Last year, Claire and I went to see the New York City Ballet's Nutcracker, and we enjoyed it so much that this year I thought we should include Ella too.
Beforehand, the whole family drove into the city for brunch at The Smith. The girls all got hot chocolate and buttermilk waffles with strawberries and whipped cream, but the highlight for them was probably the photo booth in the basement.
After brunch we headed across the street to Lincoln Center for The Nutcracker.
I thought Lucy was still a little young to attend, so I only purchased three tickets for myself, Ella, and Claire. Matt was planning to spend some time in the city with Lucy while we were at the ballet. Well, Lucy was none too pleased about that. This was before she heard the news that she wasn't coming inside with us:
And this was after:
I like to think it is one of those photos the girls will all have a good laugh over one of these days.
While Ella, Claire and I went inside to see the ballet, Matt dealt with a very unhappy Lucy. He called it one of his more embarrassing New York moments as Lucy kicked and screamed and told him to "LET ME GO!" while he got dirty looks from passersby who were suspicious that he was kidnapping her.
Of course, all was forgotten with a trip to the candy store, as most things in a three-year-old's life are, and a happy Lucy greeted us afterward for the drive home. I promised her that next year she could come along too.
I can't wait.