Dress Rehearsal

This afternoon Ava and I spent half an hour playing with makeup in my bathroom in preparation for the dress rehearsal of her very first recital. I made a very big deal about the makeup. I had to get her excited about going, since earlier this morning she told me she did not want to go to her recital.





On Wednesday, we had a mandatory stage rehearsal, so that the students could see the auditorium (for the first time). I guess I can't blame Ava for not wanting to get on stage. She had fallen asleep in the car on the way and I had to wake her up. We had gotten there in plenty of time, but the doors were locked. So we spent 15 minutes walking all around the auditorium on a hot Florida June afternoon. When we finally got in, her class was already on stage, so we RAN down one of the aisles, threw on some ballet shoes and I plopped her up on stage. Not 30 seconds later was she crying and begging to get down. She watched her classmates do their dance while she insisted on sitting with me instead of joining them. I was frustrated, sad, disappointed, and angry. So we didn't talk about it at all the rest of that day...or the next. This morning she woke up and said, "Is today my recital?" And even though Anthony and I kept explaining that today was just dress rehearsal and tomorrow is the recital, she was insistent on telling us that she would go backstage but she did NOT want to dance.



So I made a BIG deal about the makeup. And a little bit of eyeshadow, blush, mascara, and lipstick can go a long way for a 3-almost-4-year-old.





We got to the auditorium early. Brought her a drink and snacks and a Dora DVD. Some other mom's brought crayons and coloring books. And I left her backstage where her and her friends were dressed alike in their costumes and playing happily. I sat in an empty auditorium and watched countless dances while I waited for hers. Then I heard the familiar music and saw the red and black costumes step out on stage. And there she was - right in the middle. Smiling, looking around, following the girls next to her and actually dancing! I'm not a very emotional person, and I didn't shed any tears, but I had the biggest smile plastered on my face. I even realized it and tried to stop smiling (just to see if I could), but I couldn't. That was definitely one of the prouder moments I've experienced so far.

No pictures of her costume yet...I'm waiting to post those from the actual recital night. Wish us luck!