And they danced...

THEY ACTUALLY DANCED!

After the last couple of months at practice, when we had...

Tantrums over shoes. (Ellie)
Fits over being tired. (Both girls)
Refusal to even go in the studio. (Annie)
Meltdowns over what color Maracas we got. (Ellie)
"Practice" performances when we wouldn't dance. (Annie)
Lectures from our teachers. (Both girls)
Threats from mommy. (Both girls)
Removal from the studio after threats didn't work. (Both girls)
Almost losing her mind. (Mommy)

THEY ACTUALLY DANCED!

It's been two weeks and I think I'm still in shock.

Our dance studio, which is owned by a very good friend of mine, does a BIG recital every two years. This was the year. I was originally excited to have both girls in dance in a "recital" year, but as the year wore on, my excitement turned to dread. Neither of my girls was the "dancer" I'd hoped she'd be. I had nightmares of both girls refusing to dance in their expensive recital costumes. My dread lightened on the day before the BIG recital, when we had rehearsal at the venue that we would be at the next day.

My girls were seriously impressed with the BIG stage. Both made it through rehearsals like champions, and I had reason to hope! The next day they arrived ready (but late!) to dance their little hearts out. I was so proud of both of them! The recital was 3 hours long, and they both watched fairly patiently. When it came time for their dances, they did FANTASTIC! I was most nervous about Annie, but apparently all she's needed this whole time was a BIG stage and a BIG audience! I wonder what that bodes for her future?!

Time will tell weather we do this again. Two months ago I was saying NEVER again! Now, well, we'll see. I am not one of those moms who just LOVES the dance world. The costumes, make-up, pictures...it all just stressed me out. But who knows, if someone begs to dance again, I might just cave in.

If they sign a contract never to complain again!

Some pictures...

Ellie's clogging class! She's five kids in to the left.


Annie's ballet class, they were french maids! She's in the middle, with good friends Tessa on the left and Celeste's daughter Elle on the right.

Annie's tap class. They were Panda Bears! This time Elle's on the left, and Tessa's on the right.

So now the costumes are packed away. Annie will never again wear a size seven (the smallest we could find) ballet shoe. Her tiny tap shoes won't fit if she dances again. Ellie won't ever have to wear the too tight clogging shoes again. And I won't have to battle her to get them on! Hallelujah!

Just before the recital my friend Sheri took these pics.

Goodness they were cute!