Friday, April 15, 2011

ANNIE REHEARSALS and CHINESE LANTERNS

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!
MAXMOM here...


Hello there, everybody!

The latest news is that a cold-front is moving into our neck of the woods. 
Brrrrrrr....!!! 
It's likely to become pretty chilly over the weekend. I can't say that I'm really looking forward to the winter, but I suppose the appearance of cooler weather is on schedule.
I think it's time now to stock up on some good books, warm blankets and enticing food. 

---xXx---



Although the rehearsals for 'ANNIE' are now in full swing, the organisers don't need Toby to be on set at the moment. He is due to join up with cast during the full rehearsals later on this month. We do, however, go a along to the school regularly, to simply be amongst the cast members while they practice. It's a great opportunity for him to become completely comfortable in their company and all the activity around him.

I continue to rehearse his specific moves at home and I also meet up regularly with his chief instructor -Shannon - from
to revise the things he needs to do in the play.
  
All-in-all, Toby is coming along really nicely and he is maturing by the day.  He has the sweetest, most endearing personality, and is a hit amongst the children.  He is totally in his element when he's 'working' and is almost ready to take the stage. 

In addition to his training for 'Annie', he attends his regular
"Canine Good Citizen"
 classes on a Saturday morning at
During the week, I also try to expose him, as much as possible, to various public settings.  I'm really lucky because he seems very comfortable in any environment - especially in crowds of people.

Last night, I took him along to the
RANDBURG HOERSKOOL,
to mingle amongst the crowd.

An 'Open' evening had been organised where the school was able to showcase its many activities to prospective learners.  It's a well organised school and there were tons of people mulling around. 
Toby and I were never short of company.  Many folk came along to say 'hello' to us and to give Toby a pat.  We were introduced to the Headmaster too. Toby rose to the occasion by shaking paws with him - much to his amusement.
He can be really cute sometimes and will lie on his back willingly to have his tummy rubbed.

Later in the evening, a ceremony was held for all the prospective learners. 
Some of the children will be attending high school, for the first time next year.
They had organised a chinese lantern ceremony for the children. The kids were asked to write their dreams onto the lanterns and symbolically send them up into the heavens.
The lanterns were lit and launched into the night.
It really was very pretty to see them all floating away.


 One couldn't help but be moved, as we watched all the beautiful lanterns disappear into the night.

Once again, thank you to the Randburg Hoerskool for the opportunity to be part of your production. 
And thank you to the instructors at
for all your help in preparing Toby for this wonderful occasion.

That's all for today.

Wishing all our friends a wonderful, happy and restful weekend.

Sending lotsaluv
MAXMOM IN SOUTH AFRICA


14 comments:

Golden Samantha said...

Toby seems so incredibly calm in all the situations he's placed in! What a well-behaved boy! I know how hard you've both worked on the training and it's such a delight to see the results - he's just so good in crowd situations, as you say! Can't wait to see more on the rehearsals!
Have fun Saturday!
xxooxo
Miche and the Girls

Deborah said...

I have to admit Toby is very calm, you can just see it on Toby's face. Have a nice weekend! Enjoy stocking up on your books!!
xxoo
Deborah

Mrs. JP said...

The time is going by so quickly! I'm sure that you and Toby will be ready for show time. It's so great that he's calm around the kids. That takes a long time to teach I guess.
Have a great weekend, get out those lovely quilts you have and snuggle with your pack!

houndstooth said...

You must really be getting excited for the play to start now! Toby looks great there and seems to handle everything in stride!

Amber-Mae said...

WOW it must have been a very beautiful sight to see those lanterns float up into the dark sky! How did they go up? Was there a balloon attached to it/inside it? Hoomie Melissa says she has never seen lanterns float up into the sky before.

♥I am Holly♥ said...

Toby looks very calm and collected! He sure has grown up fast! Have a great weekend! Lots of love, Holly and mom

Kari said...

What a great doggie! We agree with him staying within the "Annie" environment. A few weeks can fe a very long time for a little boy. He really is a calm boy for being so young.

Becky Andrews said...

He is doing so great and has so many wonderful opportunities that sounds like he is handling so calmly. Have a great weekend.

Two French Bulldogs said...

We love following you on this journey Toby
Benny & Lily

Unknown said...

Aww...what a lovely idea about those lanterns!

I also love taking Honey along on "special outings" - I think it's such good experience for them to be exposed to new settings & environments & situations - and to learn to enjoy them!

Hsin-Yi

Asta said...

Dawling toby
Pleez thank youw Mom fow that lovely answew to my 1000th post. I will nevew fowget ouw times wif Max and I'm loving getting to know you.
You have such a lovely dispawsition and youw Mom is so clevew about doing all the wight twaining, that I have no doubt you will be a staw in Annie!!!
I have heawd woomows in blogville, that we might owganise a twip (viwtooally) to come and see you in the pwoduction.
We'we all so pwoud of you
smoochie kisses
ASTA

Anonymous said...

Looks like your doing a Pawsome job there Toby! I know that Max is looking down on ya and cheering you on!

I talked to Frankie Furter Price and suggested that we all get together from BloggieVille and fly out to see you in your play. The Mayor, Frankie said he will be looking in to the possibility!

woo hoo I cannot wait!

Have a Pawsome Weekend,

woo woos, Tessa

D.K. Wall said...

Cold front is about our favorite phrase - grins.

Scout and Freyja said...

What a wonderful outing for you and for Toby. It's always so nice to expose our dogs to so many experiences and Toby does it so gracefully. You must be immensely proud of your little man.

Speaking of a cold front. We had winds of 54 mph today and got 5 inches of snow! It's close to 25 degrees below normal and supposed to stay like that all week...sigh.