The Grandpa Dan Show

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Kari and Amy had been warned. They got several messages that something exciting was coming, but didn't really know what to expect. The rest of us had been forewarned and were very excited for the premier episode of the Grandpa Dan Show on Skype to be delivered at exactly 7:30 p.m. in Champlin, and exactly 8:00 in Quito, Ecuador. Jennie, Kim and Kristin had been installed as helpers, although their instructions were very last minute. Diane Mars and I were there as audience members to enjoy first-hand what goes on behind the scenes. It was a bit of chaos and craziness to be sure, and I could swear there was some hyperventilating, but it was obvious, Grandpa had done a ton of preparation and work to get this show on the road.

The marquis went on, the lights and music started up, and Jennie announced that the show was about to begin. Then Grandpa Dan and his puppets were introduced with about 25 costume changes. The "shy" puppets wouldn't talk to anyone but Grandpa, but they loved to sing and weren't shy doing that at all. When Grandpa started spilling all kinds of words out, his sidekick sock puppet started singing, "You Talk Too Much" ! Since the show had to be performed twice, some of the kinks got tweaked for the second presentation. The early show was for Hannah and Hailey. Hannah laughed and did a lot of interaction (which wasn't planned into the script at all). Good thing Mom was there to do some quick translation. She left at one point to get a snack, but the live show "had to go on without her". After all, there was a time schedule that was being followed and Ecuador was next on the billing! The music must have been soothing because it put Haileyto sleep in her mother's arms. I can just imagine, "You've Got a Friend in Me" was a good tune for rocking her back and forth as Amy stood there watching Hannah and next thing we knew.....she was out cold.

In Ecuador, the boys were squealing and Kari was laughing like crazy with them. I think they really enjoyed the silliness and thought it was pretty neat to have a show brought to them from St. Paul via the computer. Agustin was wondering how Grandpa had so many arms....until he saw the aunties at the end of the show and realized they were helping out with all the puppet changes. etc. Next week all the kids and moms are supposed to bring their favorite sock to the performance. And.....the Lollipop Twins will be the stars of the show. There were a ton of characters introduced like: Stinky, the Pirate, Silly, the King, the Policeman, and many, many more all created by hand and with lots of imagination by Grandpa Dan.

I felt privileged to be able to witness the Big Show and I'm glad it was a huge success. Wonder if the kids will be excited for next Tuesday night!?

I personally think my favorite part of the whole evening was when Hannah volunteered during the middle of the show that they have "a new radio and music" and Grandpa said, "Who cares?" Well....since I gave her that CD player and music for her birthday....I cared and was thrilled to hear it! Ha ha.