We went to see the Nutcracker Ballet last night ...

... because both Máeráed and Mulan were dancing in it. When we walked in and picked the first row at random to set in there were Murty and Miggs, Máeráed's dad and little brother. Kismet, obviously. Miggs is three now. He is a very active little boy. No. Make that he is a very very active little boy. If energy equaled size he be twice the size of his dad.

So we were a little worried that he might not sit calmly through the whole performance. But... no problem. He enjoyed all the dancing, especially the sword fight between the nutcracker and the rat king. Then one of the little tin soldiers wheeled out an enormous cannon and pointed it at the audience.

Miggs yelled "Oh my god!" and clapped his hands over his ears. When the cannon went off it went pop! and streams of metallic confetti showered out.

Miggs was delighted. Swords and things that go Boom.

more on the show later. It is late and I have been grading.