Green Day

Last Saturday D and I were decked out in green not to celebrate St.Patrick's Day but because we went to see Shrek the Musical!

First, let me provide a bit of historical background on our relationship with Shrek. It all began in an East Coast hotel room, circa Christmas 2010, when we saw a part of the Shrek movie on TV. D was intrigued and asked me to tell her stories about him afterward. Then we borrowed the DVD from a friend and the obsession began. It reached its height mid-2011 when almost all her imaginary play involved Shrek and Fiona. Even now, a year later, she's still really into it. She has collected quite a bit of Shrek paraphernalia (I had no idea that word included the letter r!) and still claims Fiona as her favourite princess.

How could we not take her to see the musical?!

On our way on the bus. (Baby A and LePapa walked around downtown for duration of the show.)

While we waited for the show to start, D said, "Mama, I'm feeling a bit nervous." She explained that it was because she was thinking of parts of the movie and wondering about them. I had told her repeatedly that the show would be different from the movie because I didn't want her to be disappointed - but afterward she insisted that it had been a lot like the movie. It was a great: singing and dancing and smoke and lights and amazing scenery changes. 

"Smile!" I said. "I am smiling," she said.

She says that her favourite part was when Shrek and Fiona were burping and farting. She was also really impressed when we went down to look at the orchestra pit after the show and one of the lingering musicians threw one of Fiona's costumes up onto the stage. I guess it had fallen down into the pit at some point. (My favourite was Lord Farquaad. He was hilarious and looked so much like his cartoon inspiration.)

Only readers who have seen Shrek 4 will understand what she's doing here!

I really enjoyed taking her to see a live show. And beyond the excitement of the show itself, it was lovely to spend time with her one-on-one. Those of you who have more than one child know what I mean, eh?