Dancing Queens

I am so glad that my girls have the opportunity to participate in dance class. Leah has been dancing for 6 years now! She's really got a knack for it-- she enjoys it and does pretty well. It has been amazing to see her growth. And this year her love for dance spread to her little sister. After trying it out when she was just 4, she wasn't quite ready to get out there and be the center of attention. But we tried again this year and though it took a few weeks, she ended up thriving. Her teacher saw the growth & change in her and said she has promise as a good little dancer. The best part for Abi was the change in her I saw socially. By the end of the year she was asking her friends if she could play with them before class.

I love their small little dance studio, where Abi and Leah both had the same teacher, just in different classes. Leah got to tap with adults this year and fit it perfectly well as the youngest in her class. Their teacher expects them to be their best and gets much respect from the girls because she just doesn't allow them to do less than that.

Both girls were a little nervous before the show this year, but also excited and didn't need me to stay back with them.

Abigail's jazz number was "Under the Sea" from the Little Mermaid. I took most of these pictures during the dress rehearsal, rather than the actual recital, which is why you see most of them looking off to their teacher on the side!

  

Her tap number was "Lollipop"-- I mean, who can resist five and six year olds in frilly skirts with lollipops? They did such a great job and barely missed a step! For mostly first year dancers, they sure did seem like they knew exactly what to do!

Leah's tap number, with the adult class, was 42nd Street, a broadway show from the 20's. I tried to upload to YouTube but they are apparently pretty strict with copyright laws and muted the music. Just watching this dance amazed me! I don't know how anyone can move their feet that fast!

Leah's jazz number was from The Greatest Showman-- hence the circus-themed costumes. It was a really great song and fit this age group perfectly. They had so much fun learning this and adding in the sticks and other props.

And a comparison shot-- Leah's first recital, vs. her sixth!

Train Ride & Family Fun

Apparently since there is Mother's Day and there is Father's Day, Vermont also feels the need to celebrate Kids' Day. And we joined in the fun! Kids rode free this past weekend on the Green Mountain Railroad (grown ups could tag along for a pretty cheap price). It was a pretty cool train. We rode about 45 minutes out and back-- not too much to see, but it was still really fun to see out the wide open windows and spend time together at the table on the train.

After the train ride we went to the Kids' Day carnival events downtown. Leah held a snake.

Jacob was a little grouchy because the sun was hot and, well, he's 2. The bubbles helped a little.

We sat on a fire truck and an ambulance. The paramedic in the ambulance was really nice and the kids enjoyed seeing some of the things they've been learning about the human body in science class!

Of course no Kids Day would be complete without creemees. Our first of the season!