more suddenly than it all began.  Three days, three performance, the end of the show and the weekend.  But we all made a lifetime of great memories and, I think, awakened a little bit of the performing bug in each of them.

I'm glad they have one more year in elementary school so they can do it all again.

Dance Party!

Last night, after dinner, Mama turned on some 70s tunes; she's been trying to expand the kids' listening repertoire.  So far, we've added some early 80s.  Mama loves that she's gotten them into Debbie Gibson's "Electric Youth," "Walk Like an Egyptian," "Walk the Dinosaur," etc.  My favorites--Wham!, Culture Club, and Duran Duran haven't stuck yet.  We've also been listening to more classical--Handel's "Water Music" and Yo-Yo Ma--because of their new interest in strings.

But last night it was "Stayin' Alive," "I Will Survive," "Heart of Glass," "Boogie Oogie Oogie," "Play that Funky Music, White Boy," and, best of all, "YMCA."  After the kids stared/laughed at us through a few songs, they were game to do the moves to the Village People.  Sure, it got them a bit worked up, but it was a fun way to end the evening.

Stop!

"Mom, why does it say 'in the name of love' on the stop sign?" Sis asked recently.

I sang a bit of the song, but you could tell that wasn't quite enough.

Then, at Disney on Ice--or was it watching Cars with them the first time--we heard another Supremes song.

The next time we were downstairs, Mama searched the iPod and lo, and behold! we had a Supremes greatest hits collection.  Soon we were playing "Stop in the Name of Love," "Baby Love," "Come See About Me," "Stoned Love," "You Can't Hurry Love," "You Keep Me Hanging On" (which they recognized from "Glee"), "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" (though, that might me Diana Ross alone).  And dancing all around the living room.

Now, Bud asks for "Stop in the Name of Love" every morning.

If only I could remember where we saw that stop sign so we could go back again . . . . (I bet Sis remembers!)

Musical Interlude

Mama and I were cleaning out CDs yesterday and came across both Raffi and Laurie Berkner.  Suddenly, the kids were just three-years old, dancing to "Baby Beluga" and laughing to "Willaby Wallaby Woo," stomping to "We are the Dinosaurs" (and curling up in the exact same positions--Bud on his tummy, butt up; Sis on her side sniffing Shirt) and running around to "I'm Gonna Catch You."  So this evening, we played some of the music for them.  They didn't remember the names of either artist but immediately recalled several of the songs.  Soon, they were running around, giggling, falling on the floor, stomping . . . and there I was all weepy and laughing, too.

Tomorrow, Imagination Movers!

Lords of the Dance

Marginally Celtic in ancestry, with traces of Welsh and Scottish if my aunt is to be believed (and I like to think so), we celebrate St. Patrick's Day mainly so we can bake soda bread, each corned beef and cabbage, and listen to bagpipe music.  All of which we happily did on Saturday. Sis helped with the soda bread, divided into three loaves based on caraway seed/raisin add-ins (Mama takes all, Sis none.  Bud and I eat raisins and shared a loaf).  We accidentally tripled the sugar for--chalk it up to a glare on the iPad; it was tasty-sweet!   The favorite activity, however, was actually singing "Lord of the Dance."  Which is not really Irish at all--with lyrics written in 1967 by English songwriter Sydney Carter to accompany the American Shaker tune "Simple Gifts," the song is a first-person account by Jesus, from birth to resurrection.  Still, if it's good enough for Michael Flatley, it's good enough for us.  We sang the chorus over and over again with Bud eventually showing us the Irish step-dancing he learned at a school assembly.

"Lord of the Dance"
I danced in the morning when the world was begun
I danced in the Moon & the Stars & the Sun
I came down from Heaven & I danced on Earth
At Bethlehem I had my birth:

Dance then, wherever you may be
I am the Lord of the Dance, said He!
And I'll lead you all, wherever you may be
And I'll lead you all in the Dance, said He!
(...lead you all in the Dance, said He!)

I danced for the scribe & the pharisee
But they would not dance & they wouldn't follow me
I danced for fishermen, for James & John
They came with me & the Dance went on:

Dance then, wherever you may be
I am the Lord of the Dance, said He!
And I'll lead you all, wherever you may be
And I'll lead you all in the Dance, said He!
(...lead you all in the Dance, said He!) 
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/s/sydney_carter/lord_of_the_dance.html ]
I danced on the Sabbath & I cured the lame
The holy people said it was a shame!
They whipped & they stripped & they hung me high
And they left me there on a cross to die!

Dance then, wherever you may be
I am the Lord of the Dance, said He!
And I'll lead you all, wherever you may be
And I'll lead you all in the Dance, said He!
(...lead you all in the Dance, said He!) 

I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black
It's hard to dance with the devil on your back
They buried my body & they thought I'd gone
But I am the Dance & I still go on!

Dance then, wherever you may be
I am the Lord of the Dance, said He!
And I'll lead you all, wherever you may be
And I'll lead you all in the Dance, said He!
(...lead you all in the Dance, said He!)

They cut me down and I leapt up high
I am the Life that'll never, never die!
I'll live in you if you'll live in Me -
I am the Lord of the Dance, said He!

Dance then, wherever you may be
I am the Lord of the Dance, said He!
And I'll lead you all, wherever you may be
And I'll lead you all in the Dance, said He! 

Kidbits

Reverberations of our Boston trip are frequently felt:  Bud recreated the midnight ride of Paul Revere in Legos. And then Sis constructed her own colonial "chocolate" mud making system complete with metate, or stones to grind it.  Then they spent all of dinner retelling the Aquarium's IMAX movie to me.  So, of course, we're thinking of going back!

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We have a system for quelling some disagreements, particularly about tooth-brushing:  Sis gets to go first on the even dates and Bud gets to go first on the odd dates.  This works well, except when a month ends on an odd date and of course the next one starts on an odd date (like, well, today).  Last night, upset by the fact that there were two odd days in a row, Sis declared, "I want to be odd!"  And hearing this statement, we all burst out laughing and they both began dancing around the dinner table, trying to be as odd as possible!

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We had a dance party last night, each of us choosing a song (plus one for Mama, who worked late).  Sis chose  Justin Bieber's "Baby," Bud chose "Bad Romance."  We picked "Dynamite" for Mama.  and I like "Born this Way."  All the "Glee" versions.

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We are reading The Borrowers now, one of my favorite childhood books, in advance of eventually seeing the new Studio Ghibli film.  But Sis, having seen the movie commercials, keeps calling the book by the movie title, The Secret World of Arietty.  Either way, we're really enjoying the story, them for the first time, and me 30+ years later.

Rock On!

Mama Teacher and CJ came for a visit today, a spur-of-the-moment playdate on what should have been the first day of school. And the three kids had a dance party, with CJ yelling, "Rock on!" and playing air guitar. Then he requested AC/DC! So Bud put on . . . "Shakalaka Baby" from the Broadway musical, Bombay Dreams. Yeah, we don't have much rock-n-roll here. But it's kinda embarrassing that he merely equated it with a fast beat. We'll have to work on that (not that I'm an expert--I can't name a single AC/DC song! I was an 80s pop gal.). So I got him to put on "Dynamite" which had them all moving, as did Rent's "Today for You." CJ invented a new move, what we called "the angel" because it looked like he was making snow angels on the ground. Then Sis started rolling around in a tucked position--"the snowball!" Rock on, dancing fiends!

Dancing Queens and Kings

The soundtrack for my day began in the MRI tunnel because the swanky place I had the test today had Sirius Radio piped in. When asked about my favorite music, I stammered . . . until Mama Hungry said, "She likes 'Glee.'" So I got pop. And it was perfect. First came Taio Cruz singing, "Dynamite," a song which Mama knew from the kids and had just introduced me to (via, oddly enough, a version by the "Maccabeats" about Hanukkah). Then came Adele singing "Rolling in the Deep," which I know from its "Glee" version. Finally, "Born this Way." The ultimate anthem. Almost brought tears to my eyes thinking about the kids, wanting this back thing to be over, glad it was me going through medical challenges and not them. Mind you, it's hard to stay perfectly still if you're crying. So I tried really hard not to get all touched, but just to enjoy the distraction.

Later this afternoon, we had a family dance party, with the kids pulling out their iPod and deftly selecting our tunes. First, we did have "Dynamite," to which Sis could sing most of the words while joyfully dancing around. Then in quick succession "Born this Way," "When I Get You Alone," "Don't Stop Believin'," "Dancin' Queen," "Rose's Turn" (okay, so that Broadway tune of Sis's choosing was the odd one out), and, of course, "Born this Way." And I was amazed that Pop identified Lady Gaga! He had even heard of Amy Winehouse. Rock on, Pop! But then, the 45s of "Peggy Sue" and "Kisses Sweeter than Wine" and "Everybody's Gonna Have a Wonderful Time Up There" that I have were his, which he told me tonight he played on a hi-fi system from his Uncle Mac (who, like a few other of Dad's relatives--including Aunt Willie and Donald W.--played for "my" team, so to speak. We're everywhere. Especially on that side of the family.)

Tonight, Mama put "Dynamite" as well as "Glee's" version of "Friday"--the kids' most requested song--on our iPod, as well as some Sugarland. Just in case we have another dance party tomorrow.

Almost Normal

This morning, I went downstairs with the kids, walking around while they finished breakfast, backed bags, and got shoes. And then, for the first time in two months, I did what I always used to do on days that Mama drove them to school: I went to the porch and waved goodbye as they left. They were both so surprised to see me standing their--their shocked and happy faces were all the inspiration and motivation I need to keep going.

And then, I walked around by myself outside for just a little while, enjoying the warmth and scents of spring.

Then, Mama was a little late getting home this evening, making a stop at the store for various last-minute things. And so, because I was downstairs, and because we hope to soon try out "time-sharing" the childcare, I told Nanny she could go early and I would be "in charge" for a change. Since she wanted to get to church, she agreed to go.

And there I was, by myself, with the kids, standing up, downstairs, doing stuff. We even turned on some music--"Glee" and Lady Gaga and "Friday," of course--and were dancing around the living room (I vogued more, purely arm movements) when Mama arrived. And just like old times, she joined right in and we had a great family dance party.

"Bad Romance" never felt so good.

Nutcracker Sweet

Sis and Bud saw a live performance of The Nutcracker in school last week, danced by a local ballet school. We had discussed the story in advance and, as I mentioned earlier, had watched Pacific Northwest's odd, almost Freudian version (the implied tension between Drosselmeyer and Clara creeped both Mama and I out), though we all preferred the Rockettes' teddy bear version.

Bud loved it and, as is his way, has been reliving the experience since then, through his own versions of the dance. He dons his tutu, requests the suite on the iPod, and cradles our own big red wooden Nutcracker in his arms as he dances his amalgam of kung-fu ballet. The boy loves to feel his body move.

And we love to watch.

Lions and Dragons and Groundhogs--Oh, My! (Part 2)

What a day! A day that started at 6 a.m. with Bud wondering if it were morning (no, not yet) and my putting the Sherried Eggs in a cold oven for 1 1/2 hours so they could cook with enough time to make all the other food for our Groundhog Day party. The other food included Muffins (Strawberry/Blueberry and also Chocolate Chip), Bohemian Coffee Cake, Hashbrown Casserole, and Orange Biscuits. Which made it a very baking-heavy morning, since I don't think most of those would have been as good had we made them the day before. The kids were helpful throughout, thrilled to help with the muffins, especially because those would also double as their breakfast. They also helped Mama carry up all the party paper goods up from storage, set the table with cloths and placemats (double protection from hot dishes), hung up the "Pin the Tail on the Groundhog" poster we'd made on Friday (I'd wanted "pin the shadow" but I was vetoed), and arranged the cinnamon paper plate groundhog art project supplies and example (again, that we had made on Friday by drawing groundhog faces on paper plates, putting down glue, and then shaking on cinnamon which looked remarkably like fur all things considered). They also put away the toys they couldn't bear to share, dressed themselves, and managed both to self-entertain (Bud has been practicing his dragon and lion dancing and drawing) AND not make a mess while Mama and I finished things up.

Then we all enjoyed the party! It was the usual melange of church and playgroup friends, with fewer of each than expected because of last-minute illness (hope you're feeling better, Miss L!), a funeral, forgetfulness, and the like. But small was actually okay because we were able to relax and talk to everybody. I had been worried about having the party, wondering if I were the only one who really enjoyed them, Mama being shy and the kids sometimes becoming overwhelmed. But it all worked out well and I'm so glad we persisted. It might be that we keep Groundhog Day small and intimate, it being indoors, while Applepalooza, being outdoors, can be big and long and crowded. Anyway, so there were lots of friends and the good food they brought, including Oatmeal Bars, Organic Crunch Bread, and some tubed cinnamon rolls made special with the addition of raisins.

There was only one minor upset and even it ended well. But while we adults were having such a good time upstairs, one girl cut a chunk of hair from another girl downstairs in the basement. The girls weren't upset and the moms handled it well, despite the obvious chagrin (we all felt for the mom of the young hairdresser!) and surprise that accompanies such a thing. The newly-coiffed girl's mom was even laughing about it, once the surprise wore off. Besides it wasn't obvious. And kids inevitably do something like this--I remember cutting my neighbor boy's hair when I must have been 3 or 4 in Dallas.

But pretty much after that, everyone departed for home. Until a time-challenged guest came over at 2 pm! It was okay because she called first, her errands having taken much longer than expected. We'd finished getting most of the trash cleaned up and toys put away, even vacuumed, and were all sitting around watching lion and dragon dancing on the computer as well as drawing pictures of dragon and lion dancing for Bud, who has become obsessed with both the traditional Chinese New Year dances and New Year's in general. See, in this house, we jump from one holiday to the next, and, if the Groundhog Day party was over, it must be Chinese New Year! So, when our friend arrived we ate a few more of the morning's treats while watching Bud do his dragon dance: picture him holding a plastic dinosaur-headed stick (with grip that opens and closes the mouth) that is tied with two scarves in a long tail that he had another person hold up on a long, cardboard wrapping paper tube, so they could dance in swirls and circles to our Chinese music! In fact, it was rather like having a post party-- we never see her (beyond the few times I see her in passing at my exercise class) so it was good to sit and chat.

The rest of the day included more drawing pictures of lion and dragon dancing, plus a very late rest time and more eating of leftover food. Now we just have to see what the groundhog says on Tuesday, but my guess is he'll see his shadow presaging 6 more weeks of winter. It's just hard to imagine spring is coming when it was something like 12F this morning with snow and ice everywhere.

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Orange Biscuits

1 can refrigerator biscuits

½ stick oleo

2/3 cup sugar

½ cup orange juice

Melt oleo and sugar; add juice and coat biscuits. Bake at 350°F til brown (15 minutes).

Gommie Hungry

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Bohemian Coffee Cake

1 cup oil

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup whole milk plus 1 tablespoon vinegar added)

1 cup shredded coconut

1 cup chopped pecans

2 eggs

2 1/2 cups flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon nutmeg

1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix all ingredients. Pour into greased and floured pan (I think it's 9 x 13). Bake 1 hour at 350F.

teaching colleague in Texas

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All-Star Muffins

3 1/2 cups unbleached all purpose or cake flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

8 tablespoons butter

1 cup sugar

3 large eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cup sour cream

(Note: the KA cookbook mentions all sorts of add-ins, approximately 2 1/2 to 3 cups of whatever you desire)

Preheat oven to 400F and lightly grease 16 muffin cups or use paper liners.

In medium bowl, whisk flour, powder, soda, and salt, then set aside.

In large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy and almost white in color. Scrape down the bowl to make sure all the butter is incorporated, then add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla and sour cream and mix until incorporated. Add the dry ingredients and mix on low speed just until the batter is smooth. Fill muffin cups and bake 18-24 minutes , until tester comes out clean. Remove from oven, cool for 5 minutes, then remove from pan to finish cooling on a rack (muffins left in pan with become touch from steaming).

(1 basic muffin, 274 calories)

King Arthur Flour Baker's Companion All-Purpose Baking Cookbook

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Sherried Eggs

18 eggs
¾ cups milk
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can mushrooms (drained)
2 tablespoons dry Sherry
1 cup grated cheddar cheese

Beat eggs and milk together well. Scramble until soft.
Place in large greased casserole.
Mix soup, mushrooms, and sherry together. Spread on top of the scrambled eggs, mixing in slightly.
Top with cheddar cheese. Refrigerate overnight.
Place in cold oven at low temperature (250°F) and bake for 1 ½ hours. Served 8-10.

Frederick-Talbott Inn, Indiana

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Hashbrown Casserole

32 oz. bag frozen hash browns
10-1/2 oz cream of mushroom
1 pint sour cream
2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup chopped onions
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup melted butter

Mix and spread into 13 x 9” baking dish. Bake at 350°F for 1 hour.

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Miss B's Oatmeal Bars

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 tsp. vanilla

2 eggs

1 cup flour

1 cup oatmeal

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 cup chocolate chips

Mix first 5 ingredients together then add the rest of the ingredients. Mix well and pour into an 8 or 9 inch square greased pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes until done. Let cool completely in pan before removing/cutting.

Miss B

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Miss L's Organic Crunch Bread (coming soon)

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Bowling Boogie

Bud and Sis love the bowling birthday parties we've gone to, including today's Little Mermaid edition complete with delectable Ariel cake homemade by mom (way to go, Miss J!) and great party favors (you should have heard the kids on the way home--"Mom, I got a necklace! And candy!" and "Mom, I got a crazy straw!").

Mama likes the bowling parties too and will bowl and bowl and bowl with the kids, kept from disappointment by the gutter guards and lighter duckpin balls.

But today, Bud and Sis's favorite part was not the bowling but the dancing. Towards the end of the bowling segment of the party, the lights went down and the disco ball went up. And Bud and Sis boogied to great 80s hits (albeit, sung by some kiddo singers). And they practically freaked when the "Shrek" song, "I'm a Believer," which they only just first noticed on the Macy's parade (despite my having had it on my top rated playlist for over a year), came on. Bud was doing all his moves, jumping up from the ground, "voguing" with his arms, hopping like an "Imagination Mover." And Sis had Mama as her partner, all to herself. Such fun!