Wow. We did it! I feel like I'm in a fog after the week but it was a dream, everything I'd hoped it would be! All six of us were in the Community Nutcracker! What a whirlwind of a week! On Monday I went to a HIIT class then dashed downtown to help with load in at the theatre. I filled the minivan with props after the last practice so it was good to get everything out. I ended up getting a parking ticket. Ugh. I met my mom for manis & pedis as an early Birthday gift for me. I did a lot of running around prep for the week. Tuesday was my Birthday. I woke up way too early, ready to start the day! I got a Birthday spanking on the tennis court, Maureen and I couldn't figure out how to pull us out of there. 0-6, 3-6. After Christmas shopping at Walmart (again) I retreated to Sherry for a Birthday massage. It was amazing! Soon after, I got a text that Erik and Kelley had their baby, Logan James! We had Act I dress rehearsal but I made the girls come, too for a photo. Due to costume delays that photo didn't happen until 9pm but we got it done! We made it to Biscottis just in time for a Birthday dinner and lots of cake! It was a great day! Wednesday was much calmer. After HIIT class I watched I Believe in Santa on Netflix and ate leftover cake. The girls and I went back to the theatre for Act II dress rehearsal. I loved getting to see them, especially since I didn't see the older two's rehearsals. Thursday morning was the first day of shows. We had a school show in the morning (Phil and Voss left after Act I. The girls and I did a Starbucks run on the way home for a quick break before coming back again for round II. I was the Community Service Night chair and reached out to charity organizations to donate tickets. That's the super cool thing about this Nutcracker is that it's a non-profit. All the tickets to that one night were donated. I was a little bummed with the un-used tickets and people leaving at intermission (and missing MY GIRLS dancing). It still was a good turn out and great to see everyone there. We met the Hogans for a nightcap at Lillians that night (stupid idea but so fun). Friday, the girls went back to school. Phil, Voss and I took it easy and went up to the theatre for the school show. It was odd not having the girls there (they were all in Cast A, the guys and I were double casted). We left after intermission and had a late breakfast at Maple Street. That evening, Marly and Ellie went to babysit and the guys and I headed back to the theatre. After Act I we came home. Abby and I watched Christmas Karen and ate pizza. Saturday morning I let half the family sleep in. The other half went to the patrol Fun Run. It was a sweet one mile run by the school. The guys and I went to the theatre for the matinee show. My fake hair slipped out right at the end of our scene! I felt it slipping and then pulled it out while putting on my bonnet at the end. That's what I get for putting it in myself! I'm impressed with myself for repurposing Abby's hair from the Bippity Boppity Botique! Marly did an awesome job with my eye make up all week. Anne Marie let me use her magnetic eye lashes. The girls got a ride to the theater in time for the cast party after the matinee show. It was a fun party with CFA and a DJ. Phil took a snooze while the girls and I danced. We went to the Hyatt to refresh in the lobby then back to the theatre for the final show. It was a good one! Lots of bonding with the other party adults, family photo in the stairwell and gifts for fellow cast members. I think it was such an awesome experience for our family. I know the kids all loved it. The big questions is, will we do it again? My answer: let's just enjoy this year first. And we did! We kept going with the patron party after the show. Way too late at night but still a fun party and neat to see the seniors get scholarships (yes, this Nutcracker does that, too!) Sunday we slept in a bit. I took the younger two to CCD class. Phil and the older two met us for mass after. Voss and Abby had their last soccer game, tied 1-1. They were excited for trophies and the coach said nice things about them both. The bike light parade was rained out, which worked out in our favor. We all just needed soup and grilled cheese and an early bedtime. I finished reading The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night and Listening to the Many Lives of Mama Love. They were good but not mind blowing . I gave them both 3 stars. Here are the photos from the week.
Here are the professional photos from Jim Moore at Aikophoto
Here are the professional photos from Jim Moore at Aikophoto