Maddy's Recital

After months of preparation this weekend was Madelyn's 1st dance recital!  Her tap dance was choreographed to a song called Personality which included some singing/shouting and plenty of shuffle ball changes and shuffle steps.  Her costume was expensive but well worth every penny for it's cuteness!   She looked fabulous!

Saturday was Madelyn's day to shine!  Two shows; one at noon and one at 7pm.  It was going to be a long day!  After a healthy breakfast and I got started on Madelyn's hair and stage makeup.  Madelyn's class was assigned to a room with 4 other classes of young girls that desperately needed parental supervision.  I volunteered to help out backstage for the 1st show.  The goal was to keep these hyper girls from ruining their costumes, tights, hair and makeup.  You can only imagine the damage a game of duck, duck goose can cause!  So the first show went off without a hitch, everyone was free to leave after to finale but had to be back at 6pm to get ready for the last show.  

Maddy backstage with two friends from Pre K.

Mike, his parents and I had tickets for the evening show.  Madelyn was in good hands back stage, so Mikayla and I headed out front to find our seats.  All I hoped is that fidgety Mikayla could sit still for 10 minutes, just long enough to see Madelyn's dance and then we would head backstage again if necessary.  Nothing could have prepared me for what happened next.  The opening number had just finished, Mikayla was sitting next to Mike's Mom.  She popped off the seat and smashed her mouth into the chair in front of her.  At this moment the auditorium was pitch black and completely silent.  Mikayla started to scream, it was so dark we couldn't see what was wrong, so I grabbed her and rushed out.  As soon as I was outside the door I could see blood everywhere!  I ran Mikayla to the bathroom, the lady cop that was on security detail popped her head in and asked if I wanted her to call the paramedics.  At this point Mikayla was still freaking out and covered in blood so I agreed.  Another minute or two passed and the bleeding started to slow.  It was obvious that Mikayla had just split her lip and all of her teeth were intact.  I told the cop that a visit from the paramedics was probably unnecessary but they were already on their way.  Just then, I heard the last few notes of Madelyn's music.  Ugh, I missed it!  I could hear the audience applauding as Mike came rushing out to find us.  Just then the paramedics pulled up.  The guys were so nice but Mikayla wasn't letting them anywhere near her mouth so they asked a few questions, determined that she was ok and then they left.   

By now, Mike's parents had joined us outside and all I could do was cry.  All the time, money and work I had put into this recital with Madelyn and I didn't even get to see her polished perfomance.  I was crushed but at least Mikayla was ok and Madelyn was having a ball.  Thankfully, Mike's Dad took a 100+ pictures during Madelyn's 3 minute routine.  There was no flash-photography allowed during the show, but his camera can shoot perfect pictures at a distance without the flash so the pictures are awesome.  I'm so glad he took these, here's the link to his flickr site. http://www.flickr.com/photos/sportspix/sets/72157619298095793/  To my relief Mike's Dad offered to take Mikayla home.  So Mike, his mom and I returned to our seats for the last 1/2 of the show.  On the bright side, I did see Madelyn on stage in her costume for the finale. 

I'm so proud of Madelyn, despite Mikayla's untimely accident her recital weekend was perfect.  She had so much fun, she made new friends and got to be part of something big, something special.  She danced and sang on stage and was rewarded with the applause of a huge crowd that included her family.  She made memories that will last a lifetime and ultimately her happiness is all that matters.   

Maddy holding her flowers after the last show.