Tell Me A Tale

It's already been 3 weeks since Lauren's dance recital. I've been patiently waiting for photos from the studio owner's husband, who faithfully photographs each performance and then sends an album via email to all of the parents. Well, we got the digital images last week and much to my despair, all of the files are too small once downloaded to post. Boo hoo. Since it likely will be a while before I can speak with him to see if he can send me larger files, I'm just going to go ahead and tell the story, er, tale of this year's extravaganza. First off, I may have said it before, but I'll say it again. This dance studio is serious. It's small and anything but fancy, but after having done recitals at 3 other studios since Lauren started dancing at age 2, this by far was the most professional and accomplished production we have seen to date. Recitals for the other studios had a number of wonderful dancers and performances, but each class did its own performance, none of them linked to each other. This year, it was a real show, with 3 acts, consistent characters, and an honest to goodness theme. Act I was The Little Mermaid, Act II was Madeline's Rescue, and Act III was Calamity Jane. Lauren was only part of one routine in Act II plus the finale (there was a finale for each Act). Nevertheless, rehearsals for the show were numerous and lengthy. As difficult as I thought those would be, she absolutely loved them. Not only were they a chance for her to bond with the other girls in her class, but she got to watch all the "big girls", whom she idolizes. The dress rehearsal was held the day before the show. Kristen joined me for front and center seats. Post-performance, we took Lauren to downtown Fullerton to find a place to eat. Lauren was beyond thrilled to be reunited with Kristen. I don't think she stopped smiling and talking all evening. We found the cutest Italian restaurant, which was absolutely buzzing with the promise of a Saturday evening. Lauren stopped hugging and eating long enough to break out some hip-hop moves for the dining room. Of course then she got right back to loving on Kristen. The following afternoon, Lauren sat (sort of) patiently on the ottoman at home while I spent the better part of an hour doing her hair and makeup. Whoa do I have a greater understanding of what my mom had to go through with me and my synchro performances. Everything in place, we headed out for the drive to the auditorium. Under very strict orders not to have their costumes showing before entering the theater, the girls were told to cover up with something like a bathrobe or adult dress shirt. Lauren's always loved my silk shirts and it just so happens we had one that matched perfectly. The theater was majestic yet still intimate. The show was really wonderful, far more impressive and engaging than any I have seen to date. And Lauren and her little Parisienne group? Even though they're growing up, still ridiculously cute. After her act was complete, we waited for the dancers to emerge from the backstage door. Of course Daddy was there, with a beautiful bunch of flowers in tow. Not to mention Nana and Pop-Pop Mark. And it just so happened that cousins Ryan and Daniel were in town for a visit and more than proud to come watch the show. After the hugs, kisses, and photos, I took Lauren with her friends Harley and Virginia back into the theater so they could watch Act III. Watching the wonder and excitement in those little girls' eyes as they sat in awe of the production made all the hours of rehearsal (not to mention driving back and forth), more than worth it. I have definitely noticed a change in Lauren since the recital. She always danced around the house before, but now, she is flying through the air and twirling nonstop in public, which we haven't seen before. Plus she is now constantly choreographing her own dance numbers, which include plenty of dramatic sequences of acting. She keeps asking when the recital DVD is coming in the mail. Once we receive the DVD, without a doubt it will be on regular rotation. After that, there will be many more tales to tell, I'm sure.