Nutcracker In A Nutshell

This year, since Haley's in ballet again, I wanted to take her to see The Nutcracker. I asked around one of my mom's boards and found out that there's a production called 'Nutcracker in a Nutshell' done here in Richardson. It's basically a scaled down version of the real thing, but perfect for kids Haley's age. I checked it out and tickets were pretty reasonable. Plus for an extra $5.00 a piece, you could go to the Sugar Plum Tea afterwards.

So yesterday was our "Mommy/Daughter" day. We went to the ballet, which was beautiful. The dancers were amazing. Haley was so cute sitting on the edge of her seat, watching. When everyone would applaud, she would too, so enthusiastically. Then at the tea, the dancers came out so we could meet them. I couldn't take pictures of the actual performance, but here's a couple from the party. Haley would not take a picture with the Nutcracker though! She was very shy around him!

Here's Haley and the Spanish Chocolate and Russian Trepak dancers from the Kingdom of the Sweets!



Haley and the Arabian Coffee dancer. She was so sweet! She danced as the Snow Queen as well. This was her first performance dancing with her new fiancee. He was her partner as Arabian Coffee and Snow Cavalier. He was also the Nutcracker, so therefore, no pictures!



And Haley's favorite, The Sugar Plum Fairy!


Here's Haley refusing to have her picture made anymore and heading for the car!

Gingerbread House

I decided this year that Haley was old enough to make a Gingerbread House with me. Thankfully they sale these wonderful kits, so you don't actually have to bake anything! I picked one up at Sam's before Thanksgiving and decided, while Eli was napping yeterday, to break it out.

We got it all set up first and then had to let it dry (the kit provided everything, even the icing!). While letting dry, we watched Muppet Christmas Carol. Then, about an hour later, we started decorating. Haley had lots of fun. She's very particular about where each decoration goes and so am I, so it was interesting. In the end, it turned out great, we finished just in time (Eli woke up right at the end) and she had fun. Where was Blake you ask? Well, on the table, in his bouncy seat, asleep! ;)

Here's the beginning!



The finished product! Just ignore the crack in the front!



Haley was so excited, can't you tell?



Haley and Eli going after the left over candy!



A close up of the "icecicles"



Blake was exhausted from all the excitment!



It's final place in the house!



Here's a close up of Haley's "Mickey Mouse" decorating!

He finally found it!!

I really need to update this blog, but I don't have time right now. But I did want to put this out there! Blake is officially a thumb sucker! Unlike his older sister and brother, he hates pacifiers!! He gags on them, spits them out and has since we brought him home from the hospital. He's had to endure more than his fair share of crying fits in the car, or out and about when he couldn't nurse. But now he's found his thumb!! YAY!