Ballet West Presents The Nutcracker

Ballet West Presents...The Nutcracker After being in the Clytie Adams Nutcracker for 3 years, we decided it was time to take these cute girls to Ballet West's version at Capitol Theater.

I must admit that after seeing the Nutcracker about 6 times already this year, I was not super excited to go. But I ended up having a great time. I just love being with Maddy and am once again, so grateful to have a daughter to share these things with. (Let me tell you, it is no picnic trying to talk the boys into going to things like this...not even when their sister is in it!) But on top of spending time with my Maddy, I love being able to watch her interact with her friends. There is nothing I love more than hearing the giggles of little girls. It is so fun watching them get along and just loving being together. They have so much fun together! Good friends can truly "lift" us. I know these are memories she will always treasure.Bottom picture L to R: Maddy, Libby, & Brea

Side note: It was actually Claire's (a fellow dancer) mom that organized this little outing but were unable to attend at the last minute, due to a unplanned family vacation. But we were thrilled to have Libby, as she goes to a different school now so the girls hadn't seen her in several months.

Nutcracker 2010

"But a child is only a moment, only a snowflake of sweet remember when. Yes, a child is only a moment, a wonderful moment that never comes again. Yes, a child is only a moment, hold on to that moment, for it never comes again." -Earl Brown

Clytie introduced the Nutcracker with this quote. Although it makes me feel like crying, I think it is so beautiful...and so true. I know to enjoy these memories with Maddy because I have watched Josh grow up so quickly that it felt like he was gone in the blink of an eye. I know it will be the same with Maddy. So we are enjoying every minute of this wonderful experience (no matter how tiring it can be:)

I was so happy for Maddy that she made the Nutcracker! I don't know who gets more nervous, me or her? I was especially proud of her this year for the way she has handled herself. You see, Maddy made the Nutcracker which is obviously a huge honor, but unfortunately, she got a part she didn't want - Gingerbread. It's not that it is not a cute part, because it is. It's just that usually the younger kids are in this part and Maddy has been in this same scene for the past 2 years. In spite of this, Maddy decided to accept the part and even though a few people commented about her being with the younger girls, she handled it all with such grace. I really am so proud of her for this! She knows that the parts are determined by size, due to the costumes that are available and has decided to just enjoy the experience and have fun. I think she has learned alot from the experience and certainly had fun along the way. In addition to that little trial, one of her best friends got the part that she (and every other little girl) wanted - Party Girl. Instead of being jealous, Maddy showed nothing but excitement for Brea. She was gracious and kind throughout the whole experience. And when performance time came, she reveled in the experienced and smiled just as big as she did the other years. That smile makes all the parent volunteer hours, the carpools, and time away from home worth it.

Performances go for basically a week, with Dress Rehearsals on Tuesday and Wednesday, and 4 performances Thursday through Saturday. It's a whirlwind week! This year, I was on the Sweats committee so I helped sell sweats one Saturday, chaperoned 2 nights, and sold sweats at the boutique one night. We always go with our whole family and grandmas and grandpas one night and take her out to dinner before. This year, Grandpa M and Shay weren't able to come because they were out of town but Uncle Jeremy was there, along with her brothers. Even her friends, Lindsee and Olivia came to see her this year. That meant alot. We met Grandma and Grandpa O at Tony's Pizza before. Daddy brought her flowers, which always makes her night.

Then Jeff and I always go and see her at the Saturday matinee. We've been lucky so far because we've been able to sneak her out after Act 1 and take her to lunch. This year we went to Texas Roadhouse. I think she really enjoys having this one on one time with just Mom and Dad. I really think kids need that and I think it makes her feel special and to realize what a big deal this is. It really is such an honor!

This year, we gave out little Nutcracker notebooks and Nutcracker cookies as Maddy's gifts to the other Gingerbreads. She received lots of great gifts including ornaments, soap, shower gel, flowers, a Nutcracker, socks, cookies, and candy. This is always a favorite part of the experience. Other than performing, Maddy's favorite part is the time she gets to spend with her friends in between. As you can see, they keep themselves entertained and build wonderful memories that I hope she will remember forever.

She makes it!!

Maddy auditioned for Nutcracker today for the third year in a row. And I think this smile says it all... She made it!! And we are so proud of her!

I wish a could capture these magical moments with her and bottle them up to relive over and over. There is nothing quite like sharing the joy of an important accomplishment with your children. It is so fulfilling. I hope she remembers this feeling and these sweet moments forever!!

I know I will.

"Bouree" Ballerina

Speaking of talents - Here is my little ballerina!Isn't she beautiful?

She dances at the Clytie Adams School of Ballet. And she loves every minute of it! Especially the performances. She has taken dance since she was 3 years old, starting at Clytie's at age 5. It currently costs $55/month and is well worth the money. Her teacher this year was Sarah, who just happens to be Clytie's daughter. Maddy has loved her! There dance is called "Bouree." This has been a really good year as Maddy feels like they are finally getting into the "guts" of Ballet. It was especially fun to watch her in the recital because instead of just movment, ie. skipping, leaping, etc., you could really see the technique of Ballet starting to come through. It was as if she has gone from "little girl" dancing to real Ballet this year. I am so proud of her!

These are her 2 friends, Lindsee and Mikelle (in black & white.) Maddy and Lindsee have taken Ballet (and everything else) together since age 5. Every year they love to get their picture taken together out front. It has been fun to add Mikelle in the last couple of years, since she has been old enough to take dance. They are such cuties!

This is some of Maddy's class patiently(?) waiting in the Auditorium until it is their turn to dance. L to R: ?, Audrey, Maddy, Lexi, and Lindsee.

Maddy and Lindsee. This isn't a great picture because of the spotlights in the Auditorium. Oh well, it's better than nothing.

This is Maddy before the hair and make-up transition. I love to see her sit down and watch her tutu come up and all around her. So cute and so girly!

This is Maddy and Grandpa M. They made the dance recital 2 nights this year. Luckily, Grandpa was able to come and see her the first night. Otherwise, I would have had to sit alone since Jeff and Jake are away at High Adventure and Josh was on a Young Single Adults trip.

Before the recital, we went to eat at one of Maddy's favorite restaurants, Texas Roadhouse. It was yummy and we had a great time! I love to see how happy Maddy is walking around in her costume. I think she feels like a little princess. At least, I hope so! :)

This is Maddy and Grandma O. She came to see Maddy on the 2nd night of the recital. She even took us to dinner at Chili's first. We had a great time on our Girls Nigh Out. She even slept over after so she wouldn't have to drive home alone after dark. (Grandpa was at the cabin) It really made it a special night for Maddy.

Aunt Michelle and Baylee came, too, but I forgot to take the camera with me so I wasn't able to get a picture of them. It was so nice of them to come! Baylee and Maddy took dance together for 2 years when they were just little. We have some fun pictures and memories of the 2 of them together.

And here is Maddy with her beautiful flowers. Usually Jeff brings her flowers each year and it is a highlight. Since he was gone this year, I had to step in. Luckily though, Jeff did get to sneak up to her dress rehearsal before he left town so at least he got to see her practice. I'm sure she will make him watch the DVD with her as well. :)

And finally, here is me and Maddy after a long 4 days of make-up, buns, and late nights. Although we are both pretty tired at the end of it all, I am so thankful that I get to share this with her each year. It is truly a highlight for me and hopefully her, as well.