Second Weekend of Frozen

 

The second weekend of Frozen the Musical was just as amazing as the first!

A big crowd came out to support Kit. Sarah and Winnie were there Friday night, and on Sunday we had such a special group cheering her on — Seth, Emerson, me, Kit’s dad, Grandma Jo and Bon Bon, Nana, and Papa and GG, who traveled the farthest and even spent the night Saturday so they wouldn’t miss it.

Nana got to connect with stage manager Sam, who volunteers at The Inn. It’s always special when different parts of your world overlap like that.

The show was slightly delayed Sunday — emotions were running high backstage for the seniors, and there was also a quick repair needed for a broken Olaf! But once it began, it was absolutely wonderful. We all loved every minute.

Now we’re home and singing the songs nonstop. Kit came home, finally kicked off her shoes, and soaked her blistered feet — the sure sign of a performer who gave it her all.

What a weekend. What a show. What a gift to watch Kit shine!

Make It Monday 2.0: CrunchLabs

 

Emerson has been interested in subscribing to monthly CrunchLabs boxes for a long time, so we made a deal with him: if he completes Lexia on weekend days, he earns the box.

He was so excited when the first one arrived! Inside was a disc launcher that he got to build himself.

I love that he’s able to learn about STEM engineering while doing something he truly enjoys. Hands-on learning clicks for him.

Way to work hard at Lexia and build those reading muscles, too! Earning something through effort makes it even more rewarding.

Meeting Baby Philly on Presidents Day

We got to meet baby Philly and spend time on Presidents Day with Matt, Molly, and Maggie at Grandma and Grandpa’s house. He is such a cutie!

The kids also got some good playtime in with Sammy, which made the time even more fun. We tried to be helpful to Grandma and Grandpa while we were there and were glad they felt up to having us over.

Frozen the Musical - Opening Weekend

The opening weekend of Frozen featured three incredible performances, and what a joy it was to be there! Lindsay, my coworker, and I went Friday night and absolutely loved the show.

The students’ talent and hard work were evident in every scene — from the creativity of building Olaf right on stage to the impressive tricks and delightful surprises woven throughout the performance. The humor had the audience laughing, and the production value was truly amazing.

Kit stood out on stage as the natural performer we’ve always known her to be. She carried herself with confidence and grace — such a pro! We couldn’t be more proud.

We were also amazed by the outpouring of support from friends and Young Life leaders who showed up for Kit. It meant so much to see that kind of community surrounding these students. What a special weekend all around.

Slidin’ Into Fun at Slick City

 

I took Vinnie and Emerson to Slick City, and they had a blast on the slides. They raced, laughed, and went again and again without slowing down until it was just about time to go.

There was a tiny bit of rug burn by the end — but totally worth it for all that fun.

Winter Open with Charmon

 

Charmon came out to cheer on Winnie with me at the AmeriCheer Winter Open at the Columbus Convention Center. She was so impressed by the energy and talent on display.

The Lady Nukes did their best routine yet — strong, confident, and full of spirit. We had fun walking around between performances and catching up. It was a solid day of cheer and friendship.

Opening Night for Kit in Frozen: The Musical

 

It’s opening night of Berlin’s "Frozen: The Musical," and we cheered Kit out the door this evening as she headed off to school—full of excitement for what’s ahead. Tonight, Simon and his parents will be in the audience, and she has supporters coming to nearly every performance. It means so much to see how many people are showing up for her and cheering her on.

Here’s a peek at some of the social media promotions where Kit has been featured.

Nightly Prayers

 

The light of God surrounds us...

Cheer Adventure in Pigeon Forge

 

Winnie and I got an unexpected early start to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee on Friday morning so we could beat the snowstorm—and thankfully, we did. The town was pretty much shut down ahead of the storm, which really hit on Saturday and ended up modifying the cheer competition schedule.

Xcel at the LeConte Center kicked things off Saturday evening with a preview and feedback session from the judges. The actual competition took place on Sunday. The Lady Nukes had a solid performance—not perfect, but strong. From what Winnie has shared, the team has really been pulling together and improving, which is so encouraging to see.

We were very thankful to make it home safe and sound Sunday night, just in time to be back to school on Monday!

Winnie's 15th Birthday!

 

Winnie’s 15th birthday wish came true—no school because of the extreme cold! It felt like a little winter gift just for her. Emerson surprised Winnie, Kit, and Sarah with breakfast upon waking, which made the morning feel extra special and celebratory right from the start.

She picked Bibibop for dinner, and Sarah brought the sweetest cupcakes that her mom, Becky, so kindly made. With Simon, Vinnie, and Sarah all there, it felt like a party despite the wild weather outside. We were also so grateful our neighborhood was plowed overnight so we could venture out for food and celebrate her special day together.

We are so very proud of Winnie. She is always singing around the house—beautifully, I might add—and she is a wonderful sister and daughter. She’s helpful, thoughtful, and studious, and she brings a quiet steadiness to everything she does. Winnie is deeply dedicated to her cheer team, staying committed and positive through both the highs and lows. We love you so much, Winnie.