Nutcracker Weekend

If I could describe our weekend in one word, I'd have to say

NUTCRAKER....

 no, wait....

EXHAUSTED....

no, wait....

NON-STOP!!!!!

That's my way of cheating and getting in three words as opposed to one! Because really, our weekend was all these things.

But I have to admit, it was also so much fun! I'm very surprised to be tyiping the word "fun" when speaking about this past weekend. When I orignally signed the girls up for this performance, I have to admit I wasn't thrilled. The girls were, but not the mama!

We had a two+ hour meeting at the beginning of September to discuss all that entails being in The Nutcracker. There was fundraiser after fundraiser, rehearsals every weekend, volunteer hours to fulfill, t-shirts to buy, wigs to buy (that, or I was supposed to learn how to cork-screw curl two girls' hair while mothering my other children), money to donate for cookies, and special leotards to buy. I'm pretty sure I've left something out, but I think it's safe to add the word INVEST to our weekend description.

That would not only be money, but also time. Needless to say, I'm pretty sure we will be doing this again next year. Partly because I feel like we need to get more use out of those wigs and leotards. Partly because I feel like now I've got the logistics, or ins and outs, figured out. AND, mostly because we had so much fun!

I enjoyed getting to spend special time with Brownie and Bug at all those rehearsals. I absolutely LOVED seeing the girls' faces as I greeted them after their performances.

They were beaming with pride! And they should be. They are 4 and 5, and they performed on a big stage in front of several people.

This was by no means a small gathering of parents of the dance students. This is our local theater where I've seen Beck, Johnny Lang, and danced in my own recitals. Big things happen here, and now our family got to be a part of a big production.

The crazy week began last Saturday and Sunday (Dec. 3 and 4) with rehearsals at the dance studio. Then we actually had Monday off. Starting Tuesday we were at the theater before 7pm. We anticipated delays in the first day or two, and we got them. We were at the studio until 8:30 or so. The girls thought it was weird to come home when their sisters were already in bed.

Thursday was super crazy because we didn't have to be at rehearsals until 9pm! I was dreading this day the moment I found out about it. I was anticipating several mishaps with behavior. I totally expected tantrums. But we really didn't have any (we had a big one on Wednesday, though). I think the girls went to bed around 10 that night. Luckily, we were in and out in a matter of moments for that super late rehearsal.

Friday was an early start. We had to be at the theater by 9:15, and we were! There was a flurry of activity in our dressing room. The girls stayed entertained, though.

I got pictures galore as my friend's sister did the girls' hair. I also happened to get a video of their dress rehearsal/benefit performance, but for some reason it won't upload to blogger.

It was a quick debut, but a beautiful debut nonetheless! I think they have more guts than I would have at four or five years of age!

We performed again at 8pm on Friday (Grammy came to this one) and then at 2pm on Saturday (Gram, Aunt Amy, Daddy and sissies, Brownie's teacher and my friend Caroline and her daughter came to this one).

We didn't go to the Saturday night performance, but then the older two girls and I went again on Sunday.

Peach couldn't get enough and Brownie hadn't actually seen the whole production yet. Both girls loved their time at The Nutcracker on Sunday. I thought it was nice to be able to just sit there and enjoy it too (without having to run around and get kids ready)! We went to the autograph/cookie time after the performance. Several of the girls' dance teachers signed their program. They loved this part!

Bug and Brownie-

Thank you for starting what I hope will become a wonderful family tradition for us. You two looked adorable on stage, and I am very impressed with your courage for going up there. You'll always be my little stars. Thank you for helping us create wonderful memories that I'll always treasure! Here's to many more performance in The Nutcracker!