Last week my girlfriend and mother to my girls' friend called to talk about my daughters trying out for a play with her daughters. The play in question was "Annie" and I had seen a flier for it. Luna had brought it home but hadn't said anything to me directly about trying out. My friend told me she was taking her daughter to try out that weekend. Did StarGirl and Luna want to come try out, too? Well of course they want to try out! But I am in the throws of my last few days of pregnancy and I wouldn't be "comfortably positioned" to be the driver any car pooling down to Sossaman and Main anytime soon. My friend had a friend on the board of directors and I said, "Tell her the three of them are a package deal." Because I knew I couldn't do it on my own if her daughter didn't make it.
They went to try outs on Saturday. They didn't practice a thing. No song practice. No dramatic monologue readied. The friend on the board said they didn't have to do that. When I asked my friend how try outs went she laughed and said, "They had 240 people tryout!" All these people and only 40 slots. Technically only 20 since they do a junior cast and a senior cast and then run two productions. I knew the girls would be disappointed when we checked the list on Monday morning of who made it, but I figured that not getting in would actually simplify our lives. Its January and with New Years Resolutions aren't we all trying to live the word "Simplify"?
So Monday comes and the girls are off to school. I pull up the "Lucky Winners" and to my utter horror I see my daughter's name there on the unnamed Orphans list. Just one daughter, no friend. Just Luna.
My heart sinks.
How are we gonna make this work?
How can I not be so proud of this natural drama queen who has such charming stage presence. I want to support her. She has no experience and completely beat the odds to make it in. But at the same time, how am I going to get her to rehearsals 2 X a week for the next 7 weeks at a place that is at least 25 minute drive away each direction (and we don't know anyone in the show) all while giving birth and taking care of my new born son?
My dad said, "You should have thought of this before you let her try out."
Oops.
I haven't decided what to do yet; I have until the mandatory parent meeting on Saturday. I am in some serious need of your input, people.
15 comments:
That is a hard one, but I truly think she is old enough to realize that sometimes family needs come first. And your biggest family need right now is the birth of the baby and your recovery. I think Patrick would understand something like that.
I know a Gilbert Fine Arts league board member who can inform you as to when their next play tryouts will be--you could promise to let her do that in a few months.
I could be wrong, so don't take my opinion as gospel. Just my initial thoughts.
AShley H-S in our ward is looking for extra work. I'm sure she would be happy to be a carpool for you...
:)
Good luck. This is quite the dilemma.
I say you let her do it. You should at least go to the parent meeting before you count it out. How many people actually get an opportunity like that? I bet you could work it out.
Ok, well how bad does she really want it? Gosh, this is tough! I would say have her do it and we would love to help you out, I love driving...Becky, I mean it! I live close to you remember....
It's a hard knock life for us...
I think you should let her do it - I think it would be good for her to have something like this. I'm sure you could pay a teenager minimum wage to take her when you can't.
I'd also be worried if you back out that it would make it harder for the girls to get in productions in the future (at least witht his organization).
I think you should let her do it - I think it would be good for her to have something like this. I'm sure you could pay a teenager minimum wage to take her when you can't.
I'd also be worried if you back out that it would make it harder for the girls to get in productions in the future (at least witht his organization).
Some things have to give and this is one of them. There will be other opportunities....I promise.
That is a really hard decision. I wish I had the best answer. Looks like you've already gotten some great advice from friends and family. It does sound like a really fun opportunity...but then, the first few months after having a baby are loco enough without anything else on your plate. I'd probably just vote to let it go this time and guilt yourself as little as possible about it. And, by the way, as a private blogger, I will no longer show up on Google Reader. For some reason, Google Reader doesn't have access to the private blogs:( I am considering starting a separate blog that would be public and just contain random thoughts that I've had. Then, I would use my private blog to document family stuff. I'll let you know if I do that. Good luck with solving this dilemma.
How strongly does Maddie feel about it? I remember when you had the twins I wanted so badly to go with mom and dad to come see you, and they didn't want to take me for some reason. I think they didn't want me to miss school, or something like that, like it mattered if I missed a couple of days of high school. Anyway, I remember being really upset about it and dad said, "It's not the end of the world". Oh, that made me mad! What every you do, don't say that. I guess I just think you need to find out if it's really important to her. I mean, that story I just told you happened ten years ago, and I still got a little emotional just typing it!
Ms. Becky B, first of all you need to add a feed or a follow to compel me to check your blog more frequently. Everytime I come I have to spend triple digit minutes getting caught up on what you have failed to tell me at Sunday dinner. This is no good for me. It's like brushing your teeth on a monthly basis.
Second, what about the other Mom's in the show, maybe you could at least put together a carpool. And, you shouldn't even have to ask, but I will remind you that you are surrounded by a family that would be delighted to help this aspiring actress. Keep us posted. I love Annie and can't wait to see Maddie singing about her Hard Knock Life.
Sossaman and main is less than 10 minutes from our house. If you need extra time...like to take a nap, drive around your other bazillion children, feed the baby, or get dinner for your family, you know those essential things, I can always pick up Maddie and she can hang out with us until you or Richard can make it out. Would love to say I could bring her in, but even half a bazillion is a lot as far as kid go.
I agree with Nancy in that you should at least go to the parent meeting and see if there are people you could carpool with if you are just worried about getting her to the rehersals. I would be a little worried about Savanna's feelings, but sooner or later they will be involved in different things and can't always count on doing everything together. Sounds like you have many friends offering to help to make this possible.
Go Maddie GO!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO MADDIE GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!GO MADDIE GO
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!GO Maddie !!!!!!! i say go 4 it
I had sort of the same thing when my girls made a competition drill team. They didn't do it that year but both eventually had the opportunity latter. How much does she want to do it is a big consideration. List the pro's and con's and go with your Mom instincts. You will know what's best, just be brave enough to listen to them and act on them.My girls have done oodles of these kinds of things and there really wasn't one they couldn't have missed and not been perfectly fine.
Post a Comment