Visions of Sugarplums

Sugarplum Fairy, that is. My girls and I have an annual tradition of seeing the ballet "The Nutcracker" each Christmas. I LOVE this tradition because I absolutely LOVE this ballet and love sharing it with my girls. I love to see their faces as we walk into the theatre. I love taking them over to the edge of the stage to look down at the orchestra. I love watching them smile as the dancers glide across the stage. I love the sets and costumes. The MAGIC! I love the time I get with just my girls.

This year we included my mom and her mom and had some great girl bonding time. We learned from our mistake last year and decided that the matinee really is the best way to go, at least for a few years yet. We had lunch and then headed over to the Jubilee. Baba was generous and bought them each a souvenir, Emma a snow globe of Klara and Sophia a stuffed Klara in her beautiful pale blue satin coat and fur hat and muff. We even picked up a stuffed Nutcracker for Lydia and a stuffed Rat Tsar for Jack.

No matter how many times I see this ballet, the magic is there. I tear up EVERY time the Sugar Plum Fairy begins her famous solo and the music that we all know so well plays (You really do know it - google Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy and you will recognize it instantly!). The tears are not because it is sad, but because it is so magical and I am so HAPPY that I am there with my girls, sharing that with them.

I am SO looking forward to Lydia being able to join us and then someday going with my girls and THEIR girls. It is such a treasure and the moment the ballet ends, I already look forward to the next year!