Course Clear!

Finis! The end of the school year just preceded the end of the year dance recital for the kids. They are in full summer now! Alas that I am not yet with them in it.  

Here is Miles at the very beginning and the very end of the year. Looks like he's seen some things this year, doesn't he?

Well, we barely got him off the bus before we were all off to dress rehearsal at the big Blacksburg High School. 9 months of ballet and tap for these kids was coming to a culmination and an end!

She is ready to go!

We were allowed to photograph and film dress rehearsal. You better believe we did!

Adele's number came first in the program. She's come a long way. I really didn't think at the beginning of the year that she'd stand on a big stage, lit by spotlights, without her teacher or parents, and dance for people for the duration of a song. But she did it. Even on Saturday, during the time she's usually napping. I was so proud.

Oh that this pic was sharper. I love it, though.

Of course, we have a video! Adele is the little one on the right. I'd just like point out that she is the youngest child in the class. 

The audience was in stitches during their dance. Not because they didn't do a good job, but because they were just so cartoonishly tiny. Some of them were chaos muppets and wanted to do the same step like 10 times more than was choreographed. Some were terrified and frozen. One girl walked off stage the wrong way at the end. We were in tears of laughter. It was adorable. I can't wait to see what she does next!

Miles' dance was one of the last. Everyone had a giggle when they lifted princesses out of pipes to the tune of the original Super Mario Brothers theme. 

Miles actually did a better job in the recital than in dress rehearsal, because he smiled the whole time in the recital. Like a real, deliberate performer. I was bursting with pride.

Yes there are two videos. Yes you have to watch them both.

(kidding)

I haven't kvelled such an enormous kvell in many months.  They were great fun to watch.

And so was the rest of the show! There were probably 15-20 dance numbers presented by kids from age 3 all the way up to 18 year olds who absolutely blew our minds with their talent and carefully honed skill. I rolled my eyes at all the kids' recital package including a trophy, but... I didn't understand how excited the little kids would be to get their first trophies after doing something hard.

Adele holds hers high, without being directed to do so. 

After the recital, we were off for some well earned frozen yogurt, the kids in matching t-shirts and still sticky with hairspray.

Church was so delightfully summery! We are in Ordinary Time, post-Pentecost. Or, as we call it in Children's Chapel, "The Great Green Growing Season." And we are growing!

Miles in one of his Goodwill-bought dresses. He loves it. 

We got summer haircuts yesterday! Well, two of us did. Miles is growing his hair out; Adele can't have hers short enough to suit her. *shrugs*

She took a lot off, thinned it and generally made me feel less like my hair was a cash crop I was growing. I feel summer ready!

And the summer pursuits have begun!

They made a Gruffalo with sidewalk chalk. Obviously. 

For my birthday, I wanted to play some Mario Brothers 3. I laugh so hard while playing that game, and Laugh was my stated intention for 2015. Jon obligingly got the Super Nintendo out, and we have been happily rediscovering the 80s and 90s together ever since.

This seemed an appropriate image for the end of our year. We have all graduated from something, into something. I will treasure the moment Adele left the stage after the dress rehearsal, when she ran straight into my arms and crowed, "Mummy I did it!!" We should all take a moment to express our triumph. It's June! We did it!

We still don't know our direction. But my prayers for patience are being answered, it seems. I'm seizing joy right now.