Stars are born

This weekend was a big weekend for our girls.  They were able to participate as "mini-munchkins" in the local high school's production of The Wizard of Oz.  They "tried out" in December and before Christmas break we found out that they made it...I don't think it was cutthroat, but exciting nonetheless.  Rehearsals started the first week of January with the performances this past Friday and Saturday night.  To be honest, at the first practice, I was worried.  I thought to myself "dancing and singing?! Eeh...this is going to be interesting."

To prepare for the show, I thought it would be best if the girls actually saw the Wizard of Oz.  Now, I remember distinctly hiding behind a big brown recliner in the basement of our house in Chicago while my parents watched the movie.  I was four when we moved from there so that should tell you how much of an impact that movie had on me.   To limit any chance of nightmares or fears that flying monkeys were coming to take them away, I took advantage of a bright sunny afternoon to watch the movie. The girls (and Landon) enjoyed the movie and really the last 15 minutes are those most "suspenseful" with the Wicked Witch of the West.  But, other than that, it's an entertaining classic.

Along with getting the movie from the library, I checked out the soundtrack for some tunes to listen to in the car.  That really helped in getting them ready for munchkin land by learning the words to the songs.  It also made me realize how freaking catchy those songs are.  Just try singing "Ding Dong the Witch Is Dead" without getting it stuck in your head for the rest of the day. Everyday since January 8th, I have sung that song out loud at least twice if not three times a day.  I will very willingly bring that CD back to the library.

So fast forward 6 weeks and there we were...the week of the performances!  The girls were excited to do the dress performances and get their costumes and makeup done.  I think Taryn would have done away with the actual performances and just come to put on makeup. As the week wore on, the girls would have more and more makeup on. I think the high school girls enjoyed painting up their fresh faces and porcelain skin. Taryn even had glitter on for the final performance.  Taking mascara off a 6 year old isn't loads of fun, however.  No "Toddlers and Tiaras" for this family!!

I was able to take some video during a dress rehearsal.  I was very proud of them and they did their best.  Taryn did crack me up because she tends to tune out a bit.  I think she would have loved to sit on stage and just watch the show rather than actually participate.  Annika, on the other hand, started to get into it...despite the fact that her skirt was slowly inching down.  Wardrobe malfunction!!

Here are some clips:

These two are from the dress rehearsals (the girls are in the coned hats):




This one is from the Saturday night performance...hope you don't get motion sick at the beginning or end, I was trying to be discreet. ;)


In the end this whole experience was good for the girls.  The girls got to experience something pretty fun.  And, I am hoping, a little spark of the drama desire was started which warms the heart of this former high school actress.

It was also a good experience for me.  Because the director wanted to have the high school students do costumes, makeup, etc. I had to stand back.  No "Stage Mom" here.  I had to be very hands off.  They only needed me to get them to rehearsals.  So that meant they would be spending many hours a week hanging around high school students.  Gasp!  From the public school!  Gasp! Gasp! But, Dan did remind me that they were the "drama kids."  I guess that was supposed to be reassuring.  The kids were super sweet and Annika and Taryn "made lots of friends."  And, they didn't come home swearing, talking about Snookie, or telling me what "Gangman Style" means.  They simply had a fun time eating lots of candy, getting make up on, singing, dancing and, perhaps, learning what Dorothy meant when she said "there's no place like home."

Annika stepped out of character to smile for the camera

Taryn in the midst of munchkins

Our sweet friends Kayla, Jenna, and Miss Emily came to Friday's performance

Our babysitter, Miss Hayley, was Glinda the Good Witch

So proud of my munchkins!!