Oskar is 9!

In between NIklas’ basketball game and Tatum’s soccer game and some grocery shopping, we went to Oskar’s house to celebrate his 9th birthday today, with his other grandparents. He has been very excited for days--Last night was a special dinner at the Space Needle with his family and tomorrow is his “flag football” party with his friends. We were very happy to spend a little time with him today! (and have a great cupcake!)
A few more on Flickr.

Last night H and I were glad to attend the Seattle Opera’s first ever production of Menotti’s “The Consul”.. IF you are interested, read on.... (otherwise, stop!)

It premiered on Broadway in 1950 and had a very successful run. I can see why. It’s very powerful. Both the music and the words (in English). Inspired by a newspaper story of the suicide of a 38 yo Polish immigrant who was denied admission to the US after WWll and hanged herself in an Ellis Island detention room, it’s about the bureaucracy involved with immigration (or any other government branch!) having to fill out endless forms repeatedly and properly, being only a number. A huge room in a foreign unnamed country with endless file cabinets and a secretary who only deals with papers and forms and more papers. Several different characters who can’t combat the system for one reason or another. It’s mainly the story of young woman with a husband wanted by the secret police, trying to obtain a visa. Somehow it seems just as appropriate for 2014 as it was in 1950. And, we couldn’t help but think of our recent experience with the border patrol coming from Canada to the US. :-) ( we filled out the form improperly and were almost fined a lot for a rule I could not later find anywhere on the Internet.. Mexican tomatoes are ok , Canadian are not...)
I’d recommend it if you have an opportunity to see it, altho it’s not a happy ending!