The Lion King

up escalator

 crazy awesome animals

stunning performance 

We took the boys to their first show on Broadway in New York City.  We were gifted tickets to The Lion King from a friend - and what an amazing gift it was.  This certainly was the highlight of our holiday.   We drove to the city for the day and had a total blast.  The Lion King took the breath away from all of us.  The boys were so excited about it and from the moment it began, were completely in awe.   The opening scene was so beautiful that it brought me to tears.  The colors, the singing, the costumes, the stage - SPECTACULAR.  I understood - perhaps for the very first time in my life and on a very deep level, why live theater has the potential power to transform people.  I am so deeply grateful for this opportunity for the boys. 
WOW.

And it was just about a lion. 

Christmas 2016

Christmas 2016

Friday 12/23

Packed the car up to the brim, drove 4 hours to the Catskills

to be with the Thelemarck clan-

   Pete, Jen, Kaj, Barbro, Claes, Vikki, Lea and Hannah.  

Saturday 12/24

             Played a lot, took a long walk, did some baking, prepared a Swedish Smorgasbord, had dinner,  played games,

   (Boggle, Blokus, Pounce)  ate some more

Had a visit from old Saint Nick - also known as Tomten to the Swede's

exchanged gifts  

Got ready for Christmas morning.

Sunday 12/25

Opened presents and stockings, had breakfast, relaxed, went for a walk in the woods,

      Skiing on Hunter Mountain, played more games

(the 5 Second Rule) as a family,

wore our Christmas rudolph noses and hats

Monday 12/26

Went to NY City, saw the Lion King, walked around Rockefeller Center,

   dinner with the Berger/Holcrofts

Tuesday 12/27

Tubing at Hunter Mountain, rearranged Jen and Pete's downstairs

played with Kaj a whole bunch

Wednesday 12/28

Drove back to Burlington

Dinner with Grandma and Grandpa, exchanged gifts with Family

Thursday 12/29
                 Cleaned the house, visited Grandma and Grandpa, play date with Ben,                             night time sledding at the Country Club with friends 

Friday 12/30
Grocery Shopping, home day, played Pokemonopoly, cheese fondue, 
watched Elf, play date with Sam

Saturday 12/31
Updated the blog, playdate with Ben, New Year's eve with Grandma and Grandpa, 
Shrek, Making crafts, playing games

Sunday 1/1
Everyone sleeps in, skiing at Sleepy Hollow
Indian food with Lea, Hannah and Michael 
Anders has a sleepover with Finley 

Monday 1/2
Pancakes with cousins for breakfast, walking downtown, 
sledding at Callahan, dinner with Cathy

Favorite Parts of the holiday according to the four of us:

Anders:  Got to see my cousins and family ~ especially Kaj.  Got my first flip phone. Going to see the Lion King in New York City.  Skiing down Hunter Mountain.  Playing the 5 Second Game.

Kuba:  Mousy got his first presents for Christmas.  I liked the Intelliglobe.  Seeing the Lion King.  Playing with Kaj.  Skiing and tubing at Hunter Mountain.

Anna:  Skiing at Hunter Mountain, the Lion King in NY City, being with Kaj

Judy:  Going to see the Lion King in New York City.  Seeing the kids so excited about everything.  Getting ready for the holiday.  Being with family.  Opening stockings.  Taking lots of photo's.  Feeling so fortunate.  

Christmas Cookies

Creative Structure

Click here for the live link, page 14

Taiko

Kuba had a Taiko residency at school for the past two weeks and it culminated in a school performance yesterday.   Kuba's class played in unison and so well.  Fantastic, actually.  Their song was called Hei Eu Son Don Gaeshi.  Here he is in his special Taiko shirt and Hachi Maki, headband.

 

 

 

The Snake Charmer

 Kuba's third piano recital was today and it was quite lovely.  He played The Snake Charmer, and was just a little bit nervous.  This is progress!  Each recital he feels a bit more at ease and more confident. 

 

Click here to see the live performance

My Name is Alexander Hamilton

Ever since Kuba's 9th birthday, when he got the Alexander Hamilton CD - we've been crazy over it in this house.   The boys have memorized all the lyrics and Anna and I are close behind.  We sing it not stop, we want to non stop, and we are not sick of it yet.   If only we could get to see it live!!