Monday, June 4, 2012

You Can't Stop The Beat

Yes, it's true.
My children have performed. For the first time ever.
And naturally, they were brilliant.
Actually, it was so sweet. We were so proud of them.
And happy to be home on Saturday night, because it was a very adventurous week.
Above, we have Olivia the carousel unicorn.
Here we have K.J. the fire dancer with his ballet face on.

Let's see if we can get any closer.
Yes!
There it is.
Ballet Face.
I told him he could just relax and smile, but he didn't want to.
He wanted his Ballet Face on record.
Thank heavens.

K.J. was really, really nervous that first night. In fact, he was having a hard time remembering his first dance -- you could see the nerves on his face -- trying to remember what he was supposed to be doing while searching for us in the audience for a little reassurance.
But then he got right back on beat. Phew! We loved watching him.
He is the funniest kid, he just makes us laugh.
He beats to his own drummer, which we love.
Dance does not come as naturally to him, he has had to work hard to get where he is, but he is getting there. Sometimes I think when it's not a natural talent you work even harder and become even better then if it were.
We loved watching him tap, especially. He danced to 'Smooth Criminal,' and his little feet were just flying and hopping.
He is already tapping his fingers to get to the next dance semester. It's so awesome to see his confidence grow as he is discovering something he loves. He has a very proud Mom (and Dad).

Here's Olivia's little gaggle of unicorns. Aren't they the cutest?
They actually were.
Olivia on stage was a little dream boat. So. Stinking. Cute.
My Mother Heart just about couldn't take it, she was so sweet.
Her face lit up like fireworks and she danced her little heart out, sending humongous smiles and an occasional finger wave our way.
Her teachers have both said dancing comes naturally to her, and we could see that.
It might be a little early to say, but I wouldn't be surprised if dance becomes an important outlet for her. She was in her element. And that tiny tiny body doing plies, rond-de-jambe's, and tap-tap-tapping away was about the sweetest thing I've ever seen.
She was adorable in the tap choo-choo train, but I think the ballet carousel wins for favorite Olivia number.

The Double B and I were so proud!
We spent the day together on Saturday, watching performances and waiting together, and it was so nice to just be next to each other cheering on our offspring. My parents have always been so supportive of my brothers and I, and it was really special to have our first experience planting confidence and a knowledge that what they do is important to us in K.J. and Olivia.
Actually, it was a pretty special weekend.
They had lots of cheerleaders -- both sets of Grandparents, Uncle Steve, and Uncle Nick and Aunt Sil and Bella all came to make them feel special -- we're thankful for them! Kaje and Liv loved having them there to dance to!
Having my kids come into a love for performance on their own terms makes me feel pretty happy, too. I'm a little surprised how pleasing that is to me that they are beginning to display a personal love and appreciation for the arts. As long as it is bringing them joy, I am happy.  
Meanwhile, Katelyn thoroughly enjoyed the show.
She went to two of the three performances and was completely mesmerized the whole time.
She'd point at K.J. or Livi when she'd find them, but she loved every number.
Especially the hip hop. That got her little booty moving.

All in all, it was a totally great 'Circus.'

2 comments:

Tara said...

great job guys. sounds like a lot of fun.

Elise said...

Those little unicorns are stinking adorable. Seriously.