Can We Ban Teens From Movie Theaters...PLEASE!

OK, so it's about early December, 2005; my husband and I are at a later movie trying to enjoy what's left of his work day and what's left of my fat, uncomfortable, 8 months pregnant day. When all of a sudden, wouldn't you know it, a few teenage kids decided to come in and crash our $20 date for the evening. (And for a young couple living in California, 20 bucks is a lot!) They all sat in one of the front rows of the the theater talking and giggling while two of them made their way up to the top of the theater. Apparently shadow puppets were our next bit of entertainment. Now, I have inherited my father's temper and patience (or lack there of) so I usually don't have a problem of calling people out if I am sincerley ticked off. So of course I am the only one in the theater, standing at 4' 11'', pregnant belly and all, who has the guts to call out, "Shut up and sit down!" In this case they did for a few minutes but of course proceeded to continue on with their fun. Well I wasn't gonna take it. I don't know if it was the fact that I was pregnant, and hormonal, and I didn't think anyone would "take me out" in my condition, but I proceeded to walk down the aisle to the front row to tell these kids what was on my mind. (Probably shouldn't repeat the things I said but it was something like their daddy's not paying enough attention to them and my foot in inappropriate places...in so many words.) Needless to say they shut up for the rest of the movie. I love going to the movies! Always have! What parents aren't doing their jobs that these teenagers just feel they can come in and be overly retarded in the theater?? My sister, Monica, told me one time that she sat on the top of her chair at the theaters in front of a bunch of obnoxious kids, blocking their view of the movie. When they called her out on it, she said, "Oh, I'm sorry. Am I ruining your movie???" Rad! Can't we think of more stuff like that?? I guess I'm more upset with the people in the theaters without a backbone to say "knock it off" along with me because I don't think there is one person that enjoys it anymore than the next person. So I'm calling every one out! It's getting worse! And the only reason it is is because we don't say anything. What, are we afraid of offending them? Or maybe we can should start asking for more refunds to let the theaters know how ticked we are. Solutions anyone? 'Cause for one night, I would love to go see a movie I would enjoy seeing without adolesence coming in and ruining it all! (Why do I bring this up you ask? We just went to the movies last night and I'm a little ticked from it all.)

Good-Bye to President Hinkley (1910-2008)

We will miss President Hinkley so much. He was an amazing prophet. Even up to his 97th year, he was completely active and hands on in establishing the gospel. He loved his wife Marjorie, who passed away a few years ago, and I know he must be so happy to be with her now. One of his quotes I love so much is when he was on Larry King and said, "We're here to make bad men good, and good men better." He is and was a true example of a good man; I think what all good men should aspire to be. We love you and will miss you.

Happy Birthday Tre!

Happy Birthday, Dude! I can't believe you're already 2! Time really does fly! We did a split celebration for him. We went to the desert last week a decided to have a small party with his cousins and some cupcakes. He didn't quite grasp that the party was for him so he really dug everyone singing to him!

Cute Brooklyn!

Tonight, his actual birthday, we had just the grand parents over and had a great time! Tacos, Tre's favorite, and a homemade cake made with lots of love; and a little on the dry side.

Brooklyn loved the ice cream. Just like her father!

Happy Birthday, Tre! You make my life so happy!

A "Bloody" Good Time!

I wish you could see me right now. I'm lying in my bed, laptop up, TV on, ice packs half way melted on my bed, some used up pieces of gauze on my night stand and occasionally I've been spitting up blood in a red, plastic Dixie cup, high on Vicodine. That's right, I got my wisdom teeth out today. Um, I seriously would have rather given birth again. I was NOT knocked out; just numbed up so I had the privilege of hearing and feeling the tug and pull of it all. Why put it off until now? I never really knew it was such a big deal. Well, and, I've never had a couple grand just sittin' around saying, "Hey! Let's go get a couple of teeth yanked out!" How do people not consider this one of there worst experiences of their lives 'cause I would put this pretty high up there. Thank heavens for my amazing husband who has become Mister Mom on his day off. I'm sure I am vision to look at, too. (Was that detailed enough for you??)

What's in a Name?

OK...is it Mandy or Amanda? It's funny when people ask me this. It's both. My family calls me Mandy and a lot of my friends. Professionally I go by Amanda but then I make a lot of friends in my profession so I have friends that call me Amanda, too. At school and in college teachers would call me by registered name, Amanda, and I would never correct them cause it's still my name to me. Which do I prefer? Either one because they're both me. I like them both. So call me what you'd like. But if you're crossed between two because let's face it...they're both awesome names...just call me Manda. I go by that too. But don't call Freddy "Fred" or "Frederick." He feels like his dad if anyone calls him either one of those. (FYI - Tre's real name is Frederick Ellis Kuhn, III. Hence three - TRE! That's why we don't use a Y at the end of his name. It stands for 3. Brooklyn's middle name, Sage, was my great, great Grandmother's maiden name; a name that directs all the way back to William the Conqueror. As for me, I was named by the one and only Barry Manilow. Awesome. Every other girl born in '77 with the name Mandy will probably tell you the same story so I'm sure it's not that original of a story.)

Wanna See What I Do?

Not a lot of people have seen what it is that I do. Like I said, I choreograph for Youth America Ballet with some of the most talented ballerinas I've ever worked with. I get to create contemporary pieces which is really fun because I get to be as creative as I want to. And being an actress, I get real deep into the characterization of it all which some dancers really struggle with. This is a piece I did 2 years ago for one of my girls, Paige. She's beautiful to watch. Her costume is a bit outlandish because it's supposed to be kind of a psychedelic theme. We eventually toned it down a bit. Anyway, it seemed to be a real crowd pleaser. So, enjoy! (The name of this piece is Bent.)

Just a Little Break!

Okay... so I realize now that I'm not invincible. I've been teaching and choreographing for Youth America Ballet for close to 5 years now. It's a dream job. I work with the most talented, well trained dancers you will ever know. Artistic Directors, Victor and Tatiana Kasatsky, asked me to be part of their team a few years ago. I teach technique and contemporary classes and I choreograph a few contemporary pieces for them and their girls for competition This year, many of them will be competing in Europe. So exciting! Anyway after teaching up to just about my last month on both pregnancies (which is pretty funny to see me dance with a big belly), and now dealing with two babies I finally came to realize that I can't do it all! I would like to! I thought I could for a while but my sanity finally kicked in. I informed my boss Sandra that it was time for me to call it quits for a while. This is incredibly hard for me to do, but I love my children so much and feel it's most important to give them my full attention and energy as they are starting to grow and develop. I'm still meeting with a few of my girls I have choreographed to prepare them, but as far as teaching goes...I need a bit of a rest. So it's not a good-bye, but a "see you later." Mama needs a rest! Dancers...I love all of you! -Miss Amanda

My mentors, Victor and Tatiana Kasatsky. They create brilliant dancers!

My Company Dancers

My Academy Level II Class

My Academy I Class (Silly little angels!)

On my last night, Sandra presented me with flowers from every one.

Unfortunately, I couldn't hold back the tears. It really is like being in a family there. Bittersweet!

Guess Who's Crawling?

Happy New Year!

Freddy and I took the kids to Glamis for New Year. We own a toy hauler and Freddy and his brothers have a sand rail they like to ride out in the sand dunes. We met up with some of our friends and family. Tre had a blast! It was really the first time we went and he couldn't wait to go outside to play on the golf carts. He dug through sand, got really dirty, and watched lots of movies. Brooklyn seemed to have fun, too. It forces us to relax and really spent quality time with our family.




Tre in the dirt.


With cousins Zoey and Roxy.

My little Gomer!

Camping in style! Pink...it's the new camo.




We brought our new game ROCK BAND out to the desert. It is so much fun! I love the drums...

My niece, Ella. Rock on, Ella. Rock on.




Freddy thrashing on the guitar.

Tre thrashing on the drums.