The Nutcracker Tea Party

Emmaline has been taking dance for two years now at Dance Arts. Every year, Ms Martha puts on a performance of the Nutcracker for the little ones. It is an interactive production where they get to dance during the performance. After it is over she has a tea party for them. We got up and got Emmaline all dressed up in her pretty Christmas dress and headed on over. She was "super duper excited" (her words).

Emmaline and her little friend from her class.

They have them sit on the floor in front while they perform......

Then they would call them up to dance. Later on in the production they were teaching them how to do some of the more simple dances. Emmaline loved it!!!

Once it was over, they headed into one of the other studios that had been all set up for their tea party. I think Emma was more excited to drink out of a real teacup than she was about the cupcake!

All in all, it was a wonderful morning and I look forward to doing this with her again next year.

'O Christmas Tree....

'O Christmas Tree....How Lovely Are Your Branches......

Due to some unforeseen circumstances regarding our beautiful prelit tree last year, we decided to actually get a real tree this year. So, we called my BIL to borrow his truck and of course my nephew wanted to come along......

It was a beautiful afternoon and even though it was cold, it felt good to be outside. We walked around for a bit and looked at ALL the trees. Emmaline spotted one and we all liked it, so that is the one we got!

Once we got it home, we realized that we were going to have to go get lights for it since we no longer had any. Steven was not thrilled about having to put lights on the tree, but we did it!!! But explain to me why they would sell lights for your green tree that have white cording instead of green!!! Talk about standing out like a sore thumb!

The tree looked good....except for the white strands of lights. Either we are going to have to get a new prelit tree next year, or I am going to go on a hunt for new strands of lights for the tree!

Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!!!

The Santa Express

Every December the Kentucky Railway Museum in New Haven has a special treat for everyone. A train ride with Santa!!! We were going with a large group on Sunday, so immediately after church, we hopped in the car, grabbed some lunch and hit the interstate to New Haven (which by the way....is in the middle of nowhere!!). This was our first time to do this and Emmaline was all excited to not only go on a train, but to see Santa. We had booked the private car, so the kids were going to get to spend a little extra time with Santa telling him what they wanted :-)

Emmaline and Sydney waiting to go

Our little family.....

This is the actual train car we rode in. It was once a presidential car that was used on the campaign trail. It has been restored to closely resemble how it looked back then.


Emmaline and her Daddy

Emmaline and Mommy.....notice the missing bottom teeth!

All the little ones piled on the couch in the parlor......

After a little bit, they set out cookies and hot chocolate in the dining room, the kids came down to get their cookie and in walks Rudolph!!!

The kids loved the long hallway between the dining room and the parlor, I think they spent more time in the hallway than in either room. Emmaline had the best time looking out the window watching the scenery go quickly by.

Excuse the sideways picture....blogger is being stubborn!!

Santa finally arrived!!!! They were all SOOOO excited. Here is my nephew Ethan with Santa. We couldn't get a picture of Sydney with him.....she did NOT like Santa!

The Hills with Santa.....

Emmaline giving him some love after telling him that she wanted a "yellow Belle dress" for Christmas. Luckily, "Santa" knew in advance and had already gotten one back in July!!!

All the kids gathered around Santa before he left. He was talking to them and he looked around and all of a sudden he realized......

That Emmaline was missing her two bottom teeth!!!

So he started singing to her! "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth..."

She just started laughing....

She talked about him singing to her for DAYS!!!

It was a wonderful day spent with friends and family. It was so much fun to watch the excitement on their faces. The Holidays are such a magical time for kids and parents too!!!