The Nutcracker

It is now our family tradition, to go to the Nutcracker Ballet around Christmas time each year. We started taking the kids when they were barely two years old, in Santa Cruz. We did it last year, and this year is no different. Well, except that the kids got to go back stage, hug the bear and the mice, and shake hands with the ballerinas!

As part of Jim's fellowship, he is sometimes the doctor to the Boston Ballet company. So tonight was one of the nights that he 'worked' at the Ballet performance, and he brought his little family with him. Because he only gets two tickets per show, the kids took turns being backstage with him, and I got to sit in the audience the whole time with one child. I have seen the performance numerous times now, before and after having children. It sure is different to watch it through their eyes. Asked what was their favorite part of the performance, Claire answered without hesitation: "The mice, Mommy, the little mice - they are sooooooooo cute!"