From Toy Story to Big Tex

This weekend has come and gone with so much activity, my head is still spinning, but in a good way.

On Friday afternoon, I volunteered with my Junior League of Plano Provisional Group. It was the day of our group's mini project. We helped with the Educator's Open House at the new Sci-Tech Discovery Center in downtown Frisco.

They opened their doors to the public yesterday, but on Friday, local educators got the chance to tour the facility in order to better acquaint themselves with it. Our hope was that they will bring school groups in for field trips. The Sci-Tech Discovery Center began as the brainchild of the Junior League of Plano in 1999 to meet the community's demand for an innovative discovery center. Today, it is a local nonprofit that has been bringing various discovery programs to community centers, libraries, schools and Scout groups across Collin County. However, this year, it is opening in its very own permanent space. If you live in the metroplex of Dallas, particularly the northern suburbs, you will really want to come check it out. The current exhibit at the center is "Grossology: The Impolite Science of the Human Body". Max is going to love it!

Once I returned home, Matt and I headed over to a friend's 30th birthday bash. It was catered and they had a DJ. It was the first time in a long time that Matt and I had been to a party like that. We had a blast!

On Saturday morning, we tried to sleep in a little...at least I needed some extra sleep as I had indulged a little too much in the vino! ...'nuff said.

Then, we headed off to Max's first soccer game of the season. It wasn't the teams first game, but the first one Max was at. He missed last week's game since he was in NJ visiting family. This year's team is the Sharks and since he is a year older, they have goalies and referees, which they did not last year (pre-K teams). Max played for two quarters and by the last one, he was getting a little braver and more into it!

It was turning out to be a dreary day, so we decided to head to the theater to see the 3D Double Feature of Toy Story and Toy Story 2. Believe it or not, Cate lasted through the whole thing. She slept for about a third of it, but overall did very well. Max loved it.

After a good night's sleep, we got up for our traditional Sunday pancakes followed by church. After church, we grabbed some fast food to eat in the car on the way to Fair Park in downtown Dallas. We were headed to see Mary Poppins at the Music Hall. We did find great parking, however, didn't get there in time to get the cushion boosters for the kids. However, our season tickets are in the front row of the rear orchestra on the aisle, so there wasn't anyone directly in front of them. I got them a souvenir program so they perused it while waiting for it to begin.

As the music began playing, Max got the most excited look on his face and began clapping. Cate sat quietly in her chair anticipating what was going to happen. This was Cate's first "musical" experience, but not Max's! I had taken him to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang earlier in the summer.

As far as my review of the production.....PRACTICALLY PERFECT IN EVERYWAY! It was phenomenal. The sets were magnificent, the cast was amazing, and the whole experience was truly magical! What else would I expect from Disney! At the end of the production, as Mary Poppins flies (yes, flies) above the audience in the orchestra area, Max and Cate's eyes got big as saucers and I was tearing up just watching them watch her in amazement! I will never forget that moment for the rest of my life. My kids stood up at the curtain call and clapped in uproarious applause as they reprised "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" one last time! Max said that Bert was his favorite and Cate agreed (she loved the tap dance rendition of "Step in Time"). If you ever get the chance to see it, I highly recommend it!

As we exited the music hall, we headed over to the State Fair to see Big Tex and eat the traditional Fletcher's corn dog and funnel cake. While eating, we saw a marching band and heard a stage performance to which Max and Cate started playing air guitar and dancing. As it began to sprinkle rain, we decided against going to the Midway, but promised the kids we would do it next weekend.

So, as we walked hand in hand towards the exit, I told the kids that it had been one of my favorite weekends ever! Max quickly exclaimed that it was one of his, too, and kissed my hand and said, "I love you, Mommy!" {thump, thump...heart melting}

Definitely, a weekend of Pie and Ice Cream Moments!