"Momma, I'm just joking...." Does NOT Lighten the Blow....

To contact us Click HERE
  So, Liam has a "new thing!" Lately he has really been hurting people's feelings because he has no filter, has no idea how to joke, or when to be serious..... His daddy and I have been working on this with him. He is a very funny child, and loves to laugh and smile. With that being said, he has no clue how to tell a joke or know the difference between being funny or offensive. This means, it's nothing for Liam to tell you, "You're fat! You are not very pretty. I think I love you, but I'm not sure because sometimes I don't like you...." and then LAUGH hysterically!!!! He thinks these statements are funny. (and trust me there are so many more, I would be here all nite typing them!)
  We have been pointing out what he says, and how it's wrong. His father has also been working with him on how to tell a joke. One of the things Patterick said to him was, "Buddy, just because your laughing doesn't make it funny, or make it a joke. How will people know you are joking when you say things like that???" Okay, seems logical.....Fast forward to today.
  This morning, out of the blue Liam says, "Momma! I am just joking, but your breath stinks!" I reply, "ok buddy!" Then, "Momma! I am just joking but I love and hate you sometimes!" Hmmmmmm,I can see where this is going..... "Momma! I am just joking but sometimes you are pretty and sometimes I think you're ugly!" Now, he is laughing each time he says this....I am NOT!!! Buddy I don't care how you sugar coat your words, you are MEAN!!!!

  I tell him those are not jokes and he says, "but momma, I told you it was a joke, that makes it one! I warned you before I said it, so that makes it okay!" Well, I don't know how to argue with that! That's Liam Logic for ya! So if you know my kid, I apologize in advance if he offends you with one of his "jokes...."
(Was this made for Liam????)

                                                                   <3<3<3<3

Liam the Brat

To contact us Click HERE
  This is a post that is kind of hard to write. As parents we tend to see our kids with rose colored glasses. I know my son is NOT by any means PERFECT, but I try not to dwell on his flaws. Last night however, that was impossible!!!!!!
  Liam had his little friend "A" over last night. She is so cute we call her Chewy, so that is how I will refer to her :) They started out jumping, launching and tumbling onto the crash pad. Having a blast I might add. I noticed Liam was being awful rough and quickly got on him to stop. He didn't listen. He then proceeded to push her off the couch (onto the pad).  At first she was laughing, but  it didn't take long before I could see the annoyance in her eyes. I told him to stop being so rough, she is a girl and girl's don't like rough boys. That didn't matter, he kept on being a hellion. Then Chewy decided playing school would be better. (You rock Chewy!!!!) So they got out some school supplies and began. Liam was mouthy, rude, bossy and just plain annoying. "Chewy, you can't do that, you're a girl! Chewy you can't do that you're only 5...." and the rude comments kept coming! Let me say that he is lucky I am not Chewy. Had I been Chewy, even at the age of 5, I would have told him just where to put that notebook and pencil!!!!!!
  I couldn't believe my ears. I have never seen Liam act quite like the way he did last nite. He was just so, God I can't even think of a word to describe how he was acting......Everything they played (as always) he needed to dominate. It was more than that though. The condescending manner in which he was speaking to his friend was appalling. We NEVER speak to Liam that way. We are always working to build his confidence and self esteem with positive words and actions. I have NO CLUE where he could have picked this behavior up from.....
  As I said, I know he isn't perfect, but Liam lives his life by imitations and observations. He is a "monkey see, monkey do" kind of kid. This leads me to believe that he may be picking this up from the older peers he INSISTS on playing with. In keeping with my honesty, I don't like him playing with these older kids, but Liam's dad keeps stressing the fact that he NEEDS the socialization. (which he does) So if these kids are behind our house playing,  I do let Liam go join them. I want nothing more than to be out there watching with my eagle eye, but that is HOVERING (so I am told) So I sit inside and hover from the window. Problem is, I can't hear what is being said......So my intelligent observation is this.....He is hearing it from somewhere, someone, and I would bet it's from these kids.
  He went over and played at one's house the other night. He came home looking very sad. When I asked him why, all I could get from him was, "They told me I am too little to play that with them." Liam holds negativity inside and it brews and brews until it explodes. Last night it exploded and poor Chewy was on the receiving end.  :(
  After she left, we had a talk about why we don't act like that. He showed no emotion (typical) so I can only hope it sunk in. That being said, I am glad it's getting very cold outside and these other kids will be inside all winter. This way I don't have to worry too much about Liam playing with them and copying their every action! I do NOT like Liam the BRAT!!!!

I'm...flattered...This time I really am..

To contact us Click HERE


I wrote this post earlier today.
Out of anger.
And
I was wrong to do so.
But you know what?
I have eaten humble pie before
and I will eat it again
if I am wrong.
Well Stubborn's Place
I am eating it right now on behalf of you.
With a side of I'm sorry too.
Thank you for your post
and apology
for a little blog like mine
it was big time news
and it meant a lot
And if you seriously would like me to guest post-
I would be flattered...
Sincerely
this time : )
Sometimes I can be a baby...
I can't help it
I hang out with one all day.

Thursday, Children's Halloween masks and Etsy

To contact us Click HERE

 littlehbigstyleOne of the best parts of Halloween is seeing some of the more original costumes (it isn't that every Cinderella and Batman is not lovely and heroic, but something different is always welcome) and Etsy has some great, unique masks for kids. If you are still looking for something special for your trick-or-treater, you just might find it here.... kindakicrafts SundriesandPlunder herflyinghorses herflyinghorses waxingmoonmaskery JustZipity oxeyedaisey WaxingMoonMaskeryMahalo

child's own studio

To contact us Click HERE

A friend of mine told me about Child's Own Studio , where talented artisan Wendy Tsao takes children's drawings and brings them to life in softie form. Unfortunately, she is not taking new orders right now, but it is actually the shop's flickr photostream that inspired me to post about it. The pictures of all the childrens' designs and Ms. Tsao's creations based on the art are guaranteed to bring you cheer! (hopefully she will take new orders again soon...)

 All images: Child's Own Studio

Shakespeare's Moments: Globe to Globe

To contact us Click HERE
My friend, Joelle, always brings the best things to my attention!


I am in a particular Shakespearean mood these past few days too as I have a call back for a production of Twelfth Night in a few days(!) and I have recently begun re-reading Contested Will by James Shapiro (the ultimate discussion of the Authorship Debate, a review of which, I will soon post about).

Anyway, so this is wicked cool: Public Radio Exchange (PRX) is hosting London's Globe Theater's multicultural celebration of Shakespeare this spring. The Globe has invited 37 theatre companies from around the world to produce Shakespeare's works employing specifically their cultural traditions and languages. Plays including: Titus Andronicus, Othello, Cymbeline and many more!

This is a celebration of the world's multi-cultured love of our Shakespeare! No other global celebration has ever taken place like this. Each theater presents their unique understanding of the plays and PRX brings insights into those performances to you! So take a listen!

Enjoy,

Micah

Liam's SPOOKTACULAR Give Away

To contact us Click HERE
So, I have read that it is illegal to have contests on Facebook. Yes, you read that right, ILLEGAL. (You can read more about that here.) And since I do not want to go to jail, I have decided to do it on here :) 
Sooooooo, here it is.....

Liam and I were in the store shopping for Halloween goodies, and he decided he wanted to have a give away on his page. (I love this kid). He compiled the prizes and it will go like this. If you want to enter your child's name in the contest, leave a comment on this post. The last day to enter will be Thursday October 11th. Liam and I will put each name on a piece of paper, and Liam will draw one kiddo's name at random on Friday, October the 12th. I will announce the winner on our facebook page and on here, so be sure to check back.

RULES: Well, I have only one.
1. the contest is open to US residents only. (please don't be upset those that are out of country. I am not dissing you, I love you all, but with such a low income mail to another country is pricey.)



That's it. Enter away, and feel free to share :)



Spooktacular prize pack includes 2 Halloween Pencils, a 2 pack of glow sticks, 2 small tactile fidgets, bubbles, a Halloween ring, and a glow in the dark snake.<3<3<3<3So last nite, Liam comes to me and says, "momma! You forgot the straw!" So I took a pic of the straw that was supposed to be in this pic, and that is included with the prize pack :)

AND THE WINNER IS:

Sometimes, I'm not so tough. Yet, life it seems, always is...

To contact us Click HERE

  This quote above is my life story. I learned early on not to show pain. In my mind, showing pain was showing your weakness. People take advantage of those that are weak....
  As a special needs momma, this held true as well. Once the shock of the word Autism wore off, and it came time to get my little man what he needed, the warrior in my soul came out. This is when I truly believed I couldn't let anyone see me cry. I couldn't let anyone see my weaknesses. Now, more than ever I had to be strong for my son, for my family, for myself. 
  I dove in head first. I fought the school. I made phone calls, sent emails. When that didn't work, I started The Legion page. I wanted a voice. I wanted to tell other momma's that Autism isn't the end of the world. It won't kill us. It will make us stronger. We Will Get Through It Together. 
  I also believed that if I see it in a positive manner, it couldn't get me down.....I was wrong. It will get you down. It will kick your feet out from underneath you. It will punch you when you're down. It will knock the wind out of you, make it hard for you to regain your breath. It will TRY to get the best of you.......
  Autism is sneaky. Autism is heartless. Autism can take a good day and make it hell. BUT.......It can also be fought.
  Yesterday and today, Autism did all these things to me. It took me down. It made me cry. It made me question my life, our life, our purpose.
  You know what else it did??? It made me stronger. It made me realize we all have these days. It made me realize I will NEVER give up. It made me realize that this fight is worth fighting. It made me realize that my son, and your sons/daughters need us to keep on fighting for them. If we don't, who will? 


It is some relief to weep; grief is satisfied and carried off by tears.  ~Ovid

Let your tears flow and where they go, let your sorrows follow.  ~Dodinsky,

"Momma, I'm just joking...." Does NOT Lighten the Blow....

To contact us Click HERE
  So, Liam has a "new thing!" Lately he has really been hurting people's feelings because he has no filter, has no idea how to joke, or when to be serious..... His daddy and I have been working on this with him. He is a very funny child, and loves to laugh and smile. With that being said, he has no clue how to tell a joke or know the difference between being funny or offensive. This means, it's nothing for Liam to tell you, "You're fat! You are not very pretty. I think I love you, but I'm not sure because sometimes I don't like you...." and then LAUGH hysterically!!!! He thinks these statements are funny. (and trust me there are so many more, I would be here all nite typing them!)
  We have been pointing out what he says, and how it's wrong. His father has also been working with him on how to tell a joke. One of the things Patterick said to him was, "Buddy, just because your laughing doesn't make it funny, or make it a joke. How will people know you are joking when you say things like that???" Okay, seems logical.....Fast forward to today.
  This morning, out of the blue Liam says, "Momma! I am just joking, but your breath stinks!" I reply, "ok buddy!" Then, "Momma! I am just joking but I love and hate you sometimes!" Hmmmmmm,I can see where this is going..... "Momma! I am just joking but sometimes you are pretty and sometimes I think you're ugly!" Now, he is laughing each time he says this....I am NOT!!! Buddy I don't care how you sugar coat your words, you are MEAN!!!!

  I tell him those are not jokes and he says, "but momma, I told you it was a joke, that makes it one! I warned you before I said it, so that makes it okay!" Well, I don't know how to argue with that! That's Liam Logic for ya! So if you know my kid, I apologize in advance if he offends you with one of his "jokes...."
(Was this made for Liam????)

                                                                   <3<3<3<3

I'm...flattered...This time I really am..

To contact us Click HERE


I wrote this post earlier today.
Out of anger.
And
I was wrong to do so.
But you know what?
I have eaten humble pie before
and I will eat it again
if I am wrong.
Well Stubborn's Place
I am eating it right now on behalf of you.
With a side of I'm sorry too.
Thank you for your post
and apology
for a little blog like mine
it was big time news
and it meant a lot
And if you seriously would like me to guest post-
I would be flattered...
Sincerely
this time : )
Sometimes I can be a baby...
I can't help it
I hang out with one all day.

From 'Titus' to 'Christmas'...

To contact us Click HERE
We closed Titus Andronicus last weekend, and I cannot say how proud I am of the production! We took some musings we had about the show this summer and created a company that produced a great show that audiences had GREAT reactions to. We never officially "sold out" however, we did fill the house every night. I looked around as we were warming up and saw all the people I know and all the people I have recently befriended doing this show together and I was just beaming with pride. As I have said, I am very proud of my Lavinia; I worked very hard on the role, and had so much fun performing every night. There was a great deal of challenges with the production, and a lot of things that we learned to help us as a company. I cannot wait to discuss where we want to go next. We have a couple of ideas....but I'll share that when we know what we are doing!

Moving on! After a mere five days off, I began rehearsals for a WONDERFUL production of A Christmas Carol with The Hanover Theater! I got cast back in September as "Belle," Ebenezer Scrooge's once-fiancee. (EEEE!) It is a professional contract (I get some Equity points) and it pays (always nice to get paid for the work you love!) It's amazing. We started rehearsals yesterday and so far, wonderful. The show is based on the timeless classic book by Charles Dickens, and no matter what, always moves me.

After the first read through last night, the adult cast (we have a lot of child actors; Tiny Tim, Ghost of Christmas Past, etc) we had an in depth discussion about the show and about the story that we are meaning to tell, and how important it is. The things that really stuck out to me were the following: The reasons why we as the people of London, need to re-tell the story of Scrooge. How it saved him and how it refocuses our energies to what is most important in this world; Love. The fact that, for a 'Christmas' story, it rarely has religious references focusing us on the Humanity of it.

I can't wait to start digging deeper into the character of Belle. She is one of the only people that Scrooge has ever outwardly loved and he loses her because he loses himself. So far, we've only read through and worked on some music and choreography. I've got to get to work on my British accent, but I'll be back soon with more on Belle, and more on our process! In the meantime, fun weird fact I just found out, the beautiful and extremely talented actress who played Lavinia in Julie Taymour's Titus (1999 version of Shakespeare's play), Laura Fraser played my character (Belle) in the 1999 Christmas Carol directed by David Hugh Jones!!! Although she first played Belle and then Lavinia...weird weirdness.


Oh and we need to get back to Hamlet. It's been, what, twenty one posts since my last Hamlet post?
Come on.
Best,
Micah

Shakespeare's Moments: Globe to Globe

To contact us Click HERE
My friend, Joelle, always brings the best things to my attention!


I am in a particular Shakespearean mood these past few days too as I have a call back for a production of Twelfth Night in a few days(!) and I have recently begun re-reading Contested Will by James Shapiro (the ultimate discussion of the Authorship Debate, a review of which, I will soon post about).

Anyway, so this is wicked cool: Public Radio Exchange (PRX) is hosting London's Globe Theater's multicultural celebration of Shakespeare this spring. The Globe has invited 37 theatre companies from around the world to produce Shakespeare's works employing specifically their cultural traditions and languages. Plays including: Titus Andronicus, Othello, Cymbeline and many more!

This is a celebration of the world's multi-cultured love of our Shakespeare! No other global celebration has ever taken place like this. Each theater presents their unique understanding of the plays and PRX brings insights into those performances to you! So take a listen!

Enjoy,

Micah

I'm...flattered...This time I really am..

To contact us Click HERE


I wrote this post earlier today.
Out of anger.
And
I was wrong to do so.
But you know what?
I have eaten humble pie before
and I will eat it again
if I am wrong.
Well Stubborn's Place
I am eating it right now on behalf of you.
With a side of I'm sorry too.
Thank you for your post
and apology
for a little blog like mine
it was big time news
and it meant a lot
And if you seriously would like me to guest post-
I would be flattered...
Sincerely
this time : )
Sometimes I can be a baby...
I can't help it
I hang out with one all day.

Thursday, Children's Halloween masks and Etsy

To contact us Click HERE

 littlehbigstyleOne of the best parts of Halloween is seeing some of the more original costumes (it isn't that every Cinderella and Batman is not lovely and heroic, but something different is always welcome) and Etsy has some great, unique masks for kids. If you are still looking for something special for your trick-or-treater, you just might find it here.... kindakicrafts SundriesandPlunder herflyinghorses herflyinghorses waxingmoonmaskery JustZipity oxeyedaisey WaxingMoonMaskeryMahalo

kissing ball

To contact us Click HERE

Off of the porches and in the yards around here I noticed people hang kissing balls for the holiday season.

Much like mistletoe, the kissing ball has a rich history as a nostalgic symbol of holiday goodwill and romance. With origins in the Middle Ages, evergreen kissing balls were hung in passageways and doorways to bring good fortune and blessings to all who passed beneath them. Centuries later, these evergreens evolved into bundles of holly sprigs and sweet herbs to symbolize various well-wishes. The kissing ball we know now is joined by flowers and foliage for a fragrant ornament, still symbolizing kindness and love .- shopterrain

They have been around for centuries, these balls of mistletoe, holly, evergreen , or whatever suits your holiday decor and if you pick them up at the local nursery, they can be quite expensive. So I searched for some DIY tutorials and came up with a couple....
One from Southern Living on how to make a mistletoe ball like the images above...
And one from The Gathering Place Design, that is applied to make a variety of kissing balls. The one pictured above is my favorite.Images: christmaswreathfarms, marthastewart, henslernurseryindiana, thegatheringplacedesign

Sometimes, I'm not so tough. Yet, life it seems, always is...

To contact us Click HERE

  This quote above is my life story. I learned early on not to show pain. In my mind, showing pain was showing your weakness. People take advantage of those that are weak....
  As a special needs momma, this held true as well. Once the shock of the word Autism wore off, and it came time to get my little man what he needed, the warrior in my soul came out. This is when I truly believed I couldn't let anyone see me cry. I couldn't let anyone see my weaknesses. Now, more than ever I had to be strong for my son, for my family, for myself. 
  I dove in head first. I fought the school. I made phone calls, sent emails. When that didn't work, I started The Legion page. I wanted a voice. I wanted to tell other momma's that Autism isn't the end of the world. It won't kill us. It will make us stronger. We Will Get Through It Together. 
  I also believed that if I see it in a positive manner, it couldn't get me down.....I was wrong. It will get you down. It will kick your feet out from underneath you. It will punch you when you're down. It will knock the wind out of you, make it hard for you to regain your breath. It will TRY to get the best of you.......
  Autism is sneaky. Autism is heartless. Autism can take a good day and make it hell. BUT.......It can also be fought.
  Yesterday and today, Autism did all these things to me. It took me down. It made me cry. It made me question my life, our life, our purpose.
  You know what else it did??? It made me stronger. It made me realize we all have these days. It made me realize I will NEVER give up. It made me realize that this fight is worth fighting. It made me realize that my son, and your sons/daughters need us to keep on fighting for them. If we don't, who will? 


It is some relief to weep; grief is satisfied and carried off by tears.  ~Ovid

Let your tears flow and where they go, let your sorrows follow.  ~Dodinsky,

"Momma, I'm just joking...." Does NOT Lighten the Blow....

To contact us Click HERE
  So, Liam has a "new thing!" Lately he has really been hurting people's feelings because he has no filter, has no idea how to joke, or when to be serious..... His daddy and I have been working on this with him. He is a very funny child, and loves to laugh and smile. With that being said, he has no clue how to tell a joke or know the difference between being funny or offensive. This means, it's nothing for Liam to tell you, "You're fat! You are not very pretty. I think I love you, but I'm not sure because sometimes I don't like you...." and then LAUGH hysterically!!!! He thinks these statements are funny. (and trust me there are so many more, I would be here all nite typing them!)
  We have been pointing out what he says, and how it's wrong. His father has also been working with him on how to tell a joke. One of the things Patterick said to him was, "Buddy, just because your laughing doesn't make it funny, or make it a joke. How will people know you are joking when you say things like that???" Okay, seems logical.....Fast forward to today.
  This morning, out of the blue Liam says, "Momma! I am just joking, but your breath stinks!" I reply, "ok buddy!" Then, "Momma! I am just joking but I love and hate you sometimes!" Hmmmmmm,I can see where this is going..... "Momma! I am just joking but sometimes you are pretty and sometimes I think you're ugly!" Now, he is laughing each time he says this....I am NOT!!! Buddy I don't care how you sugar coat your words, you are MEAN!!!!

  I tell him those are not jokes and he says, "but momma, I told you it was a joke, that makes it one! I warned you before I said it, so that makes it okay!" Well, I don't know how to argue with that! That's Liam Logic for ya! So if you know my kid, I apologize in advance if he offends you with one of his "jokes...."
(Was this made for Liam????)

                                                                   <3<3<3<3