It goes without saying, the holiday season is a magical, special time for children (it still should be for all of us but that’s probably another article for another time). It has already been a great month for the Rosellis as we sat through some holiday TV classics for the first time (Rudolph has been the favorite so far), gone Christmas tree shopping, and sat on Santa’s lap.
Recently, we had the opportunity to go see a live performance of the classic holiday ballet, “The Nutcracker.” Ironically enough, it was actually this week of December in 1892 that the first performance premiered at the Imperial Mariisky Theatre in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
As I’ve mentioned in my first two Daddy Digest articles, Juliet At Disney World and Daddy Daughter Day Out, there are always so many questions that loom when a child is exposed to seeing something and/or goes to something for the first time.
Will she like it?
Will she get bored?
Will she get scared?
Will it be too loud?
Although the day didn’t go as planned (what day with a two and a half year old does?), I once again couldn’t have asked for a better first day at the ballet.
Lights Out
The matinee started at 3pm, and as soon as the lights dimmed my daughter Juliet decided it would be a good time to take a nap. Through the loud, playful music, to the colorful costumes, and elegant dancing, not only did she sleep on me for the first song, she slept through the entire first act, all of intermission, and woke up a few minutes into the second act. (Side note: isn’t it amazing when you want your children to sleep, something as quiet as a door hinging will waken them, but then they will literally sleep through a loud orchestra).
She was not startled at all upon awaking, but began watching immediately, soon becoming entranced with the performers on stage. She often pointed to the performers as they gracefully moved around the stage.
This day turned out to be a double win for me, as I had my daughter sleep on me (undoubtedly and unequivocally my most favorite pastime) and she still got to enjoy a large part of the show without getting bored or antsy.
Meet And Greet
The best part of the entire day may have come after the performance, as we were invited backstage to meet all of the performers. Getting a behind the scenes look, standing on stage, and meeting all the talented artists was another one of those memorable moments we will all look back on for years to come.
On a personal level, having worked in the entertainment world, it is always a satisfying feeling of a job well done when someone comes up to you after a performance and tells you that they enjoyed it. With this being said, I made it a point to go up to the performers and tell them exactly that.
Oddly enough, unless I simply cannot recall, this may have very well been the first time I have ever seen “The Nutcracker.” Another first for the both of us. Now, the Daddy in me is realizing that not before long I will start seeing my beautiful daughter doing performances, school events, sports, and having a myriad of other experiences that I will look on with pride.
The True Meaning
As I wrap up my final article for the year, I would like to thank Daddy’s Digest for having me as a columnist this year, and I wish all readers out there a wonderful holiday season. And with this, I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes for this time of year:
“It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes, or bags. What if Christmas he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.” – Dr. Seuss
