Today was the last day of theater arts camp. Riley was the only kid with special needs and she was with an aide she didn’t know previously and kept the fact she had an aide undercover. Her aide was young, and everyone thought she was just another conselor. Riley’s super duper memory and ability to easily learn lines is no doubt what scored her the leading role. The play was an original story with a hodge-podge of familiar songs and show tunes. Riley played “the teacher.”
Eariler in the week it was touch and go. She had an issue with her microphone, and almost couldn’t get past it, but she was able to articulate her feelings and we came up with a solution, and she got through it.
She had a beautiful solo in the beginning, and here she is in one of the numbers which she performed with the camp counselors. This one blew me away, because just the noise at the beginning of the scene would have derailed her not so long ago.
Yes. I cried.
And Seth. My baby. Look at him attack the mic and do Michael proud. I love this boy. I love everything about him. I love him and I like him, and I think he’s cool.
And how cute were the tiny kids? Impossibly cute. Our friend Jancy came to cheer the kids on. It was so nice of her to want to be there. The kids had only seven days to actually rehearse.
The Cleveland Music School Settlement is a place which truly supports those with special needs. It is an organization with a heart. A lot of people jumped through a lot of hoops to make this camp happen for Riley. They were all rooting for her to even get into this session, and then…she blows us out of the water by auditioning for the lead.
Riley has no concept of how amazing she is. She doesn’t know she’s breaking down barriers. She doesn’t know she’s a freaking miracle. She’s just plugging along, being Riley. Doing her thing. Full of sweetness and love.
I am so blessed to be her mom, to have front row seats to watch her fly.
Wow. This makes my heart sing. Bravo!
W O W!!! That was great!!! Sorry I missed this! Riley was fantastic… and of course the moves on Seth…He sure worked that microphone..!! tears..!!!! and Cheers!
Oh, Michelle, I got teary! Your kids are the coolest, not just kids, but people.
I have a lump in my throat the size of a melon right now! Revel in it, my friend. Revel in it.
How blessed you are to share the lives of Riley and Seth and how blessed they are to be your children. What a beautiful story. I found myself grinning throughout the videos and bopping along here on my computer chair–just easing on down! What wonderful children. And how they will fly!
Oh, Michelle. Riley’s piece is a triumph. And Seth? Unbelievable. Someday we’ll be telling people we knew him when….
Ugly crying! They are both amazing! LOVE Riley’s glasses!!!
Her glasses were just a prop. But yes…I loved them too. Todd almost didn’t recognize her.
Nailed it! Did Riley age 2 years in the last 6 weeks?
Yes. Yes she did! She’s grown not only in inches but in so many other ways over the last year. She’s a riot.
So. Incredible. I’m so excited about this! And it’s just wonderful to see not only how well they did, but how much fun they had. Love.