Lancaster

10-12-09 Dianne and lower grade students on stage

10-12-09 Dianne and lower grade students on stage

Friends:

On Monday, October 12, 2009, I visited Eastside Elementary School in Lancaster, California. My best friend, Fe Del Rosario, a 5th grade teacher, helped to make the arrangements. What a fantastic school. The principal, Margo Deal, was a gracious hostess and the vice principal, Santos Decasas, was such a nice man. The teachers were also amazing and the students were phenomenal. They all made me feel welcome and special.

10-12-09 Grades 5 and 6 at Eastside

10-12-09 Grades 5 and 6 at Eastside

I did three 45 minute assemblies for grades K-6. I performed my “Scared Silly” program for all the grades, adjusting the tales to fit the ages of the audience.

10-12-09 Dianne telling a spooky story

10-12-09 Dianne telling a spooky story

I even had students come on stage to perform a song with me. It was so much fun!

10-12-09 Dianne and students on stage

10-12-09 Dianne and students on stage

Here is a picture of me with Fe (on the far left) and her sister, Merlynn (on the far right). We are with their children following my last afternoon performance.

10-12-09 Fe, Nicholas, Isaac, Dianne, Meryssa & Merlynn

10-12-09 Fe, Nicholas, Isaac, Dianne, Meryssa & Merlynn

In the evening, I did a family literacy night for the school. I talked about the importance of reading together, reading out loud, and reading for 20 minutes a day, exercising that “thinking muscle” called the “brain.” Afterwards, I performed “Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach.”

10-12-09 Dianne and roaches dance on stage at Literacy Night

10-12-09 Dianne and roaches dance on stage at Literacy Night

It was a fantastic visit. Thank you to everyone who made my visit special especially, Nikki Schoenfelt, Nilafe Del Rosario, Margo Deal, Santos Decasas, Jimmy Mora, Travis Wilson, and the incredible office and cafeteria staff! The school has invited me back for October 2010! I can’t wait!!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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California Fun; Sunday, October 11, 2009

by Dianne on October 12, 2009

10-10-09 Dianne in the Diva Mask

10-10-09 Dianne in the Diva Mask

Friends:

I am in California touring but the first part of my trip involved fun with dear friends. I flew into LAX on Thursday, October 8 and drove to Lancaster, California, about 1.5 hours from Los Angeles, where my friends live.

10-8-09 Driving to Lancaster

10-8-09 Driving to Lancaster

I was visiting my best friend from high school, Fe Del Rosario. Fe’s sister, Merlynn, was throwing a big birthday party for her ten year old daughter, Merissa. I offered to help coordinate the party – a Mardi Gras theme!

10-10-09 The Mardi Gras Table

10-10-09 The Mardi Gras Table

Friday was spent visiting Fe’s school to finalize details for my author visit on Monday. On the way to Fe’s school, which is in the Mojave dessert, I spotted some beautiful Joshua trees. The whole landscape is peppered with these unusual trees, which can withstand temperatures up to 130 degrees.

10-9-09 The Joshua Trees

10-9-09 The Joshua Trees

The rest of the day was spent visiting with Fe’s parents and family and shopping for party supplies with Fe’s sister, Merlynn. Here we are at the party.

10-10-09 Dianne, Merissa & Merlynn

10-10-09 Dianne, Merissa & Merlynn

The party on Saturday was a big hit. Everyone loved the theme and decorations, which I orchestrated. Merissa’s 10th birthday party will be one she remembers!

10-10-09 Happy Birthday to Merissa

10-10-09 Happy Birthday to Merissa

At the entry way, we had beads to pass out to party guests.

10-10-09 Mardi Gras Beads

10-10-09 Mardi Gras Beads

We also had a mask making table set up where kids could decorate their own masks and crowns.

10-10-09 The Mask Making Table

10-10-09 The Mask Making Table

The party was so festive and the food was delicious. Here is a fun masquerade picture. I am with Eileen, a family friend, and Lanie, Fe’s sister.

10-10-09 Eileen, Dianne & Lanie

10-10-09 Eileen, Dianne & Lanie

Look at Fe’s gorgeous swimming pool!

10-10-09 The Pool

10-10-09 The Pool

These are my wonderful friends: Fe, my BFF from high school; Merlynn, the youngest sister; and Lanie, the middle sister. I just love the Reyes girls!

10-10-09 Fe, Merlynn, Lanie & Dianne

10-10-09 Fe, Merlynn, Lanie & Dianne

Here is Fe’s dad, Ed Reyes, who was the King of Mardi Gras! “Reyes” even means “kings” in Spanish!

10-10-09 Even the King Has a Boss... (The Queen, who Ordered Him to Take Out the Trash)

10-10-09 Even the King Has a Boss... (The Queen, who Ordered Him to Take Out the Trash)

The kids had fun too! Look at these Mardi Gras Princesses!

10-10-09 Mardi Gras Masquerade Princesses

10-10-09 Mardi Gras Masquerade Princesses

Not to be outdone, Fe decorated her own Mardi Gras mask…

10-10-09 Fe Decorates Her Own Mask

10-10-09 Fe Decorates Her Own Mask

Merlynn made red velvet cupcakes. I made the cream cheese frosting in purple and green, embellished with sprinkles and curled metallic chenille sticks. The cupcake tree was so cute and the cupcakes were tasty.

10-10-09 Katelin (Fe's daughter) & Merissa (Merlynn's daughter and the birthday girl) with the Cupcake Tree

10-10-09 Katelin (Fe's daughter) & Merissa (Merlynn's daughter and the birthday girl) with the Cupcake Tree

In and out, there were at least 100 people at the party!

10-10-09 The Pinay Babes of Southern Cali

10-10-09 The Pinay Babes of Southern Cali

What a wonderful party! Happy Birthday, Merissa!

10-10-09 Merlynn and Merissa

10-10-09 Merlynn and Merissa

Laissez les bon temps rouler! Let the good times roll!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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