Friday, December 15, 2006

Brandon and Whitney's latest scoop

Brandon has had a really fun week at school. On Monday, I got to go into the classroom and help a few of the kids decorate gingerbread houses. It was so fun. I've gotten this impression that Brandon is the most talkative, least obedient child in the class. It was good for me to be around the kids for a good chunk of time and see that he's just like the other boys! I worked with 3 boys and 2 girls. The girls were both sweet and creative. The boys were all silly and loud. At least I know Brandon's not alone.

Here's the masterpiece.

Then yesterday, his class took a field trip to watch the Nutcracker ballet. I had never even been to a ballet before! So, lucky me, I got to go along. The ballet is beautiful! The costumes are so elaborate. I kept thinking, "Whitney would love to dress up in that!" I wasn't sure if I'd be able to understand a story told with no words, but it was cool to see how the dancers could do just that with their movements and facial expressions. It was an hour long performance--I think they might've shortened it for the kindergarten-age audience. Brandon's favorite part was the sword fight between the mouse and the nutcracker. No surprise there. About 45 minutes into the show, he was looking SO bored and tired. He asked, "Is it over yet? Is it ALMOST over?" But then when it did finish and I asked him what he thought he said, "I loved it! It was great! Can we come back next month?"

One of the details I DIDN'T get...
Who was this guy with an eye patch?
Brandon thinks it was Clara's godfather.

I think the snow queen dance was my favorite part.
SO beautiful.
My least favorite part: seeing men in tights.
Eeewww. Couldn't they wear something else?

Today at school all the kindergartners got to wear their pajamas and bring a stuffed animal to school because they're watching The Polar Express. I guess they're even getting hot cocoa and cookies when they reach the north pole. How fun for them!

Brandon took his stuffed Elephant (named Andrew)

Whitney's eye is still bugging me. There is a little spot on the inside corner where she had her surgery. It has been there for quite a while. It looked like a little something was stuck in her eye, but never went away. I finally e-mailed Dr. Buckley about it yesterday. He said it was a suture(stitch). Didn't sound concerned at all. I e-mailed back to see how long it should take to dissolve. I just sent it and haven't heard back yet. Poor Whit, that can't be comfortable.

I don't know if you can see what I'm talking about,
but it's in the middle of that red circle.

Both kids got to go bike riding outside yesterday afternoon.
I love Carolina winters!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I remember going to the Nutcracker when I was in elementary and thinking it was really cool, but also a little boring. I hope everything heals properly with Whitney's eye. I'm glad you enjoy the NC winters. We're enjoying the Colorado snow and just spent the day skiing.

Funny random note, the word verification I have to type right now is "tvutah".

Anonymous said...

hey! This is Jessica Ranquist. We're just getting everyone's Christmas letters, so I thought I'd have a look on their blogs! Just to answer your question, the guy with the eyepatch 's name is Drosselmeyer, and yes, he's the godfather! The only reason that I know this is because I have Nutcracker performances every night. I'm a maid in the beginning and a dancer during the Sugar Plum Fairy's dance.
note: It's a lot more fun to dance in Nutcracker than to watch it! Have a great Christmas! Say hi to everyone for me!

andrea said...

Thanks for your answers, Jessica. I actually thought about you a lot during the performance and wondered if you were doing it again this year and what part you had. Now I'll understand a little more when you talk to us about it! :)