The End of An Era

It's hard to put into words what this ending was like. Due to some events in the lead up to recital it was absolutely not the ending we had expected it to be. And though we all struggled with a lot of emotions around this particular recital, we made sure to end it on a good note for the four of us (complete with ice cream cake). Our time as a dance family has come to a close and Emma really did shine brightly up on that stage. Over her fourteen years of dance there were highs and lows and I hope that she carries all that she learned with her (both the good lessons and the not so good lessons) with them wherever she goes and applies those teachable moments accordingly. xo 

Sunday in Maine

 

Second comp done. One to go! 
Can't believe that her competitive dance era is almost over...xo

Recital Day {Grace's Final One}

 

And just like that, Grace's time as a Center Stage student have come to an end. This recital was easily one of the best that the teachers at CSDS have put on this stage and I think that speaks volumns to their talent as well as the talent of the students (especially the high school students). It was an emotional day from start to finish, but especially when Grace took the stage for her self-choreographed solo and when all the members of the class of 2025 were together one final time. It has been an absolute joy to watch them grow up together as humans and as dancers. Best wishes to all the seniors as they move into whatever the next chapter holds for them! Go be great! xo 

In Honor of Grace's Last Recital Weekend

 

(This is the page that will be in the recital program in honor of her last recital). 

And we have reached the "last of the lasts". One show tonight, two tomrorow and then her dance recital days will have come to a close. 

I remember when Grace was borh how all the veteran parents would tell us to "enjoy. It goes by so fast" and I would just agree and somewhat laught it off. I am here to say they weren't wrong It seems like just yesterday I was waddling my very pregnant self up the stairs at JFK Middle School (now Quinn Middle School) in Hudson and counting the minutes until the end of the school year and the days until she was born, and yet, here we are headed into the dance recital that brings her senior year to a close. Time, you are a thief. 

I cannot wait to see her senior solo (which she choreographed) though based on Emma's report after seeing it at recital rehearsal last night I am not ready and should bring twice as many tissues as I was already planning to bring. xo 

Today's CSDS Senior Spotlight

 

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 

Getting Ready for the Winter Showcase

I had to run to Target to get the girls a couple of things for the winter showcase today and saw this as I was coming up the stairs. 

I couldn't resist taking a few pictures.

Though as I did, I realized something....

My work here is done. 

No longer am I needed to do hair, make-up or costume changes. 

Instead, I get to sit back and marvel at the two incredible young women they have become, 

the friendship they share, and their love of dance. 

It's been an incredible ride with these two, and I have loved every moment of it (yes, even the challenging parts). And while I know that my work here isn't really done, in a way it is. Getting to see all I had hoped and dreamed for them becoming reality, getting to see the fruits of the love and magic that was poured into them become *this* really is something that is hard to put into words. There's a sense of pride in a job well done (the onlly job I have ever truly felt was what I was meant to do) along with a sense of sadness that retirement from my most favorite job in the whole wide world is not far off.  But what remains is gratitude. Gratitude for their strong bond to eachother, as well as to David and I. Gratitude for all that we got to expreince together all these years. Gratitude that we chose the path less traveled by and that it has made all the difference. xo

And here it is. The last time David will ever steam a costume for Grace for the winter show...

And So Begins Halloween Week at Dance

 

In which the elf and Nostalgia head to dance. And so begins Grace's "last first" Halloween week at the studio (and yes she crocheted her glasses chain). 

The seniors all dressed up as the characters from Inside Out 2. They totally slayed! xo 

Last First Day

A few pictures from Grace last first day of dance. Gosh, these years have flown by....xo 

Sneak Peak

 

Yesterday we went to the Bradley Estate for Grace's senior session. I cannot beleive that we are here already and that her senior pictures are now completed! Liz, has been our family photographer for years so it was only fitting that she would be the one to shoot Grace's senior pictures. We won't have the rest of them for about two weeks but Liz shared a few of her favorites on social last night. Such a perfect representation of our sweet girl and the activity that has held such a prominant place on her growing up years. xo 

Scenes from Recital

Dance dad mode engaged. 

With both girls in costume for the 12:00pm show we gave theme their flowers early and snapped a few pictures as I knew that they would not be in costume together again when Grace performed all her class dances in the 5:00pm show. 

Emma was amazing on that stage! You would never know that she has been dealing with a knee injury for almost six weeks. She took the last couple of weeks very easy as she wanted to be able to dance full out in the recital. She did, though she did end up not attending Grace's show (at 5:00pm) as her knee was in a lot of pain. Good thing she has an appointment with Dr. Rockett on Thursday. 

Lyrical

Pointe

Ballet

Jazz

Tap

Not pictured: Contemporary. Not sure why I didn't take any stills of that when I was recording the video. 

Grace with her bouquet from us as well as the flowers she was given as a teaching assistant. 

And that's a wrap on her twelfth year of dance. Next year is sure to be an emotional one as it will be her senior year and with that will come lots of "lasts". The last time she auditions for the team, the last time she dances in the holiday show, the last time she competes, the last time she dances in the recital. It's sure to be very bittersweet, but for now we will revel in how wonderful this year was for both girls and we shall soak in the slow pace of the summer. xo