So last night was the official opening of I Love You Because. There is something fulfilling and amazing in seeing the culmination of weeks of hard work. I worked very hard on the props, and Darcy Evans, Lily Ling, Scott Penner, and Amy Tipton all worked amazingly hard  on the directing, music, set, and stage management respectively. Everything came together so well. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the end result of all everybody on the team did.

The audience was full last night. We were officially sold out. Everybody who came to see the show laughed at all the right places, applauded with gusto, and seemed to really enjoy themselves. We got such a warm reception from everybody who was there. The cast was in fine form, singing and acting their hearts out on stage. I loved being able to see it all from the audience's perspective. I am definitely going to go back again.

And now a couple of pictures:

Things are definitely heating up on a lot of fronts right now. My sequel is where I am extremely happy with it. I am immensely pleased with where I took the characters and how they grew. I look forward to getting feedback from the privileged few who have been invited to read it. I will be giving drafts out to more. Also, in other exciting news, tomorrow is the dress rehearsal for I Love You Because, the show I am props manager for. (I have been trying to get them to call me something a little more colourful. I've been toying with "Props Guru" or "Lord of the Props". So far, no one has bitten.) Since it's the last few days before previews and the official opening night, I've been focusing on props we're calling "consumables". This consists of food items that get eaten on stage, drinks, and things that can only be used once. I've been cooking egg rolls, making "scotch" (lightly sweetened iced tea), buying wines (grape juice in red and white), making martinis (water dyed teal blue), and buying stamps to be licked and placed each show. I've also been wrapping roses in cellophane, and I've learned I really don't like cellophane. It rips when you cut it. It rips when you fold it. It rips when you tape it. And I swear it rips when you look at it sideways. Yuck. However, the show is going to look, sound, and be amazing! Our set rocks, our music rocks, and our cast certainly rocks!

In book news, I find that the first book set things up nicely. I was allowed the chance to introduce the characters, begin building the world, and set them free on an amazing adventures. Book two is all about upping the stakes, as far as I'm concerned. Now that I have introduced everyone and their world, I can delve deeper into their characters and take them further. This for me has been great fun. (Less fun if you are actually in the book.) I am very very excited about what I have done here, and once I have some feedback, I can proceed. Soon, I feel I can release the title for you all, and I am excited about this as well! But until then, I have a show to focus on. Let the week of super crazy stress begin!

Now that I am officially done with the sleep training, (Hallellujah!) I will be going back to posting in a more normal fashion. Unfortunately don't have much to say on the writing front at the moment. Really, if I posted how all that was coming along you'd be getting updates along the lines of: Today I changed the word "the" to "that". The passage reads SO much better now! Is this really what you want to be reading? Thought not. So today I will be writing on something else I enjoy doing... PROPS!

I have been a regular fixture with Angelwalk Theatre as a props manager since the first show. The only shows I didn't do were due to the fact that I was pregnant with my triplets. (A solid excue if I do say so myself.) Now I am back with a vengeance doing the props for I Love You Because. I am having a lot of fun with it too. Now what does a props manager do? Well, my job is to get all the things that are in the script that the actors use on stage, and that the director adds to the scene to make it better/more realistic/make more sense. Sometimes it's just a matter of buying the stuff, other times it's a little bit more complicated.

Easy things are things like this:

This is clearly a mug. I was asked to find mugs to be used in a coffee shop. The dollar store is my friend. Now, we are not using this particular mug, because it was decided that mugs with no writing would be better.

There were some things I thought would be easy but ended up less so. Case in point: I was asked to procure a My Little Pony abacus. I would tell you why, but Spoilers! I figured that I could go to Toys R Us, or Ebay, or Amazon.com and find one easily. No such luck. Why? Well apparently Hasbro, in all their insane merchandising made My Little Pony lunchboxes, toys, bedsheets, toothbrushes, etc. but no abacus! Silly Hasbro. So, I bought a plain abacus and did this:

For the record, the other side has a yellow pony.

Other things I needed to build were a Brooklyn Lager beer bottle and a bottle of tourqoise liquor. The beer was simple, take a bottle of Alexander Keiths, scrub off the label and make a new one with paper, sharpies and double sided tape. The liquor is simply water and food colouring.

And there you have it! A brief look into the world of a props manager. Now we need to finish loading everything into the theatre and hope nothing breaks. (It won't. We're really careful. Usually.)

I Love You Because runs at The Toronto Centre for the Performing Arts from March 28, through April 15. It's an awesomely funny romantic comedy loosely based on Jane Austen's PClick here for tickets and see my hard work on stage! (Oh and the actors are awesome too!)

So they slept last night as well. This is a good thing. Tonight marks the official last night for sleep training. Unofficially, who can really say?

They had their bottles, got changed into their sleepers and I read them their stories. Then came the hard part. Joseph and Phillip did not seem all that keen on going into their cribs. They screamed, they cried, they threw things at me. From what I was able to ascertain, the main issue was that it was too hot in their room. Try explaining to angry one year old infants that screaming and flinging themselves around their cribs while throwing toys is not going to make them feel better. In fact, it will probably make it a whole lot worse. I tried. It doesn't work. On that note, everyone who has watched me sit and explain things to my children thinks I'm very odd. I will sit down with them and speak to them in full sentences, using big words, and explain rationally why they shouldn't climb all over the furniture, bite their siblings, eat the dog's toys. People laugh about it and say things like: "They're babies. They don't understand you." However, I watch my kids all the time reason things out. I see the looks I get when they do things I know they know are wrong. I firmly believe that babies understand a heck of a lot more than people give them credit for. And besides, it's never too early to speak to your kids properly.

Back on topic, the boys did eventually quiet down and they are now asleep. If the past few nights are any indication, it should stay this way. I will continue to read to them every night. I already have my eye on a few new books I may add to the rotation. I need some variety here. I can only read the same thing over and over every single night before I go a little loony. This is saying a lot for me. I have been known to read the same treasured books over and over multiple times, but I can now recite Good Night Moon and I Love You Forever verbatim by heart. I dream their illustrations. It's a little scary. I am very glad we did the sleep training. Granted, I now get up earlier in the morning, but I also go to bed earlier. As a result, I feel that I am a lot more productive as a writer, as a props manager, as a property manager, and most importantly, as a mom. Hopefully my kids agree.

First off, a giant thank you to everyone who attended/helped with/sent kind words to and about my book launch. It was very much appreciated. I couldn't have been more pleased with how everything turned out.

My launch was a great event, and everyone who came seemed to have a great time. We had wine, cheese, cake, and people got a chance to talk and mingle. My book was sold, and I got a chance to sign everyone's copies and speak with pretty much everybody who attended. Husband Brian was a great help to me manning the cash box at times, and helping with the food at others. Our parents were also excellent, helping with the food, and being their with their support. They have been from the beginning, and I appreciate it all. Brian's mom also took some great pictures, some of which I have here to share! So enjoy!

Here I am signing books. You can kind of see Brian's shoulder next to me as he deals with all the monetary needs of the night.

A closer picture of one of the inscriptions I painstakingly wrote out. Some people wanted interesting things written in their books. One of my personal favourites was "The money is in locker number three. You have the key."

As you can see, my dress for the evening coincidentally matched the colours in the cover of my book. Some people thought this was done on purpose. I assure you, it was not.

Myself and Brian at the book signing table. I got to sit on this chair that had a much higher seat. For the first time, I seemed like the tallest person in the room!

This is Rick. He actually came with a book he had previously bought elsewhere. This made me ridiculously happy.

I actually got out from behind my table and got to mingle with everyone. I had a blast!

Brian and I in front of my cake. It's vanilla if any of you are curious. Further evidence I got to move around a bit during the evening.

More shots of us talking to the incredible people who came to the launch. For those of you who are curious, I did ask permission to put their pictures up on my blog. Thanks for that!

A close up of my awesomely delicious cake. I had them put my cover on it, which turned out great, but a bit blue. My mom's hands were stained by the icing for a couple of days after the party. Sorry.

Brian and I around the time we cut the cake. Thanks again to everyone who came and helped out. The evening wouldn't have been a success without each and everyone of you!

The babies once again slept through the night. I am definitely being lulled into a false sense of security here. I am being spoiled by nights full of sleep. Yet, somehow, I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Tonight I read them their bedtime stories. We are sticking to our main three books of Olivia, I Love You Forever, and Good Night Moon. I then took the babies into their room and put them each in their crib. Joseph was not a happy camper. Phillip and Hailey both looked at me as I said goodnight and sang a couple of short lullabies and just lay right down to go to bed.

I went out into the hall and shut the door. I sat in the chair that was left from the night before and waited to see if Joseph would calm. I went in a couple of times for hugs and kisses, and within a few minutes he was quiet and asleep. Now I get to wait and see if he stays that way. At this point, I'm not too concerned about the other two.

We were told that the sleep training would take two weeks. If this is accurate, tomorrow we will be officially done! This will be a relief. (Understatement of the year I feel.) I'll let you know Tuesday if this is true. Fingers crossed!

I am tentatively optimistic and will say that I feel there is a light at the end of the tunnel! The babies are sleeping through the night more often than not, and last night was no exception. Huzzah!

Tonight they went down easily and were asleep in only a few minutes. Tomorrow I remove myself entirely from the equation only reading them their bedtime stories, putting them in their cribs and saying "Night night". I may break from this mold and sing them a couple lullabies before turning on their mobiles. I like it, they like it, and I see no reason why we should all be deprived of this.

In other news, today was the 40th anniversary gala dinner for Vanier College Productions at York University. Husband Brian is currently their artistic producer and had previously been a music director for a few of their shows. This event was marked by lovely speeches, a rousing round of MadLibs, and good food. I had also taken in a performance of a show called Festival IV! (Their exclamation point, not mine.) This show was hilarious and had some excellent performances. The show is in its fourth incarnation and was created by the founder of VCP, the late Fred Thury. The conceit is simple: The International Similar One Act Play Festival is showing its three finalists performing the same one act play for you- the audience- to judge. The play is entitled Cottage of Fear and will be performed by The Timesmoore Dramatic Society, The Halifax Nova Scotia Scottish Arts and Recreation Community Centre Drama Guild, and The Yugokraine English as a Second Language Company. Even just seeing the names of these fictional theatre companies, I'm sure you can see what fun you're in for. If you are in the area between now and March 24th, I highly recommend you check it out.

I love what this company offers the students: An artistic outlet to take risks both onstage and off, a chance to meet people outside of their area of study, and a safe environment in which to
have fun and take a well deserved break from academia. Here's to at least another 40 years!

It's late, so I'm going to be brief. They slept through the night last night, so yay! Today they were all completely wired. I think they know that Brother Brian is in town for his spring break. Apparently he's having some issues out in Boston. A transformer near the city caught fire and he hasn't had power for several days. He is not happy about this. He was thrilled to be at my house for a proper hot home cooked meal.

I wasn't home tonight for the bedtime routine today. I was a little freaked out about this. I haven't entrusted this to anyone else yet. The grandparents were put in charge and we were assured that it went off without a hitch. I came home and everyone was fast asleep, but then Phillip woke up upset. Why? Well he'd stuck his feet between the slats of his crib and tried to roll. I soothed him quickly and he was out again with a hug and a kiss.

Tonight, I wasn't home because Husband Brian and I attended the memorial for Herbert Carnegie who passed away a couple of days ago. He was 92 years old and had tried to be a professional hockey player in the NHL at a time when it was impossible to do so if you weren't white. Rather then be bitter about it, he adopted a positive attitude and ended up founding the Future Aces Foundation which teaches students about good citizenship, and being the best you can be. They reward kids with scholarships for being productive and inspiring others. Husband Brian had received one of these scholarships years ago, and I've volunteered at several of their fundraisers and a leadership conference they did. I definitely believe in what they are trying to do. They teach kids to have a real pride in their abilities and a desire and drive to help others regardless of colour, creed, and religion. I'd met him on numerous occasions and was always struck by how positive he always seemed about everything and everyone. He will definitely be missed.

They slept through the night again! Yay! Not quite two nights in a row like a couple of days ago, but still I count it as progress. I should, right? Anyways, I moved out of sight and spoke and sang to them. They did not seem happy about the new situation, but they didn't cry hysterically, or scream, or throw monster fits like I feared they would, so I consider it a successful experiment (so far).

Hailey was the one upset the most about the change. I suppose she's gotten used to having me be there in view. But she didn't freak out to badly. I spent a long time made my way through all the songs I usually sing them, twice, and probably the entire first act of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, both Joseph and Phillip were out, but Hailey still wouldn't sleep. I went through "The Rainbow Connection", "Somewhere Over the Rainbow", "Mamaleh", and she still tried to talk to me and get my attention. I talked back, and she got more animated about things. Finally I remembered a song I loved so much when I was a young kid. I remember hearing it on a compilation album I bought for the babies on my iPhone for the car. It's so odd, we have a strange ability to remember things from our childhoods. One of those things are all the lyrics to this song. Once through, Hailey was calm and quiet. Twice through, she was fast asleep. I wonder if it is fate, or a weird coincidence. Anyway, the song:

That video is just how I remember seeing and hearing that song for the first time. Pretty, soothing, and just a little bit trippy. Ernie swimming and walking in space in his pyjamas and night cap. Awesome. In just a couple of days, the shuffle will be over, and hopefully the babies will have regained the ability to fall asleep. Here's hoping!

So they woke up, and woke up, and woke up. I finally got to sleep some time after one in the morning. No time for naps today for me. However, it was such a lovely day that I took advantage of the weather and we went to the park. They say that fresh air will help babies sleep through the night, hopefully it works.

Tonight was the last night I sat in the doorway. We move to the hall and out of sight tomorrow. I sang to them, I recited poetry, and said soothing words. Eventually they fell asleep. Joseph really thinks it's funny to shut the door on me, and Hailey loves to throw things out of her crib. Poor Phillip. All he wanted to do was go to sleep. Joseph stood up in his crib and kept calling out to his siblings. All he wanted to do was talk to them and play with them. I almost felt badly for him. Almost. I knew he wanted fun, games, and cuddles, but it was time for bed. Hailey definitely rose to his challenges and kept trying to hit him with the toys, washcloths, and blankets she threw in his direction. During all this, Phillip kept trying to turn away and ignore them. I really hope all goes well tomorrow when I move away into the hall. Ulp!