Conversations with Claire

C: "Mama, I love you."
M: "I love you, too."
C: "I love you more than the whole world."
M: "I love you more than the whole world, too."
C: (singing) "Well. It's a Small World after all, it's a small world after all, it's a small, small world."

Mary Poppins!

We took Audrey to see Mary Poppins at the Ahmanson Theater in LA during January. It was a great show. Claire stayed home with Nanie and the three of us drove helter skelter and just barely made it into the theater on time. We really enjoyed the production - especially when Mary flew over us during the last scene. I almost cried. Audrey loved it and we are now in preparations to perform our own version of the play here at home. Audrey has most of the good parts - Mrs. Banks and Mary. Mark is Bert and Jane, I am Michael, and Claire is the director.



We ran around the fountains a little after the show. I had very happy flashbacks of seeing The Phantom of the Opera at the Ahmanson when I was about 19 - with Chad and Rachael and a few friends - and Rachael and I ran through the fountains in our heels and dresses while 25 plus people looked on and cheered, and Chad disapproved intensely, but we didn't get wet. I tried to recreate the moment and it was pretty fun, but I did get wet. I've chosen not to share that photo.



We loved the show and wish we could see it again. Another really happy memory at the Ahmanson!

Claire's hospital stay

Here's Claire the day she left the hospital - looking good, eating, no oxygen tube. I had no desire to photograph her during the first few days, but then I thought it would be a good idea to capture her matted, tear-crusted hair, which I was pretty sure we'd just have to cut off, but we didn't after all. She also figured out she didn't have to wear clothes and refused to put her gown back on after the second day. By this time she was looking almost normal and the blood vessels that had burst in her left eye, making the white turn completely red, were all healed. We're glad she's healthy again.