Nutcracker Christmas in San Francisco

Last Saturday my daughters and my friend, Soccermom, who was also a roommate from my BYU college days, with her daughter scooted over to San Francisco for a magical time.

Yank Sing at the Rincon Center

We headed to my favorite dim sum place, Yank Sing. My daughters love dim sum and turns out, so does my friend and her daughter.




Yank Sing has the best Shanghai dumplings ... the best. I wish there were really good dim sum closer to me. Growing up in the Bay Area the delicious dim sum houses were all over the place, and great quality places. So much fun to take the family there on the weekends for a perfect brunch/lunch.




Then we entered the beautiful War Memorial Opera House for the Nutcracker. This is the first Nutcracker my girls have seen. Before we went I went to the library to check out some books so that they'd know the story. It made me so happy to see how much they liked it.






I was a little worried about my 4YO, as she is known as the wiggliest one in our family. I was tickled to glance over at her swaying to the music and then clapping and "whoo-hooing" after each number. My 6YO preferred the international dancing in the Sugar Plum fairy's court over the Snow Queen and King dance with the snowflakes. I can understand why.




The production was flawless. The set design, the beautiful way everything was brought together... simply breathtaking. I was so grateful to attend with my daughters. This is the second time I've seen The Nutcracker. I remember sitting in my first show and deciding that I wanted to make that a tradition for my family one day. It has come true!

55 Parc Wyndham

I had told the girls I had a surprise in store for them. The night before going to San Francisco, I talked to my hubby about spending an evening there, as they girls love hotels. He agreed and I kept mum about it until we pulled into the 55 Park Wyndham hotel in Union Square. The girls were happy. I love surprising them.



I am grateful to have had this little jaunt with my girls. They are full of personality, which can make it crazy at times, but I prefer personality over zombies any day. Zombies eat brains you know... heheh


We planned to have a quick bite at The Cheesecake Factory in Union Square (in the Macy's building). Boy were we mistaken. The wait was nearly 3 hours.

This is one of the few pictures we have together. Apparently I was brain dead and totally forgot to ask some passerby to take a group picture. Photo credit...one of the daughters.

After an hour of waiting, which we spent waiting to see Santa, I finally got it into my head to call for take out. I had discovered there was a take out line... but it was faster to just call. So in 20 minutes after ordering we were back in our hotel room, enjoying our meal.

Ho, ho, ho ho ho. It's SANTA!

I've discovered that in terms of my personality I am a firm experiencer. I like to attend shows, travel, taste different flavors, and be out and doing something. I'm not a big hoarder, or thing acquirer. Probably because I also don't like to dust. I'm not a sit and home homebody.



This is why I love experiencing life with my girls. The memories are priceless to me.

Saying goodbye...

ps. Today is PAJAMA day at the elementary school...and it's the LAST DAY OF SCHOOL THIS YEAR! Yipee! Also, I will be celebrating with the kids by wearing my pajamas all day. Oh yeah....