Daddy-Daughter Date is a Smashing Success

Aubrey sports her intermission purchases prior to the second act.

Aubrey immediately had a question as we pulled into the parking lot of Nashville Children's Theatre Sunday afternoon.

"Is this Cinderella's house?" she asked.

Our daddy-daughter date produced a broken dish moments earlier as we visited a nearby coffee shop for dessert. (Who knew the game "Roll the Plate" would end like that?) It wasn't a harbinger of things to come. This day would not be a bust.

"Hurry, we don't want to be late!" Aubrey said as she tugged my hand and ran across the parking lot.

Unlike most any other occasion, including church that morning, I was actually arriving somewhere on time. Ahead of schedule even. That left plenty of time for Aubrey and me to use the photo props inside the theatre. It also allowed her to take advantage of the craft table and color a slipper picture.

Aubrey started a countdown of sorts once we took our seats inside the theatre.

"How much longer?" she asked - repeatedly and in short intervals - from five minutes beforehand until the show started ... late. An impromptu game of I Spy provided a healthy distraction. The game began again unexpectedly in the middle of the first act as Aubrey started calling out "I Spy ...."

We took advantage of some ridiculously well-priced snacks and souvenirs during intermission. Our pick-ups included a magic wand and a crown, which Aubrey later informed me was a tiara.

Nashville Children's Theatre's adaptation of "Cinderella" focuses on the story of the restless prince's search to find a down-to-Earth bride. The princess version of Cinderella spent little time on stage, which left me concerned that Aubrey's expectations may not have been met. After all, she thought we were visiting Cinderella's house. My concerns were alleviated as the house lights came on.

"That was a very nice show," Aubrey said while hopping down from her seat.

After casting spells out the window with her magic wand and singing a bit of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," Aubrey turned into Sleeping Beauty on the drive home. She dosed off to what I can only assume were dreams of princesses and slippers.

All smiles at the coffee shop (the plate didn't know it would meet its demise soon after this photo)

A selfie outside the coffee shop before heading to the show

Craft time

The finished product

Now Showing!

Our actual Playbills

Silly Selfie

Sleeping Beauty (with her wand at her foot)

The Story of the Man Who Tore Open the Shutters and Threw Up

Decked out in PJs, glasses, and a wide grin, Graham joined his fellow Madison Creek Elementary School first-graders on stage last Thursday for an upbeat Christmas music program.

We heard snippets of the chosen holiday music selections during the weeks leading up to the program as Graham prepared for his performance. He unintentionally tossed me a curveball as he asked questions about "The 12 Days of Christmas" during a recent drive to karate. I assumed the song would be part of the program. It was not. Graham's simply a curious guy (and, as I learned, I have trouble with accuracy once the 12 days of Christmas move toward double digits).

Graham worried a couple of weeks ago that he might lose his speaking role in the performance. His music teacher, Mrs. Barton, had warned members of the class that they would be replaced on the mic if they couldn't remember their lines. No scabs were needed, however, as Graham rose to the occasion in rehearsal. He (almost) nailed his line come showtime. It wasn't a memory issue; rather, as you can watch below, he walked away from the microphone too soon. In this version of "Twas The Night Before Christmas," the man didn't throw up the sash. He simply threw up.

Family photo after the performance

Graham and Mrs. Barnette, his first-grade teacher

Graham and Mrs. Barton, his music teacher

Spar Wars

Aubrey has earned her white belt and is now officially a Little Dragon. She'll be taking lessons twice a week at the same karate studio as Graham. We're hoping to hear more "Yes sir" and "Yes ma'am" around the house and to experience better discipline from our kiddos. We know it's more likely that we'll simply witness better sibling fights.

Aubrey gets her white belt from Mr. Blasier.