Happy Holidays!

Almost Famous

Click on the link and fast forward to the 18:07 mark to see the fans of the week!

www.thedriveshow.com

G.N.O.!

Friday night I took Lydia and my pretty princess goddaughter R to see Dora Live! on stage. This wasn't the first time I've seen this particular story live on stage. Years ago, a traveling company brought their version to TPAC and we saw it along with our friends the Schartz's. This version was on a much smaller stage and scale, but the talent was most definitely not. It was playing at The Helen Hocker Center for Performing Arts, which usually puts on productions staffed mainly by youths in the area. The kids in this show were amazing. No one looked a day over 13 and yet they all looked like they'd been performing for decades. I was more than impressed with the show and the girls LOVED IT. I mean, they really, truly loved it. I was concerned that perhaps the show wouldn't keep Lydia's attention, but I had nothing to worry about. The cast got the whole audience (which I'm positive was less than 100 and the show was sold out!) involved.

This was before the show, shortly after we told Lydia where we were going. And yes, they both wore tutus and R also wore the tiara. They were both definitely ready for 'the theatah'.

Lydia was positively giddy when we walked into the theater and saw the stage with this up on the display.

Pretty, pretty princess.

Lydia was singing, 'Isa turn the wheel, turn the wheel Isa' and the Dora theme song before the show began.

Not sure why Lydia looks ticked off here. A second earlier she was squealing with delight when I told her they could go on stage for a photo.

Like this.

This was the icing on the cake. The cast lined up to meet and greet the audience when we exited the theater.

There's Dora, one of the pirate piggies and Diego.

And Tico...the mouse? Can't remember. And Boots!

Lydia was on cloud nine right about now.

The Party

Lydia's third birthday party has come and gone. We decided to have it in Salina this year since we'd be there already and the vast majority of people who would come to T-town would be there as well. Two birds with one stone, you know. Grandma Rose's house was the venue and people, we were bulging at the seams once everybody was there. That party was off the hizzle. Fo shizzle!

The Berry Sweet cake topper.

The cake.
{swoon}
Doesn't my good friend Tammy make the best cakes?

The decor.
(Mad props to my lil bro for taking these great pics.)

Every birthday party needs a themed banner, right?

E!!!!

M!!!!

Cade thought this was funny.

Lydia loved her 'pee-yah-tah'.
After seeing this behemoth, I knew I didn't even come close to bringing enough goodies to fill this bad boy.

Ummm...Lydia? The pinata is over there...

Thaaaat's better.

E giving it a go.

S giving it a good smack.

H doing her best to make the first indent.

Finally! Heavy hitter.
I'm pretty sure this thing was reinforced with steel.

NOW we're getting somewhere.

I think he liked the pee-yah-tah.

Ultimately it took Cade smashing the berry to within an inch of it's paper macheed life to get it to bust open.

Awww...so sweet!

Hope her birthday wish came true.

Happy Birthday Lydia!!!

Can't believe our little girl is 3 today. Where does the time go...

{sniff}

Anyway, here is a look back at Lydia at 2 years old.

Happy Birthday, Lydia! We love you!

Lydia and her 'pit-tah-tah'.

Snuggling with 'brudder'.

Birthday morning surprise.

Snowball fight!

Charles Schulz moment.

Gymnastics with Coach Heef. (It's really Coach Heath.)

Building a snow fort with Cade and Daddy.

Peekaboo!

Cheering on Cade.

Being silly in Salina.

Easter egg coloring in Salina.

Lydiapalooza '10.

Crashing with daddy.

YMCA at Cade's school.

School's out for summer!

Leisurely chat with Grandma Rose and Blanca.

Not too crazy about the finger painting.

Summer past time.

Killing time during brudder's baseball game.

Photo shoot with mom.

Sliding. Again.

First haircut.

Round of mini golf with the fam.

Goofing off with brudder.

More water fun in Salina.

Getting inspired at the Topeka Jayhawk Club Pep Rally.

Showing off her moves in Wichita.

{sigh}

VH-1 Storytellers with Lydia Dennis.

Climbing Mt. Superchurchmegaplayroom.

Halloween parade at the Y.

So big!

Hay ride with the fam.

Trunk-or-treating at Cade's school.

(One of her 3 costumes this Halloween.)

Trunk-or-treating in Salina.

(Her second costume choice.)

Her second year has been a blast. We've said goodbye to diapers and moving on to big girl beds, Barbie dolls and many impromptu concerts, with the occasional melt down. A girl's allowed, you know. Looking forward to what all this next year brings.