Getting into the holiday spirit

Last night was opening night for the production of "The Nutcracker" that my Exceptionally Talented Niece performed in. Get ready for a shocker.

I had never seen The Nutcracker before. That's not to say I've never attended the ballet before, just not The Nutcracker. Andrew totally tripped out over this fact. So, we bought our tickets, joined his family for the pre-show dinner, and went to the Center for Performing Arts.

I was a little surprised to see so many small children. And unattended teenagers, who, OMIGOD-are-like-a-little-over-texting. (That would be a direct quote.) I had my knitting (I worked on my Maude vest), so I knew all would be fine. Certainly, teenagers are old enough to know how to behave at the ballet.

The curtain goes up. The overture is ending. They are still talking. I turned around.

"The curtain is open. That means it is time to shut up," I explain, and turn back around. (Not before I see SHOCKED expressions of fear from both of them.)

Silence for the rest of the first act. (They disappeared at the second act, which means, either they were bothering some other innocent patrons of the arts, or they sat in the lobby and did their talking, which is my sincere hope.)

The ballet was fine, but the best part? The little kids. Dressed as sheep. Wiggling their adorable little sheepy butts. The cuteness nearly killed me. I even made that "Ooooh!" sigh (complete with the hand over the heart) that women ALWAYS seem to be making at cute things.

It's almost enough to convince me to have children, only to dress them up as little sheep. (Quick, someone call CPS preemptively.) I could dress the dogs up like sheep, but I think Niki would look like a wolf in sheep's clothing.

My niece was incredible. It was so great to see her dance, and I'll tell you, seeing a graceful fifteen-year-old is probably the eigth wonder of the world. (I still walk into doorways and trip over my own feet.)

Also? I can knit stripes in the dark. Boo-yah!