Nutcracker Ballet...

Tonight we went to the Nutcracker Ballet. I didn't know that the first production of the Nutcracker was on December 17th, 1892, in St. Petersburg, Russia. Apparently it was terrible and was not popular at all. The first Nutcracker Ballet in the United States was in 1944 in San Francisco. It wasn't popular until 1954 when George Balanchine, a famous choreographer, re-worked it. Now it is the most performed ballet all over the world. This was the first time we've gone that Jazzy has been totally enthralled. She has been in ballet for over two years now... maybe that's why. We weren't allowed to take pictures of the performers:(.

Fourteen years ago, I had a little accident and broke about every bone in my body. I've been in pain ever since, am a chiropractic mess, and supposedly need a hip replacement in the future. Oh well, stuff happens. Gotta deal with it!

My only photo is overexposed:(

AzFAP

Arizona Foster Adoptive Parents Group has a toy and bike giveaway every year for thousands of foster and adopted kids. I told them that we are still using our bike from last year! Jazzy got a bag of toys including a Chutes and Ladders game, a photo journal that looks like a purse, jewelry, teddy bears, a hat, some books.... and.... a brand new school backpack, which she really needed since the other one was falling apart!

Picking her toys up at the warehouse.

At home.

More Holiday Crafts

Jasmine's class has been studying Kwanza, Christmas and Hahnukka. She has made more crafts this year than I have made in my entire lifetime! This photo is of the mkeka- a straw mat that represents a firm foundation. The muhindi (harvested corn) and mazeo (harvested fruits and vegetables) are placed on the mat. There is also a kwanza necklace now on our tree, which by the way is a Norfolk Pine which is supposed to look droopy and scraggly! Today was also "recipe day". Jasmine now wants to make "ambrosia" on Christmas. I think we can arrange that!

Holiday Creations....

Tonight was a cold and rainy Monday night. We didn't really want to go to this Holiday Craft Class at the TRC, but we already paid for it a long time ago. It ended up being fun once we got there. Jazzy made a "candle" for Miss Wachtel, heard some Christmas stories, and had hot chocolate and cookies. I think I am partied and crafted out for the season... but we have a few more to go to:)

Cat Fanciers Show....

This morning, we visited the downtown Phoenix Convention Center for the All Breed Cat Fanciers Show. We walked around, saw all the cats and watched several of the classes. One of the judges spotted Jasmine in the audience and gave her his little feather plum that is used to play withe cats to check their interest, etc. I am not sure what we are going to do with it, since we don't have a cat!

It was fun walking around downtown Phoenix on a Sunday morning. 71 degrees, perfectly clear sky.
I only took one picture of Jasmine petting one of the cats.

Getting ready for gymnastics exhibition...

Hanging out in the parking lot for hot dogs and Christmas cupcakes after the exhibition.

More gymnastics photos

Uneven bar routine
Starting floor routine
Vault into the foam
Santa giving out medals....