Ballet Camp

This past week Kendall participated in a week long ballet camp at a local Christian ballet company, Ballet Magnificat.  She loved it.  I'm not sure what all they did (she allowed me to be clued in on various tid bits at her own choosing) but I do know she had alot of fun.

The young ballerinas in training learned first, second and third position, or as Kendall corrects us, "first permission".  And they practiced running leaps (I can't remember what those are called). 

In addition to ballet she also learned the fruit of the spirit which was the spiritual emphasis of the week.  She can name them all in order: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  When I asked her what self-contol means, she informed me it's what you do when someone takes something from you.

For the week end program for the parents they showed off their ballerina moves and then closed with a song and dance to the fruit of the spirit.  While Kendall may not have mastered the art of ballet, she nailed every single move and motion to the fruit of the spirit song.  Here's a few pictures...

All ballerinas were awarded a certificate in the closing ceremony.  The girl standing with Kendall, Emily, is the daughter of one of my suite mates from college who I haven't seen since graduation!  We had a fun reunion of sorts in the hall this week while our girls had fun.

Footnote:  This is the same ballet company that is run by Keith and Kathy Thibodeaux where Kendall participated in their one day Princess Ballerina Party back in the spring.  I blogged about that here.  Keith is none other than the child actor who played Little Ricky on I Love Lucy!!

Upon leaving ballet camp Monday Keith was standing in the hall saying goodbye.  He greeted Kendall and smiled so I took advantage of the opportunity.  I motioned him over and told Kendall who he was. I also explained to Keith how we both are huge Lucy fans and how we watch episodes weekly, and this summer pretty much almost daily.   Her poor little brain was moving at full speed trying to figure out how this grown man is the Little Ricky boy she watches on tv.  I figured she wouldn't understand at all.  Well, fast forward to the next day.  Kendall and her class are walking down the hall.  Keith is standing to the side waving to them as they go by.  Kendall's eyes light up when she sees him, and she points and proclaims VERY audibly for her teacher - and everyone including Keith and all the other mamas - to hear, "That's the BIG Little Ricky!!" I laughed and would have crawled under my bench had my belly fit.  Keith looked at me laughing and asked if we had watched any episodes the day before. I can't quite remember what I mumbled in reply.

I figured since I had been all cheese, why not go all out and try to get a picture of Kendall and "Big Little Ricky".  It wouldn't mean much to her now, probably, but it would as she got older.  Nope.  No doing.  There was no way I could convince her to take a picture with him, even when I agreed to be in it also.  Oh well.  To Kendall in about ten years:  I tried, baby, I tried.

Little Lucy In the Making

So Drew Brees posted a question on facebook.  (Yes, I follow his public fb profile.)  He wanted to know if it was normal for his two-year-old to be standing in front of a mirror bearing only underwear and a toy guitar while belting out some Kenny Chesney.

Well, I want to know if it's normal for a two-year-old to watch (and love) endless "I Love Lucy" marathons.  And she's requesting this, people.  No forcing or arm twisting involved.  Kendall LOVES I Love Lucy. (Eeek! Squeals from Mommy!)

And we are well on our way to seeing them all.  All 179 of them. Not a hard feat since I own every episode.

And not hard either since this is her Mama and Aunt Jenn...

And again here...

Still wondering as to the source of it all???

Maybe it was Babalu, a new Cuban restaurant in the area.

Or maybe it's just in her genes.  But for whatever reason, I have a feeling THIS place...

...Jamestown, NY, the birth place of Lucille Ball and the Lucy Capital of the World will be just as much on her future itenerary as THIS place...

 

(another much loved thing these days. Sorry Disney, don't mean to give you the backseat.)...

Gabe did remind me that this trip to Jamestown that has been planned and postponed for three years now (for minor reasons such as, oh,  being eight months pregnant and no $$. Minor details.) will have to wait until Kendall is old enough since there's no way we can not take her.  He's right!

Well, if you've made it through this entry I have one more thought.  I've decided that I finally want to learn to sew.  I mean really sew.  I mean get good at it.  Really-good-at-it-fancy-you're-going-to-be-jealous-of-it sew.  And the reason this is such grandiose plans is that at the current moment I literally cannot sew on a button.  Can't sew.  At all.  Not even a hem.  Or button.  BUT, I'm getting a machine for my birthday and my BFF, Danielle, who is one fine seamstress is going to teach me.  Finally!  And I WILL conquer the sewing world people.  I will.

And I WILL NOT end up as Lucy, despite whatever jabs Jenn makes at my expense, when she tried to save money by coloring her own hair and making her own dress.

Nope.  I'm leaving my hair to my professional.

And my sewing?  You just wait and see!

Babalu

 A new restaurant opened up in a nearby city.  And I HAD to go.  With my friend, Jennifer, of course.

Ok, let me back up for just a second.  If you ever ready the "about me" list off to the right on this blog, you've read that I'm an "I Love Lucy" fan.  I haven't mentioned it much, but I did post here a while back about Jennifer and my Halloween costumes a few years ago. But we are HUGE Lucy fans. I mean, seriously, we own every episode ever made, collect memorabilia and play Lucy Trivia to brush up on our knowledge.  Because that's important, you know.  To explain the extent of our fascination, we were supposed to go to Jamestown, New York, (the hometown of Lucille Ball that hosts the world's largest {and only??} Lucy festival every year) for my 30th birthday but I ended up being six months pregnant.  We will make it one day.  It's mecca for Lucy fans. 

So when we found out about this new Lucy theme inspired restaurant named Babalu we had two thoughts. 

1.  Are you KIDDING me??!!

and

2.  WHY didn't WE think of this??!!

Last week we set out, with Kendall, whom we are raising as the next Lucy fan generation.

Well, would the food be any good?? Perhaps (but who cares).

Here's the restaurant. And Gabe was WRONG.  We were not the only patrons.  The place was slammed. Notice the continuous loop of Lucy episodes projected on the wall for pure enjoyment.

Here we are waiting for a table.

And JenJen is teaching Kendall about Lucy.

And of course we had to get our picture taken in front of the screen.  Ignore the woman in the background, who is obviously not a fan. I feel for her as she totally missed it. Totally. Tsk tsk. Just flat out doesn't even recognize a true legend when it's right smack on the wall. And, no, those are not "we are such dorks" looks on our faces. Not that we care anyway.

I mean, we aren't THAT weird, are we?

But what about the food?

It surely did not disappoint either.  Here our waiter is preparing table side made guacamole. Scrumptious.

And this little one here inhaled it.

She's a "Little Ricky" for sure!

THIS is what I had...

and THIS is what Gabe wishes he had...

...since I came home like this telling him about it.

Ah, yes, soon Jen and I will be going back with the hubbies, for sure.  And I guarantee one bite and they won't be knocking it anymore!

So I'm telling all my friends.  If you live in the area, regardless if you're a Lucy fan, you should check out Babalu.

And in case you're wondering about the name Babalu, it was the name of Ricky's nightclub where he was a performer and band leader.   And the food reflects his Latin American culture and it's a fun word to say per the manager's explanation when I inquired.  I graciously listened to him describe about some show called "I Love Lucy" that ran during the 50s and starred a Cuban guy named Desi Arnaz who played Ricky and was married to Lucille Ball's character.  Yes, I've heard of it a time or two.

Hello, It's Your Vitameatavegamin Girl!

Hello, it's your Vitameatavegamin Girl!

I'm never tired or listless...

And I poop at parties...

And I drink bittle lottles...

And I'm very popular!


Huh??? For those of you who are just not quite sure what I'm talking about, this entry is an ode to all my fellow Lucy fans out there, any of whom could quote the entire Vitameatavegamin episode for you.

My friend, Jennifer, gave Kendall this Lucy onesie and I've been waiting a while now for it to fit her. We couldn't resist a photo session. Kendall was supposed to have been Little Ricky this past Halloween but our church didn't have the annual Harvest Festival. It'll have to wait until next year. Kendall will beat a drum and yell "Babaloo!" by then. That's IF we can convince Daddy Gabe to let his little princess dress up like a boy. That'll be a hard sell.

Anyway, Kendall will be a Lucy fan just like her Mommy, Aunt JuJu, and Aunt JenJen. Can't wait until we can sit down and watch episodes together!

Cute, But Not Scary (OK, Maybe So)

As promised, here are the pics of Jennifer and me (aka Lucy and Ethel). I hope no one lost too much sleep these past few days waiting for me to dig them out.

I learned that nobody makes an Ethel costume, so I had to improvise. It's amazing what a trip to Goodwill can accomplish. As for the wig, it was originally a Marilyn Monroe looking do from Target. After two bottles of Aqua Net and several packs of bobby pins you see the results. Not too bad. Hey, I did impress another Lucy fan bystander. She asked me "WHERE did you find an Ethel costome?! Can I borrow it??"

The next year, Jennifer and I schemed up the idea to dress as different episodes. Here's the Candy Factory costumes:



We have another year to think up another one.