The Nutcracker

The snow had arrived, and just in time for Christmas! However, here in MO it never just snows without some other element present. Instead of rain or sleet or ice, the usual choices it seems, this time the element was wind. Because of the blizzard-like conditions that were sweeping across the state -- and, by extension, the entire Midwest -- we were not quite sure whether we should make the trip to Kansas City or not. It did not help matters either to have two of the doors on our mini-van frozen shut.

To determine whether the unforeseen would be detrimental to us if we were to make the trip, we offered a little prayer. Afterwords, Cayanna stated that she felt "good about going". Deep down, both April and I were hoping the opposite. The day after Christmas and we were tired and wanting to just stay put, not to mention we were not really thrilled about braving the cold for the 3 1/2 hr drive! Yet, other than our own line of reasoning and discomfort, how could we argue with her? After all, this year was going to be different, more meaningful, more memorable! With kids, the present has a way of ALWAYS being the best (e.g., the best birthday, the best Christmas, etc). So naturally, this Nutcracker was going to be the BEST ever, better than the previous three we had attended together!

And so it was --

The curtains opened and Act II began. The Sugar Plum Fairy greeted us like royalty; the Spanish dancers offered us some chocolate; and then the Arabian dancers (my favorite) seduced us into having some eye-coffee. Referring to the next set of dancers that appeared on stage, Cayanna leaned over and asked, "Daddy, are these the Chinese?"

"Yes," I replied.

Unable to hold back her critique of their curt and tortuous moves any longer, she leaned over to me again and observed, "They make really good food, but they are not very good dancers!"

Needless to say, it was an AWESOME and memorable afternoon! It was also a nice reminder that memories are not always presented to us on a silver platter, but often require risk, inconvenience, and getting out of one's comfort zone and into the cold!

Cayanna (7 1/2 y/o) standing in front of the Music Hall in downtown Kansas City

Our BEST date so far!