(all pics are just screen shots from Debbie's film...I did not take one pic! If you have photos, please share via the email link from Debbie's video)
My head is swimming with sweet memories already! Oh my...where do I begin? I knew that it would be most of the girl's first time at recital this time. Our first time was just last December and I remember not knowing what to expect. I have never been one to appreciate change or anything too unpredictable so today, I wanted to be helpful. Not to mention, I NEVER in my growing up, much less at age 4, got on a stage and danced in front of a crowd so HUGE! I am naturally stage fright but do not want to pass that fear onto my girl (or my boys for that matter). I am still wanting to conquer my fear of public speaking. Geez, today, just walking out on the closed curtain stage just before all of you arrived, I got that sick feeling in my tummy, you know the one, the one that makes you feel like you cannot breathe! I thought, "wow! and my girl is going out here today, her tiny little self, fearless" or at least she trusts ME to be fearless. There were ups and downs and twists and turns and sweet innocence so let me see if I can share some of the little details "behind the scenes".
To begin with, Miss Brenda told me there were a couple of (way too big looking) ballet shoes and a pair of tap shoes in the hula skirt box, just in case someone forgot theirs...I thought, "oh, that's a good idea but probably isn't necessary". The time was getting closer to 12:30, showtime!!, and one of the other stage moms, like the stage mom above the new stage mom (me), asked me if I had all the girls? Huh?? What?? I need to find all of them?!! I had to double check our list as I was trying to get those hula skirts tied on tight enough but not too tight, checking, double checking, asking the girls, "can you breathe, is that okay??"...so, I quickly assessed, there were about 5 girls out! Ackkk! Then, one by one, the moms and girls started pouring in.
There were various things happening with the mamas....tears from one as she realized as she entered the building, she forgot the ballet and tap shoes! (That Miss Brenda, doesn't she just..know!...as well as another ballet/tap mama who happened to have an extra pair of tap shoes along...saved!! and both girls danced in stocking feet for the ballet number, "Kiss the Girl" with out missing a beat.) Another one, flustered as the house alarm went off and the family got separated in coming to the show so she was wanting to dress her little princess and talk on the phone and fix that thing and was a bit torn between the two. And then, a precious one with a runny nose and a cotton hankie embroidered with "tender sobber". She had the sweetest looks in her eyes every time I talked to her. She found out that if she kept putting her hankie back on top of my handbag, that she could find it the next moment she needed it. My arm also found it several times. I knew, ah..there it is ....the cool dampness on my arm, again. ;-) I had asked the girls if anyone needed to potty...no, no, no..is all I got..then one last call....not one, not two, three said yes! Yikes! (in my head....) Sure, I am a mother of four, I can do this, we only have less than 15 mins. before they go on...it's just three tied in a knot hula skirts and three leotards and three pairs of snug tights and undies to pull down and back up..I love a challenge!....one gal even thought she needed to go big business but as we were all four in the handicapped stall, she had an audience and for sure, had some stage fright. I did not notice any distress and thought it would "all come out okay" after the show. ;-) She changed her mind about even trying. And then, I really needed to go...so, I went to it, the girls waited for me and I thought...how funny would that be if they were late for curtain as the new "stage mom" was having a tinkle?
Just before they went on, Michelle and I lined up the girls, keeping the hula skirt colors from being too matchy and then showed them the wonderful video recording that Debbie made at rehearsal last Thursday. We told them that they would see Miss Brenda under a bright light, who will be leading them just like in class so they can follow her and do what she does. I think Jacqueline thought she was walking into the dance studio when she was going out to the stage because she asked me if that was what was happening. So cute! She was first in line so I just hoped and prayed she would be okay with it all. I fake it until I make it! Just as the curtain went up and the music began, the more seasoned stage mom told me, "I hope no one cries...if one cries, they all cry" Ugh! I hope not. Happy to say, no criers!!
After that first show, Pineapple Princess by Annette Funicello, the girls came off stage and they loved it! The ice had been broken. I was more relaxed at this point too. So then the snacking began. The girls colored, watched more of themselves from Debbie's video and I had brought mozzarella cheese sticks for myself and Tessa but was able to make little pieces to keep the little mice, ahem, ballerinas protein up for the next song, "Kiss the Girl". They only had about 25 minutes to wait. Chloe did not like my second snack offering but I think preferred it to not snacking so some of the girls ate some raw almonds too. They played and waited and were asking different questions..mostly about when was it time for lunch!
After "Kiss the Girl", they waiting side stage and then went out for the sweet finale, The Lion King " I Can't Wait to be King"..a favorite as they get to roar. We had one little ballerina who was normally in Carolyn's class, Addison, and Miss Brenda was not sure of her name when she was giving out trophies and announcing names to the crowd...and I did not know that she did not know her...but, she got it and said her name after Addison told her twice...it was fine and worked out! Michelle, please add to this tale or straighten me out if I got something wrong!
I am proud of our girls! We were happy to see Jasmine go out there and dance on that big stage! Way to go Jasmine! Harmani was missed today and we hope she gets well soon. ;-( I love these sweet memories with our girls, my friends and I hope to make many more!
