In Which David Attends One Last Ballet Technique Class...

 

One Last Time

In which Grace sews her final pair of pointe shoes as a CSDS dancer. xo 

Some Incredible News!

 

On Saturday the girls auditioned for the summer dance intensive at Walnut Hill School for the Performing Arts. Walnut Hill is an incredible private high school here in Natick. It was a rather last minute decision, as it had been on my radar since this time last year, and then I hadn't checked to see when auditions were until this past Friday and wouldn't you know, they were the next day! And there was still room! It was absolutely a sign that they were meant to audition. So, David and I chatted with them to ask if they would be interested. After a few questions and some family discussion they decided to go for it. At lunch time that day we took the required first arabesque picture that each would need the next day and registered. 

With buns in their hair and their ballet shoes and pointe shoes in their bags, David drove them over for the 10:30am audition. He wished them luck and headed out to run a few errands before heading home. Together, we headed back over for 12:30pm pick up and they came out beaming. "It was SO fun, mama!" "Everyone was so nice!" "We did great!" "I got to be at the barre with the other girls who just started pointe while Grace and the older girls went across the floor!" Their smiles said it all. It was then that I said a little prayer "please let them make it." I knew that most in attendance were coming from some very serious ballet schools and I wasn't sure if our girls skills were going to be up to par with the other girls who were auditioning. The one thing we didn't know was when we would hear the results.  Thankfully, we wouldn't have to wait long! The two emails above arrived late this afternoon. With snow falling beautifully outside, I called the girls to come join us in the kitchen and gave them the good news. There was much rejoicing before they headed off to go tell their friends!  We are SO proud of them for being invited to such an elite program! We have no doubt that those two weeks will be absolutely incredible for them and that they will grow as dancers by leaps and bounds! My only concern is that we will have now opened a can of worms and that they are going to want to go there for high school (and who could blame them? After all, with their love of dance and the arts that would absolutely be the perfect place for them). Now, if only we could find that money tree.... xo 

Wordless Wednesday::Out Of My Window

{This Moment} In Our Dance Studio

{This Moment} A weekend ritual. A single photo (or three) capturing a moment from the week. Some simple, special, extraordinary moments. Moments I want to pause, savor and remember. We hope that you are continuing to find the blessings during this unprecedented time. xo

{This Moment} Preparations

{This Moment} A Friday ritual. A single photo -no words- capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Wishing you a lovely weekend! And to all those for who it's recital weekend- break a leg! xo 

Off To Dance Class

Hair up. Sweatshirt on. Dancing here we come!

The most exciting news out of dance class tonight was the announcement that Emma's class will be dancing to "Let It Go" from Frozen for their ballet performance during the June recital! Needless to say, June now can't come fast enough!

Gretchen The "Helper"

Grace was quietly working on a project when Gretchen came along and do what cats do best. Sat down right where Grace was working! The girls thought this was the funniest thing they'd ever seen!

"Guess I'll just have to work with her here."

Thankfully Gretchen eventually moved completely off what Grace was working on and she was able to finish her card for her ballet teacher (yesterday was their last day of class). 

Emma was able to work on hers without any "assistance" from Gretchen. 

Dress Rehearsal

This afternoon was the dance recital dress rehearsal. The girls were so excited that they got to wear their costumes and make up today and I was so excited that we parents were invited to record the dress rehearsal! My sincere apologies that the beginning is a wee bit on the fuzzy/shaky side. This was, surprisingly, the first time that I used my camera to video. I hope you enjoy their performance as much as I did. They really did a stellar job and I have to admit I did get a wee bit choked up watching my two sweet swans on stage. The countdown to Saturday's performance is on! In the words of Grace: "Only two more days, mama. I can't wait!"

Shades Of Things To Come

On Monday after the girls ballet class their teacher mentioned that she would be at the Hudson Public Library doing a presentation on Thursday morning in the Children's Room. Since we're always up for a good library event we decided to head over and cheer her on and support their school! 

As you can imagine we now have two very excited little girls on our hands! They were already super excited for their Spring Concert costumes to arrive and now they are even more excited! They have been asking all sorts of questions about toe shoes and cannot wait to be old enough to learn how to dance in them. Of course, that's still many moons away yet (though with the way these years keep flying by it will surely be here before we know it)!  

{This Moment} Waiting

{This Moment} - A Soule Mama Friday ritual. A single photo- no words- capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you are inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments section for all to find and see. We wish you a lovely weekend!

Tiny Dancers

Today was the girls first day of ballet!  The day couldn't pass fast enough for them (or me)!  We started our day by gathering the necessary clothing for class and then spent the rest of it feeling as if time was passing as slowly as molasses in the winter. Finally, it was time to get ready.  Leotards, tights and ballet shoes (for the obligatory pictures at home to be replaced by rain boots when it was time to leave) were put on.  Hair was brushed and put into ponytails (even Em's!) and off we went!  We arrived at the lovely building that houses the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (Hudson campus) and met up with some of their best friends (they knew three of the four girls in their class).  The excitement reached almost a fever pitch before their teacher, Jennifer, came to get them and then off they went, holding their skirts and walking on tiptoes.  As I watched them walk into class I couldn't help but feel that I was watching the beginning of what is bound to be an amazing journey!  The time passed quickly.  I chatted with the other mamas and took some pictures when I could (all the while wishing that my camera liked low light and moving objects better than it does).  The six girls came out absolutely beaming.  After hugs and kisses they noticed the older girls in the next class had started to arrive. Grace and Emma were captivated.  Emma introduced herself and then bounced off.  Grace hung back, watching as one of the girls was warming up, no doubt looking forward to the time that she too will be wearing the lovely lavender leotard with her hair in a bun.  On our way home they couldn't stop talking about all the fun things they had done.  "Oh, mama, I can't wait to go back. Ballet was just as wonderful as I knew it would be!"  

::Right Now::

Right now, I am:

::(as always) so thankful for this incredible life we live. 

::really impressed at how beautiful Grace's handwriting is. 

::giggling at how long it took the girls to discover Skippy (our elf's) hiding spot of the day. 

::grateful for kindred spirits and dear friends. 

::wondering when it's going to start to feel like December.  Fifty degrees in New England in December just doesn't feel right. 

::thinking I really should be addressing our holiday cards. 

::super excited that the girls are starting ballet on Monday and that we'll become part of an amazing community of people whose love of their craft just radiates from the moment you meet them.  

::happy to have (once again) started to learn to knit.  

::pondering what's in store for us for the rest of this month. 

::finding that Amanda's words said it best: "hoping for grace, patience and an open heart in the 'everyday' day that lies ahead." 

::wishing you all a wonderful, magical holiday season!

Gwendolyn the Graceful Pig

Today local author, David Rottenberg was at the library reading his story Gwendolyn the Graceful Pig. Along with the reading a local dance studio was there dancing/acting out the story.  

As you can imagine the girls were super excited!  They were even more excited the moment the dancers arrived and they laid eyes on the above ballerina.  

David was fabulous!  

Not only is his story wonderful but he is an incredible speaker (and reader) too.

Bravo!  Bravo!  

After the show the children were invited up to take a short dance lesson. 

The girls were in their glory and total naturals. 

After the dance lesson the cast was so sweet to pose for pictures with the children. 

It was such a fun way to spend an muggy summer afternoon.  Ms. Kim (the librarian) always comes up with such fun events for the kids, but I think it's safe to say that this one takes the cake for the girls!  We purchased a copy of the two Gwendolyn books that Mr. Rottenberg has written and he was so sweet to sign them for the girls.  Having signed copies of the book only adds to the magic of the day!