zoo and annie

B and I were both working overtime today and the girls’ friend graciously offered to take them to the zoo. The weather was gorgeous and they were there ALL day. Sweet pictures of their fun kept popping up on my phone all day.

I met these ladies at home with just enough time to get cleaned up and then off to the theater. B was catering that evening and let’s be honest, he didn’t want to see Annie so we made it a special girls night.

We had front row seats and the girls were thrilled to be so close to the stage. We loved the entire production especially the songs. I really do love these adventures with my girls.

music man

We were able to sneak in a weekday trip to the theater tonight to see Music Man. It made for a rather busy day/night because we had work, school, and volleyball practice, but I love these little experiences. I was especially excited because I had no idea what the show was about! It’s always fun to go into to a show with out any expectations.

Unfortunately B came home from work with a sore throat and Annabelle was exhausted from a busy day. They were troopers though and didn’t want to miss the show. Annabelle wouldn’t appease me with photos and I assumed we were just experiencing the nastiness of the “tween sassiness” phase. Nope, she was just hungry. As soon as she had something to eat she was right back to her funny, happy little self! I gotta remember to feed these kids more often…

While Annabelle was rushing around after volleyball practice trying to get ready, find her shoes and jacket, and giving her dad an overall difficult time, Gwyneth and I went outside and snapped some pictures She loved her Halloween shoes so much that she decided they should become a major fixture in her wardrobe going forward.

I tried to get some photos of Annabelle before we left but she was not having it. Note to self: food than photos.

This girl can never have too much sparkle

It’s getting chilly around here…

Annabelle was cold and being goofy so these were the best photos I could get before the show. That girl cracks me up and I’ll take what I can get with the photos.

Time for the show!

We all agree that the story was a little slow, but we loved the music. Great music, great set. Overall we give it a 3 out of 5 stars.

It was a late night and the girls fell asleep in the car on the way home. Fingers crossed for no migraines and happy girls tomorrow.

saint louis

We went on a quick trip to St. Louis for my dad’s birthday. We were there for less than 48 hours. It was A fun-filled trip filled with visits to all our favorite restaurants – Dominics, Ragazzis, and Mortons. Our family visits are usually focused around the meals. Of course this trip didn’t disappoint.

We walked most everywhere and the weather agreed with us!

Saturday morning we got up quite early and headed over to visit Madison. She has only been on campus for 3 days, but she looks quite settled in. She showed us around and seems the perfect mix of nervous and excited. Her school is located right in the heart of downtown St. Louis and the campus is beautiful.

We left campus and met the rest of my family at the zoo. We watched the sea lion show and took a quick ride on the train.

We spent the rest of the afternoon splashing around in my dad and Melissa’s backyard. We had a lovely time and hope my dad had a great birthday weekend!

frozen

Months ago I purchased tickets to see Frozen “Alive”. The show is making it’s way to Broadway with a stop here in Denver. We had ok seats. Honestly, they were on the side and a bit too close. Note to self, sit back a little further next time so the girls can see the entire stage. Any day at the theater is a good day, so I’m really not griping.

The show as better than I even anticipated. I do admit I am sentimental about the Frozen movie. Our girls were at the perfect age during the original release and it was an obsession at our house. It was watched over and over and the songs were always playing.

I had hopes for the live show and it certainly didn’t disappoint. The sets, costumes and music was some of the best I have seen. Our entire family loved it but Gwyneth seemed to be the most in giggles. There was a joke about Elsa freezing Anna’s butt and I will never forget her laugh!

Amy and Bella were there for the show too!

super diamond | hudson gardens

“There are two types of people in this world.. Those who like Neil Diamond, and those who don’t. My ex-wife loves him.” – Bob Whiley, What About Bob

We fall in the love ’em category. We have seen the real Neil, but we always get a kick out of the Surreal Neil…Super Diamond! The concerts are such a kick. Amazing people watching. Great music and friends. It’s a can’t miss!

We met Don and Lisa for a pre-show dinner and then walked on over to Hudson Gardens. We had a fabulous time dancing away to our favorite hits including Sweet Caroline, Forever in Blue Jeans, Coming to America, I am I said…the list goes on and on.

Annabelle wasn’t as entertained with our dancing, but Gwyneth boogied away with us. We all enjoyed the firework show after the concerts. The evening was truly a blast!

Waiting for the show to start…

slipper and the rose

Our entire family enjoys a trip to the theater…well, normally. Tonight wasn’t the biggest hit for everyone.

We went to the dinner theater which doesn’t always have the best food. I like that we don’t have to fight/play for parking, but wow, the food really was not on point this evening. It was pretty bad even for dinner theater standards. We laugh about it though and make sure we order fun drinks, several baskets of bread for Gwyneth and desserts to compensate for the rough main courses.

We went to see The Slipper at the Rose at the Candlight Dinner Playhouse. The story was Cinderella with all new music. The girls really enjoyed the costumes and I thought it was nicely done and B…well, he fell asleep! This was a little awkward since we were sitting in the front row! We had to give him a few nudges when the snores kicked in. It really was funny and the show was a mellow one. The girls and I had a great giggle every time we looked over to see his head bobbing.

A special drink concoction for the kiddos with grape juice, sprite….and I can’t remember exactly what else but the girls liked them.

After the show the girls were invited on stage for a photo op. First with Cinderella

Then with the Fairy Godmother and her dog, Magic. I think the dog was the biggest hit of the show.

42nd street

Summer camps are in full swing and we started with a sold out house. We hosted an ice cream social at Blue Mountain Kitchen and partnered up with Color Me Mine. We painted ice cream bowls and then the kids got to take a trip through our ice cream sundae bar.

We are offering more and more camps combining cooking and painting and the kids are loving it! Shaping up to be a busy summer and we couldn’t be happier about that.

Our summer walks to 7-11 for slurpees.

Our girls are spoiled rotten. I wanted to get my nails done so the girls tagged along. They were treated to mani/pedis. I’m pretty sure I’m creating little monsters, but I sure do love this time with them.

We are all super ticklish! Each ones of us laughed harder than the next while getting our toes done.

These ladies sure do clean up nice. The four of us went to see 42nd Street at the Candlelight Playhouse. I don’t think it was anyone’s favorite, but I absolutely loved it. The girls and I loved all the tap dancing. B probably could have lived without it. It was a lovely night together regardless, but we’re thinking next time we go to a show it will be just the girls and we’ll give B a night off!

symphony

Today was a day of maintenance. The girls had doctor’s appointments and hair cuts and all that not so fun stuff that has to get done over break.

They brought along the bears to their doctor’s appointment in case they needed shots. Thankfully they didn’t. Both are healthy and growing quickly.

Haircut time. Gwyneth giving me sass and said she was going to get 6 inches cut off. I love her long hair and knew she wouldn’t actually go through with it…but someday I think she’ll get up the nerve…

That evening I had a special surprise planned for the girls. We went for dinner at Pizza Republica…

…and then went to the Symphony. The evening was called “Frosty and Frozen”. It was a sing along of popular Christmas tunes and songs from cold winter movies including The Grinch, Polar Express, and of course, Frozen.

I snagged $10 tickets and we landed ourselves in the 2nd row! What a steal! Annabelle was really excited because she had a great view of the trumpets.

I had tried taking them when they were much younger and they got a little bored. This time around was a very different story. We all absolutely loved it. It was such a special night for us and I can’t wait to take them back again.

wizard of oz

Our day started with an American Girl doll tea party at the Kitchen. My gals missed the last one and were so excited to join this time around. We made lots of delicious mini-food and the party was a hit.

Gwyneth invited a few friends to see Wizard of Oz with us at the Candlelight Playhouse. She had grand plans for her friends and found these shoes on sale at Walmart. What a fun little take away!

She was joined by a fabulous group of girls. I couldn’t ask for sweeter friends for her. Annabelle has so much fun with them all as well. My heart is full.

Friends since they were three…

friends since kindergarten…

besties! These two are inseparable.

girl scout friends and neighbors.

sisters!

love those shoes!

The girls were wonderful at the show. So much kindness and their best manners. They had front row seats and a table all to themselves. Living the dream!

All the girls stayed over and were up until about midnight. They started the next day with donuts. Yum!

into the woods

Off to the theater!

Annabelle invited her friends Olivia, Sofia, and Makayla and Gwyneth invited Ella to join us for a night of Into the Woods. The show was at the Candlelight dinner theater which is fun, but not my favorite. The girls love it though. They enjoy the food and the ice cream and being able to sit in the very front row.

Annabelle is nine and finding her independence. We booked two tables next to each other and Annabelle and her friends got their own table. She informed me that was “very, very cool”.

The first half of the show was great, but the second was a bit long. I didn’t love this show, but the girls really enjoyed themselves and I enjoyed the company.

Annabelle and I put together little favors for her friends: