I've Gotta Crow!

...Kate's first...of many...musicals.  For my mom's birthday Kate and I bought her tickets to see Kathy Rigby in Peter Pan.  Of course, it seems the real gift to mom was watching Kate watch her first musical.  At first it seemed odd that a 60 year old would play a young boy, but Kathy Rigby was pretty amazing.  It's been a couple of weeks now and Kate is still crow-ing around the house singing the songs from the musical.

 I'm not sure what was up with the part in her bangs but we fixed it later in the evening.  Sometimes ladies have bad hair days.

Prior to the show we got the customary baubles for her and a sword for Jude (since he didn't get to come).  I passed on the poster for Kate that allowed for a spot in line to meet Peter Pan after the show.  I confidently assured my mom that Kate would be asleep by intermission and I would most likely be carrying her out after the show since the show didn't even start until her bed time.  Those of you who know Kate know that she is very serious about her bedtime.  We went to our seat, the whole way people were commenting on her sense of style (see photos).  I was becoming more confident that she would be asleep by intermission as we waited for the show to start.  She was a bit restless and tired.

Then the orchestra started to warm up.  She perked up in her chair.  They were not even playing songs yet.  I started to think I might be wrong.  Then the overture started...she might just make it to intermission.  Then Wendy, Michael, John, and Nana were on stage and I knew she would make it to intermission, but the verdict was out on making through the whole show.

Then it happened.  Tinker Bell and Peter Pan made their first appearance and it was all over.  She was buzzing the rest of the evening.  I thought she might levitate too when Kathy Rigby began to sing, "I Can Fly!" She even loved Captain Hook.  Would you believe we had to rush downstairs after it was over to buy the poster so she could meet Peter Pan?  She also wanted to meet Captain Hook.  Would you believe we were some of the last people to leave the Tulsa PAC at 11:30 pm? Would you believe she is sitting next to me right now with her Peter Pan book making sure I talk about all the characters?  Do you think that was her last musical?  Do you think she likes musicals?  Do you think we are on the right track with all the dance lessons?  I think so.

 Kate was fairly certain the pixie dust Ms. Rigby gave her was the real thing since she just saw her flying all evening.  My mom was a little concerned about Kate climbing on things and jumping off.

 Kate was so funny.  This is her pirate face.  You can't really tell in this picture but she was being so funny with him.  He was actually pretty tall, probably about as tall or taller than my brother.  She didn't care.  She is making her pirate face. Captain Hook was a little jealous of her boots.

It was 11:30 when this picture was taken.  I thought she would fall asleep the second we got in the car. Wrong again.  She didn't fall asleep until about 5 minutes from the house (we live about 35 minutes from the PAC).  I think there will be more musicals.

Makin' Do with What We Got

...another down year when it came to snowfall.  So, when we finally got enough to at least leave tracks in we bundled up and made the best of it.  We had about a 4 hour window once the snow stopped before it started melting, so we had just enough time to get the sled down, our hoods up, and our mittens on.

Jude loved the sled.  Despite the frozen face and wet pants, he cried every time he reached the bottom of the hill.

Working on our snow person.  It was more snow than dirt this year, so that is an improvement.  Still, he was only about a foot and a half high.

Daddy decided to take the kids to the big hill in the neighborhood.

Once was enough for Kate, but if Jude could have felt his toes and fingers he would have stayed all day.

Daddy/Daughter Dance Date!

...Bixby hosting an annual Daddy/Daughter Valentine's dance.  Kate was old enough to go this year so of course she wouldn't miss an opportunity to get all dressed up.  Nor would her daddy miss an opportunity to have a date with his little princess.  She was so excited all day.  Mommy and Jude got her all ready and Daddy didn't get to see her until she was completely ready.  It was so precious watching how excited she was.  Jude and I put  a dab of makeup on her and curled her hair.  I'm pretty sure Jude thought I was putting fishing lures in her hair.  

Once we got her all ready we introduced her (if you know Kate then you know she likes to be introduced...all the time) and she came in to the room.  You could see she felt beautiful.  I would like to bottle that feeling for her to use later when girls are mean.  She was so confident and happy.  I loved watching her round the corner to see her Daddy.  I also loved seeing her handsome Daddy.  He was beaming with pride as he watched her.  I was beaming too, because he looked HOT!

The happy couple had a great time at the dance.  Kate got to chicken dance for the first time.  They even snuck out after the dance for an ice cream date.  I'm so blessed to have a husband like Michael that is teaching his daughter how to be treasured by her Daddy, the way God intended.  I also know she is watching how he treasures her Mommy and I pray that guides her choice in a partner one day.  If she can find someone even half as good as her Daddy then she is set!

 Checking the "twirl factor" of her dress

Pretty feet...she's her mommy's daughter.

Happy Place

...feeling like a tornado had just been through after Christmas.  We packed up mom's car and headed to our happy place, Arkansas.  Specifically my Uncle Bud's cabin, Whiskey Falls.  We had no plans other than to see family.  We unexpectedly got to have snow.  Luckily someone grated the road so we could get to the cabin.

While in Arkansas we got to hang out with Aunt Mary and Uncle Bud.  They have quickly become 2 of my kids favorite people on Earth.  Kate talks about them non-stop.  We also got to see our other cousins.  It was so cute hearing Jude say "Bye Dutch" to his younger cousin.

The biggest thing that happened on the trip was an impromptu drive to Branson to take the kids to the Dixie Stampede.  Words cannot express how much both kids loved it.  We actually had to feed Kate because she was too enthralled to feed herself.  Jude sat on my lap and just jittered with excitement the whole time. Needless to say, the requests to go back to Branson started before we had even left.  I bet we will be back before too long.

 This picture melts my heart.  Kate has always begged to sleep with Jude and it finally happened.  You can barely see her but she is there.

 My snow princess

 It really only looked like this up on Witts Springs Mountain

 Perfection...a horse AND butterflies.  She knew it was going to be amazing.  I think Dolly Parton really gets our Kate.

 This was the last time she looked away from the arena because the horses were about to run in.

 Our kids ADORE their Ginny

Christmas Morning

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

...Santa!!!!!  I know him, I know him!!!  Christmas morning.  Is there a more magical time than Christmas morning with kids?  I can answer that...no, no there isn't.

Even Petscrat was feeling the Christmas spirit.  Kate asked Santa, before Thanksgiving, for only one thing--Baby Butterscotch.  And the big fella came through for her.  Baby Butterscotch is the animated, interactive horse you see her clutching below.

Jude is all about the great outdoors.  And trains.  And motorized things.  And anything little boys are supposed to like.  So, Santa brought him an ATV from Bass Pro.  Santa got it right.

For Christmas, we had decided to give Jude a big boy bedroom.  We redid his room with fishing, dogs, lanterns, and plaid.  See explanation of why Santa brought him the ATV above as to why.  It turned out super cute!

Walking outside in the blizzard.  Well, the weathermen all said it was going to be a blizzard.  Kate was unimpressed with the light snow.  We headed out the next day for Arkansas, and she got to see plenty of snow there.

Granny, addicted to Kate's video game system.  She and Kate fought over the game the whole way to and from Arkansas.