The Nutcracker

When I was 17, Ian gave me a charm bracelet for Christmas with a Nutcracker on it.  That was the first year that we saw The Nutcracker together.  When Camryn was two we took her to her first Nutcracker performance and a tradition was born.  This year was her third annual Nutcracker.  We headed downtown for dinner at 17 and then made our way to The Wortham.  I always imagine what it must look like through her eyes- the lights and sounds of downtown, going up the long escalators to the performance hall, the enormous Christmas tree and all the decorations.  Im always in awe and imagine that it must be nothing short of magical to her.

I can sense her anticipation as the conductor comes out- she always watches the orchestra pit waiting for that moment that signals the start of the show.  Then there she sits leaning forward against the rail of the box, entranced as she watches the dancers twirl and leap across the stage.  This year at intermission, she bravely approached one of the mice for a picture and an autograph.  She usually looks for the soldiers and wants nothing to do with the mice (she did after all just watch them attack Clara on stage!), but this year she was determined to change it up.

After the ballet, we headed home- tired, but not too tired for dessert.  We took a little side trip to 59 Diner and shared a banana split...the perfect sweet end to a perfect sweet evening.

I cant wait for next year when Aidan will go with us for the first time and then again when the day comes that Aislyn comes along as well.  This is one of our very favorite Christmas traditions.  Ian and I hope that our children (and then someday our grandchildren) will enjoy it and look forward to it in the many years to come.

Cami and the Gingerbread house.

                        Ian and Cami in front of the Wortham Christmas tree.                                   

Cami and I at home before we left for the Nutcracker.