A Vote of Confidence

The other night I was cleaning up after dinner, getting ready to leave for church to practice with the Praise Team. The May Queen carried her plate in from the porch, where we had been eating, and this is what I heard her say:

"When you grow bigger, you should be a magician"

"When I grow bigger??"

I'm trying not to grow any bigger, thank you.

"You know, when you grow up even more than you are now, you should be a magician."

A magician?????

"Why do you say that?"

"Because you're good at music!"

Ahhh.... a musician.

"Well, thanks"

"And you should teach music!"

"I DO teach music. At the preschool."

"I know, but you should teach EVEN MORE."

Evil lurks on the Disney Channel

We're pretty careful about what we let The May Queen watch on television, and she's only been to one movie in the movie theatre (Veggie Tales. She hated it). Right now her favorite shows to watch are geared for younger kids. The day she figures out that "Noggin: It's like Preschool on TV" is meant for preschool kids and she's "too old" is the day we're in trouble.

She really hasn't had a strong desire to watch programs that are geared for older kids. She will unabashedly say "I'm not allowed to watch Spongebob" when with friends, and has even said it about programs we've never specifically said anything about. "That's too old for me," she'll say.

But she's beginning to notice that her friends are watching and talking about shows she doesn't watch, and recently she's said things like "Maybe when I'm six I can watch Hannah Montana." I know that most of the kids in her class watched this show, and were singing songs from it. So I decided to record an episode of Hannah Montana and take a peak for myself.

Yikes! My child will not be watching that show any time soon. Okay, maybe the show isn't exactly "Evil" as my title suggests, however... In the episode I watched the two siblings fought the whole time, and then snuck out of the house when their father grounded them. Sure, the point was made that they are siblings, and in the end, they really care about each other. But a much stronger point is made consistently throughout the half hour program, and that is that putting someone else down is FUNNY! Other great lessons included: sarcasm is the best way to make your point; underwear is funny; if you disobey your parent your punishment will be singing a silly song! The show was full of words like "loser" and "stupid" and phrases like "I hate you!" I don't allow those things to be spoken in my home, and I'm certainly not going to allow my child to watch a show that uses them as humor. My guess would be that this show is geared more towards tweens, although even then I question what a crappy example the show is setting. Under no circumstances should elementary school children be watching it! (I almost want to say "Sorry if I'm offending you and you let your children watch it" but I can't say that. Turn that program off. Now. Please. ) It sickens me that they are promoting this show for young kids. 3 year old children at the preschool where I work have come in wearing Hannah Montana clothing. THREE YEARS OLD!! If you're making clothes that fit a 3 year old with the Hannah Montana name on it, you're promoting it to preschool children.

And here's the rub: what television shows are out there for elementary children? What does a child graduate to after Dora and Little Einsteins (which The May Queen still loves, along with Max and Ruby and Pooh and Little Bill). What can she watch that will address where she is developmentally, helping her with the problems she'll face socially and enforcing the skills she's learning at school? Why are there SO MANY decent programs for preschool children, and a seeming dearth of options for young elementary students?

What do you let your elementary kids watch?

Before we had The May Queen we talked about getting rid of our television all together. Obviously we haven't gone that route. But, as I said, we do limit what and how much television The May Queen watches. This is going to be harder as she gets older and sees things at friends houses that we'd rather she doesn't. And it's going to be hard to keep saying no to something that it seems all of her peers are watching. But say no I will. I just wish I had some alternatives to offer.

*****
I didn't mean to leave you hanging about my audition, but welcome to my life. Just today I learned, as I had suspected, that they will be holding another round of auditions on June 7th. I mentioned that there were surprisingly few people at the audition, and so I thought this would be likely. This doesn't mean I won't get the part, as they haven't cast any roles yet from that first audition. It means they want to look at more options for all the parts first. And then they will likely have callbacks, to see people they liked again and see how they play off of each other. So it will be at least another week and a half before I know anything more. Trust me, if I get the part, I'll let you all know!

WARNING: Summer Days not so Lazy

Be forewarned that the "lazy days of summer" are in danger of being over scheduled. The first week off (that would be now) looks, on paper, to be a bit lazy, but will truly be filled with a flurry of pre-VBS activity. Then VBS, then 3 weeks of summer camp (me teaching, The May Queen attending). One (so far...) gloriously lazy week will give way to nearly 3 weeks of frenzied traveling to friends and family all up and down the East Coast. One more unscheduled week at home gives way to one week in Acapulco (mostly resort lazy) and then 4 short days until school starts. The upside of this lack of lazy? (Hopefully) A lack of the expression "I'm bored." To keep this summer fun and not too hectic it is advised that the times not currently spoken for be guarded against firm plans and left open to jaunts to the pool, beach and waterspouts, impromptu play dates, and playing board games on the living room floor.

*****
This warning has been a Monday Mission, which was to write a post in the form of a warning label. Write your own warning and let me know, and I'll get it into this post.

The ever diligent Mad turned in her assignment early, with an internet warning you should check out.

Mary Beth is also warning us about summer sensory overload

WARNING:
Monday Missions have fallen prey to an over scheduled summer, and will be taking their lazy vacation days away from the craziness around the Maypole. If you would like to host the Missions over the summer (or for longer) let me know, otherwise I'll bring back the missions in September.

i can think of no clever title

We were at a party this evening, supposedly to celebrate the 8th birthday of a neighbor. This little girl spends most of her time with her mother in Pennsylvania, but is sometimes here with her father and stepmother, whose company we enjoy. The little girl is a little harder to handle. I've found her to be bossy and manipulative, and not a friendly playmate. She also tries to pit children against each other.

We thought about dissing the party, but decided to go. It was clear that this was a whole family affair, so we wrapped up a present and headed out.

As we walked up to the house The May Queen remembered that the last time we were all there (for a housewarming party) the other girls screamed a lot, and she didn't like it. So we were already off to a rip roaring start. When she arrived there were some other girls from the neighborhood there, ones that the birthday girl is very friendly with. They were not overly welcoming to MQ, and made no real effort to include her. It was often pointed out that the other girls would be spending the night. The May Queen came and sat in my lap quite a while. There was a bounce house in the backyard, but otherwise it was clear that the children were to occupy themselves while the adults ate, drank, and talked. Which is fine, but not exactly a birthday party for an 8 year old. At least not in my opinion. But I tend to like throwing fun parties for little kids.

The house soon filled with friends from the father's work, some of them toting children. As the mix of children grew, it was easier for The May Queen to find a way in. And she did, fitfully. She kept coming back to check in, or when she had her feelings hurt. We talked with her, and encouraged her to return. Her daddy hung out with her for a while, trying to ease her transition. He mentioned with sadness that she seems to have more of his introverted nature than my extroverted one.

Ultimately it had gone much better than we expected upon our arrival. By the end of the night The May Queen was playing fairly well, and I had to practically rip her away, nearly an hour after her bedtime. We had been there 2 1/2 hours. The presents still had not been opened, despite several promises of "in a few minutes."

I remember as a kid being taken to lots of the those kinds of parties with my parents... parties where we kids ran around and played outside, or hunkered down and watched TV in out of the way bedrooms while parents talked and laughed elsewhere. I don't have a problem at all with that kind of party. It was awkward, though, to watch The May Queen try to fit in with these girls who made no effort to include her, whose parents gave her no instructions for how to include a new friend. And I just don't get why you would throw a party for adults, and toss in your kid's birthday party as an aside.

Kindergarten Graduation

Today my baby graduated from kindergarten. Now, I think that the whole cap and gown thing for a bunch of 5 and 6 year olds is a bit over the top, but they did look adorable, I have to say. My husband is in California on a conference, so I took lots of pictures for him with his new Nikon D40 Digital SLR, and let me just tell you how much better the pictures are than what I get with my little Sony point and click (which I like, but this camera? yowzas!)

The children all sang, loudly and well, I must add. The May Queen DID NOT hike her gown up to her waist when she sat down, of which I was very proud. And I must admit that a few tears were shed by yours truly. My baby is growing up. Yesterday she was given the "Most Improved" award, and today her teacher praised her, particularly her reading, and said she's sure to do well next year (like I ever doubted it!)

Celebrate, Baby! Happy Graduation! (or as the May Queen likes to say "Gradulation")

The May Queen's Favorite Animal (nearly wordless wed)

(taken April 2008)

"Their spots are fuzzy!"

(Nov 2006)

Universe: Sit down and listen up

Listen up, Universe. It's clear that I need to lay down some ground rules here. I understand that things can't be fine and dandy all the time, and I took the news about the May Queen's Godmother having breast cancer fairly well. But now you're really pushing my limits here, and I'm done. So here are the rules. Pay attention.

1. NO MORE CANCER! Do you hear me? She took aggressive measures to make sure the cancer would be gone and would not spread. These new spots on her lung? Not Cancer. NOT CANCER. It is not allowed. Don't even think about it. Something must have gone wrong with the test. These spots will disappear, or be harmless. No more cancer. This is non-negotiable.

2. Family chaos must stop. Enough already. A mother with dementia? A mother in law who refuses to move out of her home after the recent death of her husband, even though she can't take care of herself? Godmother is too weak to be the caretaker she usually is. She can't take care of herself and all of these people, too. The last thing she needs while she is trying to heal is guilt that she's not doing enough. So knock it off.

3. Stop with the additional health problems. Scoliosis? REALLY?!? Come on. Talk about kicking someone while they're down. And unexplained blood in the urine? No. That unexplained blood is just going to disappear. Gone. NO MORE HEALTH PROBLEMS.

4. The May Queen's Godmother is going to live a long life. A LONG LIFE, do you hear me? She has two boys to finish raising. She does so much good in this world through her friends, her family, her church, her volunteering and her nursing job.

5. And while you're at it, Universe, enough with the cyclones and the earthquakes and the hurricanes and war and whatever else you've got out there brewing. Enough tragedy already. Sunshine and rainbows and love, OK?

I don't believe in spanking, Universe, but I'm about to whoop your behind and send you to the corner, because I have had it. You better start shaping up.


*******
These (sadly completely unenforceable) rules have been a Monday Mission. Write your own rules and let me know, and I'll post a link in the post.

Mary Beth is laying down the House Rules for her furry and feathered friends

I realize next week is Memorial Day, and lots of you may be away from your computers, but with blogger's new ability to write your posts ahead of time there's no excuse not to join in the mission and write a post in the form of a warning label.

Auditioning is an Adrenaline Rush

So I had an audition this morning, for the one white girl role in the musical with the big helicopter. Please don't mention the name in the comments as I'm trying to keep this blog from showing up when people do google searches for local shows. Thanks.

On stage I didn't sing the song as well as I did in my kitchen last night, but it went fairly well. I rarely get nervous when I perform in a show, but auditions are much harder. Particularly singing auditions, because I haven't done as many and I feel like it's not my strongest suit. My knees shook and my voice wasn't as smooth on the higher notes as I would have liked. When I came out of the theatre I could literally feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins. Auditioning is NOT my favorite thing. Still, I try to remember that every audition is a chance to do something I love: perform, create a character, tell a story. So that's what I aim to do when I go in. Despite shaking knees I sang my heart out, put emotion behind the words, and told the story of the song.

I was shocked by the low turnout at the audition, as I assumed it would be me against every other white girl in New Orleans for this role. It would be a great part for me, as it's pretty nicely in my range, requires no dancing, and my height would set me apart nicely from the slew of Asian girls in the show (no offense, please). However, I'm not holding my breath...

One of the things I TRY to do when I audition for a show is prepare like crazy, go in and audition, and then leave it be. It's hard to do, and even harder if it's a part I REALLY want, but that's the goal. Because once I've done my thing there's nothing left for me to do. I could be the most talented person who auditioned and be perfect for the role but if I remind the director of his sister whom he hasn't spoken to in years and I won't get the part. Or she may already have someone in mind and the audition is more of a formality. Or I may be 6 inches taller than the guy she wants to cast as my husband. Or just about any other variable I can think of. And sometimes, well, someone ELSE is the right actor for the role, and does it better than me. So I try not to worry about it too much, and if the "no" comes just let it roll off as a minor disappointment.

So after the audition the adrenaline runs its course and I get on with life. Today I joined my daughter at a birthday party in progress (at Chuck E Cheese's. On a Saturday. Drug me now.), had our Mother's Day pictures taken, and will soon be emptying the litter box. But I probably will jump if the phone rings.

tidbits

bits and pieces of life from around the Maypole, in haiku

Planning VBS:
staff, supplies, decorations,
T-shirt logo - STRESS!

Rain, rain go away
Come again some other day
May Queen wants to play

Helicopter show
auditioning tomorrow
one part for white girl

Husband threw out back
time again for him to call
acupuncturist

I'm following through
4 days straight without soda
I feel pretty good

Maybe I feel good
because I'm exercising
every day for week

Six pairs of short shorts
ready to be donated
Too old to pull off

deal found at Target
dollar items on clearance
treats for a quarter!

please do not forget
Monday Mission coming up
post a list of rules


find more haiku posts at Playgroups are No Place for Children and A Mommy Story

stolen meme

I've seen several variations on this meme going around, and I always find it interesting to read people's responses. I can't promise you'll find this one interesting, but in an attempt to move on from yesterday's depressing post, I've stolen this particular group of questions from Nora Bee.

What was I doing 10 years ago? I was living in Philadelphia, and had been married for about 2 years. During the day I was doing children's theatre, driving all over the place putting on 2 person shows about various things like nutrition, Androcles and the Lion, and westward expansion in elementary school cafetoriums. On the weekends I was a swing for the interactive dinner theatre Tony n Tina's Wedding, playing various roles - most often the 8 month pregnant maid of honor. I was also doing small projects with a little theatre on South Street, getting to know other theatre artists and having a good time. I was making a fair amount of money with my acting, which thrilled me, and was just on the verge of really getting my foot firmly in the door of the Philadelphia theatre community (and a year later... just when that door was starting to open, we moved to Los Angeles, and I had to start all over again).

What are five things on my "to do" list today? Lead chapel at the preschool, drop off several bags of donations at a local charity (and do a bit of shopping in their thrift store), exercise, write the pre-VBS letter to be sent to families, make several VBS related phone calls, practice for my audition

Snacks I enjoy: Is there a snack I DON'T enjoy? I most often reach for peanuts or chips and salsa. I like a good slice (or 6) of cheese. Doritos, Cheetos and Sun Chips are NOT kept in my house because I like them too much. Chex Mix, pretzels, a spoonful of peanut butter... it's all good.

Things I would do if I were a billionaire: I would donate lots of money, to lots of places. To churches and camps that been influential to me. To arts organizations. To many, many groups that do good things around the world. Then, I would open my own repertory theatre. I would hire all the people from around the country that I loved working with, and some others I've been dying to work with. I would pay everyone a decent wage, so that not only would they need no other job, but they could support a family. I would have childcare ON SITE for everyone. We would do fantastic work with the classics and with new plays. We'd provide training. And when I'm wasn't on stage I'd go on fabulous vacations, like to Italy and scuba diving with sharks on The Great Barrier Reef.

Places I have lived: Detroit suburbs; small-town Michigan; north of Chicago; inner city Philadelphia (Fishtown); Los Angeles (Koreatown); Long Beach, CA; Bakersfield, CA; north of New Orleans

Bad Habits: Checking e-mail and blogs "real quick" and emerging hours later; procrastinating; not picking up after myself; not sitting or standing up straight

And I'll tag No Mother Earth, because she said she loves being tagged for memes. (this one should be a little easier for you than that last one!)

Disasters

About eight months after Hurricane Katrina, my family flew to California. We had a layover in Denver, and as I sat in the airport, I could feel something. Something different. I turned to my husband and said "It's weird here. These people. It's weird. You can tell they haven't been through a disaster."

The air was different. The lines of worry on people's faces were different. The way they walked and greeted each other and spoke on the phone. It was different.

When we actually touched down in California and visited with our friends there, it was even more obvious. To them the Hurricane was now nothing more than an occasional afterthought. Nearly everyone asked how things were going in New Orleans, of course, but no one really wanted to hear about it. They didn't want to hear about the lack of progress, the people still without homes, the stalling insurance companies, the stalling government. For us the recovery was front page news, everyday. It still is. For them, it was over, for the most part.

We found it very difficult.

Now I sit here half a world away from 2 natural disasters, disasters far greater than Katrina. Higher death tolls. Higher injuries. More people lost. One government who won't even accept foreign aid, or wants to control it.

My heart is breaking. For I know, in a small, small way, the pain, the confusion, and the long road ahead for the survivors and the relief givers. And yet I sit on my porch, with a glass of iced tea and my lap top. Stressed about the planning I have yet to do for Vacation Bible School. Preparing for an audition this weekend. Looking forward to a trip to visit friends and family this summer.

And half a world away things are very, very different. It is not an afterthought. It is not someone else's problem. It is very, very real. It is unavoidable. It is horrific. There will be moments of extreme grace and heroism. There will be corruption and people taking advantage. There will be no escaping it.

I feel broken, yet relieved. Powerless and hypocritical. Lost.

What kind of a visitor are you?

Before you are allowed to come to my home, I ask that you take this simple survey. Please answer true of false for each statement:

Cleanliness is next to Godliness

I want to see floors that shine like the top of the Chrysler building.

I will let my child eat pizza without a plate while sitting on the carpet even though plates are available, as well as a table and chairs.

A Place for Everything and Everything in it's Place.

I wear a lot of black, and cannot tolerate cat hair on my clothing.

Children should be seen and not heard.

I don't think it's at all rude to answer my cell phone while in your home, and then have a twenty minute conversation with someone else.

I will know what kind of person you are by peering into your medicine cabinet, or under your kitchen sink.

My children only have toys in their bedrooms, and they follow the rule "put it away before you get out something else to play with."

All tastefully decorated homes come in shades of beige.

I expect a hostess to wait on me.

My child does not understand that stickers and crayons are only used on paper, but I feel no need to supervise them while they are doing arts and crafts.

I have a habit of leaving exterior doors wide open.

Because my child is the guest, they should get to do whatever they want.

If you have answered TRUE to any of the above questions, I'm sorry, but the Maypole is closed for business. Maybe we'll see you at the park.

*****
This has been another edition of Monday Mission. This weeks mission was to write a post in the form a personality test (idea thanks to Emily, inspired by Alpha Dogma). Write you own test and leave me a link in the comments (I STILL haven't resolved the Mr. Linky issue. Sorry.) and I'll get them into the post.


Melissa has a Mother of a Quiz
Alpha Dogma is clearly at the top of the heap of the most recent Team Oprah applications after her expounded personality test

upcoming missions, should you choose to accept them, are to write posts in the style of:
5/19: a list of rules
5/26: a warning label

Me and My Girl

For my very first mother's day I decided to get myself a present: a professional photo of myself and my daughter. All the pictures of us together until that point consisted of me with bad hair, no makeup, making a funny face to get her to laugh, enormous bags under my eyes, bad lighting, poor angles, or any combination of the above. I scheduled an appointment, first thing in the morning, when we would both be fresh. I did my hair. I put on makeup. I wore a cute little sweater instead of a raggedy old T-shirt. And I got the best present I've ever given myself. I took it to my mom's group and encouraged other moms to have it done. Many did.

I've kept the tradition up ever since, although I must admit that some years the pictures get taken a few weeks or even months after mother's day. Some are better than others (like the year I woke up with pink eye the day of our appointment, hence the sepia photos!). But I will never regret having them done.


Which reminds me, I better set our appointment for this year.

Happy Mother's Day

(don't forget Monday's Mission: to write a post in the style of a personality test)

my first friday haiku

sunlight through the trees
memories of my childhood
laughter in the wind


dinner will be late
tree climbing takes precedence
savor each moment



(thanks to Melissa for reminding me that I said I would try a haiku)

My child is "superior"

Part of the admissions process when we applied for The May Queen's new school was an IQ test. I have my misgivings about standardized testing, having tutored for the SATs (one of the most miserable jobs I've had!). I wonder about how someone (even a professional someone) can make a judgement on intelligence in the course an hour, and I worry about what labeling students might do to how they are treated in the classroom. All that being said...

(warning: bragging commencing...)
The May Queen was ranked as "superior" (the second highest ranking out of 7. They did not give us a firm number, although we can call the psychologist to get it. We do know she was between 120 and 129). The admissions director told us they see a few "superiors" at their school, but most kids are average or "high average." The written assessments are very in line with what we, her parents, have noted. She "demonstrated significantly advanced skills in vocabulary, in verbal abstract reasoning, in non-verbal abstract reasoning, and in spatial reasoning." She has always had an astounding vocabulary, speaking early, and always far beyond the number of words she was supposed to be speaking at a young age. She has always loved patterns, sequences, sorting and counting, which of course are pre-math skills. She tested highest in the math areas. The area she wasn't as strong in (not WEAK, just not superior strength) was reading, and she did struggle with reading at the beginning of this school year, although her skills are rapidly catching up now that they are reading stories and not lists of words.

We are obviously pleased to hear the professional opinion that our child is as bright as we, her proud parents, think she is. It also confirms that we made the right choice in putting her in kindergarten this year and advancing her into first grade next year. She clearly would have been bored if she had to repeat kindergarten. We feel confident that her new school will work with her and continue to challenge her.

I don't remember ever taking an IQ test, but my husband says his three tests as a child ranged from 123-131. I decided to take one online. While I can't vouch for its authenticity, I feel it must be pretty on target since it has my score as 142. Clearly, I am a genius. (and that score was WITH my husband coming in, discovering what I was doing, and openly mocking me)

How about you? Have you been tested? Have your children? What do you think about the validity and usefulness of an IQ score?

6 words

Well, it was bound to happen. I've been tagged by Angela for the "describe yourself in 6 words" meme. Here goes:

Thespian mommy, wife: Child of God

I had a button in high school (I had a jean jacket covered with them) which I've kept, and think it also defines me pretty well, in 6 words it just so happens:
"I'm subject to bursts of enthusiasm"

******

6 words are more than the May Queen had in response to the fact that she'll be at a new school next year. When we told her at dinner she basically said, "Okay!" She later asked about who her teacher would be and where she would be going for second grade, but basically seems unconcerned. We'll see how things go tomorrow at school. Her two best friends in kindergarten are both moving on as well, so I don't think there will be a big missing friends issue.

The Young and the Uneducated

When we last left off, The May Queen's teacher had suggested that perhaps Painted Maypole and The Big Guy take MQ out of her private school and put her back into Kindergarten at a public school... not because she's not smart, but because she plays with the younger children. After much sighing, staring off into space, advice from the internets (you!!) and heated discussion with badly written dialogue, PM and The Big Guy decided to forge ahead with First Grade as planned. Ashley and Victor were remarried on a tropical island... wait... wrong soap opera....

In the most recent episode The Big Guy raised the question of would the small church school still be open next year. With dwindling enrollment, the decision not to open a 4th grade classroom as planned, and cuts all over the church staff, this was a legitimate question. The Big Guy put forth the theory that there was a hidden message in the teacher's suggestion: that the school may not be around next year. Public school is not an option because of The May Queen's status of being born THREE MEASLY DAYS AFTER THE CUTOFF, so The Big Guy and Painted Maypole set off on a quest to research other private schools in the area, sneaking behind the back of their current school, and their daughter. The first school they look into has no art or music classes, or recess. Painted Maypole is appalled, and goes into several rants about the importance of art in education, different learning styles, and creating well rounded individuals. It was love at first sight at the second school, however, her dance card was full, and PM and the Big Guy kept looking. At school number three they were entranced by the bright artwork in the hallway, the welcoming and encouraging staff, the friendliness and comfort level of the students, and many recommendations of friends and acquaintances. The school is closer to home, but more expensive. They decide it is worth it. A testing time is set up.

Painted Maypole and The Big Guy explain to The May Queen that she will be going to a different school for some "learning games" to figure out how best to teach her next year. Since The May Queen did a similar thing last year this does not strike her as odd. She happily goes. Meanwhile, The May Queen's current principal receives a request for The May Queen's records and confronts The Painted Maypole about her cheating ways. PM stammers something about checking out her other options, but please keep us enrolled.

The Big Guy and Painted Maypole wait anxiously for a week and a half for the phone call. Will their love be returned? Is this the start of a new educational partnership? There is much nail biting, reassuring of each other, and exclamations that elementary education should not be so stressful.

Finally, the phone call comes and The May Queen has been offered a spot in their first grade. Painted Maypole and the Big Guy celebrate by flying off for the weekend to an exotic island oops... wrong soap opera... PM and the Big Guy give each other a high five.

Join us next week as Painted Maypole and the Big Guy explain to The May Queen that she will be switching schools, and break the news to the current principal.

*****This has been another edition of Monday Mission. This week's mission is to write a post in the style of a soap opera update, starting with the words "When we last left off..." (idea thanks to No Mother Earth) Write your own post and leave a link in the comments, and I'll get it into the post as I am able (I still have not resolved the Mr. Linky problem)

other soap opera updates:
-Helen's Lawn Saga includes lying, sneaking around, broken property and an overgrown yard
-Melissa is on the verge of homeland warfare in The Lives of the Bold, Restless Children in the Hospital have the Light of the World
-Dragonfly emerges from the edge of death (or a really bad flu) to let us know that The World Still Turns
-De gives us a final update in When We Last Left Off.... (stop by her place and bid her a fond farewell, will you?)

upcoming missions, should you choose to accept them, are to write posts in the style of:
5/12: a personality test (idea thanks to Emily, inspired by Alpha Dogma)
5/19: a list of rules
5/26: a warning label

Crowning the May Queen

My May Queen

The May Day fete was a hit! The girls had a lovely time. There was dancing around the maypole, which actually lasted much longer than I expected as they did it over and over, until the pole would no longer stand upright (it's amazing what one can do with a broom handle, a tin pail and some ribbon, no?)

We enjoyed crafts and goodies.

The party continued with dancing in the backyard,

complete with a newly freed maypole.

And of course I had to get a picture of Painted Maypole and The May Queen for the blog....

If only The May Queen had cooperated.

And the virtual May Queen? I crown nomotherearthQueen o' the May! e-mail your address to pntdmaypole AT yahoo DOT com and I'll send you your floral crown! Congratulations!