Parking the Minivan

After a great deal of soul-searching, I’ve decided that this will be the last post on Crumbs in the Minivan.  It's been almost four years and over 500 posts sharing the good, the bad and the silly here on this blog and the time has come to say goodbye. 

This blog started, as I suspect many others do, as a place to share some of the stories of my family.  Our quirky suburban nest is far away from my parents and other family so this was a way to keep them abreast of our goings on, offering a little glimpse into our life.  

What it turned into was much more than that. 

Through this blog, I came to know many really amazing people.  Some are writers, some social media superstars, others from all walks of life in a wide range of locales around this great planet.  How fascinating to get the chance to connect in such an intimate way with people from Australia, Finland, the Middle East or the Philippines.  How totally hilarious to see how people end up on this blog through Google searches of “exhibitionist neighbour” or “Peter Criss wants a hug”. 

What a beautiful and strange, comforting and intimidating place the blogosphere (and all social media, really) is.  I’ve really enjoyed connecting with so many of you, sharing and comparing stories, or just laughing about the world of parenting or 30-somethinghood.  I’ve loved reading your blogs and comments and engaging with you about your adventures, too.

I’ve also been fortunate to have met many incredible people, mostly women, who have taken their passions and turned them into successes both online and in real life.   I’m so grateful for the opportunities I’ve had and the people I’ve met.  Most recently driving a Chevrolet Orlando to Orlando with a bunch of other really amazing families or performing onstage with the National Ballet of Canada in The Nutcracker, my life has been enriched by every single experience. 

I’ve also had the good fortune to connect with people who are even more passionate about music and culture and help share some of the wonderful arts experiences out there for families these days.  I’m a huge fan of those superstars. 

Aside from all of this, having Crumbs in the Minivan taught me a lot about myself and about what I really value in my life, in people, in family and friends.  It has inadvertently clarified what’s really important to me.  It has allowed me to laugh, to cry, to share or to hold back, to think, to question, to challenge and to release.  It has taught me who I want to be as a parent and role model for my children.

It’s time to close the doors on Crumbs.  I will be adjusting my Twitter and Facebook handles accordingly so you may need to get to know me by another name since my last name isn't really Crumb.   I intend to continue with MapleMixtape.com and continue blogging for the ever-so-cool Bunchfamily so you’ll still find me there, too.  I have a freelance writing business that I enjoy and I have some other interesting things I’ve been mulling over.  I’m excited about what 2012 might hold for me.

So please still keep in touch.  And thank you for allowing me into your lives, sharing some bits and pieces from mine.  I’m grateful you’ve been here. 

As 2011 closes, so too does Crumbs in the Minivan.   I wish you all a new year filled with laughter, love, inspiration and challenge.  I hope that you never stop dreaming and never lose sight of what’s most important to you.


**Added Jan 1st: I can't believe I didn't leave this with a song.  Where was my head?  This artist continually offers me a soundtrack to my life and this song in particular gave me strength when it first came out.  I believe I will use it again here to kick-start my 2012.  Neil Finn's She Will Have Her Way.

 

PS: I still drive a minivan full of crumbs. 

Pajama Friday Christmas retrospective

A smattering of photos from our Christmas, things new and old we've enjoyed this week...

Hope your holidays have been filled with all kinds of crazy, wonderful joy.

Our comic moment in The Nutcracker

It's hard to believe it even happened now but a few days ago I had the opportunity to be involved in The National Ballet of Canada's Nutcracker.

No, I wasn't actually dancing (my infamous robot dance moves would likely not be as acceptable in 19th century Russia where this production was set) but we did get to don some colourful costumes (nothing says coolness like pompons and knit slippers!), hang out backstage and have a few comic moments in front of the audience as cannon dolls.

You can read more about it here but I put together a little video sharing my perspective of the experience with you.  Unfortunately we couldn't get any footage of the actual performance (not allowed) but I explain what happened here... (and you're welcome in advance that I edited out much of my rambling...definitely not ready for prime time!)

Can't see that vid?  Click here.

Heather Ogden in The Nutcracker

Photo by Bruce Zinger

Thanks to the National Ballet for the very cool experience - my mother-in-law was thrilled and we both thoroughly enjoyed every moment, despite my almost being taken out by a horse backing up.  (Thank you Lindsay Fischer for the repeated reminders to avoid colliding with performers who lack spacial awareness in their costumes!)

James Kudelka's Nutcracker runs through to January 3, 2012 at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.  Don't miss it!

Must not have been using the flash...

Suvi:  Finn said that the last time we came here.  It was like a few years ago.

Mom: Suvi, how do you possibly remember that?

Suvi:  I have a photographic memory!

Mom:  Really? Then what happened on your last math test?

Suvi:  Duh, my brain doesn't take pictures of everything!

Sigh.

My National Ballet debut (cue comic relief)

Next week, on December 27^th, I’m going to have the chance to play a small role in a very special performance.  It’s not a speaking part (phewf) and it requires no dance skills (darn, I was hoping to show off my new robot moves) but I anticipate it being a great deal of fun.

When I was first contacted by The National Ballet of Canada a while back to see if I might be interested in playing a cannon doll in a performance of James Kudelka’s version of the beloved holiday classic, The Nutcracker, I immediately thought “wow, cool!”  All kinds of interesting folks, like Ron McLean, Stephen Page, Margaret Atwood, Mats Sundin, and Rick Mercer have played the role of cannon doll in this production in previous years.  I’m still a little unsure how my name got thrown into the mix but my main challenge will clearly be: will I be able to match those celebrity dance skills?  Hmmm…

After accepting, they informed me I could choose another person who would join me on stage as the other cannon doll. 

Right away, several friends came to mind, many who even without theatrical experience would probably be true “characters” on stage with me.  But when I told Daddy Crumb about the opportunity, he didn’t hesitate one moment to suggest to me who I should choose as my partner in crime: his mother. 

After giving it further thought (and no puppy dog eyes from Daddy Crumb whatsoever…ahem) it actually seemed like exactly the right choice.  See, my mother-in-law, now in her early seventies, has had a lifelong love of dance.  Her passion for it has long been part of their family’s history.  I believe she hoped to be a ballerina in the early years but ended up pursuing a different kind of dance, one that involved more than simply beautiful choreography.

The Margaret Morris Method (known as MMM) was developed by modern dance pioneer and physiotherapist, Margaret Morris, in the UK back in the early part of the 20^th century.  It’s based on creative exercises and people of all ages, from children right up to the elderly, can learn.  It’s particularly helpful and enjoyable for those with special needs, like Parkinson’s patients and seniors.  My mother-in-law has been an instructor of it since its early days in Canada. You can read more about it at their international website: http://www.margaretmorrismovement.com/

In any event, given her love for dance and the opportunity that presented itself to me, it seemed perfect to have her accompany me.  I’m hoping she enjoys the moment on stage with a national dance ensemble in a gorgeous production, even if it is just the comic relief at the end of the battle scene! 

So watch next week for an update and hopefully some backstage video of my adventure in The Nutcracker.  Let’s hope I don’t get whacked by the vibrating Christmas tree on the way to the stage like poor Mats Sundin...