Ella Rocks!

Ella shook her little booty yesterday, and literally brought us to tears. She had her "Parent Show" which is a chance for all the competitive groups to show parents how things are going with the numbers they're working on for competitions this spring. Ella is dancing at Starstruck Performing Arts Center for her third year and this is her second year in the "Mini Company." She's in two dance this year... "Bieber Babies" and "Jesus Loves Me."

Bieber babies is funky, fun and really cute! But don't ask about the costumes for their performance... Daddy is still in denial that she's wearing a halter top and jeggings. (he doesn't even know what jeggings are)

Jesus Loves Me is her lyrical number and it's so sweet, I literally cry every time I watch her dance.

Both pieces are coming along REALLY well! Especially considering we're just back from Christmas Break and they still have months until competitions start.

Ella danced better yesterday than I have ever seen her. In practice sometimes, I swear she's three beats behind... but from the moment they took the stage yesterday, she was "game on!" She hit her marks, had BEAUTIFUL lines, (just look at the arabesque) and even moved to the next position when some of the other girls were lost.

She's started taking private lessons each week with her teacher, Miss Jessica. This has really helped Ella to focus on her specific counts, timing and lines and it's built her self esteem so much! Miss Jessica was in the booth, emceeing the performance yesterday, but she caught up with Ella right outside the auditorium during intermission to give her a high five and tell her how GREAT she had done on keeping everyone moving to the correct spots. Ella was beaming and smiled from ear to ear. I think the only thing that made her happier, was seeing Daddy.

Troy had gone to the Chiefs' playoff game with my Dad and they finished in time for Troy to swing by the high school and see Ella's "Jesus Loves Me." It was such a wonderful finish to a great day for her.

(the videos of her dances are just too large for the blog... but you can see them on my Facebook page.)