Festival of the Trees

Before I tell you about the Festival of the Trees, I must say how thoroughly happy I am that my 5 year old SON will play Barbies with my 7 year old DAUGHTER. In fact, he was perfectly content to play Barbies by HIMSELF while she was busy doing homework! How awesome is that? Not necessarily that he plays Barbies, but that he plays with his big sister so willingly and at HER choice of playing!

Last night Samantha danced at the Festival of Trees with her dance group, LaShar's. I had never been before, so I had no idea what to expect. I know it's a fundraiser for Primary Children's Hospital (which holds a special place in my heart), but that's about it.

I learned that they have AMAZING gingerbread houses that are put up for sale. Can you even imagine creating this sucker?!
They also had quilts, center pieces, wreathes, and trees of all shapes and sizes that had been decorated and placed for sale. I think I might try and find out how to donate items to be sold for next year.

The entire Expo Center was decorated beautifully...
This is Sam all costumed, make up'd and ready to go...

Her group, Dyna-kids...
Getting ready for a practice run...
The entire group of LaShar's girls that performed...
They also have a "kids corner" at Festival of Trees. You buy tickets (3/$1.00) and then the kids can do different activities with their tickets. I bought Sam $5 worth of tickets (so 15 tickets). She got her face tattooed, made a stained glass ornament, painted a plaster ornament, visited the giving tree, made some sand layering (that got shook up and is not a beautiful assortment of colors instead of the nice even layers), oh and she made a reindeer light bulb ornament too.
This tree made of lights was out in the foyer. It was HUGE!
She did great and had fun. I videoed her dances but it is taking FOREVER to try and load them. Perhaps I'll try that again another day!