So Close

The Nutcracker.  One of my favorite Christmas traditions.  I went with my family in Pittsburgh when I was little, I've gone with my husband's family in Erie in years past (before children...yes, I love it that much), and this year was our first year to start the tradition of taking our little one.  Even more exciting was the fact that TOH was asked to read the opening story, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas' and Bug was invited to sit on his lap while he read.  I wasn't involved whatsoever, but I think I was the one looking forward to it the most. 

For some reason, I thought she would eat it up and have no issues sitting on stage with him with other little boys and girls that were in the play.  However I forgot one minor detail:  the curtain would open and there would be 2,700 hundred pairs of eyes staring at her.  Enter her exit.  Actually, she didn't even make it that far.  We took her up on stage as they were preparing everything for the show, we practiced sitting in the chair, and then she said, as politely as she always does, "I am ready to go home now, thank you."  And my dream was shot.  I tried my best to convince her that she would be fine, while sitting there knowing that I surely would be peeing my pants if I had to do such a thing...(a mom's gotta try!)...but she's not dumb...

So, away we went back to our seats, and enjoyed the entire show from start to finish.  And although she wasn't up there reading with her dad (who did an awesome job!), she was the perfect audience and I couldn't be more proud of her...and who knows, maybe they will be invited back next year and she'll be a year older and a tad braver! 

Grandma and Grandpa traveled from Erie to see the show with us!

Love Grandma Hiya

Aunt Colleen and Aunt Shannon came too!

And maybe next year Monkey will be able to sit still long enough to come with us...

wishful thinking!