Nutcracker Week, Part 1

We have just wrapped up our first experience of being part of the Ashland Youth Ballet's annual production of the Nutcracker ballet. Rehearsals started way back in October and culminated last Friday with two shows at the Paramount Theatre.

Our Nutcracker Week started on the Saturday after Thanksgiving with the annual AYB Pancake Breakfast at Applebee's. In this picture, Caroline is posing with this year's very lovely Sugar Plum Fairy, Kayla Robinette. Caroline was quite impressed with her real-life shiny costume & sparkly crown!

Besides enjoying the delicious pancakes, the girls had lots of fun just running around together, smiling for pictures whenever they were asked. You may recognize our little friend, Emily, posing with Jordi & Caroline.


Things got serious on Wednesday with the first of two dress rehearsals at the Paramount. I took this picture on Thursday night; Jordi is the sixth little angel from the left.

Of course, when you're five, there's always time for a little fun with your fellow 5 year old dancers! One payoff to all the time we spent with each other last week was that their little-girl friendships really had a chance to grow. This is Jordi with her one of her new best buddies, Wynter, keeping in character: little mice hiding under a table!

Here's three 5-year-olds: Wynter, Jordi, and Emily waiting backstage for their next role as angels. Don't they look sweet?? Well, they really are, even if they periodically drove us mothers crazy during the total of 12 hours we spent together at the Paramount last week!

Anyway, stay tuned for Part 2 of Nutcracker pictures.. it's showtime!