Dancing Queen

This weekend Allie was a trooper. She did an awesome job at all of her performances this weekend. Earlier in the week at the dress rehearsal she was not too into the whole performance and loud music see this post. After we talked about all that would be different and crazy she said "I promise I will dance in the real recital mom" and did she ever. You can't take pictures during the show so we got a few after the second show and while getting ready.

Getting ready to go.....

During the first show, I was backstage with her so I just got to see her on the tv screen that was streaming the live show. She did awesome and I couldn't wait to watch her from the audience that night. On Saturday night, Geoff and I got to watch together in the audience, and it was awesome. Allie nailed her dance, poked the girl next to her a few times (cause she wasn't doing the hand motions correctly...according to Allie) and then she went the wrong way off the stage. All of the girls went left and Allie went right. We thought it was fine when the lights went dark. Then a few seconds later, the lights came on a bit, and there was Allie running as fast as her feet could carry her to the other side of the stage. That moment will be etched in our memories forever. After her routine, Geoff said "my face hurts from smiling, I can't stop smiling". It was indeed a very proud moment. There is nothing like watching your little one perform! We were very proud of her. Even with all of the craziness, it was a great weekend, and fun to have her cousins in the show too. The girls had lots of family support. My parents got to see two shows and so did Grandma and Paka. It was great to have everyone at the performances to support the girls. Allie loved watching Nora and Ruby perform. Paige was a trooper too and loved the shows. The later it got on Saturday night, the more she danced and wiggled. We look forward to many fun years of recitals!

We were so proud of Allie, Ruby and Nora

Allie's 4th Birthday Celebration

I can't believe Allie is really turning 4 years old. It seems like she has grown up so much in the last year. She is not a baby anymore and she is becoming her own little person more and more each day. Seems like just yesterday we were celebrating her first birthday!

July 2008......First Birthday Party

Four years later.....

Allison is a sweetheart and we love her to pieces. She is smart, funny and just has her own little personality. She is strong willed and knows exactly what she wants. Some days I could go without the sassy girl attitude....but she is an amazing little person and we love her lots. She is a great big sister and Paige thinks she is the best. This year Allie was in her first tap recital so we decided to have her birthday a week early since Grandma and Pa would be in town for the recital. We had a lot of fun with family and friends. A few of her friends from pre-school came to the party so that was fun for all of them to get together again! This year Allie wanted to have a clown for her birthday, so we hired Dilly-Dally the clown. The kids got cool balloon hats, bracelets and face paintings. Here are some of the pics from the big day. In all of the chaos of getting ready and actually having the party at the end of the day it is totally worth every second. When I laid down with Allie the night of her party. She said "I love you mom, thank you for the nice party." I would do it a million times over for Little Miss Persnickety Pants!! Love you Gracer Mace.

Getting ready.....

Dilly Dally the Clown

Balloon Hats.......

The little ones hanging out....


Face Painting.....

Cupcake time......

Indoor play time......

Present time........

Some of the guests....hard to get pictures of everyone....we had a great day!

Recital Time

Allie has been taking tap for a while now and the recital is finally here! This week we have had two rehearsals and Allie has been totally excited about the show. Here she is practicing before her first rehearsal.




The first night of rehearsal was just a run through with no costumes, make-up or hair. I was not sure what to do with Allie's hair so I was talking to a mom and she said use lots of Aqua Net hair spray. Really Aqua Net? They still sell that? It took me back a few years to my middle school and high school days to get the sky high bangs! Then I talked to my hair stylist and she said how about sponge rollers to get the curl?...hmmm...they still sell those too? I totally remember my mom curling my hair in the pink sponge rollers the night before "big" events. So a little trip to Wal-Mart and sure enough they sell Aqua Net and sponge rollers. When Allie woke up in the morning this is what she looked like. Shirley Temple at her finest!!



She was excited all day for her rehearsal because tonight was like the "real" show. Everyone would be in costumes and it was a big night. Rehearsals are a bit long and hectic, but Allie was a trooper. She had fun with friends in her class and with her cousins, Ruby and Nora. They are in a different class but it was fun to see them all decked out in their costumes too! We will watch their dance this weekend.











So when it was time for Allie to perform it was a "no-go" as she likes to put it when she doesn't have to go to the bathroom. She did not want to do her dance and she didn't really do it at all. She stood on the stage and plugged her ears. This is what she has always done when she is nervous, so I was right in front of her in the audience and yelled out to her thinking maybe she couldn't see me. Oh no, she could see me just fine. Then when I said "start tapping Als" she crossed her arms and stood there! Proud parent moment...let me tell you. But really what was I going to do? She finally tapped a bit with her ears plugged. I just have to remember she is only 3...going on 4 and we will look back and laugh at this someday! When she got off the stage I asked her what was up and she said it was "way too loud". So we talked about it being loud and bright and she would have to stick it out and make sure to tap for the "real" shows this weekend. We will she what the Little Miss decides to do on Saturday!