Rooster

Dylan played Rooster Hannigan in the 7&8th grade production of Annie last week. That's him in the orange shirt and the hat.

He had a lot of fun playing a sleazy grifter. And we all had a ball at Salvation Army helping him pick out the sleaziest suit, shirt and tie we could find. We even snagged some great two-tone shoes from eBay. He did a great job, sang a trio and did some soft-shoe. It's amazing how comfortable he is on stage. The kid's got some serious comic timing, too.

Just like last year, the kids in the play pulled together and put on a great show. It's really something to see them put the whole thing on. There are no adults doing the staging, queueing and scene changing. It's all run by the kids. It's just amazing to watch them rise to the occasion.

Annie was played by Ari Conte. She was absolutely incredible. We all agreed that she didn't need American Idol. She can go right for the big time.

But the best part of the whole thing was that Mema and Papa left Florida early, drove three days straight and joined us for the occasion. It meant the world to Dylan.


Dorothy also flew up to go to the big performance and Dan and Alicia came up too. It was fantastic to be all together and to share in Dylan's big day.

Bob, Dorothy and I got teary-eyed when we saw Dylan on stage. He looked so old! He had a 5 o'clock shadow due to makeup and his voice is so low. And he looked JUST LIKE BOB!! Bob was completely taken aback. He turned to me during Dylan's big scene and whispered, "This is so weird. It's like watching myself."

Here's Dylan with his fans. Yep. Girls have arrived on the scene in droves.

Take a bow, everyone. Well done!

Dylan, we're all really proud of the young man you're becoming.