Three Cheers for Surviving

Victoria chatting up Cinderella backstage

My eyelids are fluttering right now.  No silly, I am not flirting with my husband while I sit at my computer but instead attempting to stay awake while I write the recap of my weekend!

It was a whirlwind of a weekend.  And, somehow - I was able to still fit in some base endurance training.  However, I think I am feeling the affects of going to bed every night at midnight and then waking up at 4:30 or 5 a.m.!

Victoria had been rehearsing for over 2 months for her role as Jacque the mouse in St Louis Ballet's production of Cinderella.  It's a 2.5 hour show with mainly their professional ballet dancers, however, there were opportunities for girls like her to participate.  Even though it was a lot of hard work - as in, the last 2 weeks she had practices every day and the last 4 days before the 4 shows rehearsal from 11 a.m. - 10 p.. at night - it was worth it!

She loved every minute and since I chose to volunteer for the days leading up to and during the shows I had the opportunity to spend a lot of quality time with her!!!  Oh, and about 11 other 7-10 year old girls!  Let's just say that I am DONE and over with listening to Hannah Montana in the background or of doing the teacher clap to constantly get the girls' attention!

On Thursday morning I squeezed in a long ride, like 50 ish miles on my computrainer before hanging out all day at rehearsals. And, Friday I squeezed in a short 50 minute swim.  I found these endorphin kicks necessary when sitting around all day in a theater in-between moments when the girls had their turn to practice on stage.

The hundreds of people who were involved with making the 4 shows happen were incredible.  Every one chipped in to help make things happen.   I just did not know, however, that when I signed up my signature job had nothing to do with my daughter's role.  Instead, I and 4 other volunteers quickly dubbed ourselves the title of "Equestrian Quick Changers" as we were responsible during the shows for helping 4 members of the ballet company who were dressed as fairies to change in 3 minutes to horses!

Sound crazy?  YES, even better, this involved 9 people (5 volunteers and 4 ballerinas) standing in a closet backstage that is no bigger than a standard 4 x 6 foot closet working together in harmony.  It was hysterical!  One show even found me chasing after a rather diminutive ballerina who took off before I fastened the headpiece to her costume.  After nearly strangling her backstage to re-fasten the headpiece I knew that I had earned my beer for the night!

(Just add 5 more people to this claustrophobic closet and you get the picture!)

The 4 shows went off without a hitch.  Since I never grew up doing any kind of theater nor do I have any creative talent whatsoever, the appreciation for what's involved in making a big time production a reality was beyond me.  Now I know better!  Its really incredible to witness people who are passionate about what they do and who are willing to dedicate their lives to it despite the grueling training hours and quite possibly intense pain.... (Which sounds easier:  run 10 consecutive hill repeats or stand on your TOES for 2 hours???!!!)

But alas, after 2 intense week of hanging out with predominantly girls in tutus I needed a break!  I got up today (Sunday) to ride long - about 60 miles with friends.  I was very TIRED!  Victoria and I did not return from the last show on Saturday night until about 11:30 p.m.  My head hit the pillow at 12 p.m. and 5 hours later it was gulping down coffee!

It didn't matter that it I was tired.  After having been cooped up in the theater for 1 week straight I was just thrilled to be outside!  The best reward after the ride was the chance to turn over the volunteer help reins to Jim so he could be with Victoria all day during her last show.

I was SO excited to skip out on ballerina duties today because I had an IMPORTANT all day business meeting to attend to:  My two boys informed me that there we needed to meet for lunch at California Pizza Kitchen prior to our meeting of the Jedi Council.......

Which took place in Barbie's Home nonetheless!  So, how do you think Yoda feels about his Director's seat on Barbie's reclining poolside lounge chair?  

May the Force (Kid at Heart) be always with You!