Mimi and Cinderella's Bridal Bouquet

Mimi (in green) and Cinderella (center) played by Amanda Dolph

Our little Mimi (6) has been so happy to be able to be part of the cast of Cinderella.  She was the youngest member there and as much as she never stops moving - when Mimi puts her mind to something, she CAN become ultra focused.

It was only a few nights before opening night, and every night after dress rehearsal, Mimi would come home and the first thing out of her mouth would be, "I didn't catch the bouquet."  Her little mind was trying to work every angle on how to catch those flowers.  It didn't matter that I explained to her the tradition of the girl that catches the bouquet is supposed to be the next one married.  Nope...she had set her mind to getting that bunch of blooms, and every night she would come home dejected, but never deflated.  There was always the next night and she was going. to. get. it.

The boys and I attended opening night and, for the first time, I got to see Mimi in action. She hunkered down in front of the squealing girls with a look of fierce determination, and with the body stance of a linebacker, but the nimbleness of a goalie, she was ready.  She jumped and reached with purpose, but alas, the teenage girls were so much taller, she didn't stand a chance.

After the show, the first words out of her mouth again were, "I didn't catch the bouquet."  After we arrived home, you could almost see the gears turning in her brain and the light bulb appear over her head.

"Mom!  I know what I need to do! I have to get in back of the girls! Cinderella always throws it over me, so I have to be in the back!" She uttered it so enthusiastically, and with such hope, it brought a slight chuckle and grin to my face.

I gently told her, "Mimi, you are never going to catch the bouquet.  You're too short.  All those girls can get to it before you.  BUT, if you had one of them lift you up, you might have a better chance.

Friday night she came home and excitedly ran into the kitchen, "Mom! Sarah held me up, and I came this close to catching the bouquet!" Showing a distance of about 6 inches with her hands.

My Two Beautiful Actresses

"Yeah, she was really close," Abby chimed in.

The Saturday afternoon performance she was foiled again, but there was still another performance that evening and four more the next week.   It was only a matter of time now.  Mimi's face beamed with the knowledge that her goal was now nearly in her grasp.

Sat. Evening she came bursting into the house and flew into the kitchen.

"MOM!  I CAUGHT IT! I CAUGHT THE BOUQUET!  I DID IT!"

I loved seeing the pure delight in her face and the energy from her body as she jumped and danced around.  She had such absolute pleasure as she was relishing in the moment. I had her tell me every detail of the who, what, where, and how.

Kent (who played Lionel, the Royal Steward) came in during the recitation, and as she finished,  he laughingly teased her, "Mimi, you were so excited you broke character!" Then to me, he explained, "After she caught the bouquet, she ran up to me and said, 'Daddy, Daddy! I caught the bouquet!'" Luckily, it wasn't loud enough that the audience heard. I wish I could have been there to see it, but seeing and hearing her tell about it was a great consolation.

Kent (center w/top hat) as Lionel singing, "The Prince is Giving a Ball!"

The other part that I loved from the last show was Mimi walking up to Cinderella in the town scene.  It's somewhat of a chaotic scene as the townspeople move to and fro while the Prince and Cinderella sing their opening song.  Mimi wanders aimlessly, gathering flowers from people, and following people around the stage.  At one point she approaches the singing Cinderella and gives her a flower. Cinderella graciously takes it from her and gives her a little hug as Mimi smiles up at her sweetly.   Mimi then reaches to take the flower back!  Cinderella instinctively holds onto it until Mimi pulls a little more determinedly.  Cinderella, realizing it's a futile attempt, gives the flower up, and then little Miss Mimi, flower in hand, happily walks off to roam the stage again! Silly girl!  This little exchange wasn't lost on only me, I heard others chuckling in the audience.

All in all, it was an amazing play.  It was difficult at times to have Kent and girls gone so often for rehearsals, but what fun memories for our family!  Now it's my turn for rehearsals with Abby and Caleb.  We are now rehearsing for our Christmas show, The Forgotten Carols.  Abby and I are in the "Heavenly Choir" and Caleb is playing the young Handel.  Too fun!