Great Performances?

For those who read my blog you may wonder why I even took the time to post this. It has been a while since I have updated the blog, and it has not been for lack of interesting things happening here at the camp. However, tonight I was trying to veg out and watch something that would help me get to sleep. I turned the TV on to PBS in hopes of Part II of the Harry Truman biography I was watching yesterday (yes I know I am a dork). Instead of a fascinating look at possibly our most reluctant president, I instead had the misfortune of seeing "Great Performances" South Pacific with Reba McEntire and Alec Baldwin. Apart from neither one of them being especially skilled at singing in musical theatre style, the cast is presenting the entire show on stage at Carnegie hall ON BOOK. How is this a great performance? Even high school students are capable of performing this material by memory. Let me be clear -- I usually LOVE the Great Performances series and other stage productions performed at Carnegie hall in an "In Concert" format. Some of my favorites include Les Miserables, Sweeney Todd, Putting it Together, and Candide. Candide is probably the best I have seen in this style for talent (Kristin Chenoweth, Patti Lupone) material (Bernstein!) and originality of staging. But I have never seen "actors" perform on book and have it be recorded for distribution. Presumably, the audience payed a hefty price for a performance at Carnegie hall only to arrive and see the entire cast unprepared for their arrival. I am still watching this in disbelief. Has anyone else seen this or others like it? Do you think it is ok and/or entertaining?

Johnny Jump Up

Before I had Carter I swore I would not be one of those parents that runs out to buy every gadget and activity station for their baby. First there was the bouncy chair, then the Bumbo, then the stand up activity bouncer, then the swing and now, the Johnny Jump Up. I think what I like most about it is that is actually something that was around when I was a baby and it keeps him occupied while I make dinner and I can still see him. It also doesn't take up very much space and it is not in shockingly bright colors. Plus, look at that face...who could say no to that?
To see more pics of my little man, check out our Flickr page.

Britney Spears Ain't Got Nothin' on Me

After Britney Spears proclaimed, "We're country!" after being asked why she would ever travel in her white Mercedes with Sean Preston on her lap I thought she was crazy. Who would ride around with a baby on her lap and let it be photographed? Well, evidently I have more in common with Britney than I thought. Pictured above is Carter and me in the John Deere Gator, our main vehicle to get around the camp. It is basically a golf cart on steroids--a four wheel drive diesel golf cart. When my mom first told me about how cool it was that Dad bought her this little get around mini tractor, I wasn't that jazzed about it, but since driving it, it is really cool! It is all enclosed so it feels more like a car and you can go ANYWHERE with it- it is amazing. Carter loves to see everything around the camp. Mike and I took him to see the foxes that live in one of the cabins just behind us and he seemed very intrigued. Don't worry, I am still walking most places, especially when Mom is here because she has made it clear that it is HER vehicle when she is here at the camp. What can I say, "We're country!"