Christmas Time in Chunks

I just laughed as I wrote "chunks" in the title. Because even though I meant it as "small pieces of information given over a few different entries", the word still makes me think of only one thing (puking). :) And, ironically, it's a pretty appropriate word for this time of year. The idea of blogging about an entire December worth of happenings on January 5th will resemble a regurgitation of sorts!

So, here we go!

One of the most important things in the world for our girls is Nutcracker each year. This year seems to have outlasted years past, because there has literally not been one day in the last two months that six little feet have not danced the Nutcracker ballet across our living room floor. In fact, I have had to set a limit on it, and say "No Nutcracker during the school day". Of course, it doesn't totally work, because they still flit and twirl and do all kinds of fancy French word moves even when they take a bathroom break!

But, of course, I love it. And, I smile each time they do it.

Even just tonight, as I cooked dinner, I looked in to see Kendyll teaching Abby Kate new parts of a dance they made up, which they performed for me as we sat down to eat. I just LOVE their love of ballet.

And, I know that we have many years to come. (That may or may not sound like a good thing to our wonderful families who come to see them perform multiple times a year!!)

This year's Nutcracker was another fun time. Lots of practice. Lots of hours of rehearsal. Lots of hours driving in the car. LOTS of Starbucks. And, lots of anticipation!

But, all worth it to see these beauties smiling with pride and accomplishment.

And, to see them having a blast with all their Nutcracker friends!

And to see the Nutcracker five times! Oh wait, that might not be my favorite part. :)

As usual, they appreciated the support of family and friends, although we missed quite a bit of our family this year. We gave them all excused absences because it was for a great reason! Uncle Adam (my sister's husband) and his highschool football team made it to the Semifinals for football!! So, we had to send off the rest of the fam to cheer him on for us!

We did have sweet friends who came to cheer for Kendyll and Carlie, and that always means so much.

And, of course, they got lots of kisses and hugs and cheers from Pops and Grandma,

Aunt Cassie,

Aunt Jodi,

And Miss Sophie Lynn!

Of course, we can't forget their BIGGEST cheerleader of all, Abby Kate! She is counting down the months 'til she can join the Nutcracker cast. But, for now, she is her big sisters' BIGGEST fan! (Although she WAS ready to skip a show or two by the end of the weekend!)

She decided to make them special muffins for breakfast before their first performance...ALL BY HERSELF! The only thing I was allowed to do was help her spoon them into the muffin tins. Love that girl's determination. :) And, her sisters loved that girls' muffin skills!

She also picked each of them a Nutcracker ornament and flower bouquet, which she could hardly wait to give either!

She is a sweet little sister, and I always love watching her following after her big sisters in so many ways. Precious to me.

So, since the girls are already talking about their roles for next year, and practicing them every night, it looks like we'll have a whole year full of Nutcracker fun!