Zoo Lights

For the past few years, we have gone to my alumni night at Zoo Lights with Chuck and Judy. We also invited more friends to join us. Marina and I arrived earlier than everyone else. When we went to buy our tickets, we were gifted two that someone else had purchased but weren’t able to use. They only asked that we sing a Christmas carol to get them. Marina didn’t want to, but I sang, “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” without her.

A few minutes later, everyone showed up. We went inside and to wait in line for Santa. Mrs. Claus had just finished story time, so we got a photo with her while we waited. When it was finally our turn, we had our picture taken with Santa and the mascot.

After the photo was taken, we were ready to see the lights. We participated in the scavenger hunt, but it turned out to be much more difficult than last year. Our friends were particularly interested in Tropical Discovery, although they were disappointed that none of the Komodo Dragons were on display.

After we got through the zoo, Marina and I left while everyone else went shopping. We have school and work tomorrow, so we needed to get home.

Tea With the Sugar Plum Fairy

The Sugar Plum Fairy Tea has become a holiday tradition for us. We invited Miss Judy to go along with us last year and she loved it. Since Bethany is in town this year, we asked her to join us as well.

We arrived a bit early for the tea, so we sat down and waited for seating to begin. When we were taken to our table we found we had the same table as the Royal Wedding Tea in May. One of the owners came by our table to say hello. It’s so nice that they remember us!

We all ordered the marzipan tea and we were ready to eat when our cottage pies arrived. And when the sandwiches, scones and sweets were brought out we happily ate those. Marina didn’t care for the spinach quiche, so I let her eat one of my sandwiches.

After we ate, we heard the story of The Nutcracker and the dancer was introduced. It was the same ballerina we have seen for the past few years. We enjoyed chatting with her after her dancing was done. Marina wasn’t interested in the crafts, so after we took photos, we headed out.

Ralph Breaks the Internet

The movie Ralph Breaks the Internet opened earlier this week. Of course, Marina and I were anxious to see it. So we decided to check it out this evening.

We had a bit of a sleet storm this afternoon so we were glad the theater isn’t too far from home. We arrived early, so we settled into our seats.

Once the movie started, we both enjoyed it. Since Marina loves playing video games so much, she really enjoyed that part of the story. And of course, the Disney Princesses showing up was something we both loved.

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms

Marina has really missed Ainsley this week. So we decided to make plans for today with her. It was cold and snowy, so we decided to see a movie. Marina and I wanted to see The Nutcracker and the Four Realms. At first, Ainsley said she wasn’t interested, but after watching a trailer with her mother, she changed her mind.

Marina was anxious to see Ainsley so we left the house really early. We were too early for the movie, so we stopped for warm drinks before the show. We arrived early for the movie, so we ordered our food.

The movie was more of an adventure than a romance. Both Marina and Ainsley loved it. After it ended we brought Ainsley over to our house where the girls worked on their photo albums for a little while and then went into Marina’s room and played dress up. After a couple of hours, Ainsley was ready to go home for dinner.

Aloha

Marina and I love the theater that presents dramatizations of international folk tales. And since we got Justine interested earlier this year, she’s been our regular guest to their shows. Their latest is Aloha – Polynesian folk tales. Marina was particularly excited because these stories centered around Maui, the demigod featured in the Disney movie Moana.

We arrived a bit later than we planned. The producer of the theater, was there to welcome us. Marina loves to sit in the front, so she sat in front of Justine and I. She was a bit impatient for the show to start. Fortunately, we didn’t have to wait too long.

The show was a fun mix of Maui stories mixed in the Polynesian dances. We all enjoyed it. Once it was over, we waited for our chance to have a photo taken with the cast. That has become a tradition.

La Traviata

Three years ago, Marina and I saw the opera La Traviata four years ago. Tonight was opening night of another production. I got tickets for us to go with Angie. Marina got all dressed up in a hot pink floor length dress. I added a pink beaded necklace. She looked so grown up!

Traffic was crazy on the way to the theatre and when we arrived at the performing arts complex it was packed. We just managed to park, get through security and buy drinks before the opera started. Angie met us at the seats.

The first time we saw La Traviata, Marina enjoyed it. This time she seemed bored. When the opera ended, she was anxious to go home. She didn’t even want to wait for the elevator at the parking garage. Instead she hurried up five flights of stair! On the way home she fell asleep. It had been a full day!

Dia De Los Muertos Celebration

We’ve been going to the botanic gardens Day of the Dead Celebration for the past few years. Last year Miss Judy came with us and enjoyed it. So we invited her again this year. She, in turn, invited Bethany and Jeremy to join us. It was going to be particularly emotional this year as we would be remembering a family who was killed earlier this year.

The weather was cool and rainy this morning but we decided to go anyway. It seemed to take a long time for everyone to be ready to go, but we were fortunate that right as we arrived we found someone who was leaving the parking garage, so we got a good parking spot.


When we arrived we found the crafts under a large tent. Marina wanted to decorate a sugar skull, so we wall watched her as she made hers. Judy, Bethany and Jeremy went to watch the Aztec dancers while Marina created a flower wreath and she made paper marigolds which she gave to Judy and Bethany.

We all went for warm drinks and once we had them the Lucha Libre wrestling had begun. So we watched that for a while. Our next stop was the community alter. Judy and Bethany got emotional as they added a family members’s name to the display. I helped Marina with a card with her great grandparents’ names on it.

We went into the Japanese garden where Marina showed everyone the koi pond. Then we wandered around the perimeter of the garden. By then Bethany and Judy were tired, so we decided to leave. On the way home, we stopped to have tacos for lunch.