The Nutcracker

I remember the first time I ever saw the Nutcracker at age 7. My parents, along with my best friend Chelsea and her mom all hopped into a limo and went to see the Nutcracker in Los Angeles. It was a magical night. I remember telling me dad "I'm going to be in the Nutcracker one day." Fast forward a year later, my parents moved my family up to San Luis Obispo, and not too long after I was enrolled in ballet classes at the Academy of Dance. They were holding Nutcracker auditions just a month after, and I eagerly signed up. I remember my dad saying "Now don't get your hopes up, but do your best." Imagine my excitement after auditioning for the first time ever for such a big production - that I got a part. I was a gingersnap. I must say the costumes were pretty hideous, but I wouldn't trade all that excitement for the world. I went on to do two more Nutcracker productions, and I loved them all.

This was the first time Riley has seen the Nutcracker. Maybe I'm crazy, but it was so hard for me to keep it together - all of those wonderful memories and sharing them with my baby girl who loves ballet - and for her to tell me that she wants to be in the Nutcracker too. I almost cried several times. I'm such a sap.

The last awesome thing about this Nutcracker? Riley's ballet teacher was the Sugar Plum Fairy. So magical. Riley was so excited!

I love Christmastime.