Monday, July 25, 2016

The Music Man

School being out means that we've got more time for other hobbies, and for Ellis that means more musicals! For three weeks he went to daily practices for a kid's production of one of our favorites: The Music Man!

This production was especially fun because Ellis is now old enough to be in the plays where they enter and exit and the stage, and the kids are starting to get better at being in character. Ellis was cast as Marcellus (Harold Hill's old friend) for his main role, but he filled in for several other roles as well. Our favorite was as a member of the school board, who form the famous barbershop quartet. Ellis was, of course, ecstatic to be on stage again, and he certainly shone brightly up there!

The cast

Ellis' friends are always so good to come see his performances! Pictured here are Daniel, Ellis, Jake, and Hank.

Ellis in costume

Hamming it up!


Isn't he the BEST music man?

Friday, July 01, 2016

Farewell to the Seversons

In our three years in Evanston, the Seversons have basically been family. From the day we arrived, their boys and ours hit it off, and play dates and babysitting and carpooling have happened several times per week. 

So, we did not take it lightly when they announced they were moving to Midway, UT. Of course, it's partially our fault, since we told them they should look into Midway in the first place...bad move on our part!

Of course, Jenn was put in charge of planning the farewell party. And, of course, it was all Chicago-themed:

Chicago cookies

Illinois wall hangings

For the third wall hanging, we had everyone at the party sign their name in gold ink within a stencil of Illinois. It turned out looking really cool!

These boys...they just love each other!


Silliness in the back of the van

Trampoline time!

 

Snack break

Girl's night farewell party


One of our favorite things about the Severson boys is how much they love Archer. He's always surrounded by 6 entertaining boys when they are around...

...and he loves it!
Sam and Andrew have perhaps had the most time to hang out together, since they weren't in full-time school and went to the same pre-school. There was a time when Sam thought Andrew was way too young for him, but in the end these two became great, goofy friends.

This was the summer of Pokemon, and we got in lots of trades with the Severson's before they left! (and have been trading cards via mail ever since...)


 We were so happy to have the Severson boys at our house a lot in the last week before they left as Sarah and Ben packed up their stuff. We needed to get our fill before they left!

Eventually, though, the time came to truly say goodbye.

 
The boys in front of the Severson's house

Last joint-selfie!

Luckily for us, FaceTime has allowed the boys to keep up their friendship pretty well even since they left, but it's certainly not the same without them!