SANTEE, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) -- It’s definitely a happy Thanksgiving for students at a children’s dance studio in East County. On Wednesday, FOX 5/KUSI reported about a thief seen on surveillance video stealing a large nutcracker that they need for their performances. But now, the thief may have had a change of heart because it has now been returned. Tara Koji, owner of Dance and Arts Studios Santee, saw on her surveillance camera a woman hiding her face while returning the nutcracker that she had stolen early Tuesday morning from outside Koji’s business. "A lot of relief because, it seems like it’s in perfect condition, kind of the same condition we left it in,” Koji said. The nutcracker the thief took was named Gregory by one of Koji’s students. She also named Gregory's nutcracker buddy George, and over the years, the two would stand outside the children's dance studio during the holidays, serving as props during winter performances as well. Student Lily Russell said “it was really heartbreaking” after seeing that Gregory was stolen. The woman who stole Gregory must have seen the story aired on Wednesday because she left a note and Koji read it to FOX 5/KUSI. "Dear business owner, here is the safe return or your nutcracker. I sincerely apologize for my actions that caused any worry or grief. Me and my kids are homeless this year & needed cash regardless. I am very sorry for my actions and feel very ashamed. Please forgive me. Very sorry, nutcracker thief.” Still Koji has questions about the woman’s family being homeless. "Kind of comes off as an easy out for somebody with a new car, new jacket, new shoes and new beenie,” she said. Whatever the case, Gregory is back and he and George also have a new friend thanks to a thoughtful woman named Cindy who heard what happened and donated a nutcracker. "Now Gregory and George have a whole family of nutcrackers they can hang out with, so it’s really nice the girls get more props on stage, it’s really good,” Koji said. But now the question is: what to name the new nutcracker? Russell is thinking Timothy. Not only is this gift of Timothy a symbol of the holiday spirit, it's also a heartwarming sign. That despite the bad actions of some. There are still a lot of good people to be thankful for. “I’m relieved that the kids have their prop back and the kids can still do the things they need to do with it.. and our show can continue and go on,” Koji said Koji says she is now on the fence on whether or not to press charges. She says she’ll talk to deputies on Monday and decide then what to do.