The Nutcracker

When I decided to come up to Wi for the whole month of December one of the things on my to do list was to see the Nutcracker performed by the Milwaukee ballet. I originally planned to take Gianna and my mom but we agreed Gianna was to young. So mom and I went together. I forgot how beautiful the story is and watching the dancers leap across the stage was beyond magical 

I have always loved dance. My mom signed me up for ballet when I was 3 and I continued dancing until I was 18. By that point I danced multiple days a week taking Pointe, Tap, Jazz and lyrical. I also was a member of my high school dance team. I loved it all. Of course I dreamed of being a Ballerina but my body type was def not that  of a principal dancer! If I did have the body type I always dreamed of being the Arabian dancer in the nutcracker. My favorite part of the show hands down!

I can still remember my very first recital dancing to Mickey Mouse's birthday party and my very first time in the Nutcracker as one of Mother Ginger's children. When I hear that song being played I can still recall the steps, sashay, step ensemble. Over and over. It was such a thrill performing. My las performance of the nutcracker for my dance company was my favorite. I got to be a party guest in the very beginning and then was a snowflake. Oh how I would love to dance and perform again

But now I will settle for going to the ballet and hopefully my low of dance will be one Gianna shares as well. Watching the nutcracker last night led to many visions of Gianna up on stage(Hello dance moms) 

It  was a blast hanging out with my mom and hopefully the nutcracker will  become a tradition that Gianna will enjoy as well

Yes I made my mom take a picture with some of the cast! She was so thrilled lol

And across from where the nutcracker was held was Red Arrow Park,  The outdoor skating rink that The hubs took me to on our first date. Brought back such amazing memories. 7 more days until he is home. 

And what sort of mom would I be if I didn't buy the kids some memorabilia from the show. Both kids got new ornaments for our Christmas tree

And I of course had to buy a nutcracker tee for myself. 

I just love this time of year. There's something so magical about it! And starting new traditions or continuing ones that we had done in years past is truly what this time of year is all about