Under the Spotlight

Whew! The big night is over and Leslie did AWESOME! She danced more than rehearsal night and really ate up the spotlight. When we first arrived to the Performing Arts Center Leslie took off walking and strutting her stuff. This was her thing and she knew it. She loved that it was her night. The make-up was set, hair pulled back, feathers bobby pinned in, tutu on all the girl needed was a stage. She was so pumped up I could barely keep her under control. We got to watch some dances before her Act and she got even more excited. When they finally called the "Dainty Ballerinas" backstage my heart was pounding. I felt sick and like I was about to run a 100 meter dash race. The curtains rose, the spotlight on, and the girl shined! Leslie smiled and followed the teacher backstage and did her own thing. It was wonderful! I cannot wait to see the professional video. After her ballet dance all of the girls had to go back to the dressing room and wait for the tap dance. We had to entertain the girls for almost an hour and that was really tough. When they finally called the girls back for the tap dance Leslie proclaimed that her tap shoes were hurting. My heart sunk! I just knew she was going to be without shoes on stage because that is how the dance classes have been going. Leslie has a wide foot with a narrow ankle and very hard to fit into tap or dress shoes. So when she told me this I got really nervous. When the curtains rose and the music started Leslie started shaking her thing with her shoes ON! Yeah! On the last pose of the dance Leslie heard Nolan yell, "Yeah Leslie!" and she starting waving and blowing kisses. She made us all laugh. When the curtains rose again for the last bow from all of the dancers Leslie just kept on waving, smiling and blowing kisses. I guess she thought the audience was waving for her. It was the cutest thing ever. She did notice however that many of the dancers were carrying flowers because when I met her backstage to give her a big hug she looked at me and said, "Where are my flowers? I want flowers." I said, "You do? Okay we will see." I already knew that Les and Papa were giving her some but wanted it to be a surprise and boy it was! It was like someone gave her a million dollars when they came out with a bundle of flowers. She was very proud of them and I believe proud of herself. She knew she did her best. It was a magical and exhausting evening. We are so very proud of our tiny dance, but glad it is over. I think we are going to have to leave her in the spotlight though.

The Dainty Ballerinas

"I am practicing my dance moves, Mommy!"

We had the pleasure of Lily joining us last night. She is precious.

It's Showtime!

Tonight is the big big night.....Leslie's dance recital. Huuuuu (big sigh!) We had the rehearsal last night and Leslie did great. This video is from last night because they will not allow any pics or videos due to a pro photographer tonight. Everyone did great....at least no one ran off the stage crying. You have to remember that these girls started at the age of two years and now there is a mixture of three and four year olds. This is everyone's first recital and I was pretty impressed. It has to be scary up on a stage with spotlights and the audience in the dark for such young girls. Well, not for Leslie, apparently, she had a blast! We got there early so we got to watch Act 1 which consisted of 26 dances. Unity Dance Company can really put on a show! I remember going to watch the little girl I used to babysit and loving the show they put on. Never in a million years would I have thought I would some day have a little girl on the dance stage too. In the video Leslie is of course the tall blond and she ate up the spotlight. You will see in the tap dance how she waved and even blew a kiss. I just died laughing. Hopefully she will do the same tonight! I also wanted to explain that the teacher is on the side back stage doing the dance, so the girls can look over to watch her. I know there is a lot of standing around and not doing much, but HEY they are on the stage smiling! Whooo Hooo!

The Little Rascals

Two weeks ago I saw a flier in town advertising a photographer coming to town doing sepia old fashioned portraits and so I signed up immediately. The kids had an absolute blast during their session. The photographer was nice and flexible. He just could not get over how well the kids were doing and how photogenic they were. He was having fun too and even asked if I was in a hurry that day because he wanted to take a lot more. He took so many pictures and I was so excited to get them back. Well yesterday was the day I finally got to see his work. I walked into the building he was set up at and he had a long table filled with ALL of the pictures. My jaw dropped! I stayed there almost an hour trying to decide which pics to buy. There was not one bad picture! I had to just start being very picky, which was hard too. I only picked six poses just so I would not break the bank. But seriously there were so many wonderful pictures it breaks my heart knowing they will probably just end up in the trash. The photographer was proud of his work too. He even mentioned that he was starting his own business of taking black and white portraits with a color enhancement and wanted to take some pictures of my children to use for his advertisement fliers. I was so very proud. He asked if I could come back tomorrow, which is now today for another session in black and white. I want to soo very badly, but Nolan has a doctor appointment and by the time I get back and get ready for tonight (dance recital rehearsal), I will not have time. My dad and husband both said that there are a lot of legalities that go with doing something like that. So I am not sure if really want to get into that. However I really do not want to miss the opportunity either. I am stuck with what to do. Hmmmm. Anyhoo, enjoy the portraits! I actually took a picture of the portaits so I can show them off. That is why the coloring is kind of off on some of them. Sorry.

Swing Batter, Batter Swing!

We seem to be having T-Ball games EVERY other day! Whew! Nolan has been doing so very well at them. The coach has been placing him in the outfield because he hustles to the ball and has such a strong arm throwing it back in. Well, yesterday we had another game and he got to play first base. It was the most exciting game of the season! We actually almost won at one point of the game! Hee hee. However, Nolan got five outs playing first. Several moms said, "Wow, Nolan needs to play first base more often." Man, did my heart and head swell with pride. Now, we should not give Nolan all of the glory becuase the other players threw the ball just right to him. The entire team really hustled and I believe had a really good time. We are very proud of Nolan. We have seen such growth this season. He is ready for Coach Pitch Baseball next year.

"Hold Me Closer Tiny Dancer....."

"Count the headlights on the highway."
I cannot help but to sing this song when I look at these pictures. This last Saturday we had an appointment to get Leslie's dance portraits, but I heard that each dancer only gets 5 minutes with the photographer. Well given Leslie's mood that day, I chose not to take the chance. So I set up a little backdrop of my own at my mom's house instead. We did it on the front porch and the sunlight was perfect. I then took these portraits to Wal-Mart to have developed. I tell ya, it was much better and cheaper! What do you think?

I also wanted to extend an invitation to all of our family and friends to come to Leslie's Dance Recital on Friday June 6th at 7:00 in Waco. It will be held at Midway Performing Arts Center. It will be quite a show!

Happy Birthday Cheri!

I am so very sorry I am just now blogging! I have been a super slacker lately on sitting down and doing this. My life has been a worldwind since school has been out. I am so sorry this post is a day late and a dollar short. I love you and hope you had a wonderful birthday. I am so very sad we missed the annual visit to Pappadeuxs. We are coming soon, I PROMISE! Man, Baby Kohen has grown so much already. She looks so big in her carseat! Man, I miss yall!

While I am on a horrible belated roll, I want to go ahead and wish Samantha and Mindy a belated Happy Birthday, as their's were on the 1st.