Traditions: Nutty Little Evening

We are thoroughly enjoying our holiday season and it's only December 4th.

There are so many little things that make this holiday time special.

I'm only sharing the big ones, but I'm so thankful to have kids

who humor me with all the strange little ideas that come out of my head.

TRADITION #4

Fun "mom tip" at the end.

MINI NUTCRACKER

This is how we started our tradition this year,

and we ended with a trip to the emergency room.

But, we still had a GREAT time!

I love you Keely Girl.

We LOVE this tradition!

There is a private school in Nashville that puts on a fancy schmancy little Mini Nutcracker every year.

They do such a great job and it lasts about an hour, so it's perfect.

This tradition started because this little cutie invited me to attend when I first moved here.

I love my Wendy girl.

Every year we get a group of friends together and we dress our little girls up and we go.

It's something I look forward to every year.

In the past I've taken Keely and Charity.

But, last year we brought Luke with us.

And he was in love.

He has talked about the Nutcracker all year.

And this year was no different. 

He sat on the edge of that big theater seat and was mesmerized through the whole thing.

This year may be my favorite one yet.

As we were getting ready to leave, Israel and Zach decided to come with us!

I can't tell you how much fun it was to sit there with the big boys!

Zach.....not too crazy about the Nutcracker.

HAHAHA!

But, Israel enjoyed it.

And I loved having him there with us.

What else makes this tradition so fun? 

FRIENDS

I love that we get to spend time with each other. 

The thing I loved the most about the Nutcracker this year was
Lucy.
It was her first year and it was special to watch the amazement in her eyes as she took it all in.
Afterwards, she took her little program and went and got some autographs.
She was completely amazed by the whole process.



And true to Lucy fashion,
she made me laugh hysterically with this little gem:

FUNNIEST MOMENT OF THE NIGHT...

All the dancers in this sweet little version of the Nutcracker are girls from the school.
All except the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier.

They are professional dancers who come and perform.

Well, every year the handsome little Cavalier is the most talked about part of the Nutcracker.

Now, remember, it's an auditorium of little girls.

The Cavalier comes out in his SKIN TIGHT WHITE tights.

SKIN TIGHT.
VERY THIN.
WHITE tights.

Need I say more?
I don't think so.

The giggles begin.
And they don't end until he has left the stage.
And at some point, many of the adults start giggling at their funny little girls who are giggling.

It's one of my favorite parts of the night.

.....I know. I'm strange, but, I giggle every year.

Well, Lucy was appalled.
When he came out on the stage, she GRABBED my face and turned it to meet her face.
Then she said, with great concern,
"MOM!! Why doesn't he have any pants on?!?!"

h.i.l.a.r.i.o.u.s.

I loved every minute and I
can't wait for next year.


My "MOM" tip:

When you go to the Nutcracker,
I have a proven method to make sure EVERYONE has fun.

You bring HER along.

It works EVERY time.

just sayin'.