3/22/03
Allie went to her first ballet tonight.
It was a production of Peter Pan.
I won't turn this into a review, but it was nicely done and there was plenty of flying throughout. No dialog. Just small girls attached to wires.
I think Allie liked it.
Okay. I know Allie liked it. During intermission she kept asking her Mom if she could see more. Deb did her best to reassure Allie that she had just seen the first half and there was much more to come.
Deb told Allie earlier in the day that we had a special treat planned for her. This is a wise move because a "special treat" provides plenty of leverage when it comes to moving the immovable object that is a three-year-old. Each time Alex got reminded of the ballet she was told that she would need to be very quiet and sit still throughout the show. Alex promised us that she would abide by this law.
She actually did pretty well. Although she did provide some commentary during the ballet. Especially when things got dark. "It's dark!" she said loudly. And when the flying started, Allie's arms flew up in the air and she made some sort of squealing noise. And when she first saw the dancer's moves and watched them go on point she whispered to her Mother, "I wish I could do that."
Alex also did her best to keep the people behind us in line. She'd turn and look over her seat with her index finger pressed against her lips. "Shhh. It's time to be quiet now," she would say. I didn't turn around because I didn't want to see who it was that got scolded.
After the show the dancers were in the lobby accepting congratulations on a job well done. I asked Allie if she wanted to meet Peter Pan. She said she wanted to meet this guy (girl). After all, it's the only person she knows who can fly. The only problem was the closer we got to Peter, the more shy Allie became. When we were just about in front of the girl that played Peter, Allie lost her nerve.
"Do you want to shake hands with Peter Pan, Sweetie?" I asked. Allie just looked at me, shook her head and mouthed the word, "No."
In the parking lot Alex insisted that Deb and I each take one of her hands and lift her in the air. The girl practically flew to the car. "Can we see that again?" Allie wanted to know. Deb promised her that we'd be back for another ballet someday.
We got home an hour and a half past Allie's bedtime. Deb and I took turns holding her hand above her head as she twirled around and around. We finally got her into bed and now she's sleeping a short way down the hall.
I know what she's dreaming about.