Backyard Ballet

 

Julia's 1st Ballet Recital!

After months and months of practice, quite a few pairs of torn tights, a lot of in-home demonstrations and discussion, and one dress rehearsal, the time has finally come for your very first ballet recital, Julia!

You clearly are rocking the outfit and mastering the moves! You've set a high bar for yourself and your group. In fact, and it might have been the stress and/or being hungry and/or tired, but the night before during the dress recital, you broke down in tears because of a few false starts and some of the girls forgetting their steps and the routine.

But, after food and sleep, you were ready to rock this recital; and me and mommy tried our hardest to make sure you remembered that the best you can ask everyone to do, including yourself, is their hardest.

So with new tights, a delicately prepared bun by Mommy, and an adorable pink outfit, memorized steps, and music committed to heart, we loaded up and headed out to your recital:

And...boy did people come out to see you!

Yaya, Gigi, Aunt Sham...

Pops, Mimi, Baba...

Cousin Kaelyn, Mommy, Me, and of course Aidan!

And...when it was time for your group to come on stage, the music started, the dance began, the routine was slightly underway and then--- PAUSE! The music stopped, you and your fellow dancers stopped in your tracks, and were called back behind stage. The curtain closed.

Then the next act came up. We were all confused. What happened? Would you be okay with an alteration to the plan? Would the show go on?

The final two-listed acts came on. And then, curtains. Brandenberg Concerto queued up again. And then, all smiles, you and your crew came on the stage again...and what came next was AWESOME!

We were all so proud of you Julia! You did fantastic! And you were not upset over the false start. 

It was especially cool to share this moment with Gigi because she was a dancer once upon a time too!

I think you really liked ballet! You want to do it again...and tap...and aerial yoga...and singing/piano. Whatever you choose, we will be there to support you! 

The show must go on!

Ballerinas

Julia, every Wednesday since summer ended, you've been taking ballet lessons with one of your best buddies, Penelope.

We've seen you dancing at home, you've shown of some of the techniques you've learned, you've modeled your ballet shoes and outfit, and you've shared with us that you love ballet (and that you and Penelope occasionally get a little silly and have to be separated).

But....since they don't allow parents into the room, nor is there even a window for us to see, Mommy nor I have ever been able to witness what it is that you actually DO in ballet class!

Well, finally, this Wednesday, they let the parents in to see the inner-workings of a ballet class!

You are so good at ballet! And you're having fun doing it!

You were attentive and had clearly learned a lot!

You were graceful and serious and clearly loved to move!

You were strong, and silly, and you and your best buddy Penelope had to be separated.

But you persevered and showed off all of the skills you've been practicing!

 With a wall-length mirror in front of you- and all your whole class- no one could seem to resist dancing with your reflection, making for some memorable moves!

And...of course....you got to have fun with one of your best buddies.

So much fun, in fact, that you didn't want to let go!

Don't fret little ballerinas, there's always next week to dance, and spin, and leap together!

Christmas is Coming 2017

 Christmas is coming, and the zoo is where it's at!

Pleased to see the pretty lights..

...eat sugar treats...

...and get grouched at by a puppet in a big top hat!

Christmas is coming, and lists are getting made...

Dear Santa...

...Squishy Turtle." - Aidan

"Dear Santa. I have been a good girl. I would like really a Barbie Fashion Book, Makeup Kit, Strawberry Short Cake, Erasable Pens, Shimmer and Shine, Dream catcher, Moana Locket...", and something else... by Julia

Time to talk to Santa about the North Pole, where gifts are made!

Christmas is coming, and the house is looking slick...

It's so nice to play together, regardless of Saint Nick.

Christmas is coming, let's go see the Ballet!

Rats with swords and in-door snow...

...Now thats' a helluva play!

Christmas is coming, with global warming perks...

time to play outside all day...

...and learn how lipstick works!

Christmas is coming, we're prepping for the cold!

Farmer's market, popsicles, and photo booth gold!

If you can learn the words to Frosty and Rudolph quick,

Then make a card, and climb aboard...

To caroling for a bit!

In other news: the GRINCH became a big hit this lead-up to Christmas, drawing hours of airplay and playing with hours of drawing.

Also, my rendition of the perennially annoying "I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" was- and continues to be- a source of levity, imitation, musical inspiration, and hilarious dance moves. 

In other news: STAR WARS!