Katy's First Dance Recital

At the beginning of June, Katy danced in her first ballet recital.  After her first mini-performance several months prior, during which she froze-up and didn't dance, Chris told Katy he would buy her anything she wanted if she danced in her recital.  Silly Chris.  You never make such an open-ended promise.  Katy told Chris she wanted a make-up van.  Chris, thinking a make-up van was some sort of toy, agreed.  When asked later to describe the make-up van, it became clear that she wanted a make-up vanity.  So now Chris was on the hook to buy not a toy, but a small piece of furniture.

Katy talked for weeks about the "make-up van" she would receive after dancing in her recital.  Fearing Katy would freeze-up again in front of the much larger crowd at the recital, I talked with her a lot about what to expect the day of the recital in hopes that it would help her overcome her timidness.

After weeks of waiting, the day of the recital finally arrived.  Katy was eager to dance during rehearsal and proudly explained that Jesus helped her dance, which of course made my heart swell with happiness.  Katy was so excited to wear her costume.  She packed her own bag of make-up and couldn't wait to put it on herself in the dressing room the evening of the show.  And when it was her turn to dance during the recital, she danced without reserve.   Her class was on stage for no more than three minutes and being so young, they weren't exactly synchronized.  But none of that really mattered because my timid, reserved child overcame her fear and did something she truly enjoyed in front of a large audience.  For the first time as a parent, I experienced the overwhelming pride and joy that such a accomplishment triggers.

At the end of the recital, all of the dancers went on stage for a finale and a beautiful balloon drop, which caused all the little girls to squeal and run around with excitement.  When I finally went back stage to collect Katy, it only took her about 30 seconds to stop playing and ask if we could go buy her make-up vanity.  Chris and I convinced her we should go home first.

When we arrived home, I delayed Katy entering the house for a couple of minutes while Chris moved her make-up vanity to the entrance (thanks Aunt Denise for helping us find a great deal on a gently used one!).  When she walked in the door and saw the vanity waiting for her, she was confused about the seemingly-magical appearance of a small piece of furniture.  She asked where it came from and how we knew she would dance.  Once satisfied with our answers, she went straight to work filling the drawer with her make-up and other treasures. 

Despite the costs associated with a dance recital, the tediousness of the three-hour rehearsal, and the unexpected bonus of keeping two infants calm during the show without their pacifiers (whoops!), the recital was a huge success, and Katy has a darling little make-up vanity to prove it.

(Katy is in the front row, the first on the left side when looking at the stage)