We've Met the Sugarplum Fairy

Nutcracker is over. Our 150 mile daily commutes are done. Four hour rehearsals are done. My late nights and early mornings are done. Sticky, hair gelled hands are done (until after Christmas). Believe it or not, I am experiencing a sense of loss. Loss of what, I don't know. Sanity?

After two months of extra rehearsals, a week of daily stagings and dress rehearsals, and six performances, what is apparent this week is how much Princess has matured. During past performances, I have been responsible for hair, makeup, and costume changes. This year Princess did her own makeup and costume changes. Though I pulled two backstage duty details and had to produce umpteen regulation ballet buns, complete with sticky gel and stinky hairspray, I got to watch from the audience a few times. I enjoyed my backstage time this year. I chatted with other mothers, laughed, knitted, and taught a few girls how to knit, with very little drama.

Of course, there was production drama - the Sugarplum Fairy was sick, the Chinese principal's new costume kept splitting when she did the tumbling pass and had to be redesigned after dress rehearsal, a theft occurred backstage, and Mother Ginger's Wig went AWOL. Yet, none of these mini-dramas were ours.

Princess had a wonderful time and she never forgot to say thank you for driving and waiting - not even once. She is old enough now to appreciate the sacrifices made on her behalf, and she does. That is indeed a good thing.

Now, I can begin Christmas preparations. I had plenty of opportunity to work on Christmas gifts while I was waiting, but there is still much to be done.