Girls Night Out

Last week Alex and I were lucky enough to have two girl's nights by ourselves. On Wednesday I took her to see the "Idaho Choral Symphony Orchestra and the Alleluia Chorus" Christmas concert. It was at night and on the way there she wanted to play "I spy". It was dark out so there wasn't much to see but Christmas lights along the way.

Alex: "I spy something that's red"
Me: "Is it Christmas lights?"
Alex: "Ya"

Alex: "I spy something blue and green"
Me: "Christmas lights?"
Alex: "Ya"

Alex: "I spy something yellow"
Me: "Let me guess, Christmas lights?"
Alex: "Ya"

etc...

While we were there she was full of questions of course, being her first concert. Finally I convinced her to just listen and she sat in my lap watching the different string instruments move together or trying to pick out the horn or drum in the song even though she couldn't see them. They had some awesome and inspiring soloists. At intermission I took her up close to take a peek at all the individual instruments. about 3/4 of the way through the night she fell asleep in my arms to Ave Maria. I was glad to be able to share something I love with her and so glad that she's old enough to enjoy it with me.

On Saturday I took her to her first ballet. One of my young women, Aubrey, was performing in a ballet rendition of "Charlotte's Web." She was excited to have a friend sitting in front of us (it was her older sister we were there watching) and to have her CTR teacher sitting next to us. Again, she had lots of questions so I sat slouched in my chair to explain what was happening in each scene. She was confused at first why there was no talking but accepted it quickly when she realized they were there to show of their dancing talents and not their voices. Her favorite was Charlotte, the spider and thought she looked so pretty in her flowing tutu even if it was "all black". Although when Aubrey's Dad asked Alex which was her favorite character in the play she told him "Aubrey". Good answer Alex. She waited the whole show for Fern's little brother to try and catch the spider (which she remembered from the movie) and then missed it when it happened as kind of a side scene to something else that was going on. Throughout the night she told me I was the "best mom" and she was having "so much fun". I think we'll make both of these a tradition; come this time of year. Next year we'll have to catch her favorites, "The Nutcracker" and "Swan Lake". And this spring the Theater is putting on "Cinderella" and she can't wait for that new experience to watch a princess story, live! I'm so glad I have a little girl to hang out with at times like these and I'm sure Brad's glad that I can take her instead of him. :o)