As the final curtain closes my daughter, is dressed as a sailor. She is happy, smiling and clapping on stage. She spots me waving frantically from the middle of the audience and blows me a kiss. The curtain closes and we leave the auditorium, I head to the stage door to collect her. As she exits, she greets me with a big hug and says “Mum, I have truly found my dancing home, I belong here and don’t want to change schools again”
This was Mikaela’s 7th year of dancing and our 3rd dance school. We were at our first dance school for 4 years until the teacher ripped us off (long story), then we moved to another school for 2 year. This school was very good and a lot of the dances actually become professional but with this sort of elite school comes a lot of work. Especially, for someone who is dancing for fun and enjoyment.
A typical concert day of our last school started at 7am. She had to have a full head of curls, which we had to prepare 24 hours before hand so they’d stay in. 3 hairstyles and 2 concerts (a matinee and an evening show). Finishing up at around midnight.
This year, there was one simple hairstyle – straight up in a bun and one evening show. We arrived at the auditorium at 6pm and left around 11pm.
Finally we have found a dance school, which provides a fun atmosphere, is low maintenance and one where my daughter has made friends and feels like she fits in. She has even made a pact with some of her new friends that they are all going back next year.
Now I turn my attention to organizing a 7th birthday party for Callum, and think I have left my run to late for a sports party. Lets hope I can find somewhere reasonably priced to host a party otherwise the venue becomes my home. Not something I want to deal with this year.
(Dance Concert Preperations 2008)
17 comments:
your daughter is very pretty Liss, and I know I told you already before, but I must say it again, I love your portraiture shots, you are so good at them.
She is beautiful, truly beautiful. We have a little dancer in our family too. : )
xoxo
It is so wonderful when your child finds a place that they love and feel a part of. So glad that Mikaela has found that place!
But two shows in one day for a six year old, YIKES!!!
good for you! sometimes i think people forget that children need to be left alone to be children. an 18 hour dance recital ordeal sounds grueling to me as an adult. i can't imagine that a child would enjoy it.
what a cutie your daughter is and those eyes!!
Mikaela looks gorgeous! It's so good when the find their niche!
These are great pictures. I bet she is a beautiful little dancer!
Liss, Mikaela is beautiful. I never had that problem about dance school. I raised three sons by myself. As a forensic nurse, on call day and night, I didn't even have them participate in sports. When they entered high school, my two younger sons decided they were playing football and there wasn't much I could say - "your grades better not change." When Alex continued to make all A's, he just said, "get real, Mom." I prayed for no broken bones and, other than a badly sprained ankle for Alex in college, and a bruised kidney for Jeremy in high school, my worries were for nothing.
I had to freeze in outdoor evening games and watch brutes pound each other and wish I was watching delicate girls in frilly costume pirouette and twirl but the Lord didn't see fit to give me that.
I will enjoy seeing pictures of your lovely daughter!
Oh my goodness Liss. The prior school sounds grueling, especially for young children. Here's hoping this school will be the last.
Oh wow, so nice to know Mikaela finally found a nicer (more lenient) school. She looks so pretty. You take such good pictures, Liss!
Hope you find the venue for Callum's party. Happy 7th Birthday to Callum!
:)
The after and before is wonderful. Glad that Mikaela is enjoying dance - she's beautiful...
btw... everytime I see a kids cupcake decorating device, I always think of you. I saw one yesterday & today.
oh to feel so happy and relaxed in the right place with the right people. I'm so happy you've found the right spot for her.
I have to agree with everyone. My first response was wow, Mikaela looks stunning!! Absolutely beautiful. And to hear this was such a good fit for her has to feel so rewarding! Good luck on finding the sports venue, I know what a challenge that can be :)
Liss, you are such a good mom. I am truly in awe of how well you mother and parent, especially when its just you!
She is beautiful. It does sound like her has found her dancing home!
I hope you find a great place for the party!
you're so truly welcome!!! im glad you've found a dance school that has exactly the right focus! lots of beautiful wishes
when a child says that about a school it makes a moms heart sing...wish I could have seen her, keep up the good work of mothering Liss!
oh liss. she looks gorgeous, your mikaela!
it is one busy schedule ande she loved evry minute of it...looked at the smile...it says it all. worth every hardwork!
here's hoping you find a better deal for callum's birthday do...
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She looks so gorgeous, Liss. And, she's the spitting image of you, so that means you are gorgeous, too. =) It sounds like quite a process to have to have gone through to find a dance home, but it does sound like the right one for Mikaela. Good luck with the b-day plans for Callum.
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