The Nutcracker: Plan B

For many reasons, our annual Nutcracker Ballet tradition at Keller Auditorium did not work out this year. I have been super bummed about it, because it is one of the few things I LOVE about this holiday season. Last week, while I was whining about not being able to go to my good buddy, she (of course) came up with a "glass half full" idea that was almost as good!

Here's what we did: We still had a girl's date to the Olive Garden for lunch. So yummy. We still got all dressed up in Christmas attire. We had Jonny take our picture as if we were on task:

Then, we came home, and made a very special "Nutcracker Tea." Complete with Sugar Plum herbal tea and lots of cookies, of course. Here are my darling girls getting ready to party!

Here is the tea. So yummy. It did not disappoint!

Then, we unwrapped a special guest who joined us at our tea party.

And, then we watched this version of The Nutcracker. I would like to write a lengthy review of this performance, because it was so B.I.Z.Z.A.R.E!!! First of all, there was no nutcracker, or lovely home with a big tree, or anything else that is in the "real" version. It took place in an orphanage for the first half, and then in a dream during the second, with lots of candy-type references and dancers licking each other. Oh dear. If you thought in metaphors, you could untangle it all, but my 5 and 10 year old are quite literal (as am I, for that matter), so it was very strange to say the least. On the bright side, the dancing was lovely and the costumes were fantastic (can you say flaming?), so we actually enjoyed it quite a bit. Apparently Michael Bourne also does Swan Lake, so that may be going into my que.
All in all, it was a wonderful afternoon, because, after all, I was with my two favorite gals, who had great attitudes, and we had a blast together. Nutcracker, CHECK! Now we are really ready for Christmas!

What to do?

This is how I keep finding my oldest and youngest in the mornings. Not good. I have explained to Olivia in a zillion ways why it's not good for her to put him in bed with her, but she just can't resist him when he's crying her name and sad. He is very irresistible when he's sad. Every night I say, "Ian, you need to sleep in your own bed." He smiles and says, "No! Ya ya" (which translates to Olivia). What should I do??? I don't even hear him cry, she takes care of things that quickly. It's nice of her, really, but such a bad habit. Oh dear...

Happenings...

Here are some recent happenings and thoughts as we get into this busy season. My mom took this darling picture of Max reading to Ian in his bed. Ian loves to get under Max's covers and look at books. It's darling and quite endearing. Ian loves anything Max loves, and when they get along, they are the best of friends!

Our first Sunday of Christmas clothes.

This is how I found the Nativity pieces when I returned from taking M and M to school Monday morning! How sweet is that? Max is so into this Nativity set this year. It's been a big hit!

Family self photo. I love how I look like an amazon woman and Max just looks sad.

The kids saw the real Santa at the Festival of Trees. They were so excited and no one cried in the picture, which I really appreciated!

So, we are getting ready for Christmas and trying to squeeze all of our favorite things in! We have already seen Santa twice, gone to our town's tree lighting, and been through the live nativity "Follow the Star," which was just amazing! I am trying to keep my head together and muster up some holiday spirit! Seeing my kids' excitement is pretty contagious, so I try to focus on that and all of the fun we have together during the holiday season, and not so much on the mile long to-do list that bogs me down. I hope your season is getting off to a jolly start!