Dancing to Compete {May 2014}

After a year or two of my daughter asking when she could take part in a dance competition we decided to test the waters this year. We chose to enter the first competition with a duet number with a close friend. After extra private lessons with a choreographer and hours and hours of  independent practice a few weeks ago the girls took the stage at KAR's Regional Dance Competition.

Their hard work and dedication paid off with not only a Top First place in their division for lyrical dance but, a third place high score in their age division, and a special talent award - which included an invitation to attend a master's class with the Rockettes in New York City.

So proud of the determination and hard work that went into the preparation - we would have just been happy with the experience.

Pictured above ~ The girls gasped when they saw this competition stage and lighting ... it was so fun to watch as they experienced this opportunity for the first time!

Pictured above ~ Lexi and her good friend, Ellie, with their dance choreographer and dance school director. Pictured below ~ the girls performed their award winning duet in our dance school's recital last weekend.

How the Grinch "Found" Christmas

Last weekend we enjoyed the girls' ballet school performance of "How the Grinch Stole Found Christmas". Like two years ago, we had the privilege of having a daughter dance the part of Cindy-Lou. Ava Mae absolutely loved every second of rehearsals and performing. She took the role quite seriously, even deciding the choreography would be better with acrobatics - so we spent several months taking tumbling lessons so that Ava Mae could add in two aerials {cartwheels with no hands} to her dance. Ava Mae also had the blessing of having her very good dance buddy as the other Cindy-Lou {there are two shows and a different Cindy-Lou for each show} - so fun to be able to attend all practices with a friend.

Lexi also enjoyed performing in several dances - including an amazing opening tap "Rockette style" number. And, for the first time Ava Mae and Lexi had a ballet dance where they performed together.

Always love this performance of The Grinch... and though Ava Mae has repeated constantly how sad she is it is over ... I, for one, am glad to have a break from all the ballet school craziness for a few weeks.

All photographs are courtesy of professional photographer, Andrew Savasuk - who did an amazing job shooting the performance!

On Pointe

Yesterday was a big day for Lexi - her first official pointe shoe fitting. She is so excited that she begins pointe class next week. For Lexi, she thought this day would never come - it has been a long year of being in a pointe class but, not being allowed to be on pointe because, she was too young. {Pictured above with her very good friend and "dance twin" - Ashlyn. These girls have danced together since 2 years old.}

Of course, it wouldn't be a ballet outing without younger sisters in tow ... Ava Mae and Ashlyn's sister, Anna, who is Ava Mae's "dance twin", enjoyed hanging out with the ballet school director.

It only took 8 or 9 pairs before the perfect pair were found ... of course, they had to be the most expensive. At least they are great quality and will hopefully, last the year.

And while the older sisters were getting fitted .... the younger sisters tried to convince Miss Lisa that they should be allowed to wear these types of outfits to ballet class. They didn't win that argument.

Can't believe this day is already here ... why do kids have to grow up so fast? It seems like just yesterday Lexi was skipping in to the 2 year old ballet class, hair in a tiny bun and pink tutu on. Hard to believe in another two years we will be in this very spot with Ava Mae.

Happy girls with new pointe shoes!

Dance Recital {2013}

And, the curtain closes ... on another year of dance! Lexi and Ava Mae had their ballet recitals this past weekend.

Little Ava Mae has always loved dance but, this year she finished her first year of Pre-Invitational Classes and I could really tell how much she has grown as a dancer. 

I thought it was funny one parent even asked if Ava Mae takes private lessons ... um, yes, from herself. Seriously, this child dances 24/7.  When she isn't at dance she is home watching You Tube videos and emulating every dance move she does not know yet. Of course, it helps to have an older sister who dances!

This Mouseketeer dance was amazing! And, it was a complete surprise to find out there was an original Mouseketeer in the audience who came backstage after the first recital to have her picture made with the girls.

Lexi continues to grow as a dancer as well. I can say sending her to a full month of summer dance intensive last year really made a difference.

She has begun to really show her flexibility and acro talent in jazz. She absolutely loves her jazz/lyrical teacher Ms. Kelly! It is one of her favorite classes.

Lexi also had the opportunity this year to help with  a 3 year old ballet/tap class.  Such an adorable little class of girls who all see Lexi as their new best friend.

This dance recital marked the 20th year anniversary of our ballet studio ... Our director, Ms. Lisa began the studio with just a handful of girls and a 14 minute recital their first year. Wow, have things have grown! Ms. Lisa is amazing and it was so special to hear all the girls who came back and spoke at her reception. We love you BIG Ms. Lisa!!

"My Child My Princess" {Ballet Performance}

This is now my very favorite performance by our ballet school - "My Child My Princess". It is an adaptation of the book by Beth Moore. Ms. Lisa, our ballet school director, has done a wonderful job adapting it for the stage. The music, choreography, lighting, and stage setting were beautiful!

Ava Mae was in four dances/scenes ... her favorite being the tambourine dance. She worked really hard on that dance with the Invitational I class.

Ava Mae with the beautiful girl, Emily who played the princess.

Lexi was in three dances playing the part of both a village girl and a rich girl.

My very favorite dance of Lexi's was this one, "Give me Jesus".

Devin with his sisters.

Lexi and Ava Mae before the performance.

Lexi with two of her friends, Ellie and Gracie.

Summer Dance Intensive {2012}

For the last three weeks - we have been up early to get Lexi ready and drive her to her summer intensive. Over 30+ hours in the car ... 90+ hours Lexi spent dancing. Monday through Thursday it was ballet, tap, jazz, modern, lyrical, and hip hop classes. Fridays were spent in choreography after an hour long Zumba class and one hour spent at the barre. Not to mention the 320 crunches Lexi had to do each day before she got to leave to come home.

I knew this would make or break Lexi's love of dance but, every day when I picked her up she would jump into the car exhausted but, smiling and telling me how she could not wait to go back the next day. Lexi gave up being able to go to camp, playdates with friends, and lazy days at the pool.

I enjoyed seeing the small improvements in Lexi's technique that she would come home and share with us each day. Two weeks in Lexi was able to do all of her splits and an amazing side arabesque. There were sore muscles, headaches, and painful toes.

Loved seeing all the hard work culminate tonight at the Summer Showcase the studio put on. We were able to see two different ballet dances, and one from each of her other dance classes.

Also, loved meeting Lexi's friends from the past three weeks. Such sweet girls and nice families! Two of the moms sought me out to let me know how much their daughter's loved Lexi and really were hoping she would dance at the studio next year. Lexi was made to feel so welcome from day one ... from the older girls, like Lexi and Ava Mae's new friend - Margaret {who is off to dance at Ballet Magnificat tomorrow} to the girls Lexi's age who accepted her into their group of friends immediately.

Lots of prayer and discussion now to decide what we will do this fall. We know no matter what Lexi will be back to dance at Impact next summer {and more than likely Lexi will take some ballet classes this July} and eventually we will make a move there - just need to make sure it is God's timing. If it is not God's plan for this year we will continue to dance at our current studio - that we still love! It was the perfect place for Lexi for the last few years and still is for Ava Mae.

Pictured below, Lexi with the ballet school director and one of her teacher's this past week.She called Lexi her little super star and was really hoping we would make a move to her studio. She also gave us some really good things to think about moving forward with ballet for Lexi.

Pictured above Lexi with one of her new good friends from the ballet school. I think I heard about this cute girl and two other friends every day.

Catching Up : {Ballet, Baseball, and more}

The last two weeks have been a blur ... dance recitals, baseball playoffs and All-Stars, the end of our school year and standardized testing. And, in the midst of all of that ... my computer caught a virus and completely crashed losing all of my files and pictures. {Thankfully, we were able to pay someone to recover and restore my main computer and I have an iPad and laptop which I was able to use. I now vow to actually begin using the backup drive my husband bought for my computer over a year ago.}

Lexi and Ava Mae's ballet recital was beautiful ... both girls did a great job! It was a long two days but, it is always so nice to see them dance on stage and to see the improvement they have made over the last year.

Devin's baseball team {that my husband coaches} finished their season in 3rd place after a week long double elimination tournament. In amazing end ... we actually entered the playoffs in 6th place. All the kids played their hearts out and we lost to the 2nd best team in the league by just one run.

Devin attended the league championship game where he was awarded a trophy for being named the best hitter in the league with a .787 batting average and an .800 on base percentage. {I am told these numbers are really good.} 

And, last but, definitely not the least ... we finished our school year and all of our standardized testing last week!! Devin and Lexi celebrated by going to Six Flags with my husband. A fun way to the end the school year.

So what lies ahead... lots of swimming, a month of ballet intensive for Lexi, a month of travel baseball for Devin, VBS at our church, a camp here at our home, ballet camp for Ava Mae, a trip to our friend's lakehouse, lots of playdates, and a week long trip to the beach when everyone else heads back to school in August. So thankful, summer is here!!!!