Ballet Recital Night

[sylvers]

Noelle's dance recital.  Wow! What a night!  As I look back on that night (already a few weeks ago) I am flooded with sweet memories, amusement and relief all at once!  I had signed Noelle up for ballet and tap back in January and at first wondered if she was going to be able to stick it out.  She had a bit of a rough start at first, hitting and pulling hair.  I was horrified!  I worked it out with the mistress and instructor though, who allowed me to sit in the dance class and help when needed.  She finally got the message and started to keep her hands to herself and the rest was a breeze, and fun!

As we approached recital, the mistress asked me if I would be willing to volunteer and help Noelle and watch her fellow classmates as well, be the class "mom".  Three hours backstage in the high school gym with four six year olds and my nine year old in my charge, on the hottest day of the year so far with no air conditioning!  And to say that these little girls were "active" would be an understatement!  Two of them were energetic in the extreme, but sweet.  One was kind of in the middle and two were actually very easy, one of them was actually mine, surprise! 

The gym is where close to probably 50 little girls had to wait and be kept occupied until it was their turn to perform on stage in the auditorium.  It was like hearding cats!  And I only had five little live-wires!  I had to check make-up, change for ballet and tap (shoes and tu-tu's) and try to keep them busy with stuff I brought.  I also had to try to keep them clean and keep them from running their tights!  We strung beads and made bracelets with pipe-cleaners (the big hit of the night), colored, played with stickers, did puzzels and sewing cards.  When the time came for the first dance it was such a relief!

Since it was my first time dealing with something like this (my other children are boys for Pete's sake!) I have to say I was a little terrified!  I'm not exactly the Kool-aid mom of the neighborhood!  I really admire moms like that, but I'm not one of them!

Anyways, all went well, except for one bloody nose that quit bleeding just in time for the performance!  But I was so proud of Noelle and "my" girls!  It was such a wonderful experience for Noelle, and for me.  Noelle just hammed it up and really enjoyed the experience.  She really bonded well with the girls and I look forward to class starting again in September.  I was sad to see it end for the summer.

I'm so glad that we stuck it out and stayed with it!

[gloriaglows]

Jul. 15, 2008 at 12:23 AM perfect story ....It just so wonderful to see her just blossom!!!!!!