The Dance Recital

The children had their first dance recitals this weekend. I was very worried about their performances - mainly SB's affinity for bursting into tears unprompted.

First let me point out that their recitals were on different days. Mac's was Saturday and SB's was Sunday. I was not too pleased with this, alas there was nothing I could do about it.

Mac, for his part, was the ham he always is. He did not do their little dance, and when it came to the actual tumbling, he was more prone to running across the stage than rolling. He did fine with the forward roll, but then decided that the not-quite-a-cartwheel hoppy thing was not worth his time and he went running from his instructor. 

Mac was "caught" on stage 3 or 4 times. He would run from one and another would catch him. At one point four different instructors were chasing him down! 

The entire audience was cracking up at his antics. I heard people rows behind us exclaiming, "Isn't that little boy adorable?" Yes, yes he is. 

I have to say I was rather proud of Mac. No, he didn't listen to his teachers, but he got out there and did HIS thing. And he is definitely the class clown. Maybe we need to find a mini-improv group...

Mac actually rolling

Escape!

Gotcha!

Running across the stage - again!

Now, SB's recital was Sunday. I was petrified she wouldn't even get up on the stage...I think we were all worried that our little red-head would decide that she was just fine without going in front of the crowd, thank you very much. 
But she was great. Backstage when I got her dressed she was ready and raring to go. I had to keep telling her to be patient. She even kept attempting to do a straddle splits while waiting (she was pretty good!). 
She got out on that stage and she strutted her stuff. I think I held my breath the whole time. I was never worried about Mac being on stage, but SB is my more cautious and worrisome child - I was scared and nervous for her! But she was fine and afterward was so excited, I think she wanted to do it again. I could have cried that she was so excited over her performance.

SB and her rainbow class

She said dancing backwards was tricky!

Oh, she is so cute and did wonderfully!

Now, this pic is blurry, but I just love what this shows! She did it! I am so proud of her!

It's amazing the different emotions I felt as each of my children took to the stage. With Mac I was never concerned, not nervous at all. I knew he would be a natural, and he was. With SB I admit I was nervous! I wasn't she she would even get on the stage. But she did beautifully. 
I'm reminded of just how much my babies are growing up. No longer babies, are they? I'm always amazed by what they do and how they do it. 
Both of my children are so talented. They love to perform and this was their first HUGE audience (and it was huge - standing room only). I hope they have many, many more years of doing what they love.