Chocolate!

Marina and I have wanted to see the Chocolate Exhibit at the museum for quite a while but we haven’t had time to check it out. So we decided to go today after church. When we arrived at the museum it was crowded but we were able to find a parking place without too much trouble. We went to the see the Chocolate exhibit first. We arrived at the same time as a 5-year-old girl and her father, so she and Marina hung out together through most of the exhibit.

We started by seeing models of cacao trees and went through the process of how it is made into cocoa. Next, we covered the spread of chocolate throughout the world. Finally, we saw how chocolate has become more accessible to people in various forms.

At the end of the exhibit was a chocolate shop. Marina wanted hot chocolate but they were out of it, so she had two dark chocolate truffles and I had an éclair. After we ate, we decided to go through the animal dioramas. We located many of the hidden elves and showed some other people where they can find them.

We also spent time in the Native American exhibit where Marina designed a rug and we looked over her favorite artifacts. By then it was close to closing time at the museum, so we headed home.

South Pacific

The evening we had tickets to see South Pacific at our favorite dinner theater this evening with our friends Sabrina and Adriana.

When Sabrina arrived at our house, the two girls went upstairs to get ready together. Marina initially planned to wear a sundress. But after a few outfit changes, she decided on a summery dress. She added some yellow tropical flowers to hear hair. She helped Sabrina get ready, including makeup. Marina even found a white tropical flower for Sabrina’s hair.

At the theater, we met Sabrina’s friend Bailey and her mother. The girls clearly enjoyed sitting together. They all ordered the same entrée – sweet and sour chicken. We were all hungry, so we were happy when our salads arrived. Our server had been the lead in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, so it was fun to talk to him about that.

The girls all enjoyed their dinners and they talked as they ate. Once the show started, the girls paid close attention. It started a bit slowly, but they seemed to enjoy it – even if the songs weren’t as familiar to them as they were to me. At intermission we talked about some of the issues brought up in the show – particularly racism. They were all very mature in the discussion.

Act two was shorter. Once the show was over, they all said they enjoyed it. The girls went to the restroom, so we missed the opportunity to meet many actors. They all wanted a picture with Bloody Mary. Marina and I also talked with the actress playing Nellie Forbush. She had been our server at Hello Dolly.

After the girls posed for a few more pictures in the lobby, we headed home. Marina actually fell asleep on the way back.

Peter and the Starcatcher

A little while ago, we saw The Addams Family with our friends Adriana and Sabrina. When Sabrina saw the next show was Peter and the Starcatcher, she was excited. She read the book and loved it, so she wanted to see the play. So we made arrangements to see it.

At first, Marina and I discussed her wearing a Tinkerbell inspired outfit of a sparkly green dress and her hair in a bun. But she ultimately decided she wanted to wear the actual costume. At the last minute, she chose not to put on the wings. All afternoon she got compliments on her outfit. She was pleased.

We arrived for lunch. Marina ordered a Cobb salad which she raved about. After we ate, we were ready for the show. I called the theater ahead of time to let them know Marina and Sabrina were celebrating their birthdays. They were pleased by that.

The show was fast paced and fun. The story was a prequel to the familiar Peter Pan story. It was funny and we all enjoyed it.

After the show, we stayed to speak with some of the actors we know in the cast and to take pictures. 

Black Elk Speaks

Marina has always had a fascination with Native Americans. So I decided we would give the play Black Elk Speaks a try. I knew it would be serious and often difficult to watch, but Marina was clearly interested in seeing it. She wore a Native American inspired outfit and brought her American Girl Kaya along.

As we walked into the theater, we met up with a young girl who was dressed similarly to Marina - leather fringe skirt and a Native American inspired sweater. She told Marina she also had a Kaya doll at home. They talked in the lobby before the show. We also browsed at a jewelry stand before taking our seats.

Our seats were off to one side but in the front row. Marina loved that. She was impressed with the set and when a fire started in the center of the stage she was even more excited.

The play was about the history of the United States told through the experiences of Native Americans. Marina recognized many of the events even though they were not referred to with the names we are used to. At one point she whispered, "Oh no, not the Trail of Tears!"

At intermission, she went to speak with her new friend and then back to shopping. While I was in the restroom, the woman at the jewelry stand gave her a bracelet. Marina was thrilled.

The second act was bit less tragic than the first, but it was still serious in nature. It kept her attention throughout. After the show was over, we spoke to a few of the actors. Martina was mostly interested in meeting the young girl who was in the show. After they had a short conversation, we went home.

Rapunzel's Treasure Trove

Marina and I still love to attend Disney On Ice shows. This show was Treasure Trove. We’d seen it a few years ago, but that didn’t keep Marina from wanting to see it again. We looked over the ads for the show and Marina decided to dress as Rapunzel. Since her hair is so long, she decided to wear it loose and added a tiara.

We arrived a bit early and Marina was quite pleased when she saw our seats in the second row. Before the show started we took some pictures of her in front of the ice. We were seated by a family with an 11 year-old girl, so Marina enjoyed socializing with her.

The show started with Toy Story and went through many other Disney movies: Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, The Lion King and Finding Nemo. At intermission we didn’t wander far from our seat and watched the Zamboni clear the ice. Act two was more geared toward princesses. We saw the stories of Snow White, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, The Princess and the Frog and Tangled. Marina was particularly pleased to see Rapunzel.

After the show we talked with a little girl who was selected to hand Rapunzel a glowing lantern. She and her mother were quite excited at the opportunity. Then we went to the car and drove home.