{Mummy and Me Mondays} I told you magic happens in the gardens

Last Saturday, at the end of ballet class, Amelie's ballet teacher told us all about a free performance of the Australian Ballet to be held that night in the Botanical Gardens at the Riverstage - Ballet in the Gardens .

The performance was to include "a dazzling array of repertoire highlights..." including pas de deuxs from classics Swan Lake, The Merry Widow, Giselle, Don Quixote and The Nutcracker.

Ballet - underneath the stars - how fabulous! Of course, Amelie and I immediately agreed we just had to go. Surprisingly, Daddy declined our offer to join us.

It was our night and one I hope to remember always.

It started with me scoring the most brilliant (free!) street park in the middle of the city just 45 minutes before the performance was due to start (that never happens), then a pleasant stroll through the botanical gardens just as the sun was setting.

We stopped to watch the mummy duck and her ducklings waddle back to the pond, pointed out all the pretty flowers... and the loved up teenagers on a picnic rug.


"Mummy, look! (pointing, shouting loudly) A mummy and daddy kissing!"

Being a free performance, I was worried we would have to line up for ever, only to have to be forced to stand and hold Amelie up to see the stage but luck was on our side. We strolled straight in the gates to find plenty of room to lay out a picnic rug and enjoy our packed snacks and each others company before the performance.

While we waited, Amelie pointed out the rocket ships (aka planes), the full moon and stars. Just before the performance started, we were each given a butterfly key ring in a little velvet draw string bag (compliments of Telstra, event sponsor).

After enjoying a Vegemite rice cracker, the sun set, the stars came out, the rockets flew by in the night sky and Amelie settled comfortably on my lap, with her beloved blanky, and together we sat back and watched the ballet. 

Dodgy self portrait with iphone - doesn't quite capture the moment but you get the idea.

Cue music- real ballerinas and Amelie's reaction: eyes wide, entranced, in disbelief, before she looked up at me and said "Thank you, Mummy." Gulp. Yes, I may have shed a tear and thought - seriously, can it possibly get any better than this?!.. and the best thing is - it will.