Recital Recap!

We made it through the Dance Year!

90 minutes of class each week, learning all kinds of new moves! This year she took 3 classes, ballet, tap and jazz.

Two weeks before the show we were at the studio for about 3 hours for show rehearsals. Long nights, but worth it...the girls were really tightening things up.

Then full dress rehearsal the night before the recital "on stage". Abby loves going to the "big stage"!

Recital landed on the last 2 days of school as well so it was a whirlwind! They were half days thankfully, but between the end of year programs at the school and all the recital stuff at night, I just took those days off work. I can do a lot, but I can't create extra time out of thin air, so I know my limit! lol

In the afternoon, we had a flurry of activity at home, putting her super fine silky hair into a bun, and putting make up on. This is our third recital and I still have a hard time with the idea of putting mascara on her. But, I get the whole "stage makeup" look, and it's true...as bright as the stage lights are, she would completely fade away without the make up. But it came off as soon as we got home! lol

Here she is, all dolled up for her first number, "Calendar Girls". My little sassy tapping princess proudly showing off her missing front teeth! :)

Then waiting in the hall backstage before their favorite number, "Hot Chocolate" (from the Polar Express).

Rock it Abby!

From lots of classroom practice:

 To performing it on stage!

And more waiting backstage...this time in the "green room", where the moms in our class had set up a corner full of blankets, coloring books, paper, a DS, an iPad, and of course snacks! :)

Getting some good luck from her teacher, Miss Karen!

My "dainty" ballerina!

 A line of ballerinas!

Watching the big girls dance from backstage, just before they went out to perform "Singin' in the Rain".

Practicing the Finale with some of the girls.

All done, time to head home! It's nearly 11pm, but she's still smiling! :)

It's been a whirlwind, but it's always so fun to see her smile. I hope she sticks with it, she's actually really good at it and she has made some great friends. In fact two of the girls in her class will also be in her class at her new school next year, yay!

How she's grown! Here is her first recital costume, when she was just 4 years old:

And last year at 5 years old!