Simply on Sunday

Photo credit: Teri Blades

Happy Sunday, friends.  Today I thought I’d write a quick post and catch you up on life in the MCC House, as I’ve been a bit off the radar lately.

First off, last weekend I took a quick trip to Kansas to see my hubby.  He’s doing well, although it’s a sacrifice to be away from the family and miss our son’s senior year.  Have you ever tried to chat on the phone with teenagers?  They’re a tough audience!  Fortunately he’s technologically adept and has figured out that SnapChat and texting work best. 😉

The kids stayed home last weekend, but our dear friends (and former Savannah neighbors) joined me and we had a couples’ weekend.  Kansas State was playing TCU, and Scott’s a TCU alumni, so the whole point of the weekend was to see the football game.  Of course, it stormed much of the day on Saturday–just check out the dark clouds behind us:

Some friends are fun even if you’re sitting in pouring rain together, or getting up at 2am to make an early flight.  We had such a fun weekend, and are already looking forward to sharing Thanksgiving dinner together next month.  I know Chris got a big morale boost from our visit, and that’s the most important thing.

In other news, we have entered that time of year when our world revolves around The Nutcracker.  If you were a ballerina yourself or are a parent to one, then you know what I’m talking about!  Ballet is always a huge part of our lives; Annabelle dances about 15 hours a week year round, performs in a spring show and usually attends a five-week summer intensive program, but during rehearsal season they’re in the studio at least 25 hours a week.

Our girl is pretty dedicated–she maintains straight A’s at school, has added an additional online AP Art History Class as an independent study, and works her volunteer job at our local bookshop.  Can you tell we’re proud?

She’s also improved so much as a dancer since we changed to her current studio about a year and a half ago; last year she was in the corps de ballet, but this year she’s going to be Snow Queen in Act I and has some very challenging roles in Act II.

Since we’ve moved so often over the years, Annabelle has danced at six different studios, and I have to say that, hands-down, this is the best Nutcracker production she’s been a part of, second only to the Nashville Ballet’s professional performance.  Here’s the Snow scene from last year’s show:

If you’re local to the Southern Pines, Pinehurst, or High Point areas, please join us for one of our twelve performances (details here).  We’re hoping Amy and her daughter can make it down for one of the shows as she’s a beautiful ballerina, too-but of course, she’s getting ready for her own Nutcracker!

In other news, my son is buried in college stuff–applications, scholarships, SAT tests and subject tests, college visits, and more.  I’m right there with him…I started the FAFSA yesterday and had to pour a glass of wine about ten minutes into it!

Last but not least, I’ve decided that I’m going to have a very calm, stress-free holiday season this year, since life is busy enough already, so I’ve got my holiday planner from Amy (available here) and by golly, I’m going to use it!

Oh, and one quick shopping mention–I’ve posted on Facebook that the Tory Burch private sale is going on this week.  If you’re like me and buy a few investment pieces when they’re on sale (or send your husband Christmas gift hints), then this is a great deal on these brown riding boots (affiliate link):

| Sidney Boot |

Have a restful Sunday, friends, and thanks for stopping by.