DANCE OUT LOUD

This weekend was Madelyn 2nd dance recital, this year she tapped to the song Oye Coma Va.  She takes a ballet/tap combo class but her class can only dance one style in the recital.  A lot of preparation goes into these dance recitals.  The students are measured for costumes and begin learning their routines as early as Thanksgiving.  Once they learn all the choreography, it's practice practice practice until SHOWTIME.

Part of the fun of recitals is getting to hang out backstage with friends that dance in other classes. Maddy met Tayler in PreK 3 years ago, they go to different elementary schools now so they don't see each other often but when they do, they have a blast!  

This is Micha, she was in Maddy's 1st grade class this year, but is also in Tayler's ballet class!

This is Tayler's Mom Launa, she is an expert face-painter and balloon animal maker, she also does magic.  This was the 2nd year she entertained backstage.  The balloon animal line was never-ending! 

This year Grandma came to the matinee and gave Maddy these pretty purple mums, unfortunately it was so HOT outside and we were in a rush to get home to rest before the 7pm performance, that we didn't get any pictures.  Grandma also treated Maddy & Mikayla to McDonald's for an early dinner.  Mikayla in case anyone is wondering, was hanging out with my neighbors for the matinee.  For those of you who don't remember, Mikayla busted her lip open 30 seconds before Maddy was set to perform last year.  I ended up outside with a bleeding toddler, security and an ambulance and completely missed her dance.  Sure I'd seen Maddy practice her dance dozens of times but I didn't get to see her dance on stage in her costume, which is the ultimate reward after months of preparation.  Mikayla thankfully was fine after her accident last year but she is still a fidgety toddler.  She can't sit still to save her life so I was really glad I made alternative arrangements for her this year.  (Thank you Savannah!)

This years dilemma was technical.  Mike, his Mom and I had just taken our seats for the matinee when Mike discovered he didn't have the memory card for his Dad's camera.  He rushed home to get it, rushed back but missed Maddy's performance.  Boy was he upset.  Thankfully, the ushers weren't checking ticket stubs.  I suggested that Mike just come back for the 7pm show, stay long enough to see Maddy's dance while I kept Mikayla with me and Maddy backstage.  It worked out perfectly!  Mike saw Maddy's dance and got pictures and Mikayla got to take part in the hoopla backstage.  In fact, she didn't want to leave!  

Speaking of backstage, I volunteered backstage for the 7pm show.  I was official, I was given 1 of 6 blue vests and did my best to keep 50 girls between the ages of 3-7 under control and cater to their every need.  The girls were wild with excitement, it's was so important that they didn't run, climb on chairs, wreck costumes, tights, hair or makeup!  Since security is also imperative, all girls had to also be escorted to the bathroom or outside for snacks and drinks.  It was a crazy, long and chaotic day for everyone.  By the end of the night many of the youngins were way past their bedtimes and melting down.  When the show was over we successfully cleaned up our room, which was a disaster and we reunited every dancer and their belongings with their parents in 15 minutes!  Despite everyone's exhaustion we all felt accomplished.  Many parents underestimate the teamwork that goes into a production like this, and most the audience never knows what the teachers, stage crew, volunteers and dancers go through.  There were a few tears, bumps, bruises, missing shoes, and ripped tights along the way but everyone pulled together for two memorable performances!

It was late when we got home but I had to get a couple more pictures before we hung up Maddy's costume and tap shoes.  I was a little bummed that Maddy didn't get to keep her maracas. 

It's crazy how grown up Maddy looks when she's wearing makeup!  Here she is smelling her flowers in her robe before bed.  I'm so proud of Maddy, not only did she dance beautifully on stage twice but she was on her best behavior backstage.  She is really enjoying dance and is already talking about taking dance again this fall.  The trouble is, she likes all the styles of dancing, so maybe it's time to enroll her in a second class.  Question is?  Will it be Irish or Hip Hop?

This won't be my only blog about Maddy's recital.  I still have to upload the pictures from Mike's Dad's camera and the video of her performance!!  I did order the professionally recorded & edited dvd but it won't be ready until August.  Personal video cameras aren't allowed but I snuck mine in anyway.  Shhh don't tell Miss Connee!!