The Nutcracker

Our school schedule has been slowing down for the holidays. Well, maybe slowing down isn't the right word; we are spending less time on books and more time enjoying Christmas activities and spending time with friends.

Last week we had two outings that were focused on the Nutcracker ballet. On Monday, both kids and I attended a demonstration put on Festival Ballet. The dancers explained a little about the history of ballet, the story of the nutcracker, shared some costumes with us, and taught the kids a couple of dance routines from the ballet. Benjamin particularly enjoyed it and was one of the first to hop up when they asked for volunteers to come to the stage and participate in the dancing!

On Thursday, Julia and I attended the Festival Ballet's performance of The Nutcracker at the Providence Performing Arts Center. She loved trying to pick out the dancers that we had met on Monday.

Anna, Elizabeth, and Julia (with her dolphins)

After the play, she and I had a special lunch at the Duck and Bunny Snuggery (how appropriate a name for a lunch with Julia!) in Providence. It was nice to spend some quiet time together and get into the holiday spirit!