We braved the snow emergency to watch the closing night of the Urban Nutcracker. And we drove for the first time into downtown Boston (we usually take the train). It was fabulous! Collin, as always, was riveted. But, not his usual quiet riveted, but his running commentary riveted.

"What are they going to do with that?"

"What is that?"

"What happened to the that guy?"

"Those are mice, but those aren't mice. Those are just kids with mice on their heads."

However, as soon as the ballet dancers came out, and the confusing nutcracker antics were over he was silenced and mesmerized again. Cayla enjoyed it as well. She was a little antsy, but more attentive than we've ever seen her be at a 2.5 hour long production. When the tap dancers came out, she turned to Flannery and said, "What are those clickety-clacks?" while her legs kicked up and down a mile a minute. And it probably won't come as a surprise that Collin asked for tap shoes on the way home. Our downstairs neighbors are going to love us.