Friday, March 30, 2012

Tiny Dancer....

She looked so little on the stage... I was so nervous I almost cried but she was cool as could be. She was the very first dancer of the day.... no one else was on stage... no one to watch and then follow what they did. She went up as soon as they called her name and then had to wait for the music. The big girls from her studio were cheering for he while she waited, and waited, just like they've taught her to. (you may need to view full screen... I don't think I can fit the wide screen on the blog correctly)



I know we're biased... and she's only 6... but it was breathtaking for this Mommy! Daddy had tears in his eyes.

The most important thing to me, was just that she didn't freeze on stage or panic and run off. I didn't care if she was first or last, as long as she felt good when she came off stage. And she did...s she came running to Daddy to see if he saw her. (as if he'd miss it)

For Ella, the joy was in the awards. She asked if she might win a trophy and I said, I'm not sure, but I think you were wonderful up there and I'm sure you'll get a pin for your jacket! (which she doesn't have but is wanting because the "big girls" have them.)

She came home with 3 awards and was thrilled. When I put them in our suitcase to haul to the car she asked:
"Do I get to keep them?"
"Yes you do Ella! They are your awards. "
"COOL!"

She made me smile... because she was so pleased with herself. I was so proud of all her hard work, and how special she felt about what she'd done.

Monday, March 5, 2012

New camera/solo rehearsal

Ella has been working so hard on her dances this year. She has 2 group dances and for the first time she's doing a solo this year. I think I'm more nervous than she is... she seems so lazy and laid back in rehearsals, that I wonder if she knows it. But yesterday, she had a small audience of "older girls" for the first time and our girl turns on the charm. She did a great job. All I hope is that she'll remember it and not freeze on stage. She's so excited to do this and I just want it to be a good first experience.

Troy and I picked out a new camera this weekend... for my birthday... so I've been experimenting with it to learn how all the bells an whistles work. I'm not there yet, but it's definitely better than my former "point and shoot" camera. I'll be doing a lot more work with it over Spring Break... so hopefully I"ll be ready for Ella's competition at the end of the month.

In the meantime... enjoy her rehearsal! If the full width won't show up on my blog, you hit play and then double click on the video, you can take it full-screen.