The Toy Box Years: It's A Jolly Holiday With Mary

The Creators of the Toy Box Years

The creators of the Toy Box Years are my two beautiful daughters and wonderful, handsome soldier husband.

"Nani" (our oldest) is a 11 year old 6th grader who loves Taylor Swift, ballet, books, fashion designing and sewing. Ask her what she wants to be when she grows up and it changes daily to anything from "an artist" to "a teacher" to "a singer/dancer". Nani is also currently fighting a battle against brain cancer -- recently diagnosed in June 2016.

"Nudgie" (our youngest) is a very smiley, very happy, very giggly, very spirited 8 year old 3rd Grader who's favorite toys are anything that gives mommy an anxiety attack - ladders, stepstools, the climbing wall at the playground. Like her sister, she has a love of reading and coloring, loves gymnastics and still provides mommy lots of snuggle time!

"My Marine" is my high school sweetheart. We've been married over 20 years and met when we were 17. (You do the math....) His favorite toys are Blackhawk helicopters, the lawnmower, our steam cleaner, and microbrew beer bottles. My husband is also my hero in that he proudly serves his country as a Blackhawk crew chief (hence his favorite toy!). And need I say that there is nothing hotter than my man in uniform!

All About Me......

Once upon a time I had a career and worked in the corporate world. Once upon a time, I dreamed about leaving that all behind to follow my true calling -- being a wife and mommy.

The first part of my calling was fulfilled in 1995 when I married my Marine (now soldier) and my love. Little did I know that being a military wife would change me in so many ways and that because of that, I would have an extended family all over the world from Japan, to California, to North Carolina.

The second part of my calling took a little doing, but I finally achieved that dream in 2004 with the birth of our first child, followed 4 years later by her baby sister.

So now, when someone asks me what I do for a living - I simply smile and say proudly that I'm following my calling - I'm a mommy and a wife -- and I couldn't be HAPPIER -- I'm living in the Toy Box Years!!

On Sunday, My Marine and I took Nani to see Mary Poppins downtown. She didn't know where we were taking her. She just knew that we had a surprise for her. I've been holding on to this secret for about three weeks now -- and honestly, I've been bursting with excitement!!

I am a HUGE Mary Poppins fan - especially Julie Andrews. I knew that the musical wouldn't be exactly like the movie and I was very curious to see how it was all fit together. I can say that I was not disappointed at all!

The folks that created the musical were brilliant -- staying true to some of the wonderful things in the original movie, but yet adding their own twists and turns and new musical numbers that just blended beautifully into the production.

I have to admit that I got teary-eyed watching Nani and her wonder at seeing Mary Poppins "fly" for real -- and the whole production in general. At the end of the show, she started crying because she didn't want it to be over. I didn't either. I'd see it again and again and again!!

Nani getting ready for her "surprise"

Once she knew what she was seeing, you couldn't get the smile off her face!

One more pose!

Two Broadway babies! Not sure who's more excited - her or me!

Fantastic seats! Only 12 rows from the stage!! Worth eating Hamburger Helper for a month!

I found this clip on You Tube of "Step In Time". The guy who plays Bert is the one who we saw yesterday. This was just as good as the movie -- if not better!

This is the "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" scene

8 comments:

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One Photo March 30, 2010 at 1:02 PM: Oh wonderful post and story - your daughter will remember this special treat for the rest of her life, as I know you will too. I am so looking forward to introducing our daughter to shows, the ballet and so many other things. Such days make for the magical moments in life.
Anonymous March 30, 2010 at 8:06 PM: My mom took me to see musicals like My Fair Lady and Mary Poppins as a child and I remember it to this day! It made a huge impression on me. I also take my children to shows whenever possible!
Valerie @ Inner Child Fun March 30, 2010 at 10:15 PM: Wow! Looks like an amazing show! How exciting! I'm sure Nani will remember it for a looooong time. :-)
Personalized Sketches and Sentiments March 31, 2010 at 11:08 AM: My oh my! What a wonderful surprise! How cute is Nani with her sweet smile. Ah! Mary Poppins is still one of our kids' favorites, especially when our younger daughter first saw the movie at about 4 yrs old. And actually, back then part of that was she had a "crush" on Dick Van Dyke! haha

Blessings & Aloha!
(I have been out of town so am just now catching up on blog reading! Yay for a mid week day off! have to catch up on housecleaning and drawing orders too...If you get a chance, do come by :o)
melaniet42 March 31, 2010 at 6:42 PM: Sounds like a great production! We, too, are huge "Poppins" fans at our house!
Pebz ★ April 2, 2010 at 8:13 AM: Hi! I'm following you back from follow Friday! =)

This brings back SO many memories from high school - I was Mary Poppins in my 9th grade school play! Step In Time was my FAVORITE scene!
Katie April 9, 2010 at 1:06 PM: What a super fun outing!