This weekend was the annual dance recital for our girls. This year both of our girls got to participate in the program. The adventure started on Friday night, when we had the rehearsal. It started at 5p and every dance did a run through. Looking at the run sheet they gave every parent, this meant all 78 dances would be performed. About half of those dances were competition dances done by the company dancers, so they were easily 2-3 minutes each. The other dances were the recreation classes (about 1/2 of those dances included company dancers who decided to do yet an additional dance or two from their technique classes).
First up was Abigail, who was in the company opening number as well as her 2 competition dances that were within the '2nd quarter' of the schedule. Since rehearsal didn't include full dress for the company girls, I got to be the parent on duty for this part while Jen was at home getting Emma in her full costume and makeup. Anyway, nothing started on time... a few acts were slow in either having dancers show up or making costume changes... and finally by 7:30 we hit the half way point. Emma's dances were early in the 3rd quarter and late in the 4th quarter putting her last practice around 9:15p (one tired little girl). Just to add to the fun, the company wanted to practice yet again their opening number at the end of rehearsal, so Jen left with Emma after her dance and I got to hang around until nearly 10p. Luckily the dance took place just 5 minutes from our house so it made driving much easier.
On Saturday, they asked for the company girls to be there at Noon for the 1p dance... so there I was with Abigail. I stood around for a while and finally got in to get our seats. Jen and Emma showed up about 12:45p so they could see the opening number. It finally started around 1:15p and about 1/2 the girls looked lost (the opening dance was put together over the last couple of weeks... not the months spent on other dances). Abigail did well (she is dressed kinda like a dancer from flashdance). From that point forward, Emma was wanting to know when it was her turn to dance. Hearing her on Friday night after her first practice say 'Dad, that was Fun! Can we do it again!' sounding like she had just gone down a fun slide.
However, since it was recital day, Jen got to go backstage and fix Abigail's hair in a couple of different styles, each time taking Emma with her. This did help to pass the time. And even though the girls' dances were all spread out, it allowed Jen to be able to see all the dances and not be caught backstage as I heard a couple of moms were.
Abigail's 2 competition dances were awesome. In contrast to Abigail's opening number and the controlled chaos on the stage, she was completely in her element, having all of her steps down and not looking one bit lost. It was great to watch.
Next up was Emma and her 'best pal' Jordyn. As mentioned above, she could hardly wait to get back on stage. As expected at her age, the girls were all over the place but they looked cute and Emma looked so grown up on stage, having no fear and looking like she had a lot of fun. She came home and said, "Mommy, I'm a star!"
At the end, she got to walk out with Abigail to the curtain call, and we were finally off to dinner at the 'early' hour of 5:45p. So, I spent close to 11 hours out of the last 24 hours being the 'support' parent for my little girls and watching them on stage like big girls. Great Job Girls... you made me one proud daddy!
3 comments:
All that quarter talk made me think your girls were playing football. Glad you had fun and yes, you are a wonderful Dad. Way to go Parents and girls.
Just reading about it makes me tired. You are such a good dad (and Jennifer such a good mom).
Looks like fun and the girls look beautiful.
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