The Nutcracker

Never was there a more brave soul than the one that dared take Sean, Kate, and 80 year old Great Grandma Pearlie to The Nutcracker all by herself. Yes folks, I did it. I'm still waiting for my major award.

My karma seems to suck lately. No matter how many good deeds I do, no matter how much extra work I put myself through with no thanks, no matter how many people I help, no matter how many hours I volunteer, I still get crapped on most of the time. So I guess karma figured she needed to pay up, and she paid up big time on this day!

The kids woke up super excited to go to something they had never heard of before. They put their new Christmas clothes on with no arguing, and even let me take adorable pictures. We were ready with time to spare, which never happens at this house. We picked up Grandma Pearlie who was also ready on time, and were off to the city. I warned Grandma that my kids can't sit through anything, have never made it through an entire movie their entire lives, and we would probably be lucky to see the first half of the ballet.

I camped out on the computer and bought tickets the minute they went on sell so that I could get front row seats. I knew it would be way more exciting if no one was in the way and they could see the instruments in the orchestra pit. I was soooo right. I don't think I will ever see it again unless we have front row.

They gave the kids cushions to boost them even higher, which also made their chairs stay down. Couldn't ask for more perfection.

This is how close we were. The orchestra pit was only a foot away from our seats. I could have touched the conductor if I wanted to. The fog that comes off the stage even landed in our laps. It was so fun. The kids loved the first half.

I was worried that if we stayed for the second half I would regret it and be making a scene dragging screaming kids and my grandma, but the kids were so good. I really thought someone must have switched my kids for new and improved ones. They are NEVER well behaved when we go places, but this time they acted as if they knew what ballet manners were, and had done this a million times.

Sean loved the Bear and the "old lady" that has kids running out of her skirt, and Kate loved Clara, the little ballerina. I loved my cute kids.

Needless to say Grandma Pearlie had so much fun and was practically in tears the whole time with pride for her great-grandkids. I have to say I was on cloud nine too. I actually looked like a good mom for one day and not the crazy lady I've become accustom to. So YAY for me and my perfect day.

The little angles all tuckered out after using everything they had in them to be good...just this once.