Nutcracker !

It was a long, fun day.

We started before 6 a.m. feeding animals and driving to the fairgrounds.

With a chicken.

And a friend and four rabbits.

After completing registration for the fair small animals department,

we prepared for Nutcracker.

It was our first year in a new theater and the dress rehearsal started at 11.

Sarah and her friends were very excited.

She had three costume changes this year and went on and off stage 5 times.

Her first entrance was the party scene

and the girls got to bring their favorite doll onstage.

Sarah chose her doll Kathaleen 

and dressed her and fixed her hair for the show.

Sarah's next scene was in tap shoes dressed as a soldier.

That costume change was so quick I had to help her backstage 

and didn't get a picture of her bright blue outfit with sword!

In the second act her class performed as the Pollichinelles.

They have learned so much this year and it was a joy to watch.

Best of all, Sarah smiles and smiles and smiles.

And so does our Elf on the Shelf :)