Trophy Day at Ballet

Grace has done two years of preschool tap and ballet. When we started this at 3 1/2, she was her normal little shy, reserved self, so I was so relieved and surprised when she really loved taking dance and was so comfortable in her class and with her teachers. She wanted me as close as possible when not in class, but then she performed and just did such a beautiful job and we are always so proud of her. The thing about Grace dancing is that she not only enjoys it, but she remembers the choreography (for her age) and wants to do a good job and listen to her teachers. So, I was glad this continued this year for her 2nd year of dance.

The end of the year came and they had Trophy Day in her class. This is the last day before her recital, where they perform their dances one final time (for parents to watch) and they get their trophy. They also award medals to outstanding dancers! If you remember, last year, she got one of the 3 medals they handed out! Of course, I was so proud and elated (even though she was only 4!) and I honestly didn't know how they picked the dancers. I mean - they are little and cute and how do you choose who really has the best talent at that age? But, the competitive side of me was just so proud for her! Well, this year....she won it AGAIN! And you know what this means, right? It means that now I think her talent must REALLY be noticed and she is going to probably grow up to be a professional ballerina or tap dancer! Because that is just the way my brain works. But, truly, I was so proud for her. The craziest thing of the day, was that in two years, this was the first day that something happened in class to make her cry and be embarrassed. The teachers brought her out to me (right after I had just told another mom how great of a year it had been because Grace never had this happen) and said they had no idea what happened but she was upset. So, I calmed her, but when we went back in for the kids to show us their dances, she did NOT want to dance. Ugh. I was worried also because she had her recital the next week and she could not get scared and not dance! She'd practiced all spring for this!

And then I thought maybe she was just tired because the NFL draft was the night before, and she stayed up late because Atticus was up late. So, I was pretty sure this was my fault and I spent the next week reminding her how exciting it would be to dance at her recital and wear her costume and try to get her back to not thinking dance was scary. Yikes! But, here are pictures from Trophy Day at Expressions Dance Studio!

 Grace with her teachers Sidney, Kaitlin & Melissa

 Ah....much better than about 15 minutes before this!

This is her sweet friend Brynn, who Grace loves. Brynn will also be in Kindergarten at Pebble Creek this fall and I am so glad. Brynn is sweet and calm and I hope they end up in the same class and get to be better friends. Brynn is not scared of dancing and has an older sister who dances, so she has been a good friend to have in dance for performing with Grace!

Breakfast with Santa, Christmas Ballet, and Weekend with GG & Grandma

This year, at Sonshine School PTO, I helped with Breakfast with Santa. I think things like this make me realize that I should keep saying "no" to volunteering. It was fine, but our crew was small and there was lots of work and sometimes I really just want to attend events and not help run them. I'm getting better at this though! It was a super successful event for our school though and we made over $4,000! But, I'm glad I'm not on PTO next year. I need a break! However, with Mom & GG also in town, we all attended Breakfast with Santa at Sonshine School. We did crafts, ate breakfast, shopped, and saw Santa for pictures. And, we got it all done before we re-grouped and headed to Grace's dance performance at George Bush Library!

 Dani & Grace - best buddies!

 This little one loved playing in reindeer food!

 My big kid!

Grace's preschool ballet and tap class did a Christmas performance at George Bush Library again this year. I was so proud of her again for being so brave. She was hesitant for me to leave her backstage, but her sweet friend, Brynn, made it better! She danced beautifully and had a great time. Also, since it was SO packed and crazy last year to watch because of all of the people, Vic decided to keep Everly and Grace home and just watch the video. So, only Grace, Grandma, GG and I went and it was a special day for our Gracie Bug! Also, I am always impressed at Grace - she is just a fast learner with dance and wants to do a good job so she learns the moves (as good as any 4 year old) and does a good job. I'll post the video here too: https://youtu.be/7cER60YfMxw

Brynn & Grace; Brynn will also be in Kindergarten with Grace this year at Pebble Creek!

 
The staff took this photo and posted it on FB; I think Grace is just so beautiful!

 Grace got a balloon made - a heart, of course!

 She was just the cutest, tiniest little ballerina and I loved it!

 Santa was also at the George Bush Library, so she talked to him again that day! And she wasn't even scared to do it without Atticus!

 My beautiful little girl!

 On the way home, we celebrated and brought sno-cones home for everyone!

 And then we spent the rest of hte afternoon outside; Grandma threw the football with Atticus and Everly went sliding down the slide!

On Sunday, we took Grandma and GG to our church at FBC Bryan. I don't like missing services during the holiday season so I was glad we got to go! Then, we did a little shopping at the craft fair in town and then GG and Grandma headed home!

First Day of Ballet & Tap - Year 2!

Grace enjoyed her preschool ballet and tap class so much last year, and we had such success with her confidence and performing, so we signed her up for another year this past year. It was still held on Friday mornings at 11 at Expressions Dance Studio. Although the same class, she was one of the older ones in the class this time. We bought her some new ballet slippers and a new outfit and off she went to her first day! She had a great time, even after having a break during the summer. I just love this little ballerina!

 She's just the most beautiful little thing!

 Waiting for class to start with Everly and her baby.

If she continues to love to dance, then one day I will take this exact picture of her all grown up. I'll have to cry about this later.