Aquarium Restaurant

When I woke up and saw the rain I had a nervous breakdown.  The Trifecta goes nuts when they cannot play outside.  They are addicted to the outdoors and their withdrawal makes me cry real tears.  So, I did what I always do when I feel overwhelmed.  I called my Mommy and whined.  Granny had the answer.  Drive into Nashville and eat at the Aquarium Restaurant.  Grandfather came too.  God bless them.

First we rode the kiddie mobiles. 

After the kiddie mobile warm-up we felt ready for the "big dance," aka - The Aquarium Restaurant. Pro of Aquarium Restaurant - Diners are seated around a gigantic tank in the center of the restaurant.  Con of Aquarium Restaurant - Three year olds do not want to sit in designated seats to eat and/or enjoy a meal when they are surrounded by a gigantic fish tank.


Elizabeth finding her inner fish. 

Mary Ellis and Elizabeth

 Hendley Grace, not so sure about the big fish...

 Hendley & Elizabeth

Feeding time!

 

When we convinced the girls to sit down, I attempted one of my lessons in good manners.

It did not work.

Good times.

Party Like a Princess

Oh yes.  The Trifecta has discovered Disney.  "Beauty & The Beast" recently played at our local theatre.  In my quest for awesomeness, I prepped the girls like we were getting ready for the LSAT.  We read several versions of the story (not all Disney).  We played with Belle and Beast puppets.  We danced to the music.  And, we watched the movie.  To my delight, they hated the movie because it wasn't like the stories. 

Because The Trifecta loves to party, we signed up for "Tea With Belle."  I thought they were going to hyperventilate while we waited in line to meet Belle. 

Here it is people, our first face to face with a Disney Princess. 

After we met Belle, we sat down for tea.  After immediately removing her bow from her hair, Mary Ellis began to display some of the "tea time party manners" we had been practicing all week.

 

 Libby and Mommy enjoyed decorating her designer cookie.  "Don't get icing on your Lilly dress.   Seriously, don't get icing on your Lilly dress," I chanted.

All princesses need crowns.  Daddy crowned his princess, Hendley Grace.  Then, he ate her sugar cookie.

Mrs. Potts and Chip!  YAHOO!

After the tea we saw the performance. When The Beast appeared on stage Mary Ellis turned to Chris (and the whole theater) and made the following statement/request, "Daddy, The Beast scares me.  Will you please punch him in the face?"

Hendley asks every day, "Mommy, can we invite Belle over to my house today?"  "Yes," I reply in an attempt to keep the magic alive, "We will invite her if we see her downtown.  She doesn't have a cell phone." 

Elizabeth thinks Belle should move out of The Beast's castle and into our house.  "The Beast got grouchy, Mommy.  I didn't like that Beast."

There's a shelf life on princess magic.  So, we're going to rock the mystery and wonder of the princess as long as we can. 

Don't worry, we'll teach them to fight and read too.

Ballet Time

I signed the girls up for a four week ballet class.  I must note that somehow, before the show even began, The Trifecta had removed the bows from their hair and the slippers from their feet.

Get ready for the big show.

Clearly, The Trifecta has a difficult time following directions.  A condition handed down from their mother.  They prefer to freestyle.

My favorite part of the "recital" was the end.  Each little girl had the opportunity to courtesy in front of the audience.  I'm the Mom cheering the crazy cheer.  Because when my girls are happy and proud, I'm crazy elated.

  So, we'll just keep working on the following directions part.  Or maybe not.  I think there's much to be said for my "free-stylin'" ballerinas.