melted smoosh

  1) the opera! I've only been to the opera a few times previously -- if I'm going to see a show, I prefer it to be a Broadway musical! but when my friend Susan invited me to see a matinee performance of Falstaff at the Pittsburgh Opera with free childcare provided, of course I said yes. Falstaff is a comedy written by Verdi, and I enjoyed trying to translate the Italian as much as I could (while being very grateful for the English subtitles displayed above the stage). the costuming and set design were fun, although understandably not as elaborate as the Broadway national tour productions. and we felt very cultured indeed!  the curtain call the childcare was a hit -- they were set up in a beautiful large room with floor to ceiling windows overlooking downtown, with lots of toys and games for the kids. Elizabeth and Victoria might have been more nervous about me leaving if it weren't for their friends joining them, so that worked out well all around.  I really hope they di...

  1) spring sports. Cece's developmental basketball team finished the season with a bang at a tournament held by a local school. the third grade team is comprised of such sweet girls and I'm excited to see them continue to grow together! their last practice was a scrimmage between parents and girls which was hilarious. I played for just a few minutes and managed to double dribble which earned me a talking-to from the coach, to the intense amusement of all the kids (and the censure of Cece, who told me later, "Mommy! you KNOW better!").  besties after winning their semifinal consolation game Elizabeth can't wait for her turn on the court! a lot of these parents were really good!! I provided the comic relief no sooner did basketball end than developmental volleyball began. with practice from 3:30-5 PM, my friends and I quickly devised a carpool plan to pick the girls up from school and get them to the gym, and then pick the girls up after practice and drop them at h...