Musical!

     I am sitting at school on a Saturday afternoon waiting for the next performance of our musical. Since I'm the music director, most of my work is done by now and I just get to wait for the performance but outside my room there is crazy dashing around while students put on costumes, makeup and they begin to warm up. We had our 1st show last night. There were a few minor mistakes but, all in all, things were good.
      I have really enjoyed working with this cast. Many of the 8th graders in here have been performing in the program for a few years, but there are some who are doing a show for the 1st time. It is also our drama director's last show, so that's kind of special too. My own children are coming this afternoon, which is cool because I think they think of some of my students as an extension of our family- however odd that sounds. It's really interesting to watch my influence on my students transfer to their influence on my own children.
     Okay, off to do some last minute prep. Have a great day!
     

David's 7

Just a quick hello. David turned 7 on Friday. He's such a sweet little boy. I was at my conference so I planned to take him out to lunch for a "Mommy date" today. Think he had fun?  His birthday party is Thursday. He's up for a big week.

February stats.. a little late

I'm a little late but I promised that I'd write my February stats for my 366 project. In February (Lettermo month!) I sent:

18 cards

28 postcards

11 letters

1 small package

I received:

6 postcards

7 letters

4 cards

   In other news, life is extremely busy. I am proud for putting a little time to write to people but I have not had any time for any art stuff. Professionally, the big event this week is the Massachusetts Music Educator's Association conference and the MMEA All-State Treble Choir concerts. I have been working my tail off to prepare my classes for me being absent 2 days in a row! (Gasp!!) I have been preparing my students to sing and making sure they're also working hard. In addition, I have been preparing for the musical next week and for the District festival a few weeks after that. It's all rewarding work but I'm exhausted. I cannot wait for the day that I don't have to eat my lunch in 5 minutes so I can work through the rest of it. I really don't mind but I could really use time that I can shut my brain off. 

     In my personal life, David's birthday is Friday. He'll be 7. He's such a sweet, kind kid. I'll be at the conference for most of the day so it will be kind of horrible, but I will make sure we have some special time this weekend. He's been counting down for a while. We're having his birthday party with his friends next week. 

Current project numbers:

The 366 Project:

Sent: 109 (33 ahead of schedule!) 

Received: 55 (still a little behind schedule but happy with this)

5 minute catch-up

Another 5 minutes and I can add the rest of the mail.. except for the awesome stamps from Ashley, which I just realized I still have to photograph. Here are the other things received between 2/28 and 3/14:

 Postcard from Australia

Owls from Russia!

 Kossovo

 Philippines. I love the cute kids

 Card from a new pal in Mi.

 Letter from Cathy- a Lettermo pal

 Card from Lynn- Also from Lettermo

Letter from Belinda with lots of paper treats, including a cute notebook her daughter made for me!

10 minute update- literally

   So, some of my blogging friends have wondered if I've dropped off the face of the earth. March is a super busy month for me. So, why haven't I been writing a lot in Feb or March- in preparation for all the stuff that has to be done. I carved out literally 10 minutes of this afternoon so that I could add some of my cool mail here. If I miraculously end up with more time tonight, which I doubt, I will update my 366 stuff. I just wanted to let you know:
1) I'm alive
2) I miss checking in
3) Thanks for the awesome mail
4) I'm still writing letters/cards so if you're expecting a reply, it should be coming
5) I will emerge again from my season of insanity on April 11.. or 12th depending on if I accept an invitation for the 11th. lol

Here's some of the recent mail:

 Card from a new pal. This is the first mail from her and I look forward to responding!

 Huh? What is this? A package from Peru? Who in the world do I know from Peru? Nobody. Ok, so I rip the parcel open and remember a "mystery envelope" round robin I signed up for. This one wasn't the best loot. I added some postcards and sent it on to Lithuania. Here's what was inside.

 Cool pin

 Self-adhesive bra. This is a first for me.

 Tea

 Ear ring

 Matroyoshka keychain

 bracelet

 washi tape

 Is it weird that these finger puppets from Peru were my favorite things?

 Toys- like the stuff you'd get in a Happy Meal

 Cell phone charm

 Next mail:

 Also from a new pal. Isn't it beautiful!?

 Huh? ANOTHER surprise package? YES!!! It came on a great day too. This was from my friend Ashley and she sent me some awesome music stamps. I'll take a picture and post those later. I might try some gelli plate creativity with them!
Speaking of Ashley- this is today's mail. (AH!!! I'm past my 10 minutes. At the risk of being late for something else...I'm finishing. Have I ever mentioned that I hate being late... or when people are late?) Here's some more Happy mail from Ashley:

 Adorable

 That dress is made of fabric. Your creativity always amazes me

 :)

 Postcrossing card from Singapore. I'm being recruited into the Navy. Cool dragonfly stamp. It shimmers with different angles like real dragonfly wings.

 Il Duomo in Italy.  Beautiful.

 Venice. I've sung at St. Mark's Cathedral. I'm so glad it wasn't flooded when I was there. It was rainy and it smelled gross in Venice I have very strong memories from the day I was there. It was so cool for me to get this card!

Postcrossing card from China. I like the women dancing and the jellyfish stamp.

Ok... 17 minutes until a meeting a mile and a half away. I hope everybody is great. I just realized I have 6!!!! more things I haven't photographed yet. I'll try to do it later tonight. They are also really cool for me. Phew... 15 minutes. I will survive this month.