The show consisted of something like 25 dances...ages ranging from our girls age all the way up to an adult tap class (which was HILARIOUS!). But most of the performers were 5 to high schoolish. Our girls were one of a couple very young kids to perform. We had no idea what to expect. As you've seen on the videos from dance class, they do a decent job. Some days are better than others but over all, they usually participate to some extent. Yesterday at rehearsal on the big stage, they had two chances. The first one, Alyssa jumped up and down the whole time and Katy just watched. The second and last rehearsal, they both jumped.
I have to admit I was a little nervous for them because the crowd was HUGE!! I had no idea how they would react to having hundreds of people watching them. We thought about that from the moment we signed them up for this...they would probably just freeze up there and stand in awe of the big stage. This picture was taken about half an hour before curtain. By the time the first dance started, there wasn't an empty seat on main level and probably a third of the balcony was filled.
Thankfully Eileen was here to help us out...so Lisa could just sit with pressure off of her foot, and I could get ready to take pictures. The girls were the 5th to perform so I had a chance to dial in on the settings. :)
This was our next door neighbor Hannah performing the cancan.
I found my way up to the balcony and waited impatiently for the girls turn. At some point while I was waiting and watching the other performances, I realized how incredibly proud I was and for the first time my eyes started to well up. I had no idea where that emotion was coming from but like any good Dad suppressed those feelings and focused on the task at hand...get good pictures!!
Alyssa (on the left) most certainly did not forget to move her arms today!
Shy little Katy who wouldn't even put on the costume the first couple of weeks suddenly came out of her shell. She kept inching her way up to the front of the stage all by herself. But then she would go back to her spot each time. It was phenomenal!
Katy inching up to the front again.
BIG BOWS!!!
After it was over, Lisa looked up at me and I gave a huge fist pump (all that pride somehow manifested itself in a fist pump...I don't know). I was a very proud Dad and I know Lisa was feeling the same way because by the time I made it down to our seats, she was still wiping the tears away. Not a great photo but it shows how full the auditorium was.
We stayed the entire time...all 2 hours! The girls had to skip their nap so it was getting dicey there at the end. But they did pretty good overall. We mainly stuck around so we could see Hannah again and get a picture taken with her. Thank you Hannah!!
Favorite picture. This one is going to get blown up.
And here's the video of the performance. Lisa took the video from her seat and she apologizes for the shaky video but she said she was just too excited and getting all emotional watching them up there.
Sad face. Alyssa took a hit yesterday from a table corner. When Lisa called and told me she might have a black eye, I honestly thought she was exaggerating...I guess not.
One more story...I know, this is a huge post but I have to write it down while it's still fresh in my memory.
Tonight, Alyssa was having some ...pooping problems... she finally fixed it but was still having some pain. I don't know how to say it. Her pooper hurt. There.
So only 5 minutes after I put them down, Alyssa was yelling out. I went in to see what she was asking for and found Katy already sound asleep (it really was a long day). Alyssa tells me her bottom hurts so I go out and get the diaper cream. I come back in, apply the cream, change her diaper and she goes back to bed.
5 minutes later, she starts yelling out again. Not wanting her to wake up Katy, I rush in there pretty fast to see what's wrong and Alyssa says this to me..."I just wanted to say thank you for the diaper cream. My bottom feels much better now. I love you. Good night."
I'm so proud of my girls today.
4 comments:
OK....easy to cry here! Andy and Lisa what a beautiful post! The love and pride you have for the girls is so evident in everything you say and even in the pictures and videos you take. My tears are falling because by posting like you have it's A*L*M*O*S*T like being there with you....but not quite and that's the other reason for the tears. We miss you so much and at times like this we realize just how much we are missing. BUT thank you for being so faithful about posting AND don't ever apologize for your pictures, videos or anything else. We want it all!! By the way, can I change my picture choices?? Love, Mom
Oh, for goodness sake. Could they be any cuter???? That was so fun to watch, and I can't wait to show MY twins later as well as my youngest, who loves elephants. Those are some great costumes.
I still well up with tears about *everything*. And what is bad now....my twins are sensitive and start crying when I am crying. We simply don't look at each other during any sporting, church, or family events. LOL! My oldest kind of rolls his eyes and humors me, and I'm not sure the youngest has caught on to it yet.
You are such a beautiful and sweet family, I always come away happy after checking your blog. Thanks for sharing. :)
Laurie in OH
My favorite part of the video were the big, proud bows from your girls at the end! They have come so far and are simply beautiful girls! I miss you guys so much--can't wait for our trip together next year! Much love! Amy et al
Adorable!! I just love it. I started dance when I was 3 and danced for 14 years!! We even have my first recital on video.... I was the smallest by far - and started dancing. then I stopped to scold the girl beside of me for not doing her toe taps and just standing there staring! LOL.
I can't wait for Lily to start dancing too! Reese's hair is going to be just like the girls in all of this humidity down here!! Lily keep asking for curly hair. HA
Post a Comment