Dance!

Kadence was able to start back at dance this Fall.  She wears a back brace so that it can help reinforce her skin and remind her not to bend.  The studio and all of their staff are absolutely amazing at working with her.  They are so kind and helpful.  In fact at dress rehearsal they were practicing the finale and Kadence started crying.  Both of her teachers walked her off stage and were consoling her.  David and I panicked completely.  Once we realized that she was just worried about getting hurt when they went to a blackout David started to catch his breath as I said "DON'T cry, you're going to ruin your mascara!"  I was not as nurturing as maybe I should have been but if you have ever put mascara on Kadence you would understand completely!  The teachers were so sweet and still telling her it was ok and how scary that must be.  Kadence danced to Cotton Eye Joe and was so excited it was a cowgirl dance.

 The Tiny's did a Conga dance and Shelby has the best little hip shake.

 These two are the cutest!

 I put them both in musical theater and it's based on ages.  They were in the same class and danced to You're a Mean One Mr Grinch. This is them trying to be grinchy.

 They are far too happy to be grinches. 

Walking to our apartment from a long day of dress rehearsals

The night of the show I was surprised to see how many came out to support my girls.  Megan, Dusty, Davisson and Odessa drove all the way up to surprise us.  I just about cried because it was the best surprise ever!

Jeffy came to see his girls do what they love!

Grandma Judy came to watch too!

I was so excited that Grandma and Grandpa Joy were able to come to watch.  It's been about 2 1/2 years since they've seen these girls dance.  

Rachel, Katlyn and Kylah came too!  

Both girls were so excited about each and every person.  We are truly blessed to have such a great support system.

After the show we followed Grandma Judy to her car and she gave the girls their very own Raggedy Ann dolls.  She spent a lot of time to make these for the girls.  Both of them LOVE them.  They have slept with them on their beds every night.  They understand the hard work that went into making them and treat them so nice.  They sit by them as they watch tv, but they don't play with them rough like they do their stuffed animals.  These are going to be cherished for many years.

Both girls did such a great job and I am surprised how much they have grown in such a short amount of time.  Kadence had about 8 months without dancing and she still improved.  She was able to keep up and remember a lot of the choreography. She was in her element in the Grinch dance.  She loved acting it out.  She had a little part where she was front and center and she nailed it!  She dropped her present which made me laugh, but she recovered like a champ.  Shelby might not be the best dancer on her team, but she is working so hard.  She decided to dance without her glasses and couldn't see her teachers giving the prompts during the performance.  You'd never be able to tell, she did great!  She knew exactly what formation to go to next and got there in time, she was a great back spot in her lift, and she even smiled quite a bit which she usually doesn't do.  She gets so focused on not messing up that she looks very serious throughout.  They've both improved and I can't wait to see how well they do in June!  I'm so proud of them and love them so much.  Watching them dance on stage almost brings me to tears.  Almost.  I love watching them feel confident enough to get on stage without any hesitation and do what they love.  I love these girls of mine!