Grace's 1st Dance Recital

Grace has been in a ballet/tap class at preschool for the past school year. I remember putting her in back in September and wondering if she would even make one class without crying and getting scared or embarrassed. But, she has loved it and surprised us so much with performing at each of her two performances this year (one back in December and then her big dance recital). We are so so proud of her!

As the spring semester went on, they practiced their two recital dances almost every week. Her ballet dance was to the theme song from Zootopia, "Try Everything" and her tap number was "Walking on Sunshine". And, they got their dance costumes back around January for their recital and they were so cute!! Bright yellow with colorful sequins. In March, they had their dance pictures and had a mini rehearsal at the studio during class. My friend, Elizabeth, whose daughter Hannah was also in the class, gave me a "bun form" and it changed our life as far as getting a great big bun on top of Grace's head. Her hair is so fine that I wasn't sure how that was every going to work. But, a bun form was the answer! So, we were ready for her big day!

 The week before the recital was Grace's next to last dance class and "trophy day". So, at the end of class, they performed their dances for us and then were presented with their trophy for the year. It was really cute; then we took a class photo of the girls. Then, as they are splitting up to leave, one of the teachers asks for Grace, Hannah and another little girl to come over to them. Very quietly, they put a medal on each girls neck and hugged them. I wasn't sure what was going on, but when I realized the medal said "outstanding student", my heart exploded. I was so proud of Grace! I know that this is just a fun preschool dance class and all of the girls are precious and I don't know that talent really exists a lot at this level, but I was still SO proud of my sweet girl for getting this extra little accolade. And Grace was so excited when I got a chance to explain what her medal was for. She couldn't stop holding it and showing it to me, the people at walmart after dance class, and then anyone who would ask her about it at Atticus's baseball game that night. She wore it all day. When she asked me why she got it, I told her it must have been because she was a good listener and followed instructions well. I had no idea, but I want her to know those two things are most important for her teachers. So, it was a fun day!

 2 of her 3 teachers were Katie and Caitlin (Melissa was her other one)

The next week was recital week. GG came to town earlier in the week for Atticus' lego birthday party, so she and the rest of our family went to Grace's recital on May 4th at Rudder on campus. Grace didn't seem nervous at all, until I dropped her backstage. But, her teachers are so great with them AND there were coloring sheets, so she was good to go. Both dances the girls did were great and Grace did a great job. It was funny because their teachers were off to the sides doing the dances too and Grace remembers some, but usually still follows her teacher's moves. So, she is mostly looking towards the side. But, for being on that big stage with bright lights and a dark audience, I was just so so proud of her! I picked her up backstage afterwards and she was so happy. We went back to our seats and they had intermission. We were told that we did not have to stay until the end and I thought she would be ready to go. We take pictures outside and then she tells me she wants to stay and watch the other dances. So, GG, Grace and I stayed. She had her fingers in her ears at the beginning of the night from the loud music, but by the end, she just watched and watched and never lost interest. I was so glad she liked watching too!

 

 

 

 

 And then she did a bunch of silly poses!

 

We got home, ate Chicken Express and then our little dancer did a big toy setup and then fell asleep.

 

 

It was such a fun dance year and I thoroughly enjoyed taking her every week and getting to visit with my two dance mom friends, Elizabeth and Lisa. Here we are at our last dance class day a week later. And here is our Grace on her last day of class this year too!

 Lisa's daughter is moving up to an older class and Elizabeth is moving to Austin, so I will have to find someone new to visit and laugh with each week next year! 

What a great dance year!