Rachel's first "real" ballet lesson!

I have been sick since Friday, which is why I haven't been posting on the blog. On Saturday while I remained in a coma-like state after taking NyQuil, Drew took Rachel to her first real dance class -- in a real ballet studio, which is surprisingly affordable compared to the community center, and it's real ballet she's learning instead of just "creative movement" -- and he said she did marvelously. She was so graceful, and she liked it so much, and in December she's going to be in "The Nutcracker"! (well, actually, it's called something like The Nutcracker Sweet Suite, and it's a slimmed-down version of Act II with little kids). When we talked about what part she'd likely get to play, she matter-of-factly stated, "I'll probably be Clara." Um, maybe, sweetie. I wouldn't count on being the star of the show just yet.

Her performance, at 11 a.m. on a Saturday, is a few hours before we're scheduled to attend a matinee of the Oregon Ballet Theater's annual performance at the Keller Auditorium -- what I've started to refer to as "the grown-up version" of the Nutcracker. We're going with my friend Melissa, her daughter Natalie, and another mom and her daughter. ("NO BOYS ALLOWED!" Rachel says firmly). I'd love to combine it with High Tea at the Heathman Hotel, but I'm afraid it would be wasted on her because she is suck a picky eater. Maybe when she's a little older?