SOFT

My sister's family goes to a convention every year for the nonprofit organization called SOFT.

If you are new to this blog meet my nephew Emerson. 

SOFT is a network of families and professionals dedicated to providing support and understanding to families involved in the issues and decisions surrounding the diagnosis and care in Trisomy 18, 13 and other related chromosomal disorders. 

Every year my sister's family meets new friends that offer support. She's also been able to meet with doctors that specialize in dealing with kids that have Trisomy 18, 13 and other related chromosomal disorders. Last year Emerson was able to meet with a doctor that knew so much in regards to his care. So much more than any doctor here in Nebraska. We are lucky that we have doctors that are supportive. Not every doctor around the country is positive. 

Emerson is always smiling. He strives to do things that no one thought he'd be able to do. 

In hospitals around the country babies that are born with Trisomy 18 and 13 are said to be, Incompatible With Life. More and more kids with an extra chromosome are living, smiling, and redefining Incompatible With Life. How can you call kids that are living Incompatible With Life?

To help you understand what Trisomy 18 and 13 are, that extra chromosome causes severe developmental delays. Down Syndrome - the most common know chromosome disorder is Trisomy 21.  

This year my sister's family is packing up to go to Utah. 

They need help to get there though. I donated $25. If you'd like to, or can donate click here. I understand if it's not possible to donate. Not everyone has the funds to do so. The smallest amount to donate is $25, but they have an OTHER button, where you can type in $5 + another $5 adds up. 

BriaUSA Cascade Hangers Set of 10 Light Green Review

I ordered a large shirt for Mica online. I just got it in the mail, and I couldn't believe when I looked at the number on the tag. A large is a 14. He's wearing the same size of shirt as a 14 year old! He's not even 10 yet. The next size up is super hard to find - extra large in boys, or extra small in men's.

I needed to move the kids up from children's hangers, to adult hangers. Some of Mica's shirts I've already moved over, but I needed more hangers. I am happy to get BriaUSA Cascade Hangers Set of 10 Light Green.

BriaUSA Cascade Hangers Set of 10 Light Green Steel Swivel Hooks -Slim, Sturdy Saves You Extra Space

Our closest are super tiny in our house, so space is everything!

I love when products were made in the USA. BriaUSA started in Texas.

The Back to the Future Great Scott t-shirt is a size large! It's hard to believe that my 9 year old is in a size 14!

His shirts will no longer fall off their hangers. The hangers are sturdy. They don't feel like they are going to break in pieces.

Features:

• 10 PCS PREMIUM QUALITY: slim construction saves space; your closet accommodates more clothes.

• CASCADING HOOK: increases your closet storage capacity.

• SWIVEL HOOKS: sturdy steel swiveling design attaches to the shoulders for easy maneuvering.

• NOTCHED SHOULDERS: prevents cloths from slipping, provide extra support for garments.

• MULTI-PURPOSE: great for hanging Suits, Jackets, Pants, Shirts, Dresses, Blouses & Accessories. 

• Backed by full money back guarantee. They sell on Amazon for $19.99, but are on sale for $14.95.

What kind of hangers do you prefer? I like wood ones in my coat closet, but I prefer sturdy plastic ones in my bedroom closet.

 

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Mary Poppins @RoseTheaterCo Review

We had a busy week last week. It was filled with theater. We had a wonderful chance to go to Mary Poppins at The Rose Theater in Omaha, Nebraska on Thursday night. The boys had an all day summer camp at Omaha Community Playhouse last week, and performed for us on Friday. It was a practically perfect week!

The boys couldn't wait for Mary Poppins to start!

When we walked into the theater we saw that there was a live orchestra in front, and below the stage. The boys saw that their piano player for school was playing in the orchestra.

Isaak had to sit in the front row to watch not only the musical, but the orchestra as well.

The Rose Theater in its self is just a really beautiful building. It's named after a Nebraska icon, Rose Blumkin who opened Nebraska Furniture Mart. The theater is ornate. I love looking at the set designs that they come up with.

Usually during the play or musical's last rehearsal they let me take pictures. I snapped a few, then was told not to. I didn't realize it was a no no to take my own photos. I got such good image shots from The Christmas Story and Tarzan.

I put my camera away, and enjoyed the show. It was wonderful!

Mary Poppins was one of my favorites when I was a kid. I even sang Let's Go Fly a Kite in music class when I was little. Everyone at The Rose Theater did a great job bringing the story to life!

Featuring the irresistible story and unforgettable songs from one of the most popular Disney films of all time, plus brand-new breathtaking dance numbers and spectacular stagecraft, Mary Poppins is everything you could ever want in a hit musical for the whole family! Written by Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes, this promises to be an unforgettable time at The Rose. Get swept up in the fun of this high-flying tale.

It is supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

Presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).

Ages

This show is best for ages 5 and up. All of us enjoyed the show. Isaak (7), Mica (Close to 10), and Dad and I were engaged the whole time!

Time Frame

It ends up being 2-1/2 hours long with intermission. During intermission they serve cookies and drinks. They are unlike other venues, and do not have high priced food and drink.

A musical...

is based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney film Original music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman Book by Julian Fellowes New songs and additional music and lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe Co-created by Cameron Mackintosh.

Cast and Crew

I'm not going to be able to list all of the cast and crew, but I'll list some of the main stars.

Mary Poppins............................................................ Leanne Hill Carlson

Bert................................................................................. Patrick Beasley

George Banks..................................................................Joseph Dignoti

Winifred Banks................................................................ Maggie Mitchell

Jane Banks.......................................................................Morgan Ryan*

Michael Banks..............................................................Aidan Schmidtke

*BROADWAY at The Rose and DRAMA at The Rose students

I love how they use some of their student's to be in their productions!

Artistic Credits

Director..................................................................... Matthew Gutschick

Musical Director & Conductor...............................................Kevin Smith

Choreographer........................................................Sue Gillespie Booton

Scenic Designer...................................................................Adam Rowe

Lighting & Sound Designer.................................................... Kyle L. Toth

Costume Designer...........................................................Sherri Geerdes

Production Stage Manager..............................................Angel Emerson

Production Credits

Production Director................................................. Jennifer Collins Hard

Technical Director........................................................Grant Hilgenkamp

Lighting & Audio Director...................................................... Kyle L. Toth

Orchestra

There is a lot of people playing. It was wonderful!

Performance Dates

Thursday, June 11	7 pm
Friday, June 12	7 pm
Saturday, June 13	2 pm*
Sunday, June 14	2 pm
Thursday, June 18	7 pm
Friday, June 19	7 pm
Saturday, June 20	2 pm
Sunday, June 21	2 pm
Friday, June 26	7 pm
Saturday, June 27	2 pm
Saturday, June 27	7 pm
Sunday, June 28	2 pm

* Interpretation for the hearing impaired is provided

Tickets Please!

Members: $7 a ticket for up to 10 people.
Non Members: $20-$25 a ticket.

Call:  402.345.4849 to Reserve Your Tickets Now!

What We Like:

I was wondering if they'd be able to keep the musical magical, since it wasn't on the big screen with camera effects. They most certainly did! They even had a few flying effects. 

I liked when the chalk drawing scene had a statue come to life. It was really cool! 

I always want to cry whenever I see the lady that feeds the birds. 

Burt is Dad's favorite. Mary Poppins is Mica and Isaak's favorite. Mrs. Bank's was my favorite. I liked the Mrs. Banks better than the one in the movie. They all have such wonderful voices!

I love that The Rose Theater uses some of their student's in the production!

Go to Mary Poppins, and after you see that go fly a kite!

Sponsors:

Omaha is really lucky to have sponsors step up to the plate.

 

I received tickets from The Rose Theater to see Mary Poppins. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Out of the Box Saturday

Sing, Sing a Song Saturday is now Out of the Box Saturday. It's all about me discovering something that is different. I don't want to post things that you and I have more than likely heard before. I want to find something different. I'll cover something sing | songy one week, and artsy | fartsy the next.

This week I'm covering something artsy. Gloria Pizzilli is the artist.Gloria Pizzilli is both an Illustrator and a Graphic Designer located in France. 

She's been featured in:
 
The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Boston Globe, Wired Italia, GQ USA, Wired Italia, La Stampa, L’Espresso, Feltrinelli, Mondadori, Eli, Éditions du Seuil.

It's really neat watching her work!

All the work I'm showing belongs to Gloria Pizzilli. Her website is here. 

Check out Gloria Pizzilli's website
Check out Gloria Pizzilli's blog
Check out Gloria Pizzilli's facebook page 
Check out Gloria Pizzilli's instagram page
Check out Gloria Pizzilli's work on Behance

4 oz Bottle of Pure Lemon Essential Oil Review

This year I can't get enough lemons. I've been squeezing lemons to make lemonade, I also like to smell lemon essential oils. La Lune Naturals gave me a 4 ounce bottle of pure lemon essential oil to review. 

Not all essential oils are the same. This one is not for internal use, but it's still wonderful. I love using it in lotion, homemade cleaners, and in the kid's shampoo. I use peppermint oil in mine right now.

100% Pure Lemon Essential Oil

Lemon oil blends well with many other essentials oils, including lavender, rose, neroli and sandalwood just to name a few. This makes lemon oil one of the most popular essential oils among herbalists or for those who practice aromatherapy.

Immune Support

If you've never used essential oils, they are great for allergy sufferers. I just put drops of the oils in boiling water when I'm in the kitchen, and breathe it in. This process doesn't help long term for me. It most certainly helps short term! I think it works better than any other medicine on the market. All the sudden I can breathe, and smell! 

If my allergies are really bad I use the netti pot, boil essential oils in water, and that opens me up enough to get good sprays of Flonase in my nose. If I don't do those first 2 steps, the Flonase will just drip right on out of my nose. That's how swollen, and stuffed up I get.

La Lune Naturals lemon oil is highly concentrated and should be diluted with a carrier oil, such as Coconut Oil, Almond Oil, or Olive Oil, prior to use on the skin. Also dilute before using in sensitive areas such as the face, neck, etc. 

20 Miracle Uses for Lemon Oil - Free eBook!

1. Clarifying Lemon Seaweed Mask
2. Homemade Coconut Lemon Face Wash
3. Lemon and Indian Clay Acne Mask
4. Lemon Dishwasher Pods With White Vinegar
5. Lemon and Zinc Oxide Acne Cream
6. Lemon and Peppermint Pep Up
7. Lemon Seaweed Scrub
8. Lemon Anti-itch Cream With Zinc Oxide
9. Lemon Foot Facial
10. Lemon Cucumber Facial
11. Lemon and Aloe Anti Aging Mask
12. Lemon Household Cleaner
13. Lemon Air Freshener
14. Lemon Clay Insect Bite Treatment
15. All Natural Lemon Household Cleaner
16. Lemon Scented Laundry Soap Powder
17. Lemon Seaweed Wrap for Cellulite
18. Relaxing Lemon Foot Soak
19. Lemon Sugar Scrub
20. Lemon Furniture Oil

I made the Lemon Furniture Oil:

• 4 ounces jojoba oil

• 12 drops lemon essential oil

• 4 drops lemongrass essential oil

• 8 drops sandalwood essential oil 

If you do not have all these things, you can use these more common things: 

• 1 lemon (squeezed)

• 12 drops lemon essential oil

• 1 Tablespoon grapeseed or olive oil

• 1 Tablespoon water 

Properties that the recipes have:

• An air freshner or diffuser to remove unpleasant odors

• Instant mood lifter when diffused in the air

• Use in skin care and seasonal allergy recipes

• Improve complexion while leaving skin soft and supple

 

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.