Today is the big day and I am more nervous than I was when I walked out onto the football field for the first time as a Star (drill team). We arrive at the Civic Center when the doors opened at 1pm so I can get the best seat. I can tell by Kinsey's reaction that she is terrified that she is going to have to dance. She is eagerly checking out the other girls in their costumes and she spots Mrs. Staci. Kinsey waves at her with a big smile on her face and Mrs. Staci tells me that she's going to help me get Kinsey backstage. I told Brent to keep working on the house because I had no idea if she was going to dance.
Neena and Aunt Wendy arrive and helps save our seats while I take Kinsey backstage and she is clinging onto me like a leech. We met the young girl that will be in charge of keeping up with Kinsey and changing her costume after the first performance. I was hoping Morgan (Kelli's daughter) would take care of Kinsey but it was somebody that I've never met before but Morgan is with Kinsey's class so I feel somewhat ok with her being backstage without me. Mrs. Staci shows me the dressing room and Kinsey is kicking and screaming as we put on her first costume for the ballet dance. It's showtime! I left Kinsey bawling and it was so hard to not turn around and comfort her.
Before the dance recital began, a slide show of pictures kept the audience entertained. There were funny pictures, pictures of some of the teams winning awards and group pictures. Low and behold, there's a group picture of Kinsey's class and there's Mommy! Great! Mrs. Staci said there wasn't enough time to edit me out.
I sat in my seat waiting for Mrs. Staci to call me or bring Kinsey out because she won't stop crying but that never happened. Kinsey's class is the second performance and Kiki was able to sneak out of church to see her dance. She did it! She did it!
Kinsey's tap dance was the 10th performance and once again she did a great job! Yes, I have video of both performances. This is what I found when I went backstage to get my tiny little dancer. She was patiently waiting with her feet on her box filled with her dress that she wore when we arrive and her ballet costume.
She was so happy to see Mommy!
It's been a long and stressful day for this little girl. I like that she fell asleep with her purse. So cute!
I had to take Kinsey backstage one more time for the award ceremony and once again, I handed her off to another young lady and she cried again. All of the girls that performed today came out onstage. When Kinsey's name was called, she received a medal and her sweet brother, Beck, walked to the stage and handed her a bouquet of flowers. Kiki and Pops dropped Beck off after church and it was just in time for him to see the award ceremony. Beck was so excited to give her the flowers. He is such a sweet boy!
Then, we went backstage to get Kinsey. Beck and Kinsey gave each other the biggest hug.
I really hope we can find another dance studio like this one. Mrs. Staci was a wonderful teacher and this dance recital was very entertaining as well as organized. Kinsey absolutely loved going to dance class each week! We will miss Footlights. Adios!
She is so cute. Proud of my little girl! -Dad
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