Shrek on Stage

This summer the dinner theater we often go to has been presenting the musical Shrek. We saw this show when Marina was 6, but she didn’t remember it. Marina brought Ivy along today and worked on her hair during the long drive.

We made really good time and arrived a little before seating began. We were seated near two nice, but quiet young men. The menu has been revamped since we were there last time, but Marina found the perfect entrée – chicken tenders with macaroni and cheese.

We both enjoyed our dinner and ordered Shrek’s Swamp Pie for dessert. Marina got a bit impatient before the show started, but once it did, she was totally engaged. She seemed to enjoy the show, especially the scenes with Princess Fiona.

At intermission we shared the pie. The actress playing Fiona came by our table and Marina chatted with her for a short while. She even showed her the fancy braid in her hair.

Once the show was over, Marina took advantage of the opportunity to have her picture taken with the cast. She was first in line! She wasn’t interested in photos with any other cast members, so we got into the car and started the long drive home. I was surprised at how chatty Marina was in the car. For the first half of the drive, she told me many game and story ideas she has. But about halfway home she fell asleep. It was midnight before we got to bed. We were both exhausted by then.

Be Forever

American Girl announced they would be rebranding their line of historical dolls as Be Forever dolls. Yesterday was the official launch. I received an invitation to attend. I decided to go but Marina couldn’t join me because she was in school. She wasn’t happy, so I agreed to bring her this afternoon after school.

I brought Kaya with me so Marina would have her at the store. I knew Marina would be impressed by what she saw. Right away, she noticed that Julie now has several new outfits, including the one she comes in. She also checked out Samantha, who was brought out of retirement.

Her favorite part was easily the new girls clothing they introduced. Each Be Forever doll now has a girls dress that coordinates with the clothing we comes in. Marina loved the clothes that coordinated with Julie and Kaya.

After looking around the store, Marina went on a scavenger hunt they had set up throughout the store. Some of the signs were hard to find, but we finally managed to check them all off.

Marina was clearly impressed with all the new items she saw. I think her Christmas list just got longer!

First Day of Fifth Grade

After a fun summer, it was time for Marina to start school today. A few weeks ago she dreaded this day. But last week she had a meet and greet with her teacher, the one she hoped to get. She was also happy to find one of her friends was also in the same class. She's been very excited ever since.

When we arrived at her school many kids were already there and lining up with their classes. Marina found some of them and  hugged them. They all seemed so happy to see each other that they really didn't spend any time talking about their summer activities.

The bells didn't seem to be working, so they were outside longer than usual. I don't think the kids minded at all!

Return to Neverland

Earlier this year, Marina and I saw a production of Peter Pan. Marina loved it so much that when I heard of a dinner theater also producing the show, I thought she'd like to see it again.

This dinner theater is one we had never been to before. It was a bit further than we've driven together. Marina brought along a scrapbook she was working on and that kept her quite happy during the long drive. She also had her Tinkerbell doll to keep her company. When we arrived, Marina was immediately impressed by the outside of the building.

We arrived early for lunch and both of us liked the inside of the theater. One of our servers let us know she would be playing Wendy. Marina was thrilled! Marina ordered "fairy juice" to drink. She was especially happy with the glowing ice cube in her drink. It looked like Tinkerbell was in her glass!

We enjoyed our lunch and settled in to watch the show. We were told that we should boo Captain Hook every time he was onstage. Marina was happy to comply. He seemed to take it in stride. The show was wonderful and we enjoyed dessert at intermission.

After the show, many of the actors were assembled in the lobby for a meet and greet. Marina was really excited about posing with Nana the dog, Tiger Lily as well as Peter Pan and Wendy. I had to talk her into meeting with Captain Hook and Smee, but ultimately, she agreed.

 

After the pictures, we got into the car for the long drive home. But Marina didn't mind. In the car she said, "It was worth it!"

Tea for Two

Marina and I have attended many tea parties over the years, so I couldn't pass up the opportunity to attend a formal tea at the botanic gardens. Marina was a bit nervous when she saw she was the only child in attendance, but everyone at our table was very welcoming.

The tea party was hosted by a "tea sommelier," who compared her expertise to a wine sommelier's knowledge of wines. She talked about the different types of tea and the plants and leaves that they come from. The described the difference between high tea and low tea. She also gave a brief history of the solarium we were sitting in. We were excited to hear that this beautiful structure was originally commissioned and used by Disney. One woman there said it had been used in the movie Mary Poppins.

Marina was bored by much of the introduction, but she perked up as soon as the food arrived. We were presented with trays of egg salad crostini, cucumber herb sandwiches, scones served with strawberry jam and Chantilly cream, lavender shortbread and lemon madeleines. She was a bit unsure about some of the food, but she tried and liked everything. While we ate, she chatted happily with the young ladies seated near her. She would not, however, have a cup of tea, so she drank water from her china cup.

Once the party was over, we headed out into the gardens. They were crowded and the day was very hot. We went around to parts of the Chihuly we hadn't been to before. After about an hour, we headed out.

Marina wanted to go to the children's garden, as usual. She spent quite a while in the wading stream. Then we went to the children's pond and stage. The last time we were there, the stage was being renovated. Marina was delighted that the renovations were complete. She enlisted the help of two little boys who were there and the three of them put on a play together.

Once the play was over, we were tired and very hot, so we went home. It had been a lovely day!

Summer Splash

The weather was supposed to be rainy this afternoon, so Marina and I went out early to try out a splash park we'd never been to before. Marina was a little grumpy until we got there. The park was set up to look like a snake in the desert - the snake's head sprayed and water cascaded down from two cactus plants. The water cycled around so some areas would turn off and then come back a little while later. Marina could hardly wait to get playing!

The water was cold so Marina would play in the water for a while and then sit on her towel in the sun for a while to warm up.Then she'd do it all again. She seemed to be having a good time.

We could see the rain clouds in the distance, so we headed home for lunch.

Magical Renaissance Day

We've had a busy summer so it became a challenge to fit the Renaissance Festival into the summer. This was closing weekend and the theme was Mardi Gras. Marina decided to dress as Jasmine this year. I wore my Snow White costume.

We arrived shortly after the gates opened. Marina started shopping right away. We heard some music and went over to watch a bagpipe and drum group. After a while, we moved on to our favorite face paint artist. The line wasn't long, so we waited our turn. Marina chose the new "frozen Princess" design. The colors went well with her Jasmine costume and she was very happy with it.

Next we settled down at the jousting arena to watch the first match of the day. Naturally, we made sure to be in Sir William's section. Marina cheered loudly for him.

Marina was browsing at a store near the arena when the owner told her to hold still for a moment. He came back with a necklace that had a tiny bottle with a crane and sparkles inside it. He thought it would look nice with her costume. She was thrilled!

Marina rode a few rides and we shopped a bit before we finally sat down for lunch. We always split a turkey leg and saw no reason to alter that tradition. We found a shady table and talked with some other people while we ate. We washed the turkey down with a chocolate brownie sundae. As we ate the sundae, we talked with some kids at our table. Marina noticed the little girl didn’t have any beads, so she gave her the ones she had been wearing. Then we shopped around a bit more until it was time for the next joust.

After the afternoon joust, we met up with Marina's favorite fairy and some new characters at the festival. We shopped around and Marina rode some rides - including the giant swing which she loved. Her screams of delight made everyone around laugh.

We met up with the King and Queen and Marina was knighted again by the Queen. Then we made our way for Princess Elizabeth's tea party. Unfortunately, Princess Elizabeth was ill, but the party carried on with a Duchess entertaining the girls instead. They discussed how to be a princess and Marina played a knight in a story skit. 

After the tea party, Marina wanted to wait for the final joust. It was 45 minutes away and I didn't think she really wanted to wait. But we picked a shady spot and waited as the crowd grew around us. This was the Joust to the Death - Sir William against Sir Joseph. It seemed longer than usual and at the end three knights lay on the arena floor, including Sir William. Marina didn't seem too upset by that.

After the joust we watched a comedy juggling act which made Marina laugh pretty hard.On the way out, we greeted Sir William. He asked how many years I'd been photographing him with Marina. I told him it was four. He asked that next year we bring in the photos so he can see the retrospective. That sounds like fun. So we agreed to do that.

We were very tired by the end of the day, but it had been a magical one!