The Nutcracker: Plan B

For many reasons, our annual Nutcracker Ballet tradition at Keller Auditorium did not work out this year. I have been super bummed about it, because it is one of the few things I LOVE about this holiday season. Last week, while I was whining about not being able to go to my good buddy, she (of course) came up with a "glass half full" idea that was almost as good!

Here's what we did: We still had a girl's date to the Olive Garden for lunch. So yummy. We still got all dressed up in Christmas attire. We had Jonny take our picture as if we were on task:

Then, we came home, and made a very special "Nutcracker Tea." Complete with Sugar Plum herbal tea and lots of cookies, of course. Here are my darling girls getting ready to party!

Here is the tea. So yummy. It did not disappoint!

Then, we unwrapped a special guest who joined us at our tea party.

And, then we watched this version of The Nutcracker. I would like to write a lengthy review of this performance, because it was so B.I.Z.Z.A.R.E!!! First of all, there was no nutcracker, or lovely home with a big tree, or anything else that is in the "real" version. It took place in an orphanage for the first half, and then in a dream during the second, with lots of candy-type references and dancers licking each other. Oh dear. If you thought in metaphors, you could untangle it all, but my 5 and 10 year old are quite literal (as am I, for that matter), so it was very strange to say the least. On the bright side, the dancing was lovely and the costumes were fantastic (can you say flaming?), so we actually enjoyed it quite a bit. Apparently Michael Bourne also does Swan Lake, so that may be going into my que.
All in all, it was a wonderful afternoon, because, after all, I was with my two favorite gals, who had great attitudes, and we had a blast together. Nutcracker, CHECK! Now we are really ready for Christmas!