It's Now Or Never

When I turned 40 I went on a #fortyandfearless mission not really knowing what I'd be getting myself into.  I just knew I was tired of saying no to opportunities coming my way and knew it was time to live what I teach (with my students and my own children), which is to practice more YESES with a healthy balance of NO's.  Only God knows whats in our path and He has surprised me with adventures I never imagined.  I'm sure there are many more to come.  One surprise that landed in my lap is playing the role of Mrs. Harborlen, the one and only adult in the World Premiere play, Cookiecrumble Cookie Toss, directed by Mary Claire Branton and written by Jim Davies.

Mrs. Harborlen (Sandy Skinner, lift) and her understudy.

It all started when I helped a dear friend of mine, Sandy Skinner get the role and when her father became ill and no one else was cast to be her understudy another mother (and friend) and myself volunteered.  At first, I couldn't help myself from thinking, "Why oh why did I sign up for this?"  But, I knew better than to listen to that voice.  The ever so familiar voice of fear.  I needed to be honest with myself.  So, I told myself, "Fear is not real, Kelley Sue.  Remember?  You of all people know this."  I'd be lying to myself if I said I didn't want to do act.  I have always wanted to act.  I've modeled, been in a few commercials here and there, but have never stepped it up and actually been on stage.  Well, not since elementary school anyway.  When I was younger fear often won.  No more!

In action on set.

I told myself, "It's now or never, Kelley Sue".  It helps that I have been surrounded by unconditional support by my family.  The director, Mary Claire is fabulous and will do anything (I mean, anything) to prepare the cast for the stage.  My daughter has cheering me on from the start.  She has coached me, ran through lines with me and even took the script from me to help my inner Mrs. Harborlen come out (we all have her in us... parents).  My daughter plays, Drew Algee, scheming girl clubber who wants to stick it to the troop authority.  So, it only makes sense that I should play Mrs. Harborlen, the adult National Girl Club President, who visits to congratulate the troop on their sales only to find much, much more.  Mrs. H and Drew go head to head on stage and I have to admit, it is hilarious.  

Me and my mini me.  

After many hours and several late nights of practice (at home and at the theatre) I am finally ready.  Knowing the director believes in me (and trusts that I won't screw things up) is perfect motivation.  The other parents are cheering me on.  Most friends and family members don't even know I'm in the play.  Which is pretty darn funny because tonight, Friday, February 24 at 7:30 p.m I hit the stage with brass guts and all. 


So, all I have left to say is BRING IT ON!  Here's to #fortyandfearless #fortyandfabulous #fearaintreal #nowornever #miraclemoments and #creatingmemorieswithmybabygirl

More information about Cookiecrumble Cookie Toss - Laugh along at this bite-sized exploration of business ethics when the tiny talents take the stage at The Oak Theatre at the Samford Studio. Share with all your friends! Tickets are going fast! Tickets $15 at http://oaktheatre.com. You are in for a BIG surprise!

Girl Club and Mrs. H with the director of Cookiecrumble Cookie Toss,
Mary Claire Branton (right) and writer, Jim Davies (left)

If you haven't bought tickets yet purchase them today.  Take a hilarious ride into the throes of capitalism, when six little girls duke it out over girls' club cookie sales in the world premiere of Cookiecrumble Cookie Toss. This (profanity-free) parody of David Mamet's Pulitzer-winning play Glengarry Glen Ross uses child actors to depict the extreme absurdity of adults who've been taken over by ambition and greed. Which girl can actually move the most product? It's all about the leads! 

2015 Summer Camps

It's that time of year!  The countdown is on... summer is near.  That means SUMMER CAMP!  Be sure to sign your kiddos up for Grounded Yoga Camp!  Early registration is encouraged.  For more information click on the classes tab.

Happy summer!
Kelley Sue


Grounded Kids Yoga Camps (Ages 5+)

JUST BREATHE Camp ~ June 15 - 19, 12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. | Newnan Karate Center, 254 C Bullsboro Dr. Newnan | $150

Contact Kelley Sue today to reserve your child's spot.  Early registration is encouraged.  Registration deadline is June 1.  Invite a friend and receive $10 off when they register!

Chattanooga, TN.

"Fear is nothing more than an obstacle that stands in the way of progress. In overcoming our fears we can move forward stronger and wiser within ourselves." ~ Unknown

7.  Become more involved in Grounded Yoga.

Yes, I co-taught a Grounded Yoga training.  Was I scared?  Of course.  Did I make mistakes?  You bet I did.  Did I learn?  Absolutely.

Thank you to my teachers, Amy and Cheryl for believing in me.  Thank you, Melanie for creating a sacred place at Balance Studios.  I am beaming with joy for these beautiful ladies! They worked hard, taught from the heart and blossomed over the weekend. And, so did I! 

Sat Nam 

The Life Cycle of Plants

As an introduction to The Life Cycle of Plants we read "The Tiny Seed" by Eric Carle and began preparing for our Spring garden.  

We went with great-grandma to Home Depot and purchased 2 Burpee seed starting kits and our favorite veggies (ie. kale, green beans, tomatoes, brussel sprouts, etc.)  and herbs.  We followed the directions and watched several videos on youtube including...

This is what we purchased...

We read and followed the instructions...

Planted our seeds...

and created a space for our Herbology 101 class.

While we are waiting for our seeds to sprout we are getting the ground prepared.  More pictures to come!  ;)

For more information on the life cycle of plants and activities check out The Life Cycle of Plants.

Books for teaching about plants at http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/books-teaching-about-plants

a lesson in figure drawing

my children love to draw so much that they often wake up in the morning and before they even eat breakfast they are drawing.  some things they have both been interested in learning how to draw include humans and horses.  so.... i introduced to them, again the ever so clever and brilliant, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) was one of the greatest painters of all times, but is also known as the ultimate Renaissance man because he was perhaps the most widely talented person ever to have lived. Da Vinci is now a favorite artist of our family.  

Want to study art history?  How about Da Vinci and the Renaissance Period.   My kids and who am I kidding, myself included thinks he was a genius.  Not only was he a consummate painter and sculptor, he was a great inventor, military engineer, scientist, botanist, and mathematician.

We read "Who Was Leonardo da Vinci?" and watched...

We also discussed our visit to the HIGH Museum of Art a few years back when the Leonardo da Vinci exhibit was there.  Our children were much younger but it made quite an impression on them.  Some other ideas when studying figure drawing include purchasing books on how to draw and to get active as a family by planning a Sketch Family Night and sketch as many drawings as you can.  You could even keep this going and later have an art gallery opening, invite your friends and family and maybe even sale a few drawings and donate the funds to a favorite charity.  

After studying Leonardo da Vinci we began learning about human anatomy (more to come).

Some books we enjoy...

The Fundamentals of Drawing, A Complete Professional Course for ARtists, by Barrington Barber

Drawing with Children, A Creative Methos for Adult Beginners, Too, by Mona Brookes

I Can Draw..., by Terry Longhurst

Nature Art Box

I got this nifty idea from Family Fun Magazine.  On our fall camping trip I surprised the kids with this super cool nature art box along with their very own Junior Ranger Activity book.  The best part about this souvenir?  Each compartment includes a natural souvenir!  :)

Lesson:  I challenged the kids to fill each compartment with a natural souvenir that matches each hue along our hike.  This was super special because normally we have a leave it be policy when hiking.  They love looking at their nature boxes every day!

Materials:  egg crate and acrylic paints (a variety of colors...think nature) 

The night before I painted each compartment with acrylic paint.

Along our hikes they found feathers, leaves, rocks, acorns, flowers and more.

back to school self-portrait

I LOVE the idea of combining journaling and painting!  I found this idea from Kathy Barbro's Art Projects for Kids blog.  To celebrate being back at school my nine year old combined journaling and painting.  My 5 year old painted more than journaling (painting is her heart!).  This is great way to your kids excited about writing and drawing themselves!

Materials:  canvas, acrylic, pencil and spray acrylic (glossy or matte).

1.  We reviewed drawing ourselves (from last year).  We used a mirror to study ourselves and discussed clothing options (favorites!).  My son outlined his face, neck and shoulders first, then used a ruler to make lines for writing.  He journaled first using pencil, then completed his portrait.  I asked them both to make room somewhere on their canvas for their names (on the right, left, top or bottom, etc.).

2.  You could use Sharpie marker to trace name and journal writing (I thought of this afterward).  I did not.  I asked the kids to darken their writing with pencil.

3.  Paint using acrylic (lightest to darkest and black last.... kids get crazy with black!).  If colors happen to run into each other, let it go and ask children to watch the beauty happen before their eyes.  :)  We always discuss how to keep a clean brush, not over mix colors and I remind them that happy accidents sometimes happen.  

4.  Last, spray with acrylic spray (especially if you used pencil rather than Sharpie marker like us ;).  )  Have fun!

waiting for rainbows...

Xx is for xylophone

Materials:  paper, watercolors, pencil, water, brushes


1.  While listening to Pandora (a mix of classical piano, Florence and the Machine, She & Him and more) we created these xylophones.  Afterward, we checked out xylophone performances on YouTube.  Here's one of our favorites: Mario Brothers Music

2.  We looked at images of xylophones online and started drawing with pencil.

3.  Then used watercolors to paint.

painted horses

The "We're Having a Horsey Affair" collection includes 25 beautifully painted horses.  There are no two horses alike!  

We voted on our favorite.  It was a difficult choice!  Thank you to all the artists who painted these beauties.

Well done Heritage students and David Boyd Jr.

Down Dog meets horse.  

The kids enjoyed looking at this one for some time.

Luckily, we ran into the President of the Historic Society and he taught us about each horse.  

This horse reads "horse" in several different languages including braille.

Under the horse you will find cave paintings.  Very cool!

Carousel horse. 

Confetti horse.

 

 

Exact words, "look how beautiful!".  It was a difficult choice and we liked all the horses, but if 

she had to choose this would be #1 purely from her reaction.

Runner up... the colorful and mystical mermaid horse.

A painting of the Corral Home, 

Coweta Organization for Riding Rehabilitation and Learning.

The Corral horse wins!