1st Grade Nutcracker

What a special day.

One of the many wonderful traditions at Buckley Country Day School is the 1st Grade Nutcracker performance.  Since early November, this year's 1st Graders have been rehearsing for today's big day.  They practiced in small character groups (snowflakes, flutes, flowers, etc.) and also together as a larger group.  As parents, we started to feel the urgency in recent weeks as we were instructed to bring the children to school before the official start time of 8:25 a.m.  Yesterday was a nice preview into the festivities to come with the Rehearsal Brunch, which I was fortunate to be a part of as a volunteer.

Lauren enjoying her Nutcracker Rehearsal brunch.  (12/19/2013)

So festive!

Even though this is our fourth year at Buckley, this was the first time watching the Nutcracker.  Last year, we left for Disney World.  The previous year...I'm sure there was something else we had to tend to and it simply wasn't a priority.  We always heard how beautiful and exceptional the Nutcracker was, but never witnessed it...until today.

We arrived at school this morning probably earlier than we have arrived before - EVER - at 8:07 a.m.  The 1st Graders were allowed a dress-down day for today in order to make costume-change easier.  My best attempt at putting Lauren's hair in a bun was for nothing as it unraveled when she saw Tyler and Madison in the courtyard and raced them inside.  I gave her the biggest hug and kiss, sent her off and walked Elizabeth to her class.  I then headed back home, waited for my mother and brother to arrive and went back to school about an hour later.  Olivia's mom, Kristine, texted me a picture of Lauren in costume and it was such a shock to see my tomboy Lauren in a leotard, ballet shoes and make up. 

About 10 minutes past 10 a.m., the auditorium darkened and this year's Nutcracker performance started.  For someone who hasn't taken a dance class, Lauren was quite extraordinary.  The twirls, the jumps, the curtsies.  Lauren and her classmates were amazing.  They were so into it and everyone had so much fun up there.  After some equally awesome performances by the upper-school choir, 2nd graders and faculty, the 1st Graders were brought back on stage so pictures could be taken.  Two random administrators came up to me on two separate instances and referenced Lauren's smile, and how she was having so much fun on stage.  Needless to say, I was a proud mama.  Today was noon dismissal and my mom, brother, Tae and I all went down to the classrooms to pick up Elizabeth and Lauren.  When I went to Lauren's classroom to gather her things before the long break, Ms. Shackel came up to me, leaned in and told me that Lauren was THE MOST into it and the one who gave her/his best effort.  "She's MVP," she continued.

That is so consistent with what I have heard from all teachers during her past 4.5 school years.  Lauren always tries her best in everything she does - monkey bars, writing stories, swimming during camp, Korean school performances...the list goes on and one.  She has this innate drive and ambition that is pretty cool, especially for someone like me who has that drive, but knows not to expect the same in their children.  I hope she never loses this tenacity and natural will to do her best.  

I am extremely proud of you my Lauren. 

The girls' (and my) support team.

Ebi sitting w/ her Pre-K class waiting to see Lauren up on the Big stage.

The Snowflakes!

So awesome!  Especially considering Lauren has never taken a dance class.

Go Snowflakes!

Lauren's friend Mia Andel as the beautiful Sugar Plum Fairy.

And here come the Flutes!

Even in this blurry picture, Lauren's smile is crystal clear.

Congratulations Lauren and your fellow 1st Graders.

Instilling Korean culture where I can

This past Saturday, Dec 14, 2013 was the last day of Korean School (fall semester) and as the case every semester, the children put on a cultural performance.  I don't speak Korean unless I have to and the girls laugh at me when I read them Korean story books.  Yet I am very proud of my Korean heritage and am grateful there are institutions like Korean school where Lauren and Elizabeth get exposure to their culture. 

My Elizabeth was part of a traditional dance.  At the very last second, her male partner got stage fright, started to cry and left my Ebi hanging!  (This is terrible but I just have to write what I feel about him...what a wouss!!!)  In true tough-Elizabeth fashion, she remained on stage and completed her routine as best as possible (though you couldn't tell from this clip!)  I am so proud of her!

Elizabeth performing at Korean school.

My Lauren performed a traditional fan dance.  It was so beautiful.  My mom rushed from her house when I told her the performance would be earlier than she thought.  She not only made it on time, but came early enough to tie Lauren's hom-bok to her standards.  Here is a clip of Lauren's performance.

Grandma to the rescue - always.

Lauren before her performance.

Another semester come and gone.



Playing catch up - Part 2

There's more!

November 2013:
Open House at Elizabeth's ballet school American Theater Dance.

Happy 65th birthday mom!  We are so lucky to have you in our lives and we love you very much.  Here's to many more happy and healthy years ahead!

 

 

Weekend in NYC right after Thanksgiving.  This has got to be one of the best ideas I have ever come up with.  We were tourists from Manhasset!  We stayed at the Sheraton hotel on 53rd and 7th and had an extraordinary weekend!  The Gazillion Bubble Show, Christmas Spectacular, dinner and dessert in K-Town, Children's Museum...  Got to do this again next year.

 

Playing catch up

There is one topic I really want to write about, but decided to do some due diligence about getting my life up to speed and current.  Here are some thoughts and pictures to capture the past ~60 or so days.

September 2013:
With the start of the new school year, we decided fairly last minute to take the girls to Hershey Park for the weekend.  It is one of my favorite amusement parks and a roller-coaster lover's dream!  We will definitely be back next year around the same time.  No crowds, endless fun!

Welcome to Hershey Park!

Officially measured: Reese's height category.

Breakfast in bed.

Can't believe they are old enough to be responsible for their own suitcases.

 

October 2013:

My 39th birthday!  I cannot even begin to articulate how grateful I am about the life I have created w/ Tae as my life partner for myself and my family.  These girls...

Happy 39th birthday to me!

Halloween Festivities!

 

Party at Amazon NYC office!  It was such a thrill for me to bring the girls to work!  Now they better understand where I go every day and they think "going to work" is pretty cool. 

Welcome to Amazon NYC!  Who knows?  Maybe they will work here one of these days.


Halloween 2013 - Elizabeth with her Pre-K friends.

Annual Trick-or-Treating at The Chatham.

Happy 12th Anniversary Seedy!

 



Article: 20 genius stain removing tricks that really work

Yes, I realize I haven't written in over a month (with key milestones like my 39th birthday and Halloween unaccounted for...they're coming!) but I HATE stains and am always looking for the perfect solution.  Capturing this article for future reference.

Lauren's first academic tests

First grade means business.  Not only is there daily homework in several subjects like math, reading, spelling and writing, but there are real exams!  And quarterly report cards!  I know I will laugh about this one day when Lauren and Elizabeth are applying to colleges or trying to land their first job out of college, but man, I am feeling a bit of nerves.  Last Fri, September 27, 2013 Lauren took her first spelling and math tests.  She got a 100% in both.  We celebrated, of course, but I know they will only get harder from here.  I hope Lauren never loses her love of learning and excelling.  I love seeing that innate ambition in everything she does.  I'm so proud of you my big girl! 

     

Team Red and Blue Initiation

Go Team Red!

Today was a pretty bid deal...Team Red and Blue Initiation Day at Buckley.  This decides our family (and future family members) team colors F-O-R-E-V-E-R.  It took place in the gym.  First graders (the year students are assigned a color) arrived first and sat in the center.  Then Grades 2-8 arrived.  Team Blue sat to my right (I was facing the stage) and Team Red sat to my left.  Buckley's Athletic Director and Director of Diversity, Mr. Roney Eford, kicked off the event with an introduction of captains by grade.  Then it was time.  Two Team Red captains held up a red hoola hoop.  Two Team Blue captains held up a blue hoola hoop.  Then names were called by grade, ladies first.  After about 4-5 names, Lauren was called up, she walked through the hoop, received her red bracelet, took off her blue bead necklace (left her red one on of course) and joined Team Red.  The teams were then required to come up with a "festive" cheer.  The winner will be awarded 50 points.  I couldn't stay for that so I told Lauren I would pick her up at 2 and went back home.  What an incredible tradition dating back to 1938.

 

Pre-Initiation

Being initiated into Team Red

Post-initiation