Whatever this is...I like it! Gnome dance?

 

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!

DANCE PARTY!

I don't recall exactly how it happened, but one day between dinner and bed-time, I thought to give something a try.

I fired up Youtube on our TV.

Pulled up a video of the song and routine from one of those dancing video games (Just Dance) and the two of you- and the two of us- were hooked!

We danced to YMCA that night.

And we've been doing dance parties pretty much every night ever since.

What the fox say?
Ghostbusters
I want you back by "baby" Michael Jackson
Moana
In the hall of the pixel king
I was made for loving you by KISS
Happy by Pharell Williams
Despicable Me
Mama Mia by Abba

...and the list goes on and on... we've been sweating and grooving through the end of summer through early fall together. Learning to dance together. Not step on each others toes. Have fun and stretch and leap and look silly without caring what anyone else thinks.

You two can surely bust a move!

Julia- here's your current favorite song to dance to: Starships by Nikki Minaj:

Aidan- You've been digging one Uncle Joe showed you: Animals:

Sweetheart Dance

Julia,

I asked you to go to a dance with me...

...and you said 'YES!'

It was our first Daddy-Daughter sweetheart dance!

You had your mind set on what you wanted to wear, and you looked absolutely lovely!

The dress was one of mommy's old maternity dresses which you and she had converted to a dress for you.

The shoes were red ruby slippers, given to you by Mimi and Pops.

The flower wristlet was given to you ... by me!

I picked you up at 5, and we went to Chili's to have dinner with the Rainbow Pizza gals!

Then we went to the Arboretum and picked up our flowers...

...and danced for two whole songs- including "I'm a Gummy Bear!"

We ate some cookies...

...had a professional picture taken...

and then - at that point- you missed your Mama, it was way past your bedtime, and you were ready to go home.

So, I swooped you up in my arms and carried you home.

We didn't quite dance the night away, but the next night we made up for it with a living room dance party, which was a lot less crowded!

Thank you for being my sweetheart, Julia!

I will treasure this memory forever!