Tuesday, January 20, 2015

The Nutcracker (Back-up Blogging)

Dave found some inexpensive Nutcracker tickets last month, and we decided that driving to Bismarck and seeing the performance was the right thing to do! And it ended up being a lot of fun. We kept the whole thing a secret from our girls so that we could surprise them. Unfortunately the performance was a little long for Saige because it was during her nap time. When Dave took her to the back, though, she twirled and danced and tried to be just like the ballerinas on stage.

We Brought this Nutcracker Home
 I remember going to see "The Nutcracker" as a high school student. But, I really didn't understand what it was about and I think I even fell asleep during the performance. (I was a sleep-deprived teenager. It's easier staying awake during a performance as a sleep-deprived mom because you have children crawling all over you.) However, at this performance, each act was explained in the handbook, so before the acts, Julia and Lydia and I read about what was coming up. It helped me understand the whole story which was a good thing!


The Beautiful Performance Hall
 The majority of the dancers in the performance we attended seemed to be high school age or younger. So, it kind of seemed like we were watching the equivalent of a high school play, but I think it helped the girls identify with the characters even more than if we had watched adults perform. The kids that played sheep and other small rolls were adorable.
A Daddy and His Girl
 Of course, after the performance, all three girls exclaimed their desires to grow up to be ballerinas...
Intermission
The girls loved getting dressed up in Christmas clothes, and so did I. I am hoping we can go again. Maybe every other year. :)

Blessings, and thanks for baring with me as I try to catch up! -Amber

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Julia's Birthday (Back-up Blogging)

Julia had a wonderful 8th birthday. We celebrated on the day of her birthday (that takes place the beginning of December), and then we celebrated with a little pajama party over the weekend. On her actual birthday, we opened presents had a Julia requested dinner of mac n cheese with hot dogs and salad, and then she opened presents from grandparents and her loving and devoted parents (me and her dad). We also allowed her to have breakfast in bed.



Here is a video of her and her "big" gift:

Lulu has already been living with us for a few days now. She loves our girls, and the girls love her. I think I am really liking this "family gift" thing we started with Lydia's birthday last summer. I wonder what the family can get for Saige's birthday? Fabulous pots and pans....a new knife set, a macbook....

Any way, back to Julia's birthday....her party was a lot of fun. She had some friends over, and we had a pajama party. (Not a slumber party though...thank goodness.) The kiddos came, watched a movie in their sleeping bags and pajamas in our basement, then they had popcorn, snacks, cake and ice cream, and then they all went and slept in their own beds! I got to visit with the moms upstairs while drinking decaf, and the kids were sufficiently preoccupied in front of Rio. As far as kids parties go, this worked out pretty spectacularly. 

Julia and her cake
 I can NOT even believe my girl is 8.

Always A Funny Face Shot

Goodies...

My Kid Covered Basement
We had tons of fun celebrating my eldest last month. I love her so much...

---Julia, if you ever happen to come upon this blog years from now, please know that I love you more every single day, and I always will. You amaze me. I am so thankful God gave you to me. Love you to the moon and back a thousand times, Mom.---

Thanks for coming by, Amber

Monday, January 5, 2015

Love My Lyd

Dave took an unprompted video of Lydia last month. I love it! 


Thanks for stopping in. -Amber

Post Christmas Back-up Blogging

Well, the dust from traveling and celebrating the wonderful Christmas holidays, has barely settled, but I am all too aware that I have fallen embarrassingly behind on my blogging. Please stay tuned for some awesome back-up blogging of Stewart events including: Julia's 8th birthday and her birthday celebration, Christmas fun, Christmas Day, Our new pet Lulu, and many other riveting December 2014 past times. Thanks for coming by...there will actually be some stories coming soon....but for now, I will leave you with some fun Christmas pictures. Please enjoy: