ZimWex Family Blog

Three stages of ballerina.

From this week's recitals.....

 

 

 

 

We were proud Mamas.

AZ  
 
 
 
 

The Graduate.

Yes, Jerry is now officially a middle-schooler.*

These (dare I say it?) handsome pictures, as usual, do not tell the whole story.

What was off camera?

First off, a major major meltdown the night before the graduation day about not being able to wear sweatpants and a t-shirt.

The polo shirt and jeans were just too, well, fancy for him.

Second off, Ruby crying not wanting to appear in a graduation photo. Then later crying that she missed the graduation photo.

Despite these few setbacks, we were pretty proud of our boy, who stood up to speak with a great deal of composure, and without making any fart jokes.  We were surprised.

Next stop, middle school.

AZ

*And already has the orthodonture to prove it!

Pretty in Pink- Part I (Ruby)

Doesn't she look happy?

She was...until she wasn't...

A shoe malfunction rendered her incapable of performing the 'solo dance' portion of this mini-recital.

There were a few tears....and a little prodding, but the eventual acceptance that that was just the way it was going to be this time around.

Other than that, she was just as happy as she looks here.

And who wouldn't be, with a tutu like that?

AZ

Charmed: A Warning

So... Over the years Amy and I have done our fair share of roadtrippin'. One of Amy's great sourcess of pride has always been the 0 speeding tickets accumulated in her driving life - despite being a pretty serious speeder.

Rarely getting pulled over and on that rare occasion when she does... Cute-perky-blonding her way out of it.

This has always been a source of minor consternation on my part, as a much more moderate driver who, nonetheless, would get pulled over for doing 57 in a 55 mph zone.

So....on our roadtrip to DC for lunch at the White House*... lights start flashing behind Leadfoot Lucy who, in all innocence, looks up to the rearview with surprise.

We start digging around for the various documents while a surprisingly affable Maryland State Police officer sidles up to the minivan.

Meanwhile panic has broken out inside the Honda Odyssey as Amy has discovered that she cannot find her wallet and that her license is not only required for this interaction but also... for entry to the Whitehouse, as photo ID, for lunch today.

When Officer Smiley finally gets to the driverside window to inform our less-then-perky-blond that she was going 81 in a 60MPH zone (60?).

Less-the-perky-blond replied, "that's the least of my problems! I'm supposed to be having lunch at the White House an I don't have ID!".

Officer Smiley kindly takes her info and a continued frenzy ensues in the car until, wonder of wonder... miracle of miracles. The wallet is found on the car floor!

Re-perkified-blond trots over to Officer Smiley's car waving her license triumphantly. "You must be relieved", says Officer Smiley.

Perky-blond returns to the car happily awaiting her expensive but now totally acceptable speeding ticket.

Officer Smiley appears in the window returning liscence, registration and official docs... "Here is a pamphlet from the state police and...A WARNING**... slow down now... and have a nice day. "

Puh-lease!

TW

*more on this later from AZ... No not with Obama
**Caps are mine

Move over, Ben Brantley.

Here comes a theater review.

T and I saw Ruined last night.  Ruined is a play by playwright Lynn Nottage.   I have been told that it is based on Brecht's Mother Courage but I've never seen that, and don't much want to*, so I can't say for sure.

It is about war in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the women who have to live through it.  At its center is Mama Nadi (who owns a tavern and whorehouse) and the girls who work for her.  Life for women is bad enough there at this time, that this is considered to be a pretty good/safe gig, compared to the other options.  It is really  extraordinary.

The reasons it is THE play that you all should go and buy your tickets for this year are:

1. The acting- all kinds of good performances

2. The directing- pitch-perfect.

3. The writing-well-crafted.

4. The music-evocative.

5. The story-captivating and important.

6. The hope- even though this is about just about the saddest things in the world, there is a sense of hope and resilience that you leave the theater with.  It is not just a total downer.

So, go!  You will be glad you did. But bring some tissues.

AZ

*Call me crazy. I don't like Brecht.

The Three Sisters.

they are super cute.

 In about ten years, for about two years, all 3 of them will be teenagers...

Please remind me to look at this photograph then.

AZ

They liked it, too.

Totally made my heart swell to see all the kids get involved with the vegetable garden.
They loved it.
They planted about half of it (and then lost interest while I did the second half).
They loved to harvest it, especially Ruby, who made us lots of salads!

We had planted lots of beans but didn't get to eat any because Ella would sit by the garden and eat 'em all up.

Successful parenting endeavor! And also yummy. I will have to remember this during next bad parenting moment and I am yelling at my kids. Not that I've been yelling.....Really. I haven't. So far, so good....One month down, Eleven to go.

AZ

Everything was beautiful at the ballet...and the gym.

Now that school is up and running and the activities have begun......
these are some of the cute outfits that I have been seeing.