Ivy's Movie Experience

We were so excited when we got a call that Ivy was chosen to be a photo double for a character in a movie!  We had attended the movie casting call, but got the impression they didn’t need us.  Then a few days later, the casting agent called us saying she didn’t realize at the time how much Ivy looked like one of the main characters and would like more photos of her and stats and stuff.  So when she was chosen, she, of course was soo excited!  We met the crew on Tuesday and got to watch a scene be shot.  Everyone was super nice and excited to meet Ivy.  Friday was filming day and to Ivy, it seemed like eternity.  Here’s how the day went:

 

We got to see the back trailers of the movie set -- just like you'd think, with "directors" and "costume" and "hair and makeup" on the doors.

Cool!  A movie mirror!

 Ivy had her own trailer to change into her costume.  This photo says it all -- look how excited she is!

 Then they did her makeup -- which really meant spraying down her whole body with foundation to make her pale white. 

 Then she got her hair done, including extensions that matched her hair completely.

 Set and ready to go!  We got a catered lunch that was delicious. 

 Here's Ivy with watching a scene be shot.  The director is in the red hat in front.

 Ivy with the other photo double.  Both we waiting, waiting, waiting for their take. 

Here's the girl that Ivy was supposed to be the photo double for. 

And so then here's what happened:  The mood of the directors was very much different than on Tuesday -- you could tell they were under a lot of pressure, since this was the last day of filming.  They had 3 more scenes to film in just 2 hours.  I overheard the director say that they may not be able to use the photo doubles.  I shared this with Ivy and she started to tear up.  I told her there's still a chance, so hang in there.  Then later, they moved the set and some people told us to follow them.  Ivy got really hopeful, but as soon as we arrived, the director said thank you for being here but they didn't have time to film them afterall.

I was proud of Ivy for holding her chin up after such an awful way of having her hopes dashed, and after she got changed, makeup removed, and hair undone, she and I sat by the beach to cry and cry.  It was really heartbreaking.  But it made her very determined to someday be in front of a camera for real.  With Ivy's natural acting and performing ability, she just may be someday....

And, although for her age, the experience is really what matters, she did make a lotta $$ for just sitting around on the beach all day...plus it was really cool to see how a movie is made.

Ivy's Baptism, Elysse's Birthday - Grandma and Grandpa Hicken's visit Day #4

 

 Birthday Brownies made by Kezia, 

along with a picture with Elysse's favorite things:  a zebra, a dolphin, a flower, and a girl.

 Pancakes with a Berry on top --Birthday Breakfast Request

Elysse generously shared her birthday celebration with Ivy's baptism.  I was feeling stressed about possibly feeding the ward refreshments afterward, realizing we had planned her baptism on a fast Sunday, but happily last minute I realized we could do a pot luck at our house and take the burden off my shoulders.  It was fantastic.  I loved the support of our friends, especially our friends who are not members of the church but came to support Ivy, including the Clarks, Durrazzos, and Lynn, Kaimana, and Promise, And Kelly (Wanda's owner) came to the party afterward, and even brought her violin to show the kids how to play.

 Elysse in her dress up gift from Grandma and Grandpa Hicken

 Ivy in her baptism dress from Grandma Burgoyne

 Soul in his Mud Face after going face first down the slide

Being baptized was definitely a choice Ivy made; it wasn't something forced upon her or something she "had to do" because she was now eight.  Before, she was a bit hesitant, but later decided she wanted to.  After she was baptized, she jumped on her daddy and gave him a big hug.  Then when she came into the dressing room, she said to me, "I'm so happy I am baptized!"

Grandma Burgoyne made Elysse's cake, of course.  Elysse requested a "winter cake", and here's what she came up with.    (oops!  I'll post the photo when I can find it!)

Christmas Performance

 December7th was the Parks and Recreation Expo day.  All the girls performed -- Elysse and Ivy in their ballet/jazz class and Kezia in tap dance and gymnastics.  The girls did AWESOME!!!!  In fact, each of them had an obstacle that they overcame for their performance, which made me extra-proud.  Elysse had been complaining of a pain on her bum that felt like staph (again).  We could not find any sign of it until the night before...and then we saw it was pretty far advanced.  She still wanted to do her performance, and danced beautifully despite being very uncomfortable.  I think her face here says it all.

We took her to the ER afterward to have it lanced (again).  See other post (that is, if I happen to have the time to post it.)

Ivy's class continued to shrink as the date for the performance grew closer.  Then, as you can see in the video, the third girl got stage fright at the last minute, but even so, Ivy and her friend danced wonderfully!

Kezia only attended tap dancing about 1/2 the time, so with that in mind, she did really well.  I was most impressed when she got right back up after falling down and didn't skip a beat, as well as when she was surprised to see she didn't have a partner, but dealt with it like a pro.  AWESOME!  And then just a few days before, we learned that her gymnastics coach wanted her to perform, but since we didn't get the notice of the performance practice.  We were lucky a friend of hers had clothes she could borrow.

Enjoy the videos!!

November Happenings

 Nate ran a marathon!

The night before Veterans' Day, Nate told me, "I'm gonna get up at 4:00am and do a long run in the morning.  8:00am comes around and he's still not home.  He comes back near 8:15 to tell me he's not going to the exercise class we usually go to because he's "still not done running."  Even with my asking, he still wouldn't tell me what was going on!  What was up with this unusual excitement about running, a sport he used to despise?  I passed him on my way to exercise class and he finally told me he was running a marathon -- solo.  He just up and wanted to see if he could do it.  Well, at 10:30, he called me and asked me to pick him up -- he finished, and got first place!!

 Soul has discovered the joy of placing small objects in a container.  Here he is placing pebbles in a roll of twine.

 I don't know what he is doing here, some sort of ostrich move, but he had a great time doing it!

 

I love how the girls love each other!

3.  We went to the Valley of the Temples, a cemetary which hosts a large Buddhist temple.  Beautiful, but after seeing so many in Taiwan, probably not worth a drive over just to see one.  But the girls loved feeding the koi and even the birds fed right out of Ivy's hand!

 

 Voter spirit!

We all got into the patriotism spirit this year.  We were strong Romney fans.  Here are the girls making a sign for Romney

 Elysse and Soul at Preschool

 This made me laugh:  You see how much pancake is left on Elysse's plate?  Well, she brought the plate to me at the end of breakfast and said, "I just can't handle any more".  Really?

 Elysse and friends

At the Triple Crown contest this weekend (a big surf contest at the beach across the street) Elysse met a mermaid with her friends.  She happened to be there when she was being interviewed, so got to be on the webcast of the contest. 

Our family Circus

To most onlookers, it may look like another beautiful, calm day at the beach...

But take another look and you'll find the

 Bodacious Burgoynes 

pulling tricks that will blow your mind!!

 The Amazing Elysse Defies gravity and floats ABOVE water!

Supernatural Soul catches satellite reception -- through his HAIR!!!

 Zooming Kezia ZIPS at 75mph-ish down a plastic tarp straight into the salty water! 

Indomitable Ivy tackles WILD 100lb logs -- and lives to tell the tale!

Ivy's a Paddler!

Guess what?  Ivy's paddling!!!

If you know Ivy, you know that she does things at her own time.  She is not one to be pressured into doing something, but will do it when she is ready.  And when she does finally do something, she does it really well.  Well, today she figured she was finally ready to paddle on her own, and she was super super great!  She and grandma even paddled longer than everyone else! 

 

 

 Kezia was taking it nice and easy...

 Soul was taking it even easier.

Painting the Bridge to Grandma's House

The girls have been decorating the bridge that connects our yard to grandma's.  Kezia painted the large section and Ivy and Elysse each painted a step.  Here are some pics.

And uh, Soul wanted to help with the "Sun" paint.  You know the song, "There is Sunshine in My Soul Today"?  Well, today, there literally was sunshine in my soul. ;)

Arts Festival July 2012

At the Haleiwa Arts Festival, July 2012

 The girls love the kids art booth!

 Ivy is getting her arm painted.

An artist is teaching the girls how to make stained glass

And best of all, really good music to dance to!