Best Laid Plans

I had an amazing idea. The Diva loves ballet. The American Ballet was performing Sleeping Beauty (only her favorite fairy Tale when she was little). I thought she might enjoy going.  

 

She was so very excited. I was so very nervous. We are talking about a child that can barely sit through an animated movie. A child who has to use the restroom as often as a woman who is 9 months pregnant. And... Sleeping Beauty is a LONG ballet.

 

But we decided to go... and we went on Sunday.

 

By the time we were in the taxi headed home, I was wishing that I drank!  I was wondering if I could walk a mile from the coffee shop in my heels and the cold.  I was really wishing I had alcohol in my house.

 

The performance was beautiful. We were off to the side in a great row... and the show was beautiful.

 

The need for the restrooms was not the issue either.

 

First it was that she couldn't see. Although our row was fabulous and there was no one behind us, there were people in front of us... and she couldn't see.

 

So I said she could sit on her feet.

 

Everything was fine for about an hour - nearly all of the first act. And then...

"Can I do something else?"

 

Well, let's see, it is dark so what can you do... No, watch the end of this act.

 

So she took off her shoes and proceeded to tie the laces in knots.

 

Act I ended and I asked, are you going to want to stay for the second act or should we go home.

 

"I want to stay for the end," she says. "I will behave."

 

Ten minutes, I kid you not, into act II, she was bored.

 

For the next hour I kept reminding her to sit nicely... pulling her dress down as she didn't mind that it kept riding up to her hips. I finally told her she was disturbing those around us and that we couldn't leave - so she pretended to go to sleep.

 

Finally... finally... the show ended.  (Sleeping Beauty is a long ballet with each act lasting more than an hour)  I was more than ready to get on the shuttle and get us home.

 

I understand that my daughter is a kid on the go... I understand that she likes to move and has enough energy for dozens of kids her own age. For whatever reason I thought.. well, I assumed that she would be able to sit still and enjoy the ballet. If nothing else, she could imagine herself dancing the lead part and receiving the applause.

 

I pictured a wonderful mother and daughter day...

 

I ended up wondering if my daughter needs medication! (I know that I felt like I did after the event)

 

Her movement didn't stop. On the metro she was a ball of energy. I told her that she needs to sit nicely while wearing a dress... and that she needs to have respect for those around her and the people on stage who have given so much time and effort into their performances.  Wearing a dress and going out means that she has to start behaving like a little lady - so to speak.   

 

So... in the taxi, what does she do... immediately pull her leg up on the seat causing her dress to ride up to her hips....sigh!!

 

I explained, one more time, to my chagrin... that when wearing a dress, she really needs to sit properly. This really isn't that difficult to learn, is it? We also chatted a bit about behavior in public...being polite...

 

The taxi dropped us off, probably thrilled to be rid of the crazy woman and her off spring, and hoping that this one was my only  one. 

 

And, within minutes... as we are walking home... she informs me that my nipples are sticking out (it was chilly outside)

 

I was ready to bang my head up against a wall... or turn back to the hotel and grab a very stiff drink at the bar.