Dance Recital Season

            Both of my daughters took dance lessons growing up – both starting in Kindergarten.  The girls were 14 years apart in age. Sara was finishing her years of dance, just as Ramie was beginning hers. For over two decades each Memorial Day weekend centered around either the low-key dance demonstrations or the more “high performance” dance recitals! The end of May was an opportunity for our dance athletes to show off their new moves and refined skills.  
            It was delightful to see the little ones in their fluffy little tutu costumes, pointing their toes, galloping in circles, watching each other for cues and finally striking their frozen final pose as the lights dimmed. You couldn’t help but smile. It always surprised me how each class performs measurably better than the last – an additional year’s worth of practice, growth and discipline.
            When Ramie was done with dancing, I felt a little sad. I missed the end of May Dance Madness. No Dance Demonstrations – No Dance Recitals – No Nothing. May was lacking.  
            Luckily for this old Grandma, both Sara and Ramie were blessed with little girls who wanted to dance – hooray! That old May Dance Madness returned!
             Rai started dancing last year when she was in Kindergarten. 2018 was a recital year so that was special! Costumes, pictures, performances – we were right back in it! This year is the 40th Anniversary of Kathy’s studio so she decided to celebrate by having a recital again this year – bonus!  
            Rai takes dance lessons at the same studio her Mom (Ramie) attended. The same studio (and teacher) that her Aunt Sara attended! This has been a family tradition in our little town of Fremont and one that I know meant a lot to both of my girls growing up.  
            Sara would have loved it if she could have had her daughter take lessons from Kathy but the dance studio in Wahoo is so much closer to their home and more convenient. Luckily Gracyn’s dance recital was in the middle of May with Rai’s scheduled for the end of May – no conflicts!

Practicing hairstyles for the recital

            Not so lucky, was my last-minute thought… Wouldn’t it be cute to draw a “Freddy” ballerina and make a sticker for a vase? Presenting our dancers with flowers on performance night is another lovely tradition and what better way to let them know how much I value their hard work then by commemorating the occasion with a special “Fierce Freddy”.  (I tell you, that little frog can do anything.)
            I didn’t think of the Fierce Freddy vase idea in time to get it made for Gracyn’s recital but I will get the vase done for Rai’s recital. Gracyn did get flowers on her recital day and they were lovely. However, you can be sure that Oma Sue will be delivering an additional bouquet to Gracyn to celebrate her “fierce” first year dancing achievement and this one will be in a special vase.  
            Rai attended extra rehearsals this past Memorial Day weekend as she was selected to perform in the opening number! So, this week will be filled with more rehearsals, dress rehearsals and two nights of performances. I will post another blog entry on Rai’s recital next week, complete with pictures. (I’m such an Oma)
            For now, I would like to share some pictures of sweet Gracyn Mae and a loving testimonial offered by her mother (my daughter Sara) on her Facebook page.  
 
            Goosebumps, tears, pure joy. Seeing our girl dance in her first dance recital was amazing beyond words. I grew up dancing with a studio for 13 years, taking for granted my physical ability to do so. Ms. Megan and her staff have been a blessing, teaching Gracyn and modifying her movements to perform to her best abilities and keeping her safe in the dance setting. It tickles my heart to be in the dance and recital world again, 20 some years later as a dance mommy. This was such a wonderfully choreographed recital, proud of Gracyn and all the talented girls that made this an amazing performance! Congratulations to my tiny dancer on her first (and super successful) year of dance and recital. I pray she can continue to dance her little heart out!  (Proud Mama Sara)
 
            
            ​Colby and the boys were such good sports to support their princess and little sister on her big day. The program in Wahoo was a tad long and I think they have had their fill of recitals – so it will just be Sara representing the Smith’s at Rai’s event this weekend. As Grandma Alyce always said “I love you to pieces!”           ​