Thursday, December 20, 2012

Sugar Plum Bunny Bites

The Nutcracker

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Animals visiting the stable for the 3rd week of Advent

Last weekend was a milestone of sorts in K's life. Her friends were going to see the Nutcracker performed in downtown, Portland and invited her to come along. Since she is now seven, we thought she was ready for it. C and Little L stayed home with Kevin but he kindly drove us there and back as I can not handle city driving. (Thank you!!) We had such a wonderful time. K was completely engrossed. It brought back many childhood memories of me going to see it with my Mom. Watching the performance made me want to forget Steiner's thoughts on the affects of ballet for young children, it's just such a beautiful art...

As if they were reading our minds - the latest (free!) story from Sparkle Stories coincided with our event. It's called 'The Living Room Nutcracker', and if you listen to the story then you'll understand where this post title came from! (That's C's new nickname, too.) K listened to numerous times in the weeks before we went. She wanted to be prepared since she had no ides what the Nutcracker or even ballet or an auditorium was. Just like with Martin and Sylvia - K promised C she would preform the whole Nutcracker for her and boy did she keep that promise. That night she went to bed in tights and a shirt which was a bit peculiar but I didn't think twice about it...that is until I was putting Little L to bed and heard all of these loud booms, thumps and giggles. I peaked in on the girls and there was K dancing around on the floor while C sat in bed watching. Oh, those two!! I adore just how strong their bond and love is for one another. I hope it always stays that way.

p.s -
Not really related to this post but the pictures above are of K's projects in the handwork display at school. The first one is her kitty she knit and the ones below are of her baby and bunting she made.

p.p.s -
I just realized that I haven't shared any of our Advent Nativity preparations this year so here is a photo from the beginning of the third week of Advent. All of the animals are now at the stable waiting. Our grass is growing, too. We buy a new piece every year to add to our Nativity and this year's figure will be making his appearance on Sunday. In case you were wondering, we get our exquisite, handmade Nativity figures from The Puppenstube.(They are Buntspechte)


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Comments (17)

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Oh how magical, I really enjoyed The Sparkle Story too, we used their recipe for sugar plums as a treat to serve at our handmade holiday gift exchange.
1 reply · active 639 weeks ago
I think we need to make them this week!
Such a beautiful rite of childhood. My dad took me every year since I was 3. And I started taking Zach at 3. But he has has to sacrifice going since miss N came on the scene as she would never make it through one and I can't quite yet leave her. I don't think she'll be ready to see it at 3 though, she is a wild child! However the Baltimore symphony did a school performance of the music with some local ballet, basically a condensed version and the homeschooler got the box seats which meant Miss N could jump and climb and run all she wanted and we could all still enjoy the show. Now she asks for the music all the time, dance dance dance. beautiful photos of a magical evening!
1 reply · active 639 weeks ago
I love that you took Zach at 3 just like your Dad did with you. That makes it an even more beautiful tradition! I love that you got box seats - what a great idea. C won't be ready any time soon,either. She would be bouncing all over the place!
The Nutracker is such a wonderful holiday tradition. I danced in it every year as a child, and am looking forward to taking my girls next year. Your Buntspechte Nativity figures are so beautifully made. I've always thought their pieces were lovely.
1 reply · active 639 weeks ago
You danced it? How lovely! I never made it far enough in ballet. I quit for gymnasticsand then quit that for showing horses. That ended up being my passion <3
Oh - I just loved seeing the title of your post pop up in my inbox! It really made me chuckle!
We too have been enjoying The Living Room Nutcracker, and my four year old Little Guy has been putting on his own performances for us all, despite the fact that he hasn't seen The Nutcracker at all.
And your Little Ones' knitting? - how wonderful! Looks like she will be taking after her mama in the knitting department :-)
1 reply · active 639 weeks ago
Awww, I can just imagine what his performance must look like!
Yes, K started knitting back in November. She is finally at the age to learn andhasreally taken off with it.
What are Steiner's thoughts on ballet?
1 reply · active 639 weeks ago
I was hopoing to find something online to reference to for you but there seems to be nothing (which is odd!) I only learned about his thoughts on ballet in K's first year of kindergarten.We met with the movement teacher at school and he went over good movement vs.bad. Soccer and ballet were tow big no-no's for children and we were given a handout as to why. I will have to see if I can find it again. It made a lot of sense soI wish I could elaborate for you. Gonna search for that this week. Check back in!
I'm also wondering Steiner's thoughts on ballet. Your nativity is just lovely.
Make that three of us......I'm also curious about Steiner's thoughts on ballet....I never have come across that in my readings.....
I remember my mother driving through Portland! She would always try not to make a big deal out of it but to her it was scary. I remember sitting in the back seat of our car hearing her quietly say to herself "be aggressive!" I guess that's how she managed to handle it!
1 reply · active 639 weeks ago
Ha,ha. oh that would be me!!!
We went to the Nutcracker to this year, an invitation too, so grateful for it, we could not have afforded. And we loved.
1 reply · active 639 weeks ago
I was wondering if you happen to have the pattern for K's knitted kitty? My 1st grader is wanting to make a cat and I can't seem to find a suitable pattern that would be appropriate for her age. And help would be appreciated!

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