The Nutcracker

Over the summer I signed Charlotte up for Ballet camp. She ended up loving it so much that she wanted me to sign her up for Ballet in the fall. Being that we live in a small town, there aren't a ton of kids in Ballet, and Charlotte's ballet teacher puts on the Nutcracker each year, so all the kids are drafted into being in the performance. I have to say that I was resistant at first, thinking there way no way Charlotte would get up on stage and perform in front of a group of people, and I wasn't thrilled with the rehearsal schedule. Trying to get three kids out the door for a 20 minute rehearsal every Saturday morning for 2 1/2 months definitely came with some stress, however, Charlotte LOVES it and last night was the first of three performances they are putting on. Last week Chris got drafted into being in it also as they didn't have any boys/men for the ballroom scene. Charlotte was thrilled that Chris was going to be in it too. They went to rehearsals together last week, past Charlotte's bedtime, but she came home with a huge smile on her face talking non-stop about all the kids and Daddy dancing and was just thrilled. Chris went with her early yesterday for a dress rehearsal before the show (which they clearly needed!) He took a few pictures then so we weren't disrupting anyone during the show!

 Grandma, Dad and I were in the audience and they were just hysterical. They were waiting for their cues from Mother Ginger but you couldn't hear him so the girls was a bit confused. Once they got going though they were great. In the video Charlotte and the girl next to her started fighting over which way they were going, it was just lots of fun. She was also a tiny mouse in the battle scene which was also super cute. She cracks me up that she does her "sashays" very seriously and it is very funny.

 There was a big snowstorm coming so we didn't hang around much afterwords but Charlotte was thrilled with her flowers and did such a great job.

 Daddy did a great job too!

 We have another full week of rehearsals and then two more shows next weekend!

Santa

I know I am far far behind on posting (I still have halloween pictures!), but these were easy. We went to see Santa yesterday. Chris had to work so Mimi helped me with the kids. It was a lot of work! Luckily by the time we got back home and ate lunch it was late enough that there was no line to visit with Santa when we got there! Killian enjoyed his first visit with Santa.

 Once it was time for a group photo, Santa had to hold Caroline so she wouldn't escape. She was not into Santa. (I showed her the pictures after and she said "Sad. (and pretended to cry)).

 Charlotte was very happy to visit with Santa. She told him she would like a Lalaloopsy Loopy Hair doll, even though she doesn't know how to braid. Santa told her she had been a very good girl and would get lots of special things for Christmas.

 Since we were at the Greenhouse, we checked out the indoor fish pond and the talking parrots before heading home!

 Caroline enjoyed her candy canes and even fed some to the fish.

So excited it's December!

First Snow

Life with three kids is busy. Tuesday for example, we had a relatively easy morning, Chris didn't have to leave for work until around 11:30. The kids woke up and found snow barely covering the ground. That was plenty for them to play in so out we went. They had a blast. 

Charlotte had Ballet this afternoon and so we were ready to go, shoes on at 20 minutes till. As I opened the door Charlotte announces that she needed to go to the bathroom. Now, I had her go before I got her tights, leotard and sweatshirt on. I would like to think I am smarter than that. But no, she had to use the bathroom. So off came her jacket, her sweatshirt and leotard. I got Caroline and Killian situated in the car, left a screaming Killian to go inside and help Charlotte put herself back together. We finally set off for Ballet a few minutes late. No problem, if I go slightly over the 30 mph speed limit that it is for 90% of the drive we might make it on time. No such luck. Roadwork in town set us back as we sat for the two chatting "Traffic Control" officers to let cars go. We get to Ballet and I can only find one ballet slipper. We always keep them together in the seat back pocket of the car. Not today. Only one. So now we are late, and we only have one slipper. I got Charlotte inside and settled and headed for the grocery store in the 45 minutes I have before I have to get her again. Sat in the construction traffic again. Made it through the grocery store without much incident, got back to the car and as I'm unloading groceries I notice Caroline in the car with her pants pulled down. Peeing. On the potty at least. (That reminds me, the pee is still in the potty...). Killian is crying again. Construction traffic one more and we arrive with a few minutes to spare. I usually leave the other two in the car and run in but Killian was crying so we all got out. We picked up Charlotte without incident and walk back to the car. There is a giant mud puddle behind the car. I normally don't have a problem with puddles. As long as there are rain boots on and we aren't going somewhere special. Today though, it was 20 degrees, Caroline had on fuzzy boots and leggings. I asked the girls to please avoid the puddle. They both walked around it nicely. Then Caroline stopped, looked at me, turned and jumped in the puddle. Of course she did. I should have seen that coming. We headed home, taking a different route since the construction traffic was all backed up. And you know what? We got stuck at a train crossing. The ONE train crossing that happens all day. If it is even every day in our small town. Figures. Needless to say, the girls were in bed, asleep at 6pm.

 Enjoy the snow pictures!

  

Carving Pumpkins

The Monday before Halloween we carved pumpkins. Chris and I grabbed the kids some as the pumpkin patch was not the greatest this year. I swore next year we would find a real pumpkin patch! The kids didn't mind, and were excited to get carving! Caroline insisted on wearing Killian's hat. The kids did a great job of scooping and attempting to carve. Caroline found any knife or pumpkin saw and went to work. Doesn't make me nervous at all! It got to be close to dinner and we didn't really get to finish, nor did I get a photo of us all with our pumpkins. We will do better next year!