Sound of Music and the Olive Garden

Today I bought tickets for my youngest daughter and I to go see the Sound of Music at the Performing Arts Center in Tampa on Friday night. This is part of her 9th birthday present, along with dinner at the Olive Garden before the show. I did this with my older daughter in April for her 11th birthday (we saw Mary Poppins) and we had a great time. They are both old enough to really enjoy such things, and I think a birthday seems a perfect time to have such an experience. I get to have some one on one time with each child and it's (hopefully) something they will remember when they are grown. The only negative is that I would prefer for the whole family to see every show, but it's just too expensive.

The whole idea came about because of three very simple facts: 1) I love Broadway musicals, 2) I love the Olive Garden, and 3) I almost never go to either one. Notice that no one else's preferences are involved in this - it may sound sweet to take the kids individually to celebrate their birthdays, but when it comes right down to it, it's all about me. I can't seem to justify spending the money to actually go and enjoy a show a few times a year without a reason, so the Broadway- birthday-night-with-mom was born.

Now, in case I've given the impression that all this is my little secret, let me clarify by sharing some of the comments my family has made: "I think you are just using the kids' birthdays as an excuse to go see the shows you really want to see," and "So, let me get this straight, we have to take turns going to dinner and a show, but you get to go every time? That's not very fair!" And my response is, "Absolutely...and I'm okay with that." So yes, my whole family knows, yet they love me anyway, and even humor me by going along - go figure!

So, we are looking forward to the Sound of Music and the Olive Garden on Friday, and while I was getting all the ticket information, I noticed something very interesting - Fiddler on the Roof is coming in December...and guess when my son's birthday is? I love it when a plan comes together!