Live - Love - Dance: Recital 2014

This year June 6th was a big day for Lila!  Not only did she graduate preschool, but it was also her dance recital, too (it is also her Grammy & Uncle Jason's birthday)!  She was in the Tinies 1-2 class at Dancer's Edge that ran the length of the school year.  They ended the year with a ballet performance to the tune "The Way to Bake" from Snow White.

This was our first rodeo, so even the dress rehearsal was new to us.  I wasn't really on it and didn't do a trial run on her hair or make-up, so I was a bit nervous as I was whipping her hair up and putting make-up on her only to rush out the door, but she didn't look too bad!  And she loved it, so I suppose that is all that really matters!

Looking so grown-up!

Lila's good friend Henley is in her class with her and both of the girls were so excited to see how this was all going to work out and get up on the big stage to perform their dance.  We arrived at Prairie's Concert Hall and got the girls all ready and shipped them off to the teachers backstage!

CHEESE!

What a good Daddy!

All ready!

Patiently waiting!

It was so cute to finally see the girls come across the stage when it was their turn to perform.  This was Lila's very first time ever being on a stage like this...I wasn't sure how she would react.  Good news, she didn't sweat it at all during rehearsal.  I was hopeful that she would do as well when the seats were full during the recital!

Places everyone!

Practice makes perfect!

Little darlings!

They've got it down!

Take 2!

After rehearsal dinner!  They were still performing, this time singing!

A few days later it was time for the big recital!  We followed the same beauty routine at the house and got her hair and make-up all done and then off we went to Prairie to watch her perform in front of an audience full of people!

Ready to go!

Dance Darlings!

Here we go!

So, as I stated before...I was unbelievably impressed with Lila that she was able to get up on that big stage and perform without flinching, I think I was more nervous for the final recital performance than she was.  She strolled right out on the dark stage and they sat and sat, I literally was shaking I was so nervous and convinced that the dark would freak all of these little kids out.  But, the lights came up ,the music came on, and they danced!  They danced SO well!  It was awesome!

And this ladies in gentlemen...

is how to...

bake a cake!

She only had one dance, but each of the dancers performed in the finale with their teachers, too!  It was fun to see everyone out there together getting their groove on and celebrating all of their hard work for the year!

Good job everyone!

After recital was over our little dancer was able to come out and see all of the people that were there to cheer her on!  We are so lucky to be surrounded by so many friends & family that are so excited to support our little girl (especially Jason who gave up birthday plans to sit through a dance recital)!

Bravo!

Cousins who paved the way for dancing!

Adding Hannah to the group!

Grampa & his girl!

Grandma & Grandpa Eddins!

We have reached yet another milestone...another first!  Whether she continues dancing through her entire life or at some point decides she is interested in other things, we have officially sailed through our first recital. She blew us away with her courage and reminded us yet again that fear is often time learned.  As long as Mom and Dad didn't make a huge deal out if it, she was a cool cucumber!  We look forward to many more opportunities to watch her on the stage!

Preschool Graduation!

What an amazing year it has been for Lila in preschool!  I didn't know what to expect from 4 year old preschool, I kind of thought it would be more of the same from 3 year old preschool, but I was wrong.  Lila did happen to be in the blue room again with the same teachers, Mrs. O'Connell & Mrs. Rosencrants, but her days looked different this year.  She was in a two day program last year, but this year she jumped to a three day schedule with an extended class day on Wednesdays. Other than the different schedule the biggest change was her development.  I know, I know, she is a year older so she is further along, but to really see the development in the papers she brought home and the workbooks she started at the beginning of the year and finished at the end...it was pretty awesome!  I definitely think 3 year preschool was educational, but almost more from a social skills standpoint.  The 4 year old curriculum was heavily geared towards writing, math, and the beginning of reading!

Lila had a great year in the blue room and was super excited for her last day!  This year was different, she will go back to the same school, but it won't be for preschool, rather Kindergarten!  So, this particular "graduation" was special...she is truly moving on!

The graduation begins with the kids performing a few songs for the parents!  Each of the songs were so cute and all of the kids did a great job performing in front of the parents staring back at them!

"Y-E-L-L-O-W spells Yellow!"

To see a video of the kids singing "Goodbye" click here.  

After the performances each of the children were called up to the front of the room to accept their certificate and a book given to them by their teachers as a gift for finishing the year.  As each child approached the front the teachers told a small tidbit about the child and they took a bow or curtsied!

Being presented with her certificate!

Once each child was presented with their certificate and gift it was time for pictures!  Lila had a group of girls that she was thick as thieves with!  It was hard for these girls to let each other go as they are all going to different schools next year, one of the saddest things about growing up!

Lila & her besties!  (Sofie, Lila, Lauren, Maya & Jorja)

Lila & Mrs. Rosencrants

Lila & Mrs. O'Connell

Attempting a class photo!

After her graduation we had a special celebratory lunch and then a quick stop at Orange Leaf to top it off with a sweet treat!  As I look at these pictures from this special day I can't help but feel unbelievably proud of our little girl!  She is growing into a smart, funny, and caring little girl.  While it is unbelievable to think that she will be going into Kindergarten, we are so excited for her future and know that she is ready to conquer school with everything she has!

A sweet treat!