On Friday, William wore a cape, crown and mouse mask and became the Mouse King in his class' production of the Nutcracker. His teacher has produced this play with her class for the past 17 years, a tradition that began when her mother was a teacher.
This is the third time our family has been involved - Caroline had this teacher twice- in 1st and 2nd grade. The production is every parent's dream. Simple costumes, giant paper nutcrackers made by the children, but most of all - the build-up. The class works on this play for the whole month of December - learning the dances, gaining their confidence, learning the storyline. I have to admit that before our first year, I didn't really know the story. While we had many holiday traditions in my family, the Nutcracker wasn't one of them. But now that the play has given my children so many happy memories, how could I not love it too?
The pride in the performers expressions is contagious. Especially this year, when 20 moms in Connecticut lost their first graders - the moments to savor seemed even more vibrant and the tears came more frequent.
William has received three Nutcrackers as gifts: a Mouse King from my parents, an ornament from his beloved teacher and "Nutty" - brought to the show by his godmother and named by William soon after. While all three are so special to him and have a place of honor in his room, for some reason Nutty has taken on his own identity. Nutty runs errands, likes to go out to dinner and I have no doubt that Nutty will celebrate Jesus' birth at Christmas Mass. While William's new Nutcracker collection is fabulous, I think what he is really clinging to is the memory of it all - the anticipation, the hard work to learn the story and of course, his big moment on stage.
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| homemade Nutcracker - now standing guard at our front door |
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| Our sugar plum fairy & future Mouse King - 2008 |
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| Nutty - out to dinner |
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| Nutty relaxing at home |
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| Soda can nutcracker - present from William. A new family treasure! |
So to Kathy, the teacher who stepped outside of the box 17 years ago and every year since and who sees the potential in every single 1st grader and reflects that back to them - thank you, thank you. We are so grateful for you and the magic of the Nutcracker!
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This is the third time our family has been involved - Caroline had this teacher twice- in 1st and 2nd grade. The production is every parent's dream. Simple costumes, giant paper nutcrackers made by the children, but most of all - the build-up. The class works on this play for the whole month of December - learning the dances, gaining their confidence, learning the storyline. I have to admit that before our first year, I didn't really know the story. While we had many holiday traditions in my family, the Nutcracker wasn't one of them. But now that the play has given my children so many happy memories, how could I not love it too? 
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