A Star in My Own Universe

Travel the World with a Star

Traci — Fri, 25 May 2012 14:47:42 +0000

Technology is a wonderful thing. I am so thankful for the internet, this blog, and all the friends that I have made through the winding path of wires and binary code.

But I miss the world of pen-pals and stamps. When I was a Brownie, I had a pen-pal as far away as Trinidad/Tobago and as close as Oklahoma. I would love to share such an experience with my children.

And personally, I am tired of my mailbox only holding fliers and bills. How wonderful would it be to check the mailbox and find a smile waiting there?!?!

So I got an idea to get a big map and start a pen pal program with anyone and everyone who would like to participate. We would place a pin on each spot from which we receive a letter.

So, are you up for it? I would love to see how many pins we could get. And we promise to return the favor. You too could find a smile rather than a bill in your post box. Please email me at startraci@gmail.com or tweet me at @TracisStar if you would like to join in. And please, please forward it to any friends, near or far, who would like to participate.

I will share our journey as we go. Let’s see where all we can go. I hope you will join me and travel the world with a star.

#Traveltheworldwithastar

Wordless Wednesday #25 — (Little) Wolf-Man

Traci — Wed, 23 May 2012 13:27:17 +0000

On Monday, my Sonny-Bunny became a Wolf and we are so very proud of him.

Check out other Wordless Wednesdays over at 5 Minutes for Mom.

Sundays in My City #29 — Splish Splash

Traci — Sun, 20 May 2012 15:27:20 +0000

Water +Sun + Shaving Cream =

BIG FUN!

And don’t forget a popsicle to finish it off!

Please go wish my lovely friend Unknown Mami a happy birthday and celebrate her Sunday in Her City!

Birds, Bees, and a Blog

Traci — Fri, 18 May 2012 04:44:02 +0000

So the following conversation transpired last week in the car. Warning: this is the beginning of my first sex talk with my kids — a very unplanned conversation. VERY unplanned! The word “hole” is used a lot…

Sonny-Bunny: Mommy, if a baby grows in the Mommy’s belly, does the Mommy poop the baby out?

Me: No, honey. Women are built differently than men and their bodies have another place for the baby to come out.

SB: Another hole?

Me: Uh… yeah… a hole.

Little Diva: Mommy, do I have this hole?

Me: Uh… yes… remember, we talked about your “vagina”?

LD: My ‘jina? Is that where I tinkle?

Me: No, baby. That is your urethra. Everybody has a urethra.

SB: Me, too?

Me: Yes, boys and girls. Everyone has to tinkle.

LD: Where is it?

Me: His penis.

LD: His Peanut?

SB: My penis…

LD: So where does the baby come out?

Me: Well, you wouldn’t have a baby. You have to be a grown-up. But your vagina is the place on your bottom…

LD: The hole?

Me: Yeah… the hole…

SB: Mommy, can we talk about something else? This is kind of gross…

Me: Well, do you have any more questions?

SB: No!!!

Me: Baby, do you have any more questions?

LD: Will I have a baby one day?

Me: If you want… when you are a grown-up… after you graduate college and get married… (I had to throw in the college part…)

SB: Mommy! Can we PLEASE stop talking about this?!?!

Me: (big sigh of relief) Yes. Yes, we can.

What’s Happening Wednesday #7

Traci — Thu, 17 May 2012 01:21:29 +0000

First, who saw “Fashion Star” last night? I do not usually watch reality TV but I loved this show. Not because of Jessica, John or Nicole… Not because of Macy’s, Saks, or even the fabulous H & M… But because of the real designers on the show. In an era of TV competitors who are celebrated for being rude and cut-throat, the final three are as kind as they are talented. And an amazing designer and a lovely, sweet woman named Kara Larricks won!

A former teacher, she is making her dream come true at age 38! She reminds me that dreams can come true and that I am not too old to make mine happen. If you didn’t watch it last night, here’s a link to her winning moment.

And speaking of winning, the “A Family Village” Giveaway has a winner! Congratulations to Amber Eames.

And you can still be a winner. There are two days left to enter the UPrinting Giveaway. This is such a great opportunity for any small business. Please check it out!

Even I won a giveaway — A $100 gift card to Lowes from the fabulous Unknown Mami! With the move, I cannot tell you what a tremendous blessing this is to my life. Thanks, UM!

This blog keeps bringing good things my way! I feel so blessed. I may not be the biggest or the baddest but I may be the blest-est! (Yes, I am very aware that is not a word but I had a flow going.)

We’ve been under the weather this past week and a bit housebound, so when the Pollyanna Theatre Company offered me tickets to see their show, I jumped at it. Sunday afternoon, we headed down to the Long Center to see their Spring show, “Pattern Nation: Waves”. Now I have seen (and frankly been in) a LOT of bad children’s theatre. But this show was fabulous! The writing was solid and the actors were terrific. You can read my full review here.

So that’s What’s Happening for us this Wednesday. How about your Wednesday?

What’s Happening Review #2 — Pollyanna Theatre Company

Traci — Wed, 16 May 2012 00:16:38 +0000

What do you think when you hear the words “Children’s Theatre”?

I have seen children’s theatre, good and bad. I have been in children’s theatre good and bad. Good children’s theatre is inspiring, educational, and enjoyable for adults and children. Bad children’s theatre? Well… think stale plots, over-animated actors, and hit you over the head lessons. I have seen a LOT of bad children’s theatre.

When Pollyanna Theatre Company, a professional, Austin-based children’s theatre company invited my family to see their show, “Pattern Nation: Waves”, I was not sure which I would be seeing. But in the words of the Little Diva, “this show is hilarious.”

It was. The show was great. Not only did I enjoy it but the very skeptical, thinks he is too cool for school, eight year old Sonny-Bunny loved it. We laughed together and learned together. The writing was great and the troupe of four actors was fabulous. It was all around a terrific way to venture out on a Sunday afternoon.

The show explored the word waves in all its incarnations from waves hello to sound waves, light waves to brain waves. It was informative without feeling excessive or condescending. The actors’ performances were lively without being over-the-top. The production values were very high and the theatre, large and open. It was really a wonderful show!

We all enjoyed it so much that when they announced their summer show, “Rapunzel’s Bad Hair Day”, the kids already asked to go. So now you know where we will be this July, at the Long Center watching this fabulous company.

Please support this local gem. I know I will. How can I not? Their motto is “Creating a Hopeful Culture.” I just love that! You can visit their blog here and their FaceBook page here.

Enough is Enough… I Don’t Have TIME for This

Traci — Mon, 14 May 2012 04:17:27 +0000

Dear Red Covered, Four-Letter magazine,

It’s not about Jamie Lynn Grumet. She seems a lovely young woman who in interviews has expressed her respect for individual family choice. It is not about attachment parenting or about breast-feeding toddlers. It’s not even about Dr. Sears and his theories.

It’s about these words…

“Are You Mom Enough?”

Short answer… no. Every mother worth her salt wants the best for her children, no matter to what theory she does or does not subscribes. And every mother worth her salt doubts from time to time that she is the best. And most of us doubt it more often than from time to time. We think it dozens if not hundreds of times a day.

“Am I Mom Enough?”

Your attempt to be provocative and sell actual paper-bound copies was neither subtle nor sensitive. On the week of Mother’s Day, you threw this question in bold in our faces. You didn’t say…

“Are you parent enough?”

No, of course not. Because in the year of 2012, the weight of a properly socialized/attached/adjusted child still falls almost entirely on mothers. Mothers, who are filled with self-doubt and who constantly ask themselves that very question.

I have not read the entire article. As I mentioned above, this isn’t really about the actual article. It is about the choice to propose such a question in the first place. And to choose to do so on a week meant to celebrate all moms just irks me.

“Are You Mom Enough?”

Short answer… yes. Because every mother who loves her children and does her utmost best to provide her children with the best life she can provide, IS Mom enough. Attached or unattached, sleep-training or co-sleeping, breast or formula-feeding, working or stay-at-home, she is Mom enough. And most days, all she dreams of hearing is… Yes, yes you are.

So dying artifact of the printed world, if you will not say it, I will. To the Moms out there… supermodels and supermommies and every mother in-between….

“You are Mom Enough.”

Sincerely,

Traci
(A Star in MY Own Universe and hopefully, in the Hearts of MY Children)

Happy Mother’s Day

Traci — Sun, 13 May 2012 11:42:33 +0000

I wish a heartfelt happy day to all the Mothers, Grandmothers, and Great-Grandmothers in the world. I also send it out to all the Foster Mothers, Godmothers, and Aunties who feel like moms!

The reason for my day…

What’s Happening — Pollyanna Theatre

Traci — Sat, 12 May 2012 11:38:56 +0000

Hi Everyone! You know I came from the acting world, but you may not know that I was involved in children’s theatre. I loved my time performing for kids so when I heard about this show, I had to share, If you are in the Austin area, I hope you will check this out.

Pollyanna Theatre Company presents

PATTERN NATION: WAVES May 10-15, 2012

Designed to support pre-literacy skills among pre-school children –

appropriate for all children especially those through 2^nd grade

Austin, TX – Central Texas’ most well-known children’s theatre company, Pollyanna Theatre is proud to present PATTERN NATION: WAVES, May 10-13^th (see below for multiple times), with a 2:00 p.m. performance on the 13^th followed by a party (‘pay what you like’), and May 15 at 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. at the Rollins Studio Theatre at the Long Center for the Performing Arts, 701 West Riverside Drive, Austin.

WHO: Pollyanna Theatre Company

WHAT: PATTERN NATION: WAVES by Andrew Perry, (original concept by Emily Cicchini)

WHEN: May 10 at 11:00 a.m.
May 11 at 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
May 12 at 11:00 a.m., 2:00 and 4:00 p.m.
May 13 at 2:00 p.m. (followed by a “PAY WHAT YOU LIKE” party *)
(May 14 no performances)
May 15 at 9:30 and 11:30 a.m.

*post performance party ‘pay what you like’ open to public; mix and mingle with cast in costumes and enjoy refreshments in the AT&T Education Room (located next to the Rollins Theatre)

WHERE: Rollins Studio Theatre at the Long Center for the Performing Arts
701 West Riverside Drive, Austin, Texas 78704

TICKETS: Tickets to public performances are $7.25 for children under 12
$8.25 for students ages 12-18, seniors, & Austin Creative Alliance members
$9.25 for adults. To reserve, visit www.pollytheatre.org or email judy@pollytheatre.org

Based on the very popular series of plays produced by the Pollyanna Theatre five years ago written by Emily Cicchini, this new play by Andrew Perry continues Cicchini’s popular concept and beloved characters.

PATTERN NATION: WAVES explores the colorful world of waves and is intended to support important pre-literacy skills needed for learning success among pre-school children. Though appropriate for elementary school children of all ages, PATTERN NATION: WAVES will be most enjoyed by students in pre-K, Kinder, and grades 1 & 2. As with all Pollyanna Theatre plays, teacher/parent study guides are available, free of charge.

The play follows the fun adventure of four friends as they explore the many types of waves found around them in nature. The show opens with Cyan Circle waiting for his cousin, Amber Oval to arrive for their regular play date. However, fun soon erupts when Amber brings along her friends Jade Triangle and Pinky Rombus. Soon the four find themselves on amazing imaginative adventures at the beach, beside a very still lake hosted by a mermaid, and in the world of secret spies who are investigating invisible sound and light waves.

“We’re proud to bring back these delightful characters, who struck such a chord with children five years ago, back to life. Children learn best when they’re fully engaged, and we had both students, parents and teachers applauding this show.”

The cast includes professional actors from Pollyanna Theatre Company including longtime audience favorites Michelle Keffer and Andrew Alexander of the recent Ducks vs. Squirrels production, among others. The production is directed by Pollyanna Artistic Director and Founder, Judy Matetzschk-Campbell.

For more information on Pollyanna Theatre Company or to make a tax-deductible donation, please visit www.pollytheatre.org.

ABOUT POLLYANNA THEATRE COMPANY: The founders of Pollyanna Theatre Company believe that theatre is a powerful teaching tool that speaks to people of all ages in a unique and powerful way through a variety of visual, aural, and emotional languages. Therefore, theatre should be a part of all general education from Kindergarten through adulthood. Toward that end, The Pollyanna Theatre Company strives to work alongside educators to inspire, motivate, and teach audiences of all ages. Although the company’s primary focus is upon young audience members, the ensemble performs top quality theatrical productions that speak to and illuminate the human spirit and condition for all ages. www.pollytheatre.org

A Star’s Happening #1 — US Family Guide: Harlem Globetrotters

Traci — Fri, 11 May 2012 10:55:57 +0000

For the first time, the Harlem Globetrotters are conducting summer skills clinics to bring boys and girls ages 6-14 behind the curtain to see the Globetrotters’ electrifying skills and tricks, while also having fun staying active.

Clinic Locations:
Phoenix Houston San Francisco New Jersey

Denver Dallas Los Angeles Seattle

St Louis Miami Las Vegas

Save $10 on registration! Enter the Coupon Code USFAMILY on the cart page after completing your registration or mention when calling 1-800-641-HOOP (4667)
Click Here: http://www.harlemglobetrotters.com/basketball-skills-clinics/summer-2012

So go have some fun this summer!