There we were greeted by our tour guide and with a group of our best friends enjoyed probably one of the best tours we have been on yet!
Our first stop was the "Shoe Room", where the kids (and adults) got an in depth description and look at the intricacies of the male and female ballet shoe.
How each dancer has their shoes specially made by their own "shoemaker", the materials they are constructed with, how often they are replaced (every performance!) and at what cost --- Wow!)
Then we were taken to the model room, where the initial designs are made and stored for the stage props of each performance. The intricate designs totally caught the kids' eyes, and the work and record keeping involved in each ballet is extraordinary.
Moving our way along, we were taken to the costume area where a number of seamstresses were hard at work finishing costumes for a ballet opening in just two weeks. One of the ladies left her duties to come over and show us some of the costumes close up and to answer all our questions.
And finally, we were treated to sitting in on rehearsal, and were able to watch a full 20 min. of the dancers practising a full run with music of a the upcoming opening ballet. We were also seated with many very famous individuals which was lost on the kids, but made the day for the adults! :)(Of course, no pictures were allowed for the dancing, but I think I may have enjoyed it more than I would have attending an actual ballet... being 10 feet away definitely helped!)
After the Ballet, we continued a little mini-vacation which included an Imax; 3-D movie, dinner out, an overnight with family, a day at the science center, a one night hotel stay where we maximized the pool amenities, and then a drive East to visit with family including the girls great-Grandma and to celebrate my uncle's retirement. Some more swimming, lots of food :) and a long drive home (of which Tara slept 3 1/2 hrs!!!) rounded out our fun filled weekend.
-We all slept well that night... including Tara! :)
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