Traditions

I think traditions are extrememly important, no matter how small.  This year we are beginning a couple new traditions during the holiday season.  I wanted to start them earlier but the kids were just too young.  This year is the year.  I will protect these traditions and try and instill the importance of them in my children.  And if that means making them partake when they are teenages then so-be-it.  Traditions or die!  No, I'm kidding.  Kind of.  Anyway,  I'm thrilled that Drew was finally old enough for our first annual Nutcracker trip.  Nana  took the day off from school to come stay with William and Lauren while Chris and I took Drew to San Francisco.  We got dressed up, had a nice lunch, got on Jennie's Train (BART), and arrived - like magic - in the city.  We had a subzero walk from the BART station to the War Memorial Opera House which was made much less painful by Drew's observations along the way.  Huge American flag flying overhead, pigeons everywhere, gold paint on that building over there, etc.  We arrived and walked into a gorgeous lobby filled with excited kids and anxious parents everywhere.  Every mom looked like I felt; I'm here with my daughter!!  Everything was beautiful, from the decorated old building to the little girls in their sparkly dresses and the little boys in their Christmas sweaters.  It was awesome.  We sat and had sparkling cider and gingerbread cookies before the show.  Our seats were fabulous.  We were only 6 rows behind the orchestra and Chris took Drew to watch them warm up a bit before it started.  The bell chimed and we took our seats.  It was magical from the beginning.  Drew sat on Chris's lap for much of the first half.  He whispered to her when she had questions about what was happening.  We have read the story, she's seen some of the movie, and she spent the morning watching clips of the Nutcracker on YouTube so she was more familiar than some I'm sure, but she still had a few questions.  She sat mesmorized for the first half.  At intermission we were served cookies and juice and then went back for the second half.  I'm not going to lie, with about
10 minutes left Drew let out an audible SIGH which in words meant, "Seriously, how much longer??"  I wasn't surprised and was very impressed with her attentiveness until that point.  It ended 10 minutes later and we gathered our things to head out.  As we exited the building Drew was daaaaaancing her way to the street corner.  She did that throughout the night.  She hummed the music on the train on the way home.  She came home and told Nana all about it.  She read the program in her bed.  It was a great day.  And a great beginning of just one of our new holiday traditions.  Next year Chris and I will have a cute little boy in a beautiful Christmas sweater with us.  Can't wait. 

Drew, watching YouTube clips in the morning

Drew and me before we left.  Good closed-eye shot.

Chris and Drew walking to the train

Waiting patiently

I soooo wanted to trade places with her

An hour train ride is a long time

Brrrrrr...

She owns the joint

and inappropriate Nutcracker Cleavage

If he only knew his fate

Who is this fancy girl??

Our view from our seats

She REEE FUUSED to take a picture with her excited mommy

Dancing as we walked out

More dancing on the streets of San Francisco

Sharing the story with Nana

Here's hoping your traditions are meaningful and stay strong.