Today we took our second annual trip to see The Nutcracker ballet. Last year Em and I started this as “our” Christmas tradition and I hope to be able to share with her, and eventually Addie, too, for many years to come. This year my friend Michelle and her daughter Emma (Little Emma or Emma Louise, as we call her) came with us. We went to a Cuban cafe right near the theater and had a little dinner beforehand, and then went to see the ballet. It was so fun and I think Emma actually enjoyed our “date” as much as I did.

My favorite part of the evening is just sitting and watching the ballet through her eyes. She gets so lost in the whole production and looks so grown-up sitting in her velvet Christmas dress all lady-like. (Yes, it has been a common thread this week, my baby is growing up and I am forever nostalgic about it all.) This year was even more special since she just had her recital (see the last post!) and she actually told me the names of some of the positions and jumps that they were doing. She will be so intent and focused and then she’ll sort of lean over to me and say something about the dancers without ever taking her eyes off of the stage. Like she doesn’t want to miss a moment of it.

I kinda know the feeling. I don’t ever want to miss a moment, either.