The Nutcracker

I want to welcome you to our rendition of that holiday classic, The Nutcracker. . . as directed by none other than Nora, world-famous four-year-old choreographer. . .

The scene opens at the Stahlbaums. . . please ignore the fact that there are four nutcrackers behind the Christmas tree. . .

Little Clara (played by Nora) has received her nutcracker from herr drosselmeyer. . . and she is apparently later going to first communion, or she is getting married. . .

After the Christmas party, little Clara falls asleep. . . she drifts into a dream. . .

. . . and wakes up as big Clara (played by Clara aka Mommy, of course). . .

The mice (played by Daddy and Uncle Wade) come to save the day (at this point, I am not sure why the mice are the good guys, but I went with the director on this one). . . they look like noble mice (why is everyone wearing gray sweaters?). . .


The mice defeat the rats by tying them up with a bumble bee jump rope (and apparently changing costumes). . . the sugar plum fairy rejoices. . .

The sugar plum fairy and the flower/snowflake/other sugar fairy dance for Clara at the kingdom of sweets. . .

The end. Merry Christmas (and a happy new year!)

Okay, I am not convinced. . .

That anyone reads my blog. :) I could be sending these musings out into the void. . . But look at that, two posts in one week. . . and with photos!

Anyway, Thanksgiving was rather uneventful. Wade's mom, my parents, and my grandparents came for dinner. Yes, that makes seven people, and I made a total of four pies. Each person was responsible for a little more than half a pie. One of you math geniuses can figure out the exact fraction if you have that much time on your hands. However, please note my cute little leaf crust on the pumpkin pies, flower on the mincemeat (ew!), and heart-shaped apple on the apple (I later realized the heart shape made it resemble a turnip rather than a "heart apple").

I still refuse to make turkey (the whole stuffing a turkey thing), so I made ham and au gratin potatoes. I was very happy though because I got to use my china and my Grandma Short's crystal. I ran around all over the stinkin' Tri-Cities trying to find a place setting I liked, and what I came up with is pictured below. I was pretty pleased with it. Anyway, it was a nice Thanksgiving with plenty of pie. . . oh, and Wade made homemade pumpkin gelato.

We also bought a new tree this year! Okay, it is a little big for this house, but we plan to move in the next year or so anyway, so I am hoping it won't look so overwhelming in the next house. Right now there is no topper because the old topper was too tall. I guess we will go shopping for that once I do my homework. Oh wait, that is what I am supposed to be doing now. . . Note my collection of nutcrackers (still a ballerina at heart) and tiny tree in corner.

This is our new friend. We call him Fuzzy right now, but I started having allergy symptoms when we brought him home. This is weird because we used to have a cat, but we are going to wait it out a few more days and see how it goes. I felt much better today, so I am hopeful. Say 'hi' to Fuzzy!