And I think to myself...what a wonderful world <3

Today we returned to the Natick Collection with our brand new tour, ROOTS. The cast features 23 girls ages 9 to 19, all full of energy, life, and love for the stage. I am blessed to have found such a fantastic cast and can't wait to see what the season holds.

The past week was hard on everyone - long hours, family and school commitments to juggle, and the "FOB flu" circulating throughout the girls. It was certainly a "climb" getting through the week, and those girls who had to miss out on rehearsals or shows were dearly missed! However, as is the FOB way, all involved rallied and worked it and pulled off two awesome performances today!

It started off with an early arrival at the "Collection" where I met up with the ever exuberant Tori and her mom, Heidi. It was their turn to help load in the equipment and did so with a smile on their faces! That stuff is SO heavy and they showed up 2 hours early to help me get it all organized. Thank you, Heinlein's! There was the usual glitch here and there at set up, but we got it figured out just in time (phew). Tori had fun helping with sound check and even got a little pre-show solo action (;

The girls arrived in stages (one of these days they'll all make it to call together! haha) and since we were missing 4 girls, call was a flurry of flailing...working quick swing and understudy changes and making sure everyone knew what was going on.

The first show went off well - the audience was mild but genuinely enjoyed the entertainment. The girls are still getting their feet wet with the new show, but definitely gave it their all for the first full show.

Inbetween performances, Stephanie, her mom, sister Julia, and grandmother, Bodner, Tori, Heidi, and I went to American Girl Doll store. It's Julia's sixth birthday today (woo!) and she was all smiles in her Princess outfit going to pick out her very first American Girl doll!! She had her heart set on Elizabeth, although we all tried to convince her to get the newest doll, Rebecca, who litrrrallly just came out today! Rebecca looks like Julia and was super cute, but alas, Julia knew what she wanted! Then it was lunch time, where Tori and Heidi and I headed over to the food court for some delicious salads and smoothies. We met up with Tarr and MK and headed back to the staging area. Break time finally began when Tarr, MK, Kayleigh, Lily, Tori, me, and a bunch of other FOB kiddos just lounged on the giant couches taking pictures and talking. These are the moments where FOB feels like family - everyone getting along, acting silly, doing nothing...makes you appreciate the time you have together!

Soon enough it was time for show #2, but not before catching little Miss Julia with her newly pierced ears!!! Having babysat Julia since she was a baby, I had to stop and remind myself she is actually six years old!! Time goes by so fast...

Show #2 was on fire. The girls were running on empty after 25 hours of rehearsal and two performances, but they mustered up all their energy and gave the best performance of the weekend!!

We now have 5 days off and I'm hoping everyone will regain her strength for next Saturday's opening night performance...I know I will!!! It's going to be a GOOD ONE!!!

xoxo,

Samm