Post-Nutcracker Party

After the Nutcracker, we went home, scrubbed the makeup off Sister's face, changed her clothes, and went to my parents for dinner. They surprised Sister with a cake and her own Nutcracker doll. When she saw it on the table, she exclaimed, "Hey, there is a story about a girl who gets that very same doll!"

Sister adores her Nutcracker doll. This is my favorite picture of the night:
Following the performance, Sister has also decided to change her name to Clara. The problem is, she can't seem to remember the name, and continues to ask us, "what's my new name now? You know, the main girl that everybody watches?" Yes, my daughter is the performer!

She discovered that pulling the lever on the back of the Nutcracker would make it's mouth move. Here, she is having a "conversation" with the Nutcracker. For the record, I have no idea what they are talking about.

Here is Brother, asleep at the show. In his defense, he fell asleep long after Sister's part ended.

I am so proud of Sister. She has worked so hard, attending rehearsals every Saturday for the past two months in preparation for this show. Her role was short and she was probably the youngest in the show, but her smile could be seen from the back row. During the curtain call, she came out with the other Baby Angels for applause. However, instead of leaving with the group , she stayed on stage while the Big Angels came out, received a second round of applause, and then walked off stage! Afterward, she was so excited, and telling us how much she loved dancing in the show. It was a wonderful day for her.

Getting Ready for the Nutcracker

Grandma came over to help Sister fix her hair and makeup. Notice the counter full of makeup and various beauty products. Apparently, it takes that much stuff to make a ballerina.

They wouldn't allow us to come backstage or take pictures during the performance, so I have no pictures of my angel in her costume. But, I did manage to get a quick picture before she scampered to the dressing area with the other dancers.
Back at the house (Blogger managed to mix up the picture order), as she danced in front of the tree.

Can you tell which child is more excited about going to the Nutcracker?

Brother actually did great at the show. He watched almost the entire first act in awe. The second act he switched between nursing and watching until finally falling asleep in Grandma's lap fifteen minutes before the end of the performance.

Nutcracker ~ Family Pictures

Sister on the way to her big show.

Mommy and Sister
Daddy and Sister.

Sister with her Grammy and PaPa.

Sister and Brother with Grandma and Grandpa.

Silver Dollar City ~ Christmas 2009

Every year, my parents take us to Silver Dollar City for the Christmas season. Last year, we went December 23; it was below freezing outside and we were miserable. This year, we went November 22; it was warm, sunny, and beautiful!

Last year, Brother spent the entire time in a wrap. This year, he got to participate and had a great time.

There were only a few rides he could go on. We weren't sure what he would think of them. Sister insisted on sitting next to him so she could hold his hand. It must have helped because he had a great time on the rides.

Of course, Daddy and Sister went on some big-kid rides as well.

By the end of the night, Brother snuggled on Grandpa while everybody watched the lighting of the Christmas Tree. Luckily, he woke up in time for the Parade, during which he pointed and "talked" the whole time.

Thanksgiving

We went to our annual Thanksgiving at Aaron's aunt's house. After lunch, they got out the golf cart for the kids to ride:

Now, for The Thanksgiving Challenge: Get a picture with both kids looking at the camera and smiling. Can it be done?

Good picture, except Brother is looking away...

Now Brother is looking but Sister has a mouth full of carrots...
Finally, a picture with both kids looking at the camera AND smiling!!!

It's Begining To Look A Lot Like Christmas...

Thanksgiving afternoon we decorated for Christmas.

Sister was able to help this year. Here she is, showing off our finished product:

We have a small tree for our "special" ornaments. Each year the children get an ornament that represents something they did that year. This year, Sister will get a Nutcracker ornament, since this is her first year to dance in the South Tulsa Children's Ballet Nutcracker. Brother got a shoe (you can see it on the bottom left of the tree), since this is the year he learned to walk.

The four stockings, hung with care:

My Little Dollhouse

I don't normally take my camera to birthday parties. I mean, come on, it's hard enough to interact with my two kids at a party to begin with. However, when my friend told me that her daughter's fourth birthday party would be at "My Little Dollhouse," I knew I had to have the camera ready.

We arrived at the same time as our friend, Q. Sister and Q used to spend a lot of time together when her mom and I worked together at Natural Lullabies. Sadly, the girls haven't seen each other in quite some time, which made this a special treat. We went in together where B, the birthday girl, helped them pick out their perfect princess dresses. They made their way to the makeup counter where they got their nails painted, makeup applied, and hair fixed.

As an extra fun surprise, Sleeping Beauty joined the party. Make no mistake, this was not a person dressed up as Sleeping Beauty, it was, according to Sister, the REAL Sleeping Beauty. Apparently, Sleeping Beauty went to Beauty School (perhaps that's how she got her name?) as she fixed all of the girls' hair.

Of course, what makeup and hair would be complete without glitter. I'm talking loads of glitter. Brother had glitter residue on him hours after we came home.

I was in awe of how still and quiet these girls sat waiting for their turns. I don't know if it was the amazement of the princess or if this place sneaks something in their glitter dust but these girls were amazing.

Sister, all dolled up:

You may not be able to see the glitter in this picture, but I assure you, it's there!

The Prince and The Princess:

After all of the girls got their hair and makeup done, it was time for the fashion show. Each girl had a turn to come onto the stage. Sister did her little dance, complete with spins and jumps:

A group of the girls danced together on the stage. Of course, Sister was right there in the action. Her favorite part of the party was dancing on the stage. At one point, Sleeping Beauty and another worker brought all of the girls on stage and they did the "Princess Pokey," which is pretty much the "Hokey Pokey" but has them put in their diamond ring (instead of hand), glass slipper (instead of foot), and tiera (instead of head).

The attempt to get a picture with all of the girls together. Easier said than done:

Sister and her best friend, E, making silly faces:

Sister and E getting ready to eat cake. And ice cream. Notice they are not wearing the princess dresses at this point. I can't imagine why the people at "My Little Dollhouse" wouldn't want a group of four year olds to wear their dresses while eating and drinking.

The cake. I mean, (drumroll please), the cake!

Sister and I at the end of the party. It would be a nice picture if the balloon string weren't in her face.

One last picture of Sister, E, and Sleeping Beauty.

What a party!