This week Lizzy is home for spring break. As a special treat for both of us - a late birthday present for her and early for me, we went to see the National Opera Company perform Madame Butterfly at the Kennedy Center. There are some disadvantages to living in this area - the crazy traffic, crazy schedules, long hours put in by hubby's job - but the trade off is we live close to so many national treasures and as much culture as we would ever want! I have seen several opera's, but it's been a long time since I have been to the opera and it was such a treat to see a world reknown company. And, Madame Butterfly is beautiful on every level - the scenery, the staging, the orchestra, the voices, the story is so tragic but romantic, and the music is just gorgeous. Ahh... it was a lovely evening.
Part of what made the evening extra special for both of us was going to see the performance with her boyfriend and his mom. Lizzy has known Kit for a long time, but they have only been dating for about 5 months. And, he is here and she is usually in Pittsburgh, so it was nice for her to get to have such a special evening with such a special someone. How many 19 year old guys do you know that like opera? He's a keeper.
As Lizzy and I were getting ready to leave, Michelle saw her sister in a pretty dress. Then, she came in and saw Mommy in a special dress. And she was not happy about the fact that she was in pants and a t-shirt. So, she grabbed my hand, pulled me to her closet and said, (quite emphatically I might add,) "I am not wearing this! I want a dress!" And not any dress would do - she wanted her Christmas frilly dress. I put it on her, but told her she could not eat the pizza we had just ordered as long as she was wearing the dress. Daddy reported to me later that evening that finally just before bed she relented and took off the dress, finally eating her pizza. The girl knows what she wants, and she choose looking good over pizza last night.
This week Josh turned 10! Wow - double digits, hard to believe! We celebrated with his 4th grade class at "Pump-It-Up", a fun party place where the kids can bounce and slide. We opted for the "glow in the dark party" - the kids all wore glow stick necklaces and bracelets, and they turned down the lights to let the kids jump around to the strobe lights and music. It was, in the words of a few of the guests, the "Best Party Ever!" 
Almost everyone from Josh's class made it to the party, plus a few additional best buddies from the other 4th grade classes. This is a nice group of kids for him to travel through elementary school - we feel so blessed to be here for so long. Most people take it for granted that their kids will grow up in the same house, same town with the same friends. But for military families, every year of "normal" is a huge blessing!
After the kids bounced, slid, and expended a lot of energy (and sweat!) we moved to the party room for pizza and cake.
I think there are a few things in life that are just priceless. The smile in front of the birthday cake is high on that list!
Of course, we had to go with the baseball theme. We are in full baseball mode these days!
I told Josh to let me sit beside him, or to have him sit on my lap, but he insisted since he was now 10 that I sit on his lap! I already have one son much taller than me, and another one who is going to pass me before long. It's a bitter sweet day when your son insists you sit on his lap for his birthday. I love you Joshua - I am so thankful God has blessed us with you for these past 10 years, and I am excited to see you become a "tween" and for all the wonderful things your future holds.
