The Nutcracker

I brought my children to the local production of The Nutcracker today. I was really dreading it--dreading the ballet itself (not being a very "ballet person" at all), dreading the crowds, dreading the parking, dreading the purchase of tickets, and of course, dreading the possible behaviors of my seat mates.

However, I loved it so much that tonight I am googling to see if there is another Nutcracker performance near enough to go to. What really is a "ballet person" anyhow?

Both children cried out (appropriately) with joy and excitement along with the rest of the crowd. They clapped at the right times and I looked over and they were really loving it--all of it, the sword fighting, the dancing, the stage explosions...

even M!-- who was dealing with personal jealousy because her classmates were performing as angels and mice and she wasn't...

There were molasses and chocolate chip cookies at Intermission of which I bought six and ate one. Somehow the math doesn't add up but I don't want to be greedy. There was a reasonable line for the bathrooms. All around, everything was excellent....except for the woman in red who felt it was okay to budge in front of children for cookies...BUT, I was having such a good time that I just smiled at her.

I am posting pictures (not very good ones, but no flash photography was allowed and I AM a rule follower...)

T brought his Transformers blanket and his Spiderman pillow pet. I was gonna let these kids bring just about anything to keep them quiet and good.

M brought her Rescue Kitty and her bracelet.

 Below is M being a candy cane at home after the show. She loved the striped dancers that were gymnastically enabled. She shouted at them as we were leaving. "I love you guys. You guys were awesome!"

T didn't shout at anyone. He did however note that, "Those guys were pretty cool. I would do that if I didn't have to wear tights."