Fun with Phun

A couple of months ago I ran across a free download for a software called Phun. Phun is described as a 2-D physics sandbox. You can see what sort of things can be done using the program on the video below.



I'm always up for trying out free software and we've found some great ones out there. This one is a keeper and enjoyed by both of my kids. I love the creativity it inspires! You can download your own copy at http://www.phunland.com/wiki/Home. Enjoy!

A Wonderful Little House Night

Last night was the big opening night for Little House on the Prairie, the Musical at Detroit's Fox Theater. My family was in attendance as "Little House Ambassadors". I just love going to the gorgeous Fox Theater. We don't get to go very often and seeing a show downtown is always a treat.

Little House on the Prairie, the Musical starts out in the beginning, with the Ingalls family staking their claim to land in the West and continues on through the marriage of Laura and Almanzo. Kara Lindsey, who plays Laura as child through adult, beautifully captures the wild child of Laura. Her voice inflections and mannerisms surely convince the audience that she is just a youngster, with her stage voice and actions maturing with the character. Alessa Neeck and Carly Rose Sonenclar, cast as Mary and Carrie respectively, do an equally fine job of portraying their characters. Pa is played by Steve Blanchard, who has appeared on Law and Order, a variety of soap operas, and numerous stage productions on and off Broadway. As a special treat for those that grew up watching the Little House TV series, Ma is played by Melissa Gilbert.

Wicked fans will enjoy seeing Kate Loprest, who played Wicked's Glinda, return to the Fox stage, this time as Nellie. Loprest as Nellie adds quite a bit of humor to the show. I didn't miss the irony that Loprest had previous played a witch, a characterization I've always put on the mean Nellie. Both characters are "good (and manipulative) witches" that are transparent in their folly. Kevin Massey plays Almanzo, who courts Nellie for a time after Laura's rejection, before winning over Laura, which brought about applause from the audience. Massey probably brings more appeal to the boys in the audience as a young male lead who tames horses and tends to the land - while in pursuit of the girl.

My whole family enjoyed the show, especially my theater-loving daughter. This wasn't a sit-on-the-edge-of-your-seat show for my 10-year-old wiggly son, but I did get a "It was good," out of him when the show was over. If you have a young boy in your house, you'll know that isn't too bad. For those who have fond memories of the Little House book and TV series, this will be a fun trip down memory lane while sharing the experience with your young Little House fans. It isn't often that a production comes around suitable for the whole family without having adults succumb to big yellow birds or the need to cover eyes and ears of little ones.

For those of you who must have every single detail to be true to the original 9-book series, don't expect the whole series to be portrayed exactly in a 2-hour production. I had no trouble with the the theatrical version, though I'll have to admit that I don't remember every detail of every book or episode. However, there was a family of three behind us that left at intermission in a huff grumbling that the play wasn't "accurate". I have to admit I felt sorry for their little girl, who was about 7 or 8, as I can't imagine that she wasn't enjoying the show immensely! I honestly can't imagine why anyone would have such expectations, but thought I'd mention in case there are any of your who are that, um...uptight...about accuracy. I can't give you details of discrepancies, nor was I looking for them. I simply enjoyed the show.

While the show was enjoyable, one of the highlights was getting to meet some of the cast after the show. My normally outgoing, theater-aspiring daughter suddenly turned shy when presented with the opportunity to chat with professional actors and actresses. She finally mustered up the courage to ask Neeck and Lindsay about their paths to the big stage. These two young ladies were sweet and honest - a joy to talk to. Blanchard gave her excellent advice as well, and encouraged her to strive toward her goals and not get discouraged if others get her down, as there will always be someone ready to do so. Melissa Gilbert made a brief appearance. Gilbert's visit was unexpected, but was arranged for a little girl donning roses, who was anticipating her and looking a bit crushed. We really didn't talk to her, but our family did get a huge chuckle over an overzealous mother who was gushing on with, "I've read all of your books..." as if she were THE Laura Ingalls Wilder. Gilbert looked particularly tired after the performance, but was polite. Her dog, Josephine, was a bit grumpy though! I only know the dog's name because it was scolded a few times! We did get an autograph for our program and an attempt at a picture with a cell phone. Unfortunately, cameras were not allowed in the theater and it was too dark for a cell picture to turn out. There are no photo memories other than the one outside the theater, but it was a great experience nonetheless.

FREE Gifted Homeschooling Teleconference

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And the Winner ...

for the 4 Little House on the Prairie, the Musical tickets is..

jswylie!


Congrats!

Giveaway! 4 Tickets to Little House on the Prairie, the Musical!! ($100+ value)

A few days ago I shared about a new musical coming to the Fox Theater next week, Little House on the Prairie, the Musical.

I know the Little House series is popular among homeschoolers, just for pleasure reading or to use with curricula such as The Prairie Primer. For a fun field trip, the Detroit Public Library's Burton Historical Collection includes Laura Ingalls Wilder's manuscripts for The Long Winter and These Happy Golden Years. No matter how you incorporate it, Little House is such a great, wholesome series to use in your homeschool.

Homeschooling or not, most of us will remember watching the Little House on the Prairie TV series, which aired 1974 - 1982 and starred Mellisa Gilbert as Laura. I remember what a bully I thought Nellie when I watched the show as a little girl! It will be great fun to see Mellisa Gilbert play Ma in the musical!

For more information on the show:

http://www.littlehousethemusical. com
www.OlympiaEntertainment.com

The Fox Theater Box Office or Ticketmaster 800-745-3000

I am very excited to get to attend the musical as a "Little House Ambassador". I wanted to share the fun and asked the Little House Musical folks if they would be interested in offering tickets as a giveaway for the homeschooling community and beyond. They happily agreed and are offering the following for one lucky winner:

4 tickets for opening night, Tuesday, Dec 1 @ 7:30 p.m. at the Fox Theater in Detroit, MI

The winner will be selected and contacted by the sponsors on Monday, Nov 30, 2009, who will be gathering the entries from this blog post. I will be notified of the winner so that I can announce it here as well. Tickets will need to be picked up at the box office 15 minutes before the show.

Because of the time sensitive nature of the tickets, the winner will be required to respond to claim their tickets by Monday, Nov 30th at 3 p.m., otherwise another winner will be selected. If you enter, please be sure to check your email and this blog regularly on Monday!

Now, how to enter:

Leave a comment on this post with one or more of the following:

• your favorite Little House on the Prairie title
• your favorite Little House on the Prairie character
• your favorite scene from a Little House on the Prairie TV episode

Additional entries can be earned by:

• Tweeting about this giveaway
• following my blog publicly
• posting about this giveaway on your blog (please include link)
  

Be sure to leave another comment for any of the additional entries!

That gives you a total of four opportunities to enter! You have until Monday, November 30 at 10 a.m. to enter. The winner will be selected randomly and notified by email, so make sure you have your email address clearly noted in your comment!

Little House on the Prairie, the Musical

Do you remember Melissa Gilbert who played Laura Ingalls in the television series? She is starring as "Ma" in this stage show coming to Fox Theater in Detroit, December 1 – 5. Very fun!

Our family has been selected to go to the musical on opening night as "Little House Ambassadors" and I will be happy to share our experience the following day! I'm hoping it will be a great show and we are very excited! As part of my involvement, I also get to share with friends a code for discounted tickets. If you'd like to enjoy this wholesome musical with your family, be sure to use the discount price code FAITH when purchasing your tickets.

For more information or to order your tickets go to:

http://www.littlehousethemusical. com
www.OlympiaEntertainment.com

The Fox Theater Box Office or Ticketmaster or 800-745-3000

Detroit is the third stop of this musical tour. If you aren't in the area, check out the schedule for a show near you.

First NFL Football Game

We aren't a huge sports family. I think my husband went to one football game in college at our Big Ten university. I bought season tickets one year, at least. However, over the last couple of years my husband has watched quite a bit of football. I'm not sure what initially sparked the interest, but it has been a fun past time for father and son to hang out.

Yesterday, my husband took my son to see his first NFL football game! Better yet, the Lions actually won! How often does that happen? I think he would have been thrilled to go whether there was victory or not, but he looks pretty happy as is, doesn't he?