The Princess and the Pea

(our girl and her friend are sitting on the far right. children were encouraged to sit on the floor up front.)

We took our oldest to her first play this past weekend! Several months ago, a good childhood friend Amy recommended this particular show directed by the Missoula Children's Theatre. She works for this theater company in Missoula, Montana, and the company travels all over the world organizing and putting on plays.

This play The Princess and the Pea was entertaining and very well done, especially considering how it was put together. Monday, before the performances, was auditions. Each evening following (Tuesday to Friday) was several hours of practice and rehearsing. There were two one-hour performances on Saturday.

The play was a spoof off of the tradition tale with lots of humor, silliness, and fun costumes. The actors ranged in age from 5 years to high school age. One of the chief play directors had a major role in the play, too.

I get a sense from our girl that she really enjoyed the performance and the exaggerated silliness and humor most of all. Because no flash was allowed, the pictures have blur, but it gives a taste of the fun.

(the princess and her pea, of course)

(the royalty and citizens from the kingdom of glacierdom)

(a local bakery provided pea and crown cookies)

Can You See What I See?

Four

It's official. We have a four year old!

Her day landed on a Sunday this year. We sandwiched the fun into the weekend. Friday ice skating. Sunday celebrate morning til night. Monday bouncing tents.

I had more fun this year preparing for her day. I attribute that to having more time to think about it now that I am home with the girls. In the past we have made cupcakes for her birthday; this year we did both: strawberry cupcakes and triple chocolate cake (oh, yeah!). All Saturday morning the kitchen was a mess with mixing, baking, and frosting. And they turned out yummy.

We decorated with balloons, hanging polk-a-dots from the chandeliar, and a birthday crown. I really liked the idea of the crown, but all I had handy was cardstock vs. a softer more flexible material so it was a bit stiff.=)

My favorite gift was making the woodland animals for her fairies. We used a scroll saw and a small variety of paints. Don't look too closely.=) But I think they turned out OK and will be a fun addition to her fairy world right now.

After bouncing tents Monday with her cousins, my sister suggested an oh-so-tasty Italian dive in Highlands Ranch called Via Baci. It was the best way to top off the birthday fun.

This is Random

(1. about 5 with older sis and younger bro; 2. about 13 with sis; 3. senior year of college with friends; 4. our oldest girl is 4 months at a family reunion)

*I met my husband in a dance bar. Who would have thought?

*I would like to be about 10 pounds heavier (stronger).

*During elementary years at night, my brother and I would “Morse code” with flashlights through our window to our neighbor friends across the street.

*Back in the day, I was a mean tree climber. We had mostly pines; so I put up with a lot of sap.

*The most incredible and beautiful story I have ever known is the story of Jesus, and so His story continues.

*My favorite authors are C.S. Lewis and Ravi Zacherias.

*One of my dearest friends, I have known since 2nd grade.

*Freshman year of college, a stranger followed me several blocks from the laundry mat to my apartment. Once I got in, he knocked on the door, and asked me out. Creeeeepy!

*My favorite 14er hiked with DE was Challenger Point in the Sangre de Cristo range of Colorado. DE says I whined bouldering the final ascent to the peak. You would have, too!

*In college on a date, we were walking through a park at night to get some ice cream. We were about half way through the park when...the sprinkler system came on.

*I ran the Horsetooth ½ marathon in the foothills of Ft. Collins, CO with a friend.

*The smell of winter melting into spring reminds me of competing in track and field in high school.

*I never thought I’d be a teacher, but it was the field that seemed to suit my interests best.

*DE is like no other guy I have known in the very best way.

*My ideal job would be traveling to different parts of the world teaching and doing humanitarian work.

*My life has been touched deeply in the last 6 months by the amazing story Stephanie and Christian Nielsen--their spirit as individuals and a family.

*My first girl was induced and an epidural was needed; LD was about 8 hours long. My second girl was natural; LD was under 3 hours long.

*After taking a bath, my brother and I would slide around nakie on the bathroom floor when we were kindergarten age. We had the most fun; it doesn’t sound like such a great idea now for a number of reasons.

*I found the design for my tattoo in a dusty, ancient, religious symbols book in the UNC library and then went to a Jewish synagogue to make sure I spelled it right.

*In middle school my principal Mr. N. asked me what I’d like to be when I grow up. I remember it caught me off guard. All I really liked to do was sing, draw, and play sports; so I told him I would like to be a professional athlete, artist, or singer. Now I wonder what my principal must have been thinking when he heard my response.

*I like to swing dance, but it has been a long time.

*Once I was hit by a water balloon from a drive-by while walking at night. It hit so hard in my middle that the air was knocked out of me.

*After college, I managed a residential home of high school girls. After 1 ½ years I left realizing clearly that good intentions do not trump wisdom gained from many years of experience. Unfortunately, not many older couples go after that line of work.

*I wish I would have had a relationship with my Grandpa Loran Shaffer, who died before my parents got married.

*DE and I went on a date, became friends for 4 ½ years, dated for 3 months, became engaged for 3 months before getting married.

*Outside is where I like to be most.