The Nutcracker and my GREAT Christmas Idea!!

When I look back on my childhood the one thing I remember about the Holiday season is going to the Nutcracker. I still think I could be graceful and a ballerina. Trouble is I am too accident prone and lets be real...I would be feeling pretty bad for the guy who had to lift me! Ha!

About 5 months ago Mil and I went to Dancing with the Stars. After the show my eyes got so big when I saw a poster saying the Moscow Ballet was coming to the City. Uhm!! The MOSCOW BALLET!!!! I didn't even care what they were going to do at first but then when my heart started to slow down I saw it was the Nutcracker. Someone...STAT...I need some heart medicine or something!

I knew at that moment that I was going. Ryan however didn't know, or MIL for that fact. I researched prices and seats. I knew the kids wouldn't be with us for Thanksgiving so it would be just Ryan and I or Mil, Ryan and I. I talked to Ryan and as usual he said ok if it was something I really wanted. Its kind of spendy at 65 dollars a ticket. Its worth it though. The ballet so beautiful. So Graceful. So Amazing.

I am sure not everyone feels the same way as me on the ballet. You have to kind of snow the story. The sets were really cool and the dancing amazing. I just kept thinking of when I was a child and I would watch The Nutcracker when we lived in Germany. When we left I knew I wanted to be a ballerina. I remember my mother touching my back to scoot me out the door because I was trying to dance down the aisle. I miss my mom. Going to the Nutcracker made me think of her and put a smile on my face. I am thankful I had parents who really took us to places, had us try new things, and tried to give us culture. That is not that easy to do now a days but I try to do the same with my children. Its important......open your eyes to new things. Go and SEE things. Have great memories or even so-so memories haha! I mean everything you go to you might not LOVE! You will still have the memory of it. I am sure Ryan didn't LOVE the Ballet. He enjoyed going and see something new though. Take a chance! Get out there.....go DO something:)

This Christmas I have set up the 5 days before Christmas. I want each day before Christmas to be something WE are doing as a FAMILY. We have already bought tickets to enjoy an event with the family. I cant tell you what yet as the kids might see this. We have three events planned and then one day we are going to go bowling as a family. The kids really wanted to do that and its been a long time. I cant wait till Christmas break.

Do they have presents under the tree? Yep...! Will they probably get everything off their list from us and all their family members? Probably! Will they remember that though in 20 years...doubtful. We will however remember going places as a family, seeing things and being all together to open those presents. This year I plan on making a big Christmas dinner of Turkey and Ham. Its going to be a family event as each child is going to help with the meal and a dish. Those are good memories.

As usual I start talking about one thing and go to another. Like I said in my disclaimer of my blog however. This is Everyday Rae Rae....you get what you get:)

The Nutcracker was amazing. I am so thankful that my husband and MIL went with me. Its a memory that I have tucked away now along with the memory of my mom pushing me along as I am dancing down the aisle. I will remember looking over at the end of the Ballet to my husband and MIL and they had a subtle smile on their face. All dressed up and trying something new. Love them! Love they always go along with my antics. I am truly blessed.

Just as I am so blessed and thankful for my mother and father who ALWAYS made us try new things. Traveled with us and opened our eyes to more than just our little town. Thank you! You raised us well! Love you!

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BV Championship Game

Before Thanksgiving Break there is this one Friday that is so important to the Collins family. At least it has been for the last two years. Our sons have made it to the Division Championships in High School Football.

Last year it was Jackson and Joshua who were at the Championships. It was pouring down rain and I thought for sure everyone would end up with Bronchitis. Joshua was just a Freshman and Jackson a Junior. We play 8 man here, usually Seniors are doing the playing. It’s the whole team though that is winning or losing. You can see it from the sidelines….even if you are covered by some weird poncho thing to keep from being soaked.

This year was a very special year. Jackson is a Senior which makes this his year for football. Jason this year is playing as a Freshman. Freshman don’t get a lot of playtime but they are learning as they are in a Varsity team. I was excited to see my boys playing. They were going against the same people that we went to Championships and won last year too. It was an amazing game! This time it was a nice day! Thank God!

Watching the team play and cheering them on was amazing. The thing I kept thinking about though besides this is Jacks last game is how many people from our family drove up to root on the boys. Family is everything. Will they remember that game…..yes of course. Will they remember more that their family was there rooting them on….even more so!

Josh, Kelly, me with Mariah, Jason, Jackson, Cassie, MIL, Ryan

Boys with their Mom Theresa

Boys with Ryan

I was so proud of Jackson and Jason. They had their Grandma Sally cheering them on (MIL), their Aunt Kelly and cousin Mariah, then there was us (Ryan and I and their siblings Cassie and Joshua) and of course their mother was there too! That is a lot of people loving on them! We drove the shortest amount which was 2 hours. Everyone else came from 4plus hours away to see this event.

Aunt Kelly, Cassie, Me, Mariah, Ryan and Sally (MIL)

 

Cassie playing with her cousin Mariah

I am proud of the Cardinal team. They may not have won this year but they won in the hearts of Big Valley. They did a great job playing and I am so very proud of them all.

Jackson #15

Jackson looks MAD lol

Here are some highlights of my son playing and some good old fashioned family picturesJ

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