the Nutcracker

A few weeks ago, Eden Brooks and I made a quick trip up to CC and Granddaddy's to go to her first performance of The Nutcracker. Aunt Janet had invited us earlier in the year (actually, she's been talking about it for a number of years) since her office with the Jackson Arts Council is so closely connected to the ballet.

When we made it to CC and Granddaddy's, we of course had to go next door to see the neighbors' new puppies. EB was enthralled ...



... and the puppies loved her ...

It was so nice to be able to help decorate the tree. I think E's favorite part was getting to dress up in one of Aunt Whitney's old dresses as well as one of my old dresses that Mama Sally made me. We definitely have a little actress on our hands.

 After church and lunch on Sunday, we made our way to Thalia Mara Hall for The Nutcracker. We were all full of excitement. We had watched a full ballet production on video a number of times last year, so she knew the storyline and was really excited to see everything in person.

 When the lights started to go down and the music came on, she was just beside herself ...

 My favorite moment of the day came just before the intermission. EB was sitting in my lap, leaned back, and whispered in my ear, "I had tears in my eyes. I am just so happy that I had to cry." I mean, seriously, it just about melted my heart.

During intermission, we met up with our good friends Josie and her mom Jennifer. The girls enjoyed a few minutes of playtime and a photo with one of Josie's classmates.

It really was such a special afternoon!

This past Saturday, Graham took E to the Baton Rouge Ballet's performance of The Nutcracker. It was especially important since E's adored friend Grace from church was performing that day. E requested a ballet bun and took care of all her accessories, including the fairy necklace that Grace gave her at her last birthday.

Here is perhaps the cutest couple ever on their way to the ballet ...

... and here is the pose that Miss EB wanted to do ...

As a special touch, Graham and E picked up flowers for Grace on their way to the performance. Here is E mesmerized with the bubbles representing snow that floated over the audience during the performance.

When she came home, she went through a full comparison of the two performances and where they differed. So fun to hear her comment on the differences (the main performers wearing gold in Jackson and white with blue shoes in Baton Rouge). If you see her over the holidays, you may be lucky enough to see her doll performance which she learned in Silly Goose class at school.

I am so thankful for my little ballerina.

- ashley