Our most recent Christmas-themed adventure was the annual performance of the Nutcracker ballet. Again, a childhood memory for me--my very best friend from age 10 and up was Miss. Jessica, and she was a dancer with Memphis Concert Ballet, which is now called Ballet Memphis. Every year, she danced in the Nutcracker. I can remember the week when auditions were held--always a very anxious and tense week--and going to the final dress rehearsal to witness the culmination of all that work. I loved it every time. (To highlight how old we are, Jessica & her husband are expecting a baby in February, and I have three kids. Wow--we are so ancient.) Two years ago, I took Molly to the Nutcracker in Davenport, and she was mesmerized. So the tradition continues. She again loved it. Rebecca was great through the first half, but was pretty restless by Act II and had to be escorted out a few times. Frankly, I think she missed the best parts--I love those Arabian, Chinese and Russian dancers, and I especially like the Polichenelles (spelling?), chldren dressed as clowns who come runnning out from under a lady's big skirt and do cartwheels all over the stage. Before the show, the girls had "mini-manicures" at Sweet n Sassy salon, complete with glitter and a ring for each (see photos above). We went to dinner at Spaghetti Warehouse and got to eat at the table that is shaped like a bed. Aunt Meredith, my cousin Alyson and her daughter Hannah, all joined us for a "girl's night out." We all posed for a picture, except Rebecca, who spent most of the meal hiding under the table, pretending she was asleep.
In the same weekend, the girls were in a Christmas parade in the town of Lakeland (soon to be our home)! Rebecca's school friend Haley (whose mother went to high school with Peter and me) was turning 5, and her parents built an awesome Gone With the Wind-themed float. The kids dressed in period dresses, sang carols and tossed leftover Halloween candy to the crowd. Their float won third prize (and a trophy for the birthday girl!). Oddly, Rebecca fell fast asleep (are you sensing a theme here?) on the float, so her parade memory is of her dad and Sage's dad shoving her onto the float as it pulled out from the staging area, throwing the parasol and white gloves to her as they drove away. By the time it was over, she was awake and peppy as ever! Again, Santa was a highlight. Molly is just so excited that she's finally not scared of Santa, so every opportunity to see the Bearded One is greeted with urgency and delight.
Will the fun never end?! Let's hope so, so Rebecca can get some sleep.
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