My Nutcracker Mouse

Ever since I was a little girl, I have LOVED the Nutcracker Ballet. When I was growing up in Pensacola, my Nana, my Aunt Bobbie, my Mommy, and I had an annual Christmas time "lady date" to lunch and the Nutcracker. Those annual dates are without a doubt some of my favorite childhood memories. The Saenger Theatre in Pensacola was (is) beautiful in and of itself - just sitting there and studying the space was a treat for me - but then the lights would dim, the orchestra would begin to hum, and finally the curtain would lift to reveal what was surely magic on the stage. I've seen the Nutcracker performed a few times as an adult, and for me the excitement level has changed very little. I still love every second- from toy soldiers to candy canes - I am enchanted. Over the past few years I have begun to introduce Evie to the story and the characters, and last year was her first time to attend the actual ballet performance. It was so special to share with her.
Earlier this week, I was contacted by a friend of mine who works with a community Nutcracker production, she let me know that they were short on mice and then she... offered Evie a spot! You might think I'm a total dork for admitting this, but I seriously cried when I got off the phone. This is a big deal, and it may be the only time Evie gets to participate without having to audition (that's a huge perk of raising my kids in the same community where I grew up - connections :) Needless to say Evie was thrilled! Her only concern was, "But the mice are bad, and I am nice" - "True, but they have no need of nice mice, so if you want to be in the show this is the part you get Sweet Thang".
I took Evie to her first practice this Saturday, she went into a group that had been practicing together for months, and she really did a great job. She was friendly and immediately comfortable just like she almost always is - that kiddo makes me smile. I personally thought I was going to die when, about half way through, the ballerinas came in to do the snow scene - fabulous!!! What a treat it's going to be for me to watch weeks of preparations for my all time favorite performance. I'm a little afraid that I will randomly spring into "dance" and crash through the rehearsal with enthusiasm at some point - yikes, but I'm so going to LOVE it!
I have given myself a few little "talks" about the dangers of behaving like a stage mom - things like, "Remember this is your dream, it may not be hers, and that HAS to be ok." and "Promise yourself right now that if she hates this, you WILL take her home and not make her feel bad!" I don't think I have anything to worry about though, in fact on the way to practice Evie said, "Maybe after this you can take me to circus practice and I can learn to be the cowgirl in the sparkly hat!" Ha! Who was I kidding - this kid will eat this whole thing up!
There are six more weeks before the big show, and I'll be sure to update throughout the experience. I'm so proud of my outgoing and brave little dancing girl!
P.S. I promise that my subsequent Nutcracker posts will be more about Evie's experiences, and less about my living vicariously, musings, and what not ;)