…and just like that, our little lady has performed in her second recital and finished her very first year of dance!!!
this is kiiiind of a big deal!! because that precious, sweet little thing of ours has always been so reserved… extremely intentional… a bit too hard on herself… detail oriented… and about as feminine and sensitive as can be with the absolute biggest, best heart inside that little bitty body…
and ever since she could talk and dance she’s been performing her heartfelt dances for us at home. she’d say, “i want to show you my ballet!” and steven and i still quote the way she used to say ballet because it was hilarious and sassy and so so sweet. <3
so! even when i knew last august that we were going to give dance class a whirl, at least just to get it out of her system… i still wasn’t quite sure that we’d ever be okay with the recital situation! then, when her holiday recital was an actual near-disaster on our end that we barely overcame [but WE DID!!!!], i obviously had my concerns about this next recital experience. i have to admit, i was having a lot of anxiety about how this weekend would go! plus, i just didn’t want to screw anything up. as the mother. you know? you know!!
but that girl, she loves to dance! and she had a gorgeous costume! she’s older! wiser! healthier! the sun is sure shinier! and we were ready!!! we picked up starbucks. we listened to miley and la la land. [her requests!] we did official hair and makeup! we took photos! [see also: i was mysteriously growing ill, rocco cut his foot, and steven pulled a muscle playing soccer… power through!!]
then, i gave her a little bracelet to match the ones that i recently got for me and my mom and sister, and told her that if she felt worried, she could look at it and know that i was still there with her! waiting right in front of the stage. and in the end… she took that stage flawlessly, without my help, and i. couldn’t. have. been. PROUDER!!!!
it’s been fun to talk about it afterword with her this time, too. [in a nice, non-PTSD way!] she’s already asked when her next recital is [!!!], aaand i just really want to squeeze her until the end of time. sooo. i’d say that about sums it up!! i’m just so thankful we chose to go for it this last year in a place that’s given her confidence to be the little performer she’s dreamed of being!!
we LOVE you, maddalena rose!!!! anything you do is amazing. it’s just fun to watch you sparkle and shine! [which, i’m pretty sure, is what you were born to do!] <3
[also, i wore my fav floral maxi – it’s so long! i love it! aaand fav studded sandals. gosh, i love summer.]
Been waiting for the recital recap! Loved it. Her costume is beautiful and she looks precious!
(Hope everyone has recovered from from all the various maladies.)
And, it’s so hard being the mom of an athlete or dancer! I was always more nervous than my kiddos!
oh, you are so sweet!! thank you, we are all much better! and oh, you are so right. i couldn’t believe how nervous i was for her!!! up until the moment she went on!!! it was a big step for both of us haha!!!
Look at how sweet and excited she is! Oh I love this so much and how proud you must be of her! She’s amazing! You’re amazing! Kids are just so much braver than we ever expect them to be! And wow you guys had quite the night and hopefully you’re all right as rain now!
i was so proud, and i know you soooo relate!!! it’s so cool to see them be so tiny and so brave!! i hope it’s a skill that sticks for life, you know?!