Lots to Update: #2 Nutcracker

We survived another year of Nutcracker. Every year it gets a little more intense. As Banana progresses through the Company levels, she gets more and more "stage time". Translated that means more practice time, more rehearsal time, more everything, later nights, longer "notes and corrections", and more work for mom and dad. Last year, we were still "newbies" and got away with "not knowing how to do things". No such luck this year. Kearsdad and I are full-fledged dancer parents now, with jobs and everything. You may remember that Kearsdad was on tech crew last year. Well, this year he got to the technical rehearsal to learn that he was "in charge" of stage right! He wore the headset and everything. Fun times. I leaned that I like decorating, and that I don't like taking tickets. Don't ask, just trust me!


Banana did a beautiful job and had tons of fun. She is almost fully independent, changing costumes, doing makeup, and even getting her face paint taken care of. Yes, I said face paint. She changed from a mouse nose and whiskers to a doll's red circle cheeks more times than I can count. It is nice to know that she can take care of herself. And it was fun to watch her dance.

Kat was a great help. She was named, by one of Banana's friends, "the backstage-helper-girl". She did a little of everything...tying bows, zipping zippers, running errands, playing Nintendo DS, filling tea party cups of ice, selling raffle tickets...you name it. I was very proud of how she pitched in and had such a great attitude about the whole thing.

It was very good. It was a lot of fun. We were exhausted, and we are glad to be done for another year. Sweet dreams, Clara!

Here are Banana the Mouse and LouLou the best friend. LouLou and Aunt Junebug came to watch dress rehearsal and take pictures.

Mice and Soldiers...Banana is the tall mouse.

LouLou, Banana the Polichinelle, and Kat the backstage-helper-girl