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 

Back On Pointe!

 

It's been six months since Grace was last on pointe due to an almost broken navicular. She has worked hard to strengthen her feet in that time to keep things moving but also protect her fracture. The shoes she's wearing here were purchased back in late January/early February. Alena, the fabulous store owner and resident pointe shoe expert fitter advised Grace not to sew her shoes until she had the results from her MRI. This wisdom was so appreciated, and fortuitouis, as it turned out she would need to stop dancing pointe immeduately if she wanted to ever dance pointe again. Alena also told us that when it was time to return to come back to make sure that a different shoe wasn't needed (it wasn't). With the new dance year upon us, Grace has been back at the studio and is now sewing these shoes to be ready for class next month. xo 

At The Dance Convention

 

When the studio director/head dance team coach texts you a picture from today's dance convention telling you she's "obsessed with Grace's skirt" you know instantly what today's blogpost picture will be! xo

Back She Goes!

 

 

In which we once again have two dancers in the family! Emma returned to the studio this week (she is taking two classes -contemporary and hip hop)! All feels right in the world! xo

A Perfect Ending

With the girls beginning at Parker comes the ending of one dancing. Emma has decided to not dance this year, and while I am sad that we won't see her on stage (competitively or recreationally) anymore I am excited to see what awaits her, too. I am just so grateful that they were able to compete this gorgeous duo together last year. Though we did not know it at the time it was the perfect ending to her dance career. xo 

And That's A Wrap!

 

And just like that comp season has come to an end! These two left it all on that stage today! They danced all their dances so beautifully, but especially their duo! It was such a treat that they were allowed to dance without masks today (for everything other than production) and I truly believe it made all the difference! We are so proud of these two (and so incredibly sad that we won't get to see them dance this dance again)! xo

One Last Duo Practice

 

In which the girls have one last duo practice with Ms. Lauri before their final competition this weekend. xo 

So This Happened...

 

When I picked the girls up from duo practice this morning they arrived at the car and said: "Check out what Ms. Lauri gave us!" I figured it was pins from their duo so was super surprised when they showed me these plaques! We didn't think they had placed at all and were super surprised to see that they had placed third in the 13-15 lyrical age group in their division! In non-Covid times awards are given out during the comp but with the pandemic still here changes had to be made. It's one studio in at a time and generally awards are given to the studio director to be handed out at a later time. Such a lovely and unexpected surprise this morning! We are so proud! xo

This Morning

 
My view this morning. 
Getting work done while the girls practice their duo. 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 

Saturday Morning Sewing

Today, Grace and Emma went over to their friend Adelaide's house so that Grace could share her pointe shoe sewing wisdom with Adelaide. When I arrived to pick them up they were still working on their shoes so it gave me a chance to chat with Adelaide's mom (and my dear friend) Clare. Emma and Adalaide have been dancing together since kindergarten and have such a sweet friendship (the kind I hope lasts forever). Grace, Emma and Adelaide are such a good trio and I am so grateful that not only are they such good friends but that our families are wonderful friends too! xo 

 

{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

#FBF: The Girls First Tutus

Eleven years ago. Little did we know back then that there would be many, many, many more tutus in their future! xo