h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

This last weekend has been a nightmare! First, on Friday night I had to finish off 2 little pink dresses which I had foolishly volunteered to make for the ballet school's performance of Alice in Wonderland.

That would have been ok but they had to match the 10 little pink dresses the ballet school teacher's mum picked up in Sainsbury's (reduced from 26 of your English quids to 6).

[glad to say that they did not stand out at all - in fact one mum who knew I was supposed to make them commented "I bet you were glad that they found two more, what with all the things you have to do"! ]

Saturday I had to take the Gruesomes to the theatre (5 mins away in Hückelhoven) and get them ready (one in an off-white tutu with roses in her hair, one in a funky-foam playing card outfit - 8 of hearts)

Then all the kids (240 of the little buggers) practiced the curtain call. And then the dress rehearsal (which was our only chance to take photos - so I did)

When not on stage the kids were in the gym next to the stage, running around being kids... aarrgghhhh

Sunday there were two performances. We had to be there at 12:15 (first show at 14:00) because I had volunteered to do the hair. (I know I know! NEVER VOLUNTEER! but I just can't say "no". I must be hyperactive or something)

I made about 50 buns (in hair) and some of the tiny kids were only 3 and 4 and had hardly any hair, and cried and cried... then had to watch over 3 little British boys, who are all 7 and mental! while their parents watched the show, making sure the Gruesomes were where they should be, sewing up big holes in tights (how do gorgeous little ballet dancing girls rip their tights so much?) including Gruesome #2... oh well...

At 4:30 I got out a massive bottle of Sparkling Chardonnay (which we'd been given as a pressie, but how coul and I drink one of those?). I had told the other mums I would bring somthing to drink - but when I got it out they were surprised nevertheless. the nice British ladies (officers wives from a local base) shared their smoked salmon sandwiches with me. I walked around pouring out the for a while - and since everyone knows #2 I was greeted all the way with "oh _your_ Gruesome #2's mummy". Ominous, eh?

I was wearing my purple Doc Martens and wearing the long skirt I made out of my dad's ties. And my tattoos were on show - I probably scared the pants off them! (all respectable members of our village communities)

Then turned up and we watched the 2nd performance. Fantastic. The Gruesomes were great (of course) #1 was beautifully elegant and did everything right. #2 got a bit mixed up but who cares? The tiny kids were so cute... I even got a lump of maternal pride in my throat and a little

What a Big Girl's Blouse I am!

Then we offered to take them to dinner in a proper restaurant, but they wanted McBurgers, so we went there. Where we met half the ballet school!

And now, I have no projects on for anyone else, just my wooden stuff or Easter.

Can you tell what ? I'm really glad my boys are so grown now, when they misbehvae, I pretend not to know them

Just an ordinary, average weekend in the Sho household then!

Now then, you know a , what's the secret of a good confit of duck? (I think I've discovered one...don't leave it in the salt for 18 hours...)

RF

Ahhhhhhhh proud mum eh when can we see some pics

"purple Doc Martens and wearing the long skirt I made out of my dad's ties. "

Not that I'd wear a skirt (just can't quite carry one off, dontcherknow, don't have the legs) but I'm deeply envious. And the purple docs, natch. You're a vision, my dear, simply quite delightful .

The Gradientlings, or at least the two youngest, have decided that they want to be ballerinas but have no desire to actually do any of the training or practice. I too want to see pictures, and so does Youngest (who has no real idea of what Ballet is but likes the clothes a lot).

since I'm a wee bit leery of making my photo album totally public - if you mail me

majclanger at arcor dot de

and put your h2g2 nickname in the subject line
I'll send you the link...

after all, I'm a proud/pushy ballet mum now!!!

no pics (yet) of the skirt and the boots.