Lambs being led to the slaughter

As I crossed the threshold to work today, I couldn't help feel like I was a lamb being led to the slaughter. Why did three days of vacation feel like a lifetime? Why does Christmas seem so far when I know it is going to sneakup on me in what feels like 2 days.

Wow - where have I been?

You probably think that I have fallen off the face of the earth. Not so!!! This year Maddie started school (UPK) and goes for a 1/2 day in the a.m. David is now a know-it-all Kindergartener!!! They are so old I can't stand it!

School is......school.

This fall I did my FIFTEENTH show with EPAC...."Rocky Horror Show". I have never had so much fun in my life. I love being the music director there! This was not a shadow cast performance (with the movie in the background). It was fully staged, set, live band (which rocks, not that I am partial), dancing and the whole nine yards.

Now we are into the chaotic holiday season of "I Want That". Ahhhh... I remember the days when they didn't talk and our TV viewing was not interrupted by a chorus of desire.

Excuse me while I reminisce.............

I need to post more often....

Sorry, I am so caught up in my stamping blog, that I forget to post here.

It has been a nice relaxing summer, and I have been able to enjoy spending time with the kids. As always, I have been involved @ EPAC. I have already completed one show - "Bohemian Rhapsody". We took 2 Queen albums, "Day At the Races" and "Night at the Opera" and put them to the stage. No dialoge - all music. It really was quite an undertaking.

I have also been doing the Summer Kids Theater Workshop. We are doing "Little Shop of Horrors." 90 kids, 5 casts!! YEESH! Anyway, there are some supremely talented kids, and next week is show week. I'M GETTING NERVOUS!!!!!

The Little Band that Could

Well, we survived a quick and furious trip to Virginia Beach for competition. We stayed in an awesome hotel, and the kids did great!!! Here are the results:

Marching Band/Guard - 1st place, Excellent
Jazz Band - 1st place, Excellent
Drumline - 1st place, Excellent
Concert Band - Excellent

AND......

Brendan DeVito received Outstanding Jazz Soloist for his Bari Sax solo. He was one of 4 soloists recognized in the high school category with 15 schools participating - small and large!!!

I will be updating with pictures later!

American Idol Here I Come - Click Here!!!

Right click (PC) or Ctrl-click to open the sound file in a seperate window. Keep this window open for Lyrics.
PLEASE DON'T LAUGH AT MY SINGING ;-) The point of the competition is for the writing - not the singing (I HOPE!)

When I heard about the AI Songwriter competition, I knew I had to enter and try. As the old saying goes, you never know unless you try.......

DREAM
Words and Music by Kris Gilbert
© 2007

Verse 1:
It starts with a spark,
then into a fire.
The dreams that are in your mind
are what your heart desires.
Reaching for the highest hills,
reaching for the stars,
On wings of hope,
anything is possible!

Chorus:
Dream big, dream high!
Take charge of the moment
and reach for the sky!
Dream big, dream high!
Dare to walk among the stars,
just spread your wings and fly!

Verse 2:
One small wish,
turns into one small dream;
and soon it all
becomes a reality.
Even when the mountains
of life get in the way.
Just find your voice within your self and say.....

Chorus:
Dream big, dream high!
Take charge of the moment
and reach for the sky!
Dream big, dream high!
Dare to walk among the stars,
just spread your wings and fly!
Oh, spread your wings and fly!


“A capella” Gospel-style verse:
It starts with a spark,
then into a fire.
The dreams that are in your mind
are what your heart desires.
Reaching for the highest hills,
reaching for the stars,
On wings of hope,
anything is possible!

Chorus
Dream big, dream high!
Take charge of the moment
and reach for the sky!
Dream big, dream high!
Dare to walk among the stars,
just spread your wings and fly!

Finally......

After 8 long weeks, Hello Dolly has said goodbye. Although I will miss the cast, I am looking forward to a break. Not to mention, I am looking forward to spring break!!!! Gosh I feel like it's been forever since our last vacation, and the students have been OUT OF CONTROL. A good break will do us all well.

Knucklehead!

So this morning, I was fussing with my son's hair, and there was something in it. I picked it out and he goes, "What is it?? Is that my knuckle?" I go, "David, show me where your knuckle is." He points to his head and says, "Right here mommy.....knucklehead." (DH calls him knucklehead as his nickname sometimes)

I about peed my pants.

What is UP with Sunjaya?

Ok, look people......it's time to stop giving Sunjaya the sympathy vote and start voting for talent. The kid has no pitch, and too much attitude to boot. And the pony-hawk....NEEDS TO GO! He should not have even made it to the Top 24. If you are looking for talent, then look no further than Lakisha!!!!

5 Down, 4 To Go....

So far, we have had 5 successful performances of Hello Dolly. Although the audiences have been small, everyone in attendance has said wonderful things about the show. Despite an uneven review, we are confident that word of mouth will trump the written word. I am thrilled though that myself, the orchestra, sound, and the leads received positive compliments.

Kid Pix

Click on the picture to see more!! The pictures range from this past summer to last week.

Kid Pix

American Idol Addiction

My name is Kris, and I am an American Idol addict.

So, last season, when Mandisa was voted off, I was devastated. I know she was voted off because of her size, and as a big girl myself - this bummed me out greatly. She could sing rings around everyone else. Luckily, my second choice - the hottie Taylor Hicks took the taco.

So here we are in this season, and let me just say that Lakishia BETTER make it to the finals. She is an amazing singer, talented, humble, and beautiful. I don't think stardom could ever go to her head!!! If she doesn't make it, I know that she WILL get a deal. WATCH OUT JENNIFER HUDSON!!!! Lakishia is comin' to town!

Phew!!

What a weekend!

Friday: I had to go to the 7-9 All County Band rehearsal @ Susquehanna Valley for the night. A student of mine was accepted into the group on percussion. Gosh, the band sounded AWESOME.

Saturday: Jason and I, the kids and Mimi went to the CEA Spring Festival. David has been talking about it for WEEKS!! It was such a good time, and both David and Maddie could play the games. It was nice to have activities that were accessible for a wide range of ages.

Sunday: HELL WEEK has officially begun!! This week calls for rehearsals EVERY night, as we EPAC prepares to open "Hello Dolly". We have rehearsals ALLLLL WEEK, EVERY night. So this is the long haul for me right now. Not a fun week for me. But the payoff will be a great show. At first, I wasn't exactly enamoured with the show, but it has really grown on me - and it is totally funny.

More later......

Winding Down.....

Finally, a relatively calm weekend is ahead. This week since last Saturday has been a flourish of activity surrouding David's birthday. He certainly is partied out, along with the rest of us!! I didn't really get to celebrate much on my birthday because I had our last rehearsal before show week. I am doing "Hello Dolly" at the Endicott Performing Arts Center the last 3 weekends of March, and Sunday starts what we all call HELL WEEK. I will post some pictures from David's birthday celebration shortly........

Thank you all for your birthday wishes as well!!!

Maddie's Makeover

So....about a week and a half ago, I had to bring Maddie and David to jazz band rehearsal with me because Jason was home deathly ill. I figured, why not bring Little Mermaid and Maddie will be happy. David was happy playing computer games. My office is right off of my rehearsal space, so I thought , "No Big Deal". About 20 minutes into rehearsal my "mommy sense" kicked into high gear and something felt "off". Checked on the kids, and I found..............

a great big.............


pile....................


OF HAIR!!! Needless to say, I went ballistic and I finally figured out whose it was........MADISON'S!!! She had somehow gotten into my drawer (Which I can't open) and cut the right side of her hair, up to her right ear. I guess she figured since I cut her bangs, then she could cut her own hair. It was just a a small chunk....OH NO.....it was her ENTIRE right side. Not to mention, she also got some of her bangs.

I was in such an emotional triangle...I was mad she cut it and was playing with scissors, but it was funny, but I felt guilty for being mad because it's only hair and at least she has hair to cut. When I finally calmed down later, I asked her why she did it and she told me in the most serious way, "Because I'm beautiful mommy!"

*sigh* How can I be mad at that??? She has GOT ME WRAPPED!!!!!























And here is the result of the "fix". Do you love the "I'm not guilty" look?

Long time no see!

Alright, I know - it's been a really long time. So here is the update:

Me: Had a very busy fall with Marching Band and all. Despite having a small band and mostly freshman, we ROCKED the Columbus Day Tournament of Bands parde in Binghamton, NY. The band and guard BOTH received FIRST PLACE for Class B. This is MAJOR for us, as it has been a couple of years stuck in 2nd. To boot, the guard had NEVER received 1st place before, and the entire guard is seniors. Needless to say, we were all thrilled that our hard work had paid off. I also played trombone in the pit for the show, "Pippin" @ EPAC. This showed marked my 11th show with EPAC - for most of them I have been music director and rehearsal accompanist. Usually in the fall I just play in the pit because of my band schedule. My latest news is that I have become a STAMPIN' UP demonstrator at the end of November. It all started with scrapbooking, and then my friends Teresa and Nancy introduced me to stamping....the rest......is HISTORY. I am VERY EAGER about Sell-A-Bration. Stay tuned here for the latest news!!

Jason: Just finished up his first semester of teaching the HVAC class @ Binghamton UNiversity. I think he has gained a new respect for teachers.....he has also purchased a new car and gotten rid of his truck. WOOHOO!! He is the new owner of an '04 Suburu Forrester.

David: Has been LOVING going to UPK. UPK is Kindergarten for 4YO who missed the date for Kindergarten but are ready for school. He loves his teacher, Mrs. Lawrence and her aide, Mrs. Hill. They are saints for dealing with 14 other children just like David. :-)

Maddie: Is jealous of David and wishes she could go to school too. Her mannerisms are really funny to watch at this age, and she is soooo dramatic.

We had a wonderful, busy Christmas and New Year.

Best wishes for the new year!!!