Lauren's 1st Dance Recital!

After Mee-maw and Grandpa's surprise party, Chad, Lauren, Charlie and I had to rush back to Gainesville to get ready for Lauren's first dance recital, the next day!!

We previously moved her to a new ballet/tap class, on Friday mornings, and they were picked to participate in the Dance School's Annual Holiday Recital.  They had been practicing the routine for a few months, and I was really excited to see the show.  Lauren was mostly excited to wear her new sparkly blue skirt!  And she could not resist checking herself out in the mirror, once we got her dressed and did her hair!

                     

We arrived at George Mason High School, in Falls Church, around noon and quickly directed Lauren to the seats reserved for her class.  Then Chad, Charlie and I, along with Mee-maw, Grandpa, Sarah, Grammy and Grumpa had to find seats in a mostly packed auditorium.  I was a little nervous to see how Lauren would do with so many people in the audience.  This would be her first time up on a stage.

She sat with her class and watched the first 12 dance routines of the show.  Then it was time for them to go backstage.

They danced a tap routine to "Driedel Driedel Driedel", and it was adorable.  As I expected, Lauren would participate and go through the dance routine, until she got distracted.  First, she kept scanning the audience and was probably distracted with all of the people.  Then, she and her dance partner got distracted, half way through the routine, when they decided that they were holding hands incorrectly.  And at one point, Lauren wasn't moving and her partner accidentally knocked her over.  But she bounced right back up and continued with the dance.  After all, the show must go on!!

It was fun watching all of the different routines.  There were dancers of all ages and talent in the show, and I believe everyone enjoyed the show, despite the fact that Lauren only danced one routine out of seventeen!

                               

After the show was over, Lauren received some flowers and we posed for photos.  Then we headed out to a celebratory lunch at one of our favorite deli's in the area.  

                                         

I am not sure how long Lauren will dance.  She really loves it right now, but I have a feeling sports might take over, once she gets older.  I will absolutely be happy to cheer her on in sports, but until then, I want to make sure we enjoy the sparkles, tutus, hair bows and recitals.  Just as long as she is doing whatever makes her happy, our family will always be there to cheer Lauren on!!