Today was the talent dress rehearsal for all of the kids participating. We missed the second rehearsal due to the cruise. Oh well. There were some really great performances which included our kids (of course).
Minnie's seventh birthday was this past Monday. It has always been a dream of his to "see the ocean and find shells." Well, MJM and I did just that and took the kids to the Bahamas! We flew in to Orlando and was whisked away to Port Canveral where we boarded the Carnival Sensation. As we headed out into the open sea, we saw two dolphins swimming by the ship as well as a sea turtle.
We went to a Junkanoo beach party in Freeport. The kids found five conch shells on the beach, and we brought the best ones home as souvenirs.
In Nassau, we took a small boat to a private island where we swam alongside stingrays and fed them during the day. They were in an enclosed pen off the beach. On another part of the beach, a wild stingray swam up to Minnie and everyone crowded around. We went walking around the town in the afternoon after the stingray adventure.
Of course, we partook in the various activities on board the ship: swimming, animal towel making class, bingo, and of course, live entertainment which included several performances by the kids. Below is a video of the kids singing and playing the piano shortly after we boarded the ship. MJM encouraged them to ask the pianist if they could try to play the piano with fairly good results!
EDIT on 05.13.2008: I'm putting the photos from my little Kodak on Facebook. Here's a link to the Kodak photos.
EDIT on 05.14.2008: Now, a link to the Nikon photos!
Yesterday, Anita and her classmates all auditioned for the talent show at the school auditorium. The kids were split in two groups. There were dance acts, a very strange comic routine, and a couple of guitarists. Surprisingly, she was the only pianist in the talent show this year.
Minnie got roped in the talent show as well when he was playing Yummers' "Magician" song on the piano after the auditions were over. One of the third grade teachers, Mr. Hammond, said, "Hey, why aren't you in the talent show?" and put Minnie on the spot. He said his infamous, "I don't know." Then, Mr. H. said, "Do you want to be in the talent show?" Yummers said, "Yes, do it, Minnie!" His Kindergarten teacher, Ms. Fryberger, said, "You can do it, Michael!" So, he's signed up now, and he'll be doing his recital pieces for both the recital and school talent show.
FYI ... their teacher's recital and school talent show are on the same time and night. Sheesh ~ we're going to have the kids do the recital first and then hop over to the school for the talent show.