Mary Poppins play review

We subscribe to the anchorage concert association and pick 4-5 events to attend each year. We sometimes add on a few throughout the year and also have been going to some youth theater with Ocoee. She loves the plays and always sits and pays close attention. 

This year's highlight was Mary Poppins. We have been looking forward to t all year. We picked an afternoon show so Ocoee    would be well rested. We had 4th row tickets and a few kids in front of us so the view was great for ocoee. We tossed all her stuff in her seat and she plopped in my lap a few minutes before the curtain rose. 

The show was, like Mary herself, practically perfect in every way! The casting was spot on and the color and lights were a feast for the eyes. It was worth every penny. I loved the messages that the play hit on, having fun and joy in your life, spending time with your kids, treating your toys and others kindly and money's value being in how you spend it. 

There were some amazing magical moments when Bert danced on the ceiling of the theater, Mary's umbrella flying and the park transformation. The special effects they pulled off were engineering feats! 

Ocoee indulged in her first chocolate milk and I had a glass of Pinot before the show. They also allow pre-orders for intermission so our fruit plate, wine and chocolate milk were waiting for us. We stepped outside into the glass walk way and had a quick mini picnic before heading back in for act 2. 

I was worried Ocoee would fall asleep but the show held her attention and she stayed riveted the whole time. Three hours is a lot for a 20 month old! We got home and she feel asleep before 6. Tired little lovely. 

I am extremely happy she enjoys theater as much as I do and I am going to begin picking next seasons play today since I received the new season schedule. 

The show was simply supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

Cheers

J

A perfect sunny Alaska day!!

Gardening, park, playground and lots of sun. So perfect. 

Cheers

J

Fun with love bug

The whole family went to see the junior theater production of Winnie the Pooh on Sunday. Ocoee exclaimed Bear! When pooh first come out. We don't have any Pooh books and she has never watched a show but she still seemed to like all the plush character and she loves plays. We head go the big show of Mary Poppins on Sunday. 

Ocoee and all of our animals have special bonds. She misses Love dog and spends lots of time taking care of Brodie. She covers his up with cloth napkins and hugs and climbs all over him. He tolerates it all by just laying there and I secretly think he enjoys all the attention. When you ask her what doggies do she pants because Brodie is a big time panter!

Nodstroms had a big sale and Ocoee scored new sandals and other cute gear. We love a sale! She likes Nordys because they won her over with a pink balloon. Sneaky!

School is officially out after tomorrow! Can't wait to have all summer with love bug! We head to Juneau, Alaska next week and I just booked a trip to Phoenix, Arizona in July. It will be so hot!! Can't wait-our Alaska bodies need some heat. 

Alaska Snow in May!!

Check out the photo shoots of Ocoee with her Uncle Dede in the snow....yep, snow in May!

It was a great visit and May is still my favorite month of the year, even if it snows!

Cheers
J

Summer bucket list

Summer starts for me in 7 days. Next Friday I will bust out of the doors of the school ready for a nice long summer break. My book club girls and I will get together for drinks, manis  and pedis to celebrate retirements, graduations and last day of work! I simply can not wait!!

In anticipation I have made a bucket list of things I want to do. Most are simple but those are the things that make me happy. I look forward to recharging my batteries, reconnecting with my hubby and loving Ocoee more.

Work out more
Color run with friends
Hike, new ones and old ones
Head north for Nancy lake Camping
Spend time in Homer
Visit Fairbanks
Travel to Denali National Park
Photo shoots with Ocoee, especially when grandparents are in town.
Bike rides with new bike trailer
Use Zoo/Museum pass
Read tons of books
Visit the beach and have picnics
Picnics with hubby at lunch
Walk coastal trail, feed ducks
Make matching earrings for all my lost ones....at least try!
Get hair did :)
Plant more ferns in garden
Kayak portage and whittier
Spend time with Sarah when she is in
Catch up with friends and meet new babies
Long relaxing lunches
Cook with no rushing, try new recipes



What will you do this summer? Many of my friends have big trips to Europe or back to the lower 48. We have Juneau coming up and then lots of other Alaska trips but nothing out of state.....unless I can't take the weather and book a flight outta here to the sun. As I speak it is snowing and very un-summer like.

Cheers
J

Letters to Ocoee

I am not someone who likes to be alone. I usually find a way to be in the middle of things even when it comes to seating. I don't like to feel left out. I love big crowds and events. With you in my life I have felt a shift in this habit. I often love our quiet time together. When it is just you and I and no distractions I am at complete peace. I remember a friend, Tahya, emailing me when you were born that she missed late night wake ups because how quiet the house was and the one on one time with the baby. I didn't really appreciate this until now. Being with you is the closet thing to being alone and yet completely connected at the same time I can imagine. You are learning new words and actions very day. If I say a word these days you say it back. I want time to slow down so I can marvel at life and you. You my dear Ocoee are so wonderfully and beautifully made!

Love always

Mama

Uncle Dede

Ocoee has a really cute habit of creating a roll call, where she identifies everyone around her. Mama, Dada, Brobro (Brodie dog) Ness (Guiness dog) and now Uncle Dede for Uncle Dale.

She also gets worked up and says your name over and over if you are out of her sight. This week she has had lots of time with Uncle Dede. This makes me very happy because family time is hard to come by when you live in Alaska.

We were all able to spend time in Seward, visit the baby polar bear at the zoo, play at the Imaginarium in the museum, and enjoy having Uncle Dede around. He was able to take her into daycare, change diapers and give her a bath. All these things will add to the memories we made last year when visiting Tennessee.

As the movie Anvil says, "Family, it's heavy sh*t man!"

Cheers
J

 Uncle Dede and Ocoee at the Zoo

 Ocoee rocking her new bear hat from Grandaddy in Tennesseee.

 Trapped in a giant bubble at the Imaginarium.

All three of us picking out animal hats.