Leigha and the Triplets

Saturday, June 30, 2007

Signing Time! Comes to Las Vegas...A True Inspiration (Part 3)

Some of my best friends have been people I met online. I have been a part of one playgroup for 7 years now. We all were pregnant and due the same month. Over the years we have been able to meet up with each other in real life. When ever I see those friends, it's like we have never been apart.

When I found out that Signing Time! was doing a performance here, I was thrilled. Over the past few months, Rachel has become more than that wonderful person on my television. I have seen her personal side through her website and chats. She is just as wonderful, and down to earth, as one would imagine.

I was excited for my kids to be able to see Rachel in person, but really I was the one that was the most excited! My aunt was an angel and offered to go with me so that I could have some help with the boys. We met up with the Grubbs at the park. I was bursting with excitement. We had a great spot on the grass, just a bit back and in the center. We spread out the blankets and had a picnic dinner before the show started.



Then the fun started! Rachel ran out on the stage with that big smile on her face. I wasn't too sure of what to expect, as they do different things at different shows. It was a wonderful show. She talked about her family and the reasons why Signing Time! was started. Rachel has a great sense of humor and knew how to reach every person in her audience. She joked about how we were in for a treat because she is always perfect on her DVDs, but would surely goof up on stage. At that time she brought out the first of her two surprises. Leah ran out on the stage!


Normally Rachel performs alone, since the kids are in school. However, they decided to make Las Vegas a family get away. Leah helped her mom perform the Rainbow Song.


In addition to Leah, they also picked kids out of the audience to help them sign the colors. Can you just imagine how thrilled I was at this...



Leigha was chosen to sign the word green.


Leigha loved it! She was given a DVD as a thank you for helping them out. I will probably send it to my brother since I had just ordered new copies of the entire series that afternoon (I am so excited for them to get here!).

The next surprise was when Lucy came out on the stage to help sign a song that Rachel wrote for her. She had the biggest smile on her face, and I wish I could have gotten a closer picture of her. Lucy has the most beautiful eyes, and they just shine even more when she smiles.


The boys were wonderful! My aunt sat and fed them while they were in their wagons. They were doing so great that we decided to leave them in there when the show started. I mean, seriously, they are seat belted into a wagon and happy. What could be better? During the second half of the show I decided to let Robert out because he was getting a bit antsy. He was dancing around to the music. I had to stop him from making a bee line to Rachel a few times though. I was able to catch him dancing on video!

Noah wanted his turn. I was able to keep him on my lap for a few minutes, but it didn't last long.


When the show was over, a LONG line formed to get pictures with Rachel and Leah. Rachel had told me that she stays until everyone is gone, so we decided to hang out on the grass and let the kids enjoy themselves. As always, the kids flock to me whenever I have food. Can you imagine that?


I felt so bad for Rachel, Leah, and Hopkins. It was 108 degrees when the show started. They had been standing there for a long time. I ran a few bottles of water over to Renee to give them. While I was gone, the kids started playing with the ice that was dumped out of the chest. Laura and I looked at each other and she said, "That is all we needed to do to keep them in one place?!" Her boys surrounded the ice, as well as Leigha.



When the line shortened, we finally made our way to the back of the line. I was so excited to finally get to meet Rachel in person, as well as the added bonus of her family!

Hopkins, Rachel, Matthew, Leah, Cathy, Robert, Leigha, Aunt Bobbie, and Noah


It was the perfect ending to a perfect evening. My sinus infection had me in pain all day, with a migraine on top of it, but I don't think I stopped smiling the entire night.


While I was chatting with a few people from PBS and Signing Time!, Leigha was sitting over in the grass with Lucy and her dad. At first I was a bit fearful that Leigha would be talking their ears off, but I think they had a nice little chat. It seems that she gave Lucy our phone number! I guess I still have to help her realize that Lucy won't be able to come over and play whenever she wants. Maybe some day though! Until we meet again, we will just have to watch her on the DVDs. Maybe Lucy will agree to be Leigha's first pen pal next year!

Thank you Rachel, as well as your entire family, for everything you do. You have set a wonderful example to everyone that meets you or hears about your family. Thank you for bringing sign language into my home and helping my sons communicate their feelings to me, without being frustrated. Every one of you is a hero in my opinion!

6 comments:

Tiffany B. said...

What an amazing night! I'm so glad you, the boys & Leigha got to meet them! The pics are great!

Anonymous said...

Wow!!! It sounds like you had the most awsome time. I see you brought the boys train. Glad it all worked out for you. Talk to yo soon.

-5TAL55 (Lisa)

Anonymous said...

How fun Cathy! What a great time for you and your kiddos! The pics say it all!!!

hi my name is mommy said...

Im not sure if i have ever commented on your blog, but if not, Hello!

I have read it a couple of times and really enjoyed it:) Your family is sweet! What great fun the Signing Time outing looked like!

The pictures are great!

Jessica Engh said...

Hello, I got your blog from the Signing Time Chat.

Sounds like you all had a great time. And it looked like a big turnout. Thats great. It might bring ST again! One could only hope!

Jessica

Anonymous said...

Cathy,
I was on the signing time chat on 7/11 and I went to your award winning blog. :) My kids and I watched the video from the show and now Julia my 4 year old has been asking to watch it over and over. I too love Rachel and crew. We wish Signing Time! would come to our neck of the woods. It sounds like you had a great time. Glad you found Signing Time!, and I love your blog.
Stacey Hay
Rocklin, CA