Taking the Scenic Route

Tonight, for the second time this week, my mom came up to watch the kids. 

On Saturday, we unexpectedly got complimentary tickets to see the ballet and she came up.  The ballet was just amazing.  It was a festival, so there were several different colleges showcasing pieces.  All but one were really great.  (the “one” could be described as “purposeful walking” with a hip jiggle every once in a while.  The dancers weren’t bad, but the choreography was like a bad cheerleading routine).  The variety was amazing.  There was a very energetic, athletic dance done to strong African drums that just left you breathless.  There were a few that were so funny the audience was roaring, and some really powerful abstract pieces.  Then, of course, there was the dance we came for.  “beyond.words” was just the most moving piece I have ever seen.  Minutes into it I was transfixed, and moments later I was crying.  By the end I was working to keep from doing the “ugly cry” as the lights came up.  Truly a powerful, amazing work.  When it premieres in it’s full length version, it would be worth a trip to New York to see it on broadway.  Really.  It is still with me days later.  It moved me more than Les Miserables that I saw almost 20 years ago on Broadway.

Tonight, mom came back, this time bearing gifts and food for the kids (she brought food for them last time too, now that I think of it).  Fazoli’s, a sure fire hit with the kids, a “baking set” (kid size muffin tins, rolling pin, cookie cutters, baking pan) and tubs of play-dough.  They had a blast. 

We had a blast too.  We saw Beowulf.  I didn’t realize it was all computer generated until a minute or two into the movie.  It was well done.  We went out to have the Cheddar-Ale soup at Granite City afterwards.  That is just the yummiest soup ever and perfect on a chilly night.