A Busy November Weekend

The weekend before Thanksgiving was another full one for us.

Friday afternoon, I picked Briana up from school and then Doug, B and I headed to midtown to see Cirque's Amaluna...

The famous blue and yellow tent. Bri was so excited...

You are not allowed to take pictures during the performance, so I took some images off of G@@gle...

The girl that usually plays the main role of "Miranda" did not perform that day. It must have been her understudy that filled in. The understudy was a beautiful Asian girl and she was simply amazing - a very talented contortionist. I was so happy Briana was able to watch this beautiful girl as the lead. Sadly, she wasn't even mentioned in the program. I managed to find a picture of her online (I am pretty sure this is her)...

The show was spectacular per usual. The music, costumes and performances were all stellar.

The next day was a 9th birthday party at Benihana for Bri's friend April. B was all ready in her little black dress...

Briana, Maisie and the birthday girl April...

Sweet friends...

What you lookin' at??? ;)

Waiting for the show...

Pin the nose on the Olaf...

Look at how they served the oranges...

Birthday cookie time...

The adorable party guests...

Then Sunday, I went on my own to the annual craft show that is hosted by my former high school. It was raining cats and dogs that day and Bri decided she wanted to stay home with Doug. It really gave me time to look around and enjoy all the craft goodies...

As I shopped, Briana decided to do a beauty makeover on her dad. LOL!

I just love fun-filled weekends!

3rd Grade Performance

Briana has had several school programs over the years. Of all the programs we have seen, this one was probably the most somber/serious. The kids (2nd and 3rd graders) recognized all the men and women that currently serve or have served in the armed forces.

Here are Bri's previous school performances (ones that were performed in the gym)...

 Kindergarten (Holiday)
Kindergarten (Graduation)
1st Grade
2nd Grade

Briana wanted to all red, white and blue for the occasion...

Bri was so excited that Gramma and Papa could come to the performance. A few days before, Bri and I spotted some adorable stuffed horses at W@lmart (my mom loves horses), so Bri got one for her and one for Gramma. We gave Gramma hers that night as a gift. They posed with their horses for me...

Here the kids are assembling into the gym...

Bri got her spot...

The Pledge of Allegiance...

Singing their patriotic songs...

The music teacher asked the members of each branch of service to stand up...

Below are two of the songs. The second song was so very touching - brought tears to my eyes for sure. I was thinking how my my grandfathers would have loved this assembly. They were both Navy Seabees...

Daddy picking Bri up from her teacher...

Heading back out into the cold (and it was so cold that night)...

Our sweet girl...

So glad Gramma and Papa were there...

It was a very special night.

Missing Daddy And Wonderful Surprises

{I have a few minutes to spare, so I am getting a post up very quickly! I am falling so behind on my blogging! It's crazy!}

A few weeks ago, Doug had to go on another business trip (he travels quite a bit). Bri always misses him so much when he leaves. He left on Sunday afternoon that week, so Miss B and I cuddled up in her playroom that evening to watch "Legend of Korra" - it's one of our favorite shows to watch together. I'm sad that this is the last season. :(

 When Bri got home from school that Monday, she had written two of her school "wow/challenge words" on her homework page and added two of her own thoughts...

Doug bought Briana a spotted bear from Tampa a few months ago, and he told her to hug it every time she felt sad when he was away. She was definitely carrying it around when he was gone...

Doug tries his hardest to be at Briana's special events, but with travel, it isn't always possible. He does extremely well though and does make it to most things. Doug was scheduled to fly home on Tuesday evening of that week - and unfortunately, he was landing after Bri's 3rd grade performance. Bri was prepared for him not to make to the show, but she was excited because Gramma and Papa were able to come and see her sing.

The 3rd grade patriotic (Veteran's Day) performance was adorable and very moving (I'll blog more on that later)...

My China sweetheart and American citizen was decked out in red, white and blue...

 But right before we left the house for the performance, we heard the door open. It was Doug - he caught an earlier flight and made it home in time for Bri's performance to surprise us. He even fibbed to me about where he was via text to throw me off. How's that for the most awesome dad ever?

 

 Doug also surprised me and Briana with tickets to Cirque du Soleil's Amaluna (which was on Friday of that week - he told me we were going about a week before we did). We are huge Cirque fans in this house, but Doug and I had actually discussed not going this year because of some other big things we have already done this year (like a trip to Disney World). He went and bought tickets anyway. Yes - he spoils us.

That Friday morning, Bri was all ready to go to school with no idea what was in store for her that afternoon...

She hopped in the car after school and I told her we were going somewhere special. She had no idea what we were doing. She dozed a bit in the car on the way there (she had been up since 6AM), but when she awoke, she looked around and said "Are we at Cirque?!" She's becoming a Cirque expert.

We had a wonderful time at the show (more on that later too)...

Doug may have to travel (it's crucial for his job), but he always makes our lives worthwhile when he is home. I couldn't ask for a better hubby/father. *Love*

I'm Still Here - Promise!

I cannot believe I haven't blogged in two weeks. I miss blogging and I never go this long without doing it. I have been so busy with the holidays arriving and I just haven't had a chance to sit down and write.

We've done so much over these two weeks ~ we went to Cirque du Soleil, Briana had a 3rd grade performance, we hosted Thanksgiving and we saw Santa Claus.

I have so much to catch up on.

I am currently decorating the house for Christmas, so once again, I don't have time to write a bunch of posts right now.

I'll be back in a few days, so hang in there!

A Quiet Week And Weekend

It's been pretty quiet around Casa de Briana lately. And I am quite happy about that. It's not often that I can say that my week was kind of uneventful, but it really was. I had a nice lunch with my friend Carole on Thursday, but other than that, I've just been doing boring stuff around the house and a bunch of errand running.

I already know the week ahead of me is going to be busy (lots on the calendar), and I'm sure life will get even busier with the holidays looming right around the corner. So I'm enjoying the quieter time now.

This weekend we had no big plans either. Bri had a play date at the neighborhood playground on Saturday with some neighborhood friends (the weather was chilly but sunny ~ just beautiful), but that is all we had on the calendar. No soccer. No running. No dinner dates. Just hanging out at home. Nice.

Miss B decided to take a selfie on my phone the other day. Who needs to be sassy or serious? My gal is silly and I like her that way...

B was able to wear a dress and boots on Wednesday. Bri has to wear sneakers on PE days ("specials" like music and PE rotate and fall on different days each week). Now that she is in running club on Mon and Thurs, she has to wear sneakers on those days too ~ even when her special isn't PE. My fashionista isn't too thrilled that she has to wear sneakers so often to school now. So when she gets a day that she can wear a dress with boots or dressier shoes to school, she's very excited...

Thursday, we did a craft after school. Foam kits are super cute, but they are aggravating to put together sometimes. The instructions say "no glue needed." That's very far from the truth...

Briana is still doing great in school. Her teacher uses a classroom tool called "ClassDojo" to reinforce good behavior...

 The kids get points for doing things they are supposed to do like clean their desks, follow directions or use recommended websites at home like "First In Math." Briana was the student with the most Dojo points out of the class last week and she was quite proud of herself. She got to pick a treat out of the class "treasure box."

I am enjoying the fact right now that Bri doesn't have a project due - though Bri has had several tests in which she had to study.

She hasn't been slammed with homework this year and that has been so nice. I dread the day when she starts getting bombarded with it. Will it be next year (4th)? Maybe 5th? Not looking forward to it.

I have a lovely 5 minute drive to school to drop and pick up Briana. The trees that line the street have been beautiful. I'm sad they are losing their leaves now...

Doug, Bri and I went to see "Big Hero 6" Friday night. It was the first 'nighttime' movie Bri has ever been to. It is a wonderful movie, but very, very sad in parts...

My kid had tears streaming down her face when it was over. She is ultra sensitive, so I am not surprised. She feels things very deeply. The whole theater was in tears throughout it, myself included.

But it was really, really good. I do recommend it.

Now it is Sunday. It is supposed to start raining soon and rain all night into tomorrow. A cold front will be pushing through and temps will plunge into the low 20's Tuesday morning. Brrrr.

Just one more week until Thanksgiving break!