Eli on the news...

Here's a link to a video of Eli on channel 4 news. The story is about how the Arvada Center is beating the recession but they play a video of one of the songs from Miss Saigon during the story. http://cbs4denver.com/video/?id=62091@kcnc.dayport.com

Miss Saigon Photos

The Birthday Celebrations...

The fifth birthday was well celebrated! Today, Eli had a Chinese birthday party with a few good friends. They tried moon cakes, ate yummy Chinese food, tried Eli's favorite cookies from China, jumped on the trampoline and played in the hot tub. What more could one five year old ask for?

And last night, on the actual birthday (after Eli did his first performance) the absolutely amazing cast and crew celebrated Eli's birthday by singing the most beautiful rendition of Happy Birthday you've ever heard and eating cupcakes with him. Then he hammed it up for everyone and they all took pictures with him. It was amazing and very sweet and we're pretty sure he'll never have Happy Birthday sung to him like that again! If we look like we were just about bursting with pride in the picture that's because...well...we were! He was awesome last night and the show is fantastic! Can't wait to see it again!

Noah's First Soccer Game

Noah got to play in his first soccer game today and he scored his first goal. He had so much fun that he giggled through most of the game!

Eli is 5!

Happy 5th birthday, Eli! You are a treasure and a joy! I'm thinking today about the day you were born and wishing that I could have known you on that day, held your tiny little body in my arms and kissed your perfect little face. I'm praying for the woman who got to be the first to love you and the first to do those things, praying that she knows how loved you are, how cherished you are and what a healthy, happy, wonderful little boy you are. I'm praying for the women who snuggled you on that night and the next night and many, many more after that. The women who gave you your bottle and tucked you in your crib, who comforted you when you were afraid and taught you your first words. I thank God for their love for you. I'm praying for the woman who taught you to walk, who picked you up and kissed your boo-boos when you fell down, who loved you so obviously and so well. I thank God for the many mothers you've had. And I thank God that I get to be the last one, the one that gets to be yours forever. You are such a light in any group...quick to smile and quick to laugh. You are a friend to all and get so much joy out of everything you do. You are so smart and so interested in learning. I can't wait to see what God has in store for you, boy who is loved by so many across the world. We love you!

God talks...

Last night Grace and Eli were talking about lightning and where it comes from and why. After much attempted 7 year old explanation of what causes lightning and very little four year old understanding, Grace said, "Why don't you just ask God, Eli? He made it." Eli said that sometimes he asks God stuff but he can't hear him. Grace replied, "Yes, you can. But only sometimes his voice sounds like your thoughts. You know, like when he says to tell the truth or be nice or stuff." Eli thought that was probably right.

The Schedule...

I decided just to post the Miss Saigon schedule in case anyone is interested in going. The tickets are selling out really quickly...we got the last 4 for his first performance...so if you'd like to go, get tickets soon! These are the performances that Eli is scheduled to play Tam. However, they have two kids coming each night in case one freaks out (genius!), so no guarantees. But so far he hasn't freaked out so here's hoping!
Sat. Sept 12 @ 7:30
Sun. Sept 20 @ 2:00
Sun. Sept 27 @ 2:00
Thurs. Oct 1 @ 7:30
Sat. Oct 3 @ 2:00
Fri. Oct 9 @ 7:30
(If they decide to extend the run, Eli will have two more shows the following week.)

Tam!

This post has been a few days in the making (in my head) because I just don't really know how to post about it. So I'm just going to write because I have a feeling that this is going to be a big thing in Eli's life and I want to document it. So here goes. In May I got an audition notice for Miss Saigon from the Arvada Center, a professional, regional theatre in our area. They needed small, 4-6 year old Asian boys to play Tam in their upcoming production. I thought about it and talked to Steve and we thought Eli wasn't ready emotionally or even developmentally for something like that. So we passed.
This summer he LOVED being Crickee in Mulan, Jr. He loved everything about the production...every rehearsal, every dance, every scene...loved it! But he's only four (five next week!) so when I signed Grace and Noah up to do Beauty and the Beast this fall, Eli was too young. He was bummed but understood and we went on our merry way.
This week I got an email from the director of Beauty and the Beast telling me that they were looking for another little boy to play Tam at the Arvada Center and advising us to jump at the chance for Eli. Still I was unsure so I prayed about it, that the door would very clearly be open or shut, and called the Arvada Center. They asked us to send in a photo of Eli. Obviously I couldn't take a new one (due to the eyebrow incident) so I sent them one from camping this summer of a very muddy, happy Eli. They called us right back and asked us to come meet with them. And when we did they decided right away they wanted him. That day they measured him for costumes and he got to see all of the props and secret backstage stuff. He loved it! So...that long story to say that Eli will be one of six kids playing Tam in Arvada Center's production of Miss Saigon. What an amazing opportunity for him! More to come about the process and schedule and such. We don't know which of the 40 shows he'll be doing but if you're interested in seeing it, let me know. Wow. Okay, I think that's it for now.