My little mouse in the Nutcracker

Hayley had the wonderful opportunity to be chosen as one of the mice in the Nutcracker Ballet. It was performed by the Eugene Ballet Company and the Great Falls Symphony. Yeah, it was big. Well for her...and for me, anyway.

She had rehearsals once a week for about 2 months and the ballet was Dec. 2. She had not one, but two (well, really three with the dress rehearsal the night before) performances. A shorter afternoon performance was held for school kids from the smaller surrounding towns and some 5th and 6th graders in town and some of the private schools in town. So I had to take her out of school early.

Needless to say, it was a long day, so I let her sleep in the next day and took her to school when she got up. Her part was short, but it was great. She did awesome and I was so, so, proud of her!

Sad thing was that Lance HAD to be out of town for work. Happy thing was that my mom was able to be here and see her "big performance." ;)

She had to have her hair up in a low bun. You know how short Hayley's hair is, right? Super short...especially in the back. It was a little challenging getting her hair up, but clips and hairspray worked wonders.


Jumping some jitters out!


Lining up for costume fitting


My little mouse!


Hayley made some new friends during this process. This one actually being her 2nd cousin, Marley. (Her dad and Lance are cousins)


Hayley got excited about getting autographs in her program from the members of the Eugene Ballet Company. They were really amazing.


Every dancer deserves flowers after their performance - my Hayley was no exception. Grandma Rosa got her 12 beautiful red roses.
(What a poser!) ;)




Thanks to Jennifer, Carey and Mitch (and my mom) for coming to watch her in the afternoon performance and to Justin, Heather, Grandma Vickie and Grandpa Ken and Grandma Rosa for coming to watch her in the evening performance. :)

She just LOOKS like a dancer, doesn't she? She's growing up too fast...don't they all? (sigh)

Good job, my little ballerina!