Oh the wonder of the stage..Why all my kids have taken to the stage.

Isabelle is my baby. She has shown up here a few times in pictures, but for now she is the feature. Actually the Co-star to Spotlight Productions Camp. I was so excited this spring when it occurred to me that Isabelle was going into 3rd grade and was finally old enough for drama camp with Missy Sullivan and her crew at Spotlight Productions. Now all of my children have taken part in this camp  in turns. Sometimes it's been with some motherly coercion to get them there, but it never took anything to get them to go back.Isabelle said no,no,no until 2 weeks before camp then she said,YES.  This year the elementary school camp performed School House Rock Jr, Live.

It was great to hear the familiar songs being sung. Tad sang along with them all as the show went on and it made me giggle I am getting ahead of myself, I need to explain all about how Spotlight Productions operates, it is in itself AMAZING. First day, Isabelle arrived and she was greeted by the directors; Miss Sullivan, Miss Penny and Miss Anita. Missy is the director for the actors, Penny is the producer, detail person and Anita (aka Peanut) is the musical director. That is an important note, it is always a musical. They all met in the Chorus room of the Virginia Wesleyan Theater.  Could it be just an easy day for the Derrick's? Nope, we ran out of gas and were 20 minutes late. It unnerved my Biz..but she went right in ready for the day. It is a full day camp from 9-4. There were 30 other kids from the age of 5 to the age of 12 in the room listening to what was going to happen. It is kind of cool to see those that are 12 and just starting Middle school looking like the old people! Can \you imagine having just 3 and 1/2 days to teach 31 kids in elementary school how to put on a musical?? It is no wonder the 12 year old look so OLD! Seriously it is amazing what they do. When Biz got home on Monday she knew her part was Dakota. She had a script with lines, a CD with songs and was ready to GO! On Tuesday the choreography was under way. The show was choreographed this year by Missy's niece and Penny's daughter who has been attending camp since she was 4. The moves were perfect. I really had to chuckle when Ithought about Dana and my oldest Tad dancing together in Cinderella.

The cast and crew where ready to go for the big shows on Friday.The cast has the first dress rehearsal on Thursday and it is the first time they run through the show from beginning to end. The Opening day is on Friday, they perform for an audience at 1 pm and 7 pm. Now, I have seen this miracle oh, lets say 6 out of the last 12 years. My kids have been in Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, Fiddler on the Roof, Honk Jr. to name a few! They all have been awe inspiring. These kids start camp having no idea what to expect and all of a sudden there is an adorable musical performance, with Choreography on stage. It is such a good time. For many of the elementary school children it is the first time they will perform in front of an audience. The experience is great for building confidence.  More then likely your child will want to make this camp an annual event.  Here everyone is a star.

The Biz, looking like a star!

So, I know what you are all thinking, Why is she telling us about this great expierence for our kids when it has come and gone?  Well there is still another oppurtunity to be a part of this camp, the Teen camp. On July 5th the camp will go into production of  Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.  I for one can say my teenagers are thinking of the rolls they may play in this 2 week, full production of the Broadway show. Is your Son the next Donny Osmond?  What a better way to entertain yourself on a hot July evening then sitting in an air conditioned theater being entertained by your teen?

Here is a link for the website and it is not too late so get registered now!

Spotlight Productions Camp

Simply Scrumptious Jam..for now it is Strawberry

Ingredients

• 10 pounds Fresh Picked RIPE Strawberries
• ½ cups Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice
• 5 cups Sugar
• 2 ounces, weight Sure Jell, Prepared According To Box Directions
• 10 jars Jelly Jars, Lids And Rings - 8 Ounce Size ( Sterilized)

Preparation Instructions

First, soak the fresh berries in a sink of cold water. I remove and stem each berry then place them into a large non-corrosive pot. If you are particular about chunks in your jam you can quarter or halve the berries at this point. Add the lemon juice to the berries. Heat the berries on medium high heat to release the natural juice and pectin. When they begin to release juices, keep them on the heat while mashing them with a potato masher. Allow to simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from the pot and measure berries and juice. Ten pounds of berries should yield approximately 10 cups of berries and juice.
To that 10 cups of berries and juice, add five cups of sugar and stir. Return to medium high heat and stir frequently. The mixture will bubble up and the impurities will rise to the top. Skim the milky bubbles away and discard them. Be sure to stir frequently so that the sugar does not scorch or caramelize. There will be a reduction in the liquid after 20-30 minutes. The mixture should be thickening and should coat the back of a spoon.
At this time add the Sure Jell, according to package instructions for hot jams and jellies, to the mixture to ensure proper thickness. The Sure Jell package directions will call for more than one package for this amount of berries. But if properly reduced the natural pectin thickens the jam well and the Sure Jell simply acts as insurance.
Portion evenly into 10 sterilized 8 ounce jam jars and process according to standard canning guidelines. Seal lids and allow to cool until no longer hot to the touch. Once cool be sure lids are turned so that the jars are airtight. Store jam in the refrigerator after opening. Viola!

 

The Flash mob Friday nights...This one goes out to the girls.

Flash mob Friday; you ask what does a pop culture dance craze have to do with Friday nights at the Derrick's abode? Well that is the term Jon gave the gathering of teenage friends that slowly and mysteriously appears Friday nights. To the naked eye it would appear that one by one these sweet, feisty and fired up teens are randomly appearing at the Derrick's house. I think I have even seen Jon scratch his head wondering were that one came from. Go on honey, think what you like. Is it a  surprise to have these kids at our house yet again?




Well, frankly, yes it is a surprise. Even though the texts messages appear on my phone somewhere around Tuesday, Mamma D can you make Mac n Cheese Friday? The Fb post about Yeah ! Friday at Sarah's house pop up on Wednesday. On Thursday morning are the requests for the sleepovers; Mom can Jordan sleep over? (At least Greyson still asks me) Sarah on the other hand fills every available horizontal space with friends. It still surprises me. Now that Tad is home, he and David add to the crowd. The circle around our make shift fire pit widens.


Now it may sound as though I am complaining about the noisy and rowdy bunches, I am not. I really love them. Mostly I stand in awe of, why here? We have nothing really to do around here; no video games, no trampoline ( lost 2  hurricanes), no Wow stereo. We just have people. Lots of noise and a laid back structure. The structure I attribute to my stellar housekeeping and fastidious attitude about the mess. I do use the group to test my recipes for this blog and Tasty Kitchen . They love my s'mores cookies and red velvet cupcakes!! I love making treats for birthdays; Summer got chocolate cake and Katie Dail red velvet cupcakes. Maybe the love comes from their stomach's!  The ones that end up staying for the night usually are treated to Fly off the Plate Pancakes or Fluffy French toast. There is an occasional coffee and bagel with Eden and Hannamah the next morning. When they aren't jetting off to the next social gathering!!



As I reflect on my own teenage years there was quite a bit of trying to get away from parents, which led to trouble on my part. I was always testing my boundaries with Lee and I.T. I never felt comfortable being a teen around them. I am not sure what it is that makes the kids feel good at my house. They aren't getting away with murder or even what I attempted to get away with. I am watching and so are my older boys. Sarah says her friends say I am cool. Really, Cool, Me?? NOT. I love 'em for saying that I am cool. My door is always open to them.(much to Jon's dismay!)  Parents, I have your back.