Nutcracker

This year E & I were supposed to go to the Nutcracker together. I was so excited and then I realized it just wasn't going to happen since Redd wasn't taking a bottle yet. So Daddy daughter date to the rescue. E was pretty excited!! 

I asked Daddy to take a picture of E and he did! I was pretty pleased with him! They had a great time and topped it of with ice cream and picking up Grammy and Pa from the airport! What a wonderful day.

Nutcracker

Peanut and I were at Jo-Ann's and she saw some snowflake material and she grabbed it and asked if we could make twinning dresses. How on earth could I say no?!?! I can't even begin to tell you how proud of this girl I am. E sewed the entire dress accept for setting the sleeves, setting part of the zipper and working the pedal. I told her what to do and she executed it like a pro. 

She is incredible! She took her time, she asked questions and she kept telling me too slow down. I love that she is confident and strong.

 We wore our twinning dresses to the Nutcracker and we got a lot of compliments on them. People were so impressed with Peanut and how nice her dressed looked and I loved seeing how excited she was to tell people!! I love watching her develop talents. 

 This was our first time to the Nutcracker and I loved it. The first half was just so gosh darn magical. I love the Mouse King. Favorite part hands down! the costumes were also stunning. Oh my heart!

 

 E loved Clara and she found an owl nutcracker at intermission that she fell in love with. It was pretty darn cute!

 The second half was a bit confusing, I had no idea what was going on. It turns out that all of the dancers are dolls that the magician gave to the other girls in the first act. they were pretty dances, but the second half was a touch slow. 

 E keeps asking if we can go again next year? Who knows maybe it's a new tradition! It was such a wonderful night with out sweet little girl and I was amazed that she stayed awake for the whole performance. 

Birthday Week

 My birthday week was rather chill. I kicked it off by going to DSW and successfully purchasing a pair of shoes for a penny. Yes a penny. FREE SHOES! And they look like diamonds on my feet, I'd call that a win!

Then Jakob and I went to the symphony. It was wonderfully done. we got to hear a piece composed by a 23 year old and it was beyond impressive!

My actual birthday was just low key and that was wonderful. Sam (Gretta's Mom) brought me cupcakes, I had lots of phone calls which made my day and I felt very very loved! And while I was spoiled with love and a few gifts my favorite gift was a phone call from my sister Melanie. Our relationship is really quite "new" as our contact in the past was very sparse but she called me for my birthday and our conversation meant the world to me. I am so grateful to have so many wonderful friends and an amazing family. I'm grateful for my little people and for E who did everything she could to my me feel special. It has been a wonderful year and I look forward to seeing what 27 holds!

Crescendo

  I know I've said it before but I'll say it again, I love Jakob's company. We get to do so many fun things and see lots of things we otherwise wouldn't and this was no exception. 

We were lucky enough to get tickets to Crescendo which I think has to be our favorite event of the year. It is put on by UMKC and it is fantastic! This year had so many wonderful performances it was hard to choose a favorite. Also sitting in the front row is always fun.

Not only is the performance wonderful but there is a dinner afterwards that is always on point. I was swooning over these glitter table cloths!

 

Yes, that is glitter on my dessert. :)

 Meet Richard. Jakob and Richard started at Tortoise the same week. He is ridiculous but a funny guy. 

Duck face. It was a wonderful evening that was much needed. Who doesn't love getting dressed up, seeing amazing performances, having wonderful dinners, and spending time with grown ups?? Can't wait until next year.

Star Light Theater

 Jakob had gotten tickets to go and see Beauty and the Beast at the Star Light Theater! It's is an outdoor theater and it was so much fun! 

One of my favorite Disney Movies is Beauty and the Beast and this play did not disappoint. It was laugh out loud funny and they had some amazing performances. We especially liked Gaston's number which was choreographed with them clinking metal mugs together. It was really cool. Lumiere was hilarious but I think my favorite part (aside from the set which was just incredible.) was when the Beast was explaining how he was worried Belle wouldn't love him back. It was supposed to be an emotional moment everyone was quiet and the Beast said "What if she laughs at me?" Then all of a sudden a little child yells "HA HA" super loud. The entire theater burst out laughing and I felt bad for teh actors who I'm sure, were about to bust up. It was a fabulous evening and we are so grateful for Jakob's company who provides all of these wonderful things for us to attend!