14/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2015."

Who know when I made these Octonauts costumes how much use they would get!
They wore them to the grand opening of the Octonauts exhibit at Sea Life Kansas City.

Linking up at Practising Simplicity.  

She's My Favorite Girl

Disclosure: I received an outfit for Addie to review. All opinions expressed are my own. 

"You're my favorite girl." 

I say this all the time. It might be when we're reading books on the couch in the morning. It might be as I lift her into her not-for-babies booster seat for lunch. Often, it's when we're snuggled up in the rocking chair late at night and she's drifting to sleep.

Being a mama is so very complex. There are more frustrations and emotions in my mind at any given time of day than ever before in my lifetime. There's the task of remembering who had their vitamins at breakfast and who still needs them at lunch, on top of the realization that the never-ending battle to conquer the laundry has been temporarily set aside and the resulting avalanche is an impending doom.

In the midst of the crazy, I want to make time to assure my kids that they are the brightest joys in my day. And this is definitely not the easiest task I've undertaken...because they don't always act like creatures who should cause joy.

This little girl is currently all about drama, and she can be downright cantankerous if she feels like it. For example: when I told her "let's put on this pretty dress from FabKids, Addie!" this week, she fell into a million pieces and had to be literally bribed with a snack bar to take some photos for me. But she's still my favorite and I wish I would always respond to her poor attitude in a way that reflects my heart. And at the end of the day, when I watch her sleep, I often want to go back and take back a sigh or a moment of frustration.

But then I think...if I were to show her absolute perfection at all times, it would be a tough game for her to play as she grows up. Right now, she's forming memories and experiences that will shape who she is as a woman - and a mom - someday. Rather than having her expect things to be sunny and bright and brilliant all the time, I'm okay if she gets the chance to watch me model a lack of patience and a need for more joy. If I can muster up the courage to apologize to my kids when I'm wrong, tell them when mommy needs a break, and strive for the best days we can have in spite of all of our faults, that will probably do more for her character than just giving her a shiny, perfect life.

Here's to reminding our children that they're our favorites - and that we're their biggest cheerleaders - at all times, not just when things are sunny. I know that I need to hear someone is on my side when I'm down! Chances are, she needs to hear it, too.

You can find FabKids monthly outfit subscriptions with a VIP membership starting at $29.95/month, or purchase individual pieces with a regular membership.

Thanks to FabKids for providing the outfit featured in today's post. All opinions expressed are my own. For more information, you can read my Disclosure Policy.  

Peter and the Starcatcher at the Kansas City Kauffman Center {Review}

Disclosure: I received press passes to attend this production from Theatre League Kansas City. I received no other compensation and all views expressed are my own.


"...Life'll be so beautiful that no one will ever say sorry again - 'cause nobody'll have to."

I wasn't sure what to expect of Peter and the Starcatcher, an origin story for the timeless and witty boy who never grew up. My husband has read the book on which the production was based, but I have not had the chance yet - so for me, this was entirely new material. There ended up being a great deal that I liked, a few things I disliked, and several moments that turned me into a blubbering fool.

Here's a little "official" info about the show:

PETER AND THE STARCATCHER, the most magical evening of madcap fun, is now on tour!  Hailed by The New York Times as "THE MOST EXHILARATING STORYTELLING ON BROADWAY IN DECADES," this comedy takes a hilarious romp through the Neverland you never knew.  The winner of 5 Tony Awards®, this swashbuckling prequel to Peter Pan will have you hooked from the moment you let your imagination take flight. PETER AND THE STARCATCHER  is the innovative and imaginative comedy based on the best-selling novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson.  A company of a dozen actors play more than a hundred unforgettable characters, all on a journey to answer the century-old question: How did Peter Pan become The Boy Who Never Grew Up?  This epic origin story of popular culture’s most enduring and beloved character proves that your imagination is the most captivating place in the world.

The PETER AND THE STARCATCHER company.
Photo by Scott Suchman

We were treated to comfortable seats and an amazing view of the Kansas City skyline, thanks to the venue choice: Kauffman Center. This was our first chance to visit this venue, and we were not disappointed! I'm scheming for reasons to go back. The sound quality in the performance hall was lovely, and we didn't even have to wait a long time to get out of the parking garage at the end of the night! The stage is smaller, but this show, in its somewhat minimalistic design, adapted well.

The show follows Molly Aster and her father, Lord Aster, as they embark on a voyage to transport a trunk filled with some sort of treasure to a faraway island. They end up on separate ships: the Wasp and the Neverland, and it becomes Molly's mission to keep the trunk from falling into the hands of some greedy pirates. Molly, while skirting the watchful eye of her nanny, Mrs. Bumbrake, cheerfully signs on as the leader of a trio of orphans who have been sold into captivity.

Peter (Bryan Welnicki) and Molly (Aisling Halpin).
Photo by Scott Suchman

Act I starts off a little slow, requesting that the audience to learn a lot of names and situations to follow along. The pace picks up after a bit, and I overall thought the cast had great comedic timing, so I got lost in the story. The cast features only twelve actors, who play all of the characters in the story (over one hundred). Molly (Aisling Halpin) is the only female in the ensemble cast, which works in most regards, but did create a few strange moments during the romantic sideline story of Mrs. Bumbrake and Alf, as well as the Act II opening which features a gaggle of singing mermaids. I'm pretty conservative and can understand how a lot of people may find these staging choices in poor taste, but I also get creative casting and I think it works for the most part. That said, it's probably not a show that I would find appropriate for my kids until they are in high school or older.

The show does not take itself too seriously, and is filled with references to modern culture that audience members may or may not understand. I appreciated the shout outs to other Broadway productions, particularly.

The PETER AND THE STARCATCHER company. Photo by Scott Suchman

Stand out cast members included Bryan Welnicki (Boy), who told us Peter's history with a perfect balance of curiosity and resentment, Molly (Aisling Halpin), who had just the right amount of precociousness to make her thirteen-year-old character believable, and Joe Beuerlein (Black Stache), who had the majority of the audience either laughing or groaning at the delivery of his exaggerated jokes.

I was captivated by the use of a simple rope to convey doorways, waves, a broken mirror, and a giant crocodile. The use of creative lighting and the ensemble cast contributed to the very unique and minimalist set and gave me many ideas to use in future productions myself! Most impressive were the scenes where the cast was used as multiple doors in a hallway.

The only scene I truly did not care for was the seemingly never-ending reaction when Black Stache finds himself without a hand. The audience cracked up at his repeated irreverent wailing, moaning, and shouting - for awhile. But by the time it finally came to an end, there was more of an anxious spirit in the house, followed by a collective sigh of relief when the story finally moved on. And while I found the mermaids-in-drag scene to be a little over the top for my personal taste, I did really love the costume design and the use of sparkling fans as mermaid tales!

Prentiss (James Crichton), Peter (Bryan Welnicki)
and Ted (Nick Lehan). Photo by Scott Suchman

All in all, it's a spunky production with a lot of heart. Even without loving every aspect, I'm glad to have seen it for the chance to explore the unique and interesting design and the emotions of the characters. They brought me to tears near the end with "...it's supposed to hurt. That's how you know it meant something."

The PETER AND THE STARCATCHER company. Photo by Scott Suchman

Peter and the Starcatcher plays now through April 5 at the Kauffman Center. Tickets are available online.

Thanks to the Kansas City Broadway Series for providing my tickets to the show. I received no other compensation and all views expressed are my own. For more information, you can read my Disclosure Policy.

Octonauts Birthday Party Food Ideas

Looking for more Octonauts party ideas? Make sure you check out our Octonauts Favor Ideas, Octonauts Food Signs Free Printable, Octonauts Birthday Party Decoration Ideas, Sea Anemone Pipe Cleaner Craft and Paper Plate Fish Aquarium Craft!

When I was planning Lincoln's Octonauts birthday party, I ran into some challenges when it came to Octonauts birthday party food ideas. Lincoln is on a special diet due to some recently discovered food sensitivities, so he can't have dairy, gluten, wheat, oats, or eggs. Making a birthday party food plan with those specifications felt impossible, but really, it turned out just fine. Lincoln loved just about everything, and if our guests thought the cake tasted weird, they didn't say anything.

For the party table, I just did a blue tablecloth, representative of the ocean. We attached small sparkly fish and sea creatures (cut with my Silhouette Portrait) to balloon strings and let those dangle above and behind the table. It gave a good impression of an underwater world.

We found pictures of the characters online to use for the food signs. You can find my free printable of these signs here.

Our menu included:

-Peso's Sticky Starfish (similar to Rice Krispies treats, but made with vegan rice cereal, shortening, and gluten-free marshmallows, cut into star shapes).

-Shellington's Jumping Jellyfish Jello

-Gup of Fruit (cut from a canteloupe to resemble the Gup A)

-Seaweed Chips (homemade kale chips)

-Tweak's Buncha Muncha Crunchy Carrots

-Professor Inkling's Humuhumunukunukuapua'a Hummus

-Sea Cucumbers

-Tunip's Fish Biscuits (cupcakes made with this vegan recipe)

-Barnacle Kabobs (grape skewers)

-Kwazii's Shark Teeth (vegan "cheese")

-Coral Chunks (dried pineapple)

-Jellyfish Juice (orange juice)

-Fresh, salt-free ocean water (bottles)

We also served sweet tea, but it was added at the last minute and didn't get a clever tag. Ha!

It really turned out cute - and everything was healthy! Definitely a win.

The Humuhumunukunukuapua'a Hummus included a bell pepper cut to resemble an octopus. Andrew drew on eyes and a monocle with a Sharpie. I wish bell peppers came in pink!

The Fruit Gup A was probably the cutest thing on the table. I meant to put some characters in it and forgot, but I thought that would have been a nice touch. (tutorial on how I made it coming soon)

My kids were probably responsible for clearing out the strawberries, watermelon, canteloupe, and blueberries used in this fruit assortment all on their own.

The Buncha Muncha Crunchy Carrots were definitely the easiest thing to make.

The Sticky Starfish did not retain their sticky awesomeness very well. Within about an hour, they were pretty crunchy and hard to eat. I may need to create a better recipe.

The kids loved the jello, too. It wasn't Jello brand - I found it in the health food section at my grocery store. It's not free of sugar, but it does not have artificial color.

I'm surprised how much we loved these cupcakes (link above). They're vegan. It's the best no-egg baked goods recipe I've discovered yet.

For the frosting, we made easy coconut whipped cream.

Sea Cucumbers were really easy, too - just slice 'em up!

Seaweed chips were made using a kale chips recipe we found on Google or Pinterest. I honestly don't remember which one, but most of them are pretty similar. They turned out great. They were actually one of my favorite things on the table.

There was actually some real cheese offered in the Shark Teeth option, but my kids just ate the vegan option. I didn't think I should force our guests to put aside all normal things in one shot.

I didn't have a way to prop up the Fresh Salt-Free Ocean sign, so I used a little bowl of beans. But then I think everyone thought they were supposed to eat the beans. So it was a bit confusing.

I had every intention of cutting up some Larabars (my kids' favorite snack lately) to be "Kelp Cakes," but ran out of time.

Addie, ever the food thief, was happy to sneak in a rice chip before the party officially started.

Lincoln was perfectly thrilled with his birthday cupcake, the food assortment, and all the other party activities! And that, friends, is why I plan parties - the sheer joy on my kid's face.

I hope you enjoyed these Octonauts birthday party food ideas! Let me know in a comment below if you use them for your own party!

13/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2015."

Digging for "buried treasure" at Silver Dollar City.
We had to drag them away.

Linking up at Practising Simplicity.