For homeschool today, our family went on a field trip to see The Nutcracker. My oldest son saw it once before. This was the first time my youngest have seen it.

My daughter loves ballet. She loves watching Angelina Ballerina on Sprout. She longs to take ballet lessons (the only reason we haven’t yet is because of a scheduling issue for the class in her age group). This morning I dressed her in her finery, and the boys wore their Sunday best. To help set the mood, we listened to Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite in the truck as we drove to the theatre. Once there, it was thrilling to sit back and watch my children soak up the wonder that is The Nutcracker.

My daughter loved Clara, and wanted to “be” her. My sons were enthralled with the Russian acrobats. They loved the youngest dancers toddling around the stage playing mice, candies, and angels. They sat wide-eyed and entranced by the beauty of the Snow Queen and, of course, The Sugar Plum Fairy.

They talked of little else for the rest of the day, and wanted to re-create the scenes at home. My daughter spoke longingly of Clara, and how much she loved her. My youngest wants to take tumbling so he can be an acrobat “on stage,” too.

It’s been so amazing to see the world through the eyes of these children. So many things we take for granted, or just have forgotten the thrill of seeing something for the first time. In four short months they have witnessed many “firsts:” a major league baseball game; seeing the ocean; viewing a ballet; sampling various ethnic cuisines.

I was sorry to see the matinée end today. I was sorry we had to rush off to meet another obligation. I was sorry I got so caught up in watching the children fall in love with this amazing treat, I failed to take pictures of them in fancy dress at the theatre! Regrets though they were, I was and am thrilled that I witnessed yet another transformation in my children – and saw them – as many others have before them – delight in this holiday tradition.

Photo credit: Stock Xchng