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Category: Backyard Tourist

  • Moscow Ballet’s The Great Russian Nutcracker

    This post is in sponsorship with US Family Guide bloggers. All opinions are solely my own. 

    Holidays are in full swing and it just doesn’t feel complete without a performance of the Nutcracker Ballet. Ever since I went with my mom as a toddler, I’ve been hooked on the ballet. 

    Moscow Ballet's the Great Russian Nutcracker

    Saturday Venice and I got to attend Moscow Ballet’s The Great Russian Nutcracker in the Murat theater at the Old National Center in Indianapolis. It was quite a treat. We dropped the other kids off at my sister-in-laws about 2, and then made our way to the theater. Though I live in Indianapolis, I’m on the outskirts, and haven’t driven much in the city. I thought I was giving myself enough time to get to the theater, but I totally should have left sooner!

    Moscow Ballet's The Great Russian Nutcracker

    When we got to the theater, the line was out the door and wrapped around the parking lot! So even though we were there a good 30 minutes early, we stood outside for 30 minutes. Thankfully the theater understood most people were still trying to get in, so they started the performance a half hour late. 

    Once we found our seats, I kept sneaking a peek at Venice to see if she was as excited as me. She most definitely was. Worried we wouldn’t get to our seats, Venice had me skip the concessions and souvenir table to get inside! 

    Moscow Ballet's The Great Russian Nutcracker

    Being a good patron of the theater, I did not take photos during the show. But the costumes were just as bright and awesome as the ones on the shows website. Absolutely awesome show! Venice’s favorite was during the second act watching the Arabian dancers. I would have to agree with her. I never knew anyone could bend or hold their bodies up like that! Just fantastic!

    During the intermission, we did manage to grab a snack from the concessions. Venice had a box of M&M’s and I chose a Salted Caramel Chocolate Croissant. Oo that was so decadent, and unlike any food I’ve had at the theater before. I offered Venice a bite but she stuck with her M&M’s. 

    Moscow Ballet's The Great Russian Nutcracker

    Planning a trip to Moscow Ballet’s the Great Russian Nutcracker? Here’s my takeaway

    • Get there early! 
    • Don’t expect the same Nutcracker you’ve seen before. Act II was much different then ones I’ve seen before. 
    • Bring a little spending money to check out the Souvenir table!

    Will you be attending the Nutcracker Ballet? Find tour dates and times for the Moscow Ballet’s performance here.

  • Backyard Tourist: Museum of Natural Curiosity

    Backyard Tourist: Museum of Natural Curiosity

    Before we left Utah my parents took us out to the new Museum of Natural Curiosity at Thanksgiving Point. Oh, what a fun place that is. I watched as my children’s natural curiosities came to life in the world around them. This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated when you click on and purchase through them.

    We went to the Museum of Natural Curiosity on a Saturday morning which may not have been the best time since that’s when everyone else went, but it was still so amazing.

    Upon first entering, we headed to the basement to check out the tower of climbing madness. Thank heavens my brother, and parents were with us. We would never have kept track of the kids in there. I probably would have had a panic attack otherwise. Also in the basement is a toddler area, some fun side carnival type games, and then there was the Chamber of Courage.

    A pitch black tunnel you must navigate through by touch, a few hand holes filled with who knows what – I did not participate here, but I think my brother had some fun taking the kids through the tunnel.

    After awhile the downstairs was just too much for Lincoln and me, so we headed upstairs to a water room. Oh we could have hung out there the rest of the day and this little boy was going to be in pure bliss. From the natural landscaping table to the whirlpool of water – any little kid that loves water and sand will have fun here. Once we started drinking the water though, I decided we should move on.

    There were three other rooms, but we only made it to one more. In here we found trains going around the ceiling that we could control from the train room. A huge building block room. And of course a stage with dress ups for the kids to put on their own play.

    Finally we headed outside where we found a zipline that the kids just absolutely loved. We were a little nervous Princess R might fly off the end, but she didn’t. What a blast. Head to 4:22 in the video to see the Zipline

    If you ever have the chance to visit Lehi, Utah make sure to check out the Museum of Natural Curiosity. You will not regret it.

    Find more things to do in your backyard


  • We’re going on Vacation and I’m bringing…

    We’re going on Vacation and I’m bringing…

    Ever play that road trip game? I’m going on vacation and I’m bringing an..Apple! Then the next person says something that starts with the letter B, and repeats the letter a. So on until you get to the letter z and you have to remember all 26 items that have been said.

    Princess V packing for the trip. She is such a little fashionista.

    I have some fun memories of going on vacation it’s my family. So when we had the opportunity to go with Mark to an interview, I thought it would be a lot of fun! Boy, was I mistaken in how easy I thought it would be. Within the first 3 hours, 2 of the princesses had thrown up. I’m guessing car sickness brought on by too much sugar and lack of sleep.
    I digress from my real intent of sharing this post with you, though. I wanted to tell you about how even while staying in a hotel, you can make it a home. I was lucky enough to have a friend who had lived in Spokane. So she told me about the hotels. We were able to get a 2 room suite for an amazing deal! Full kitchen included!
    Having 2 rooms has really given us the gift of sanity after our 15 hour car drive. The
    Princesses shared one queen bed together, while Mark and I had a bed in a separate room with Lincoln. This really helped when Lincoln woke in the night and wouldn’t go back to sleep. The separate space allowed the girls to continue sleeping through his midnight play.
    When planning the trip we decided to bring the princesses pillow pets. It’s what they sleep with at home, so it provided a comforting object in a strange place. Thank goodness for hotels with on site laundry services though, since one pillow had been the victim of car sickness.
    To save money we brought a lot of food with us. 2 coolers actually. 1 was solely for drinks, and the other for food. When we got to the hotel the first thing the Princesses wanted to do was stock the fridge. They opened thse coolers and got everything put away. It was so fun to see them working together on a chore, and one so similar to putting the groceries away at home.
    So despite the craziness if taking 4 kids on a 15 hour car ride in one day, holing them up in a hotel room for 7 hours, and no regular naps for the baby, it’s still been a lot of fun. We’ve made some memories that I hope the kids remember.
    We were planning in making our return trip last 2 days, but Mark got anther interview a little closer to home, so we’re getting ready for another 15 hour car ride in one day. Wish us luck!
    I think I just might try and teach the kids the trip game. Or the alphabet game, since they know all their letters. Perhaps we’ll just play a bunch of I spy with my little eye. Of course 20 questions is always fun too. Maybe we’ll get lucky though and they’ll just decide to sleep the whole way.