Inclusive Nutcracker

We have all been anticipating this day for quite some time.  Like anything worthwhile, the process of arriving was fraught with hard work, dedication and many, many meaningful moments.  Saturday and Sunday rehearsals were an hour away from our house in both directions.  Some days were pure chaos making it all happen.  But usually, once we were there, we had the chance to give and receive support from other parents who were like us, observe as our daughters formed friendships of their own, and watch with pleasure as the girls moved sweetly together to the music of their dance.

But even all that rehearsal goodness could not have prepared me for the joy and WONDER of performance day.  The show itself was spectacular.  The costumes, set design, and music were incredible.  The Sugar Plum Fairy was a real prima ballerina.  The cast and production was so professional.  I was beyond impressed.  But truly, I had no idea of the impact that this full inclusion would have on me as a mother to Ariana.  To get to sit in my velvet seat in the audience and witness my daughter join together with children with and without disabilities as they created something so much bigger than any one person on their own; to get to see her wings grow before my eyes as she reveled in the glee and anticipation of her show with all of her friends... man, there are no words.  The tears came and my heart swelled at the opening act, and it didn’t stop hurting.  It was so good.

She is so gorgeous!  I am just so proud of my confident, happy, independent, sweet shining star.

Ari makes friends wherever she goes.  Two of her closest chums were Hailey and Shelsey. 

Brittany helped make this all possible by being backstage with Ari so that we could watch the performance.  Ari is so lucky to have a friend like Brit.

We were not allowed to take photos.  I may be many things, but a rule follower I am not ;).

Here is our family at the Orpheum Theater in downtown Phoenix with Caroline, CEO and Director of Ballet Academy of Arizona, who made this production everything it was.

Congratulations Ariana.  I love you.

Christmassy Things

I love reflecting on the Christmas season.  While it’s over now, and we are in rest and relaxation mode at the Taylor home, I relish in the last bits of December as we keep our decorations up just a little bit longer and continue to keep pinning up beautiful the Christmas cards and our friends’ family portraits on our card garland at the stairs.  I will keep burning our favorite strudel-smelling candles every morning at breakfast so as to convince us that the magic of the season is still in the air – even after all the real baked goods have been devoured to the last crumb.

Here are some traditions that we enjoy.

Making Gingerbread People

Everyone made their own (Ari had very little assistance), which made them extra-specially beautiful to me. I didn’t even mind that they actually ate all those layers of fondant and (in Ari’s case) got equal amounts of frosting on herself as on the cookie.

Bella plucked the red fingernails off my sassy gingerbread woman (meet “Vixen”).

True to form, Bella…  Naughty little elf. 

2012

2009 (a little flashback fun)

Strolling amidst beautiful lights displays

This year, we visited the Temple lights in Mesa, which were amazing as always.  We didn’t go to Zoolights this year but that’s another favorite.  Although, truth be told, our our neighborhood lights hold their own, and our kids never fail to be impressed on our night walks either.  They’re still so full of wonder.

Ari couldn’t get enough of the babies.

Drinking too much hot cocoa

Bella would tell you that we didn’t have nearly enough.  I beg to differ.

Baking and decorating Christmas cookies for our neighbors

This is the unfortunate remains of leftover Halloween candy, which I so cleverly hid in the bottom oven.

I am not a baker by any means, but we can whip out some out of this world good Christmas cookies.  And an apple cobbler that has people breaking their diets left and right.  ‘Tis the season.

This is serious business.

His eyes, how they twinkled… he was chubby and plump… like a bowl full of jelly.

Mailing Good Cheer

Here was our Christmas card this year:

Watching Christmas movies

This year we watched a version of "A Christmas Carol” and “Mr. Kreuger’s Christmas” as well as a couple shorter ones over and over.  Which ones are your favorites?  I’m open.

Advent Fireside Christmas Stories

We read one Christmas story for each of the twelve nights of Christmas all cozied up by the fire.  The themes of the stories that we tried to emphasize were gratitude, selfless love, and the true meaning of Christmas.

New Photo Ornament

If every Christmas tree has a theme, ours is a family tree.  For every year that passes, we add our most recent family photo to a frame ornament on the tree.  This year, we have eight, beginning with Jake and my first Christmas as a married couple.

Elf on the Shelf

His name is Jingle, and he came to our family four nights before Christmas Eve this year, by way of Ari’s friend and aide in school, Mrs. Oliver.  He isn’t pictured, but he has been up to no good.  I swore I wouldn’t aide and abet an elf in my house… but I succumbed.  He has been spied making snow angels in my flour, keeping company with scantily clad Barbie dolls, and soaking in marshmallow bubble baths.  Where did he ever come up with these ideas?  Jingle must be spending too much time on Pinterest.

What are your most treasured Christmas traditions?