Caitlin's dance recital

Since Caitlin only goes to school 3 days a week (4 starting in January!), we signed her up for a dance and art class on Mondays.  She looks forward to going every week, and has been coming home and showing off her plies and shuffle ball changes (with the most adorable tap and ballet shoes!).  At the last class, Caitlin got her recital costume and instructions that she had to wear lipstick and blush (!!) and a her hair in a pony tail with a bow for the culmination -- the big dance recital with kids from age 3 up to teenagers.  Saturday was the dress rehearsal, where we were permitted to take pictures and videos, and Sunday was the actual show - where we could buy pictures and videos (??).  She couldn't have been more excited - for the makeup AND the recital and the entire experience was priceless.  

Caitlin sitting still for her makeup

 

As much as she loved being on stage (which she did LOVE) she was thrilled to sit and watch all the older girls do their routines.  Every once in awhile she would stand up and try to mimic their moves.

Before it was their turn to go up, the teacher lined up the girls and gave them a pep talk.

I asked Caitlin to smile for a picture on stage - not sure this passes for a smile, but she was too excited to sit still, so this is one of the only non-blurry pics.

Their routine was adorable for many reasons - but dancing in perfect unison was not one of them.

At the actual recital, I snuck a picture of the finale.  Caitlin wasn't in it - she decided she would rather come out of the backstage room to watch all the other girls dance and sit with us - but seeing all the applause and attention the other kids got, I think she will make a different decision next  year.  It didn't impact her flower count though - she is a lucky little girl to have had Mayensi, all of us, Aunt Rachael and Grandma come to cheer her on.

Isaac sat (somewhat patiently) asking only about 30 times when it was going to be over.  At dinner, he told Uncle Evan and Aunt Adrienne that "the recital was ... (notice death stare from mommy) amazing" and then he whispered to Evan (loud enough for all of us to hear) "I was going to say dumb but I thought mommy would get mad"  HAAA!!!!