June 23, 2013

Pancakes, Ballet, and Doughnuts

Have I told you that Sweet Pea is fascinated with all things ballet? She loves to dance, in general, but ballet is her favorite.
She hasn't started taking ballet, yet. That will come in the fall when school starts back. But any picture of a ballerina or ballet slippers, the sound of classical music, or the sight of a tutu all set her little heart a-flutter.
We've asked her if she wants to play soccer, do gymnastics, or participate in any of the other extra-curricular programs her fabulous preschool offers. The answer is always, "No. I just want to do ballet."
So, when Dan learned that a local private school was performing a ballet based on C.S. Lewis's, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, of course I had to take her. Friday night was a girls' night out for Sweet Pea and me, starting with a delicious dinner at the fine dining establishment of Sweet Pea's choosing - IHOP. After that, we were ballet bound!

As you can probably imagine, she was in love from the moment the lights went down. She was mesmerized. At one point, when the scene was changing, I asked her what she thought might happen next.
She looked at me sternly and replied, "I don't know, but I think we need to be quiet."
If you know Sweet Pea well, you know that she must have really wanted to pay attention if she suggested being QUIET.
It was all I could do to contain my absolutely delighted laughter while I watched her try to imitate every graceful movement she saw, while sitting primly in her seat. I can't wait to watch her blossom into a ballerina in the coming years.

The performers, comprised of middle- and high school students from the school's dance program, did a fantastic job. I enjoyed the show as much as Sweet Pea did!

The rest of our weekend had little to do with the arts, unless you count the art of making doughnuts. Oh, and it is an art. I am going to make a statement that has, for some reason, been debated.
(OK, we didn't make the doughnuts, but we sure enjoyed eating them this morning after the early worship service!)

Krispy Kreme makes the best doughnut in the entire world and Dunkin Doughnuts cannot possibly begin to compare.

There. I said it.
I recently read, on Facebook, of course, someone's erroneous comment that Krispy Kreme doughnuts taste just like any other doughnut.
Um, I beg your pardon?
How can you compare the dry, crumbly, cakey confection produced by Dunkin Doughnuts, to the ooey, gooey, so-soft-they-don't-even-leave-crumbs-on-your-napkin goodness that is Krispy Kreme??
Who's with me??

Dunkin Doughnuts does have better coffee, though. I will allow them that.

Have a great week, everyone!





June 15, 2013

Wishing Away These Stinking Dog Days

Here we are in mid-June, and I have only posted once this month. I apologize. It's just that, well, it's summer.
Technically, it's not even summer until next week, but it's still hotter than the eighth level of Dante's Inferno and it's no secret that this is NOT my favorite time of year.

For one thing, everything here in Birmingham that relates to small children, completely shuts down or goes on hiatus during the summer, so we're bored out of our minds. I mean, what do you do with a preschooler and a toddler if a) there's no preschool or MMO, b) there's no story time at the library, c) you have one kid who is terrified of the water and another who can't swim by herself, d) taking them outside will cause them to burst into flames, and e) you don't want to spend your entire life savings just to keep them occupied?

Whine, whine. Moms have done this since the beginning of time, right? I never said I wasn't spoiled.

For another thing, the heat and humidity make me...oh, what's the right word? Angry? Bitter? Grouchy? Crabby? Miserable? Yes, I think that just about covers it.

And, don't get me started on the wasps, bees, yellowjackets, ants, and gnats. It's like a Biblical pestilence every time I open the door.

That said, I apologize for not posting much this time of year. It's just a little cranky around here.

On a brighter note, we now have fewer than 100 days until autumn begins! (See countdown on the right.)
 Oh, my sweet autumn, with your colorful leaves, breezy, balmy weather, apple-cinnamon scented everything, visits to the pumpkin patch, hot chocolate with marshmallows, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and comfy boots. I miss you. I will even endure football season just to have you in my presence again.
Please come back to me.
I'll be waiting.

June 5, 2013

Follow Up on BabyLit

So, we made our weekly trek to the library today and guess what Baby D found lurking on the shelves?
The BabyLit versions of A Christmas Carol and Romeo and Juliet!

Woohoo!

Naturally, we brought them home and went to readin'.

Pride and Prejudice is still my favorite, but A Christmas Carol is a nice one, as well. It is not a counting primer, as the P&P and R&J books, but a look at colors through the eyes of Ebenezer Scrooge. There's a green wreath, Fezziwig's blue coat, and a red scarf for Tiny Tim, just to name a few.

While I still find the R&J counting primer to be an awesome addition to any kid's library, my English teacher brain and natural dark side want to change a few things. For instance, if I had written this one, there would be one bottle of poison, two feuding families, three murders, five dead teenagers, etc.
What? You weren't thinking the same thing?

Have I mentioned that I love these books?

Our library has this fabulous play area where the kids can do fun stuff between choosing books. At least, until it gets to be unbearably hot outside.